Home Connect, August 21, 2011

Date: Sunday, August 21, 2011
Esther Saves Her People

Link:

http://www.networkforgood.org/

Once you arrive at the Network for Good home page, click on the “Volunteer” button to the left of the screen. Enter your zip code when prompted and hit “search.” You will move to a page of volunteer ideas. Spend some time exploring the various areas of service.

Link:

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-service-organizations

Check out this list of service organizations. Did you ever dream there were so many? Discuss whether any might be of interest to your family.

Link:

http://www.crosscampus.net/

Enjoy surfing this site. Perhaps you would like to read about some of projects Cross Campus is doing. Do they give you any ideas for service projects of your own?

Read Esther 2-9 and Galatians 5:13. Why does God call us to serve one another? Do you think Esther was motivated by love? Explain your opinion on this.

Discuss acts of service that you can offer to others. Privately commit to serve God in new ways this week.

What does sharing about Jesus with others have to do with socks and gum? Find out with the “Worth the Effort” activity on page 973 of your Hands-On Bible!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-12-(august-21,-2011)

Home Connect, July 10, 2011

Date: Sunday, July 10, 2011
Josiah Promises to Follow the Lord

Link:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

Link:

http://www.searchgodsword.org/

Use either of these websites to play Bible Verse Question-and-Answer. Choose one family member to go first. He or she can put any topic, subject, or word into the search box. For example, the wordpeace can be typed into the box. After clicking on the search button, a list of Scriptures that address that subject will appear. In this case, a list of verses about “peace” will come up on the screen. Reading the verses will provide answers to questions about how peace can be found. The first questioner may guide the family in biblical research for up to four searches or five minutes, whichever comes first. Then another family member may take a turn, playing until everyone has been the researcher. As a family, discuss the following questions:

• What did you learn today about God’s Word? Did you find answers to real-life questions about everyday problems? Give examples.
• Explain how God can guide us through his Word in Scripture. How can you use the Bible to help you make important decisions?

Check out a fun, artistic way to honor Jesus with your words and actions. Look at page 1170 in yourHands-On Bible™ for the “Move It” activity!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-6-(july-10,-2011)

Home Connect, May 29, 2011

Date: Sunday May 29, 2011
Paul Teaches in Athens

Link:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/top/g/god.htm?http://www.cyberhymnal.org/top/g/godcreat.htm

Check out this site that lists hymns and songs about creation. Some of the song titles include “Earth’s Mighty Maker” and “New Wonders of Thy Mighty Hand.”
• Why would the Creator of the Universe be powerful and mighty?

Take a few moments to consider these thoughts and questions:
• God is the Creator of all things. He is mighty. He is awesome. He is powerful and sovereign. And he is the Christian’s protector. To whom should you turn when you need guidance?
• What should you remember when you are afraid?
• In Athens, Paul preached about the God who created the world. He taught the people that this was the true God, the only God, and that we were his “offspring.” Then Paul explained that we can “live in God.” What do you think Paul meant?
• If we live in God, does that give us access to his knowledge, guidance, and power as the Creator?
• How does that make you feel?

PRAY God, thank you that because we are your children, we can live in you. We can trust you with every aspect of our lives. You will lead us and guide us. You will never betray us. We are safe in your arms. Amen.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-13-(may-29,-2011)

Home Connect, May 1, 2011

Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011
Peter Explains Belief in Jesus

Link:

http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/inheritancetaxwills.htm

Link:

http://money.guardian.co.uk/tax/factsheet/0,1456,611866,00.html

Link:

http://www.legal-database.com/legal-requirements-will.htm

Consider the various tips regarding wills and inheritance that are offered at these websites. Then think about your “heavenly” inheritance.

Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 as a family and discuss the following items:
• Describe the inheritance that is explained in this passage of Scripture. How is a heavenly inheritance different from an inheritance on earth?
• What promises does God make regarding heaven? Why should this give us hope?
• How can we obtain this “heavenly” inheritance?

Spend a few moments in prayer, thanking Jesus for paying the price of salvation so that we could be the children of God and inherit eternal life.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-9-(may-1,-2011)

Home Connect, March 13, 2011

Date: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Jesus Feeds Thousands

Link:

http://wvi.org/wvi/wviweb.nsf

This is the home page of World Vision, an international relief organization. Your family can sponsor a needy child overseas.

Link:

http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage

This is the home page of Church World Service, another agency that works to provide relief in poverty areas.  CWS has sponsored CROP Walks for decades to raise money to help others in need.

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6XSjwOyoi4

YouTube has many offerings when you search “Jesus Feeds 5000,” such as the animated clip in this link.

Other than the miracle of The Resurrection, this passage, usually called “The Feeding of the 5,000″ or “The Miracle of the Five Loaves and Two Fish,” is the only miracle present in all four Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15).

Use the links above and your own creativity as a family to find ways to offer your own “five loaves and two fish” to Jesus. God can use us in amazing ways if we are willing to give God our time, talents, and resources. Consult also with your pastor to find out what your own denomination is doing to help relieve hunger in the world.

Group Publishing: http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-2-(march-13,-2011)

Home Connect, February 13, 2011

Date: Sunday, February 13, 2011
Jesus Walks on Water

Link:

http://www.todayinhistory.com

Look up events that happened on today’s date in history. Identify specific events that reflect faith. For example, did the scientist need faith to believe an invention would work? Did the driver of the fire truck have faith that the engine would turn over when he put in the key to start it? Did a country need to have faith in its leaders? Talk about how faith can affect our choices. Then discuss what it means to have faith in Jesus.

Link:

http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/hymns.html

Click on this URL to find a list of hymns you can sing. Find one or two that are specifically about faith. Lyrics are provided for some of the hymns. For others, you might want to grab the family hymnbook, just to have the words handy. Think about the words as you sing. How do the hymn writers express their faith? Do you think their words sum up what it takes to have faith in Jesus in today’s world? Why or why not?

Read Matthew 14:22-27. Then discuss the following questions as a family:

What was the reaction of the disciples when they first saw Jesus walking on the water? Why do you think they were afraid? What did Jesus tell them?

In response to the disciples’ fear, Jesus reminded them who he was. Think of times when you have been afraid. How can remembering who Jesus is help you to have faith in him?

Group Publishing: http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/winter-2010-2011/week-11-(february-13,-2011)