Home Connect, August 14, 2011

Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall

Link:

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=12949

Link:

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=7813954

Read the articles and press release from these websites. Notice that the government officials representing the people affected by tragedy and hardship have requested aid from the President of the United States. Discuss the following questions as a family:

• How do you think the people in these situations felt when they were faced with such challenging circumstances? Why did they ask the President for help?
• Have you ever felt dismayed or even overwhelmed by things that happened to you? Who did you ask to help you?
• What can we do when we are faced with challenges beyond what we feel equipped to handle? Who is our resource?

How was Philip like a mirror when he followed where God led him? Check out the “Reflection of Love” activity on page 1079 of your Hands-On Bible!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-11-(august-14,-2011)

Home Connect, May 22, 2011

Date: Sunday, May 22, 2011
Stephen Forgives His Accusers as They Stone Him

Link:

http://www.goodthings.com/01_00_gl74.html

Click on this URL and scroll down to the heading, “A Priceless Valentine.” Read this story about the assignment one boy’s teacher gave her students’ parents.
• What made the assignment so special?
• What did you learn about using good words and actions?
• Do you think that this letter will be remembered by the son? Why or why not?

Consider using this mother’s letter to her son as an example, and write “good letters” to members of your family.

Link:

http://www.nichemarketingideas.com/2/biblestoriesweb/39.htm

After reading the story of Stephen, think over these questions:
• How do you normally respond when someone hurts your feelings?
• Is it more difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you, especially after you have shown them love?
• How did Stephen show forgiveness?
• What actions might go with forgiveness?

Showing love through actions often involves forgiveness. In our own strength, that is sometimes a difficult thing to do. Thankfully, God has provided examples of love and forgiveness through saints like Stephen, and ultimately through his own son, Jesus.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-12-(may-22,-2011)

Home Connect, May 8, 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, April 24, 2011

ate: Sunday, April 24, 2011
Jesus Comes Back to Life

Link:

http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/jackhulland/projects/butterflies/

Link:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterflies/activities/

Link: http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Butterflies/english/teach+games/index.html

Surf these websites that show pictures of butterflies in the various stages of their lives. There are activities and coloring pages at the Enchanted Learning site that younger members of the family will enjoy. You will see the entire life cycle of the butterfly at the Virtual Museum website. Be sure to watch closely as the butterfly leaves the pupa case.

Let each family member participate as you discuss the following questions:
• How does a caterpillar in a pupa case remind you of Jesus in the tomb?
• How does a butterfly coming out of the pupa case remind you of Jesus coming to life again after his crucifixion and burial?

Enjoy a family art project where each person sketches his or her favorite butterfly or caterpillar. Tape the drawings in a prominent place as a reminder that Jesus came back to life and is alive!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-8-(april-24,-2011)

Home Connect, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011
Crowds Welcome Jesus to Jerusalem

Link: http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2000/002/11.39.html

Take this True/False test about Jesus’ grand entrance into Jerusalem. Then scroll down for a look at the answers! How did you do?

Link:

http://www.time.com/time/

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday, the people praised him as a King. They thought Jesus would make a wonderful government official! Choose two or three stories from the Time website that involve influential people. Read the articles and think about the qualities that make people leaders.

Discuss the following questions as a family:
• Name several leaders from history. What made them famous?
• Who are some people from today’s world that you consider worthy of praise? What qualities do these persons possess that you might want to emulate?
• Why is Jesus worthy of our praise?

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-7-(april-17,-2011)

Home Connect, April 10, 2011

Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

Link:

http://www.antelope-ebooks.com/RELIGIOUS/Jesus/Jesus39.html

Link:

http://www.ainglkiss.com/stories/laz.htm/

Link:

http://www.kids-corner.info/myintouch/youth/k_lazarus_36944943.html

Click on these links to read the story of Lazarus. You may find that the third link is especially kid-friendly and appropriate for younger family members. Consider having different members of the family take turns reading the various story versions aloud. Then talk about some of the following topics that relate to the story:

When Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would be resurrected, she thought he was talking about “the last days.” Martha wasn’t completely wrong in her assumption, but she didn’t quite have the “big picture.” Although Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead that day, he also explained to Martha that he was the resurrection.

ASK • What did Jesus mean by that?
• How does Jesus work miracles in our lives today?
• Can you think of ways that Jesus gives Christians hope? As a family, make a list of these.

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

Home Connect, April 3, 2011

Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011
Jesus Tells About the Good Samaritan

Link:

http://wordofloveforyou.com/Fish1.htm

Link:

http://www.lifeofchrist.com/

Hear how Jesus miraculously fed five thousand at the Christian Online Bookstore. Then go to the Life of Christ website where you will find articles, maps, charts, and studies about the life of Christ. As you browse both websites, look for examples of Jesus showing that he loves and cares for people. Discuss these questions as a family:

• How has Jesus shown that he cares for people?
• In what ways has Jesus shown his love for you?
• How did the good Samaritan show that he loved the injured man?

Link:

http://www.nick.com/all_nick/everything_nick/public_bighelp.jhtml

Just like the good Samaritan, we can show the love of Jesus through our actions. Go to the Nickelodeon website to discover different ways that kids and their families are helping communities through Nickelodeon’s Big Help project.

Brainstorm ideas for helping someone in your neighborhood. You could pick up trash at a local park, visit a church member whose yard needs work, invite a family to your house for a meal, or donate toys to a family shelter. There are many ideas to choose from! Once you’ve completed your family project, get back together and discuss what each family member will most remember about showing the love of Jesus through actions.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-5-(april-3,-2011)

Home Connect, March, 27, 2011

Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011
Jesus Talks With the Samaritan Woman

Link:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/manage/poll/e_life.htm

Link:

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/water.html

Link:

http://www.cyberparent.com/nutrition/waterclean.htm

Check out these Web sites that explain how water is an essential part of life. How long do you think you could last without a drink of water? Can you find research to support your answer?

Just as we cannot survive without physical water, life is futile without the living water that only Jesus can give. How long do you think you could last without Jesus? Explain.

Discuss the gift of living water. How do you think it changed the Samaritan woman’s life? How might it change yours?

Group Publishing: http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-4-(march-27,-2011)

Home Connect, February 27, 2011

Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011
Jesus Blesses the Children

Link:

http://www.amazing-kids.org/gallery.html#top

Link:

http://www.amazing-kids.org/writers.html#top

Jesus reminded us that children are special; they faithfully see what others don’t. Explore the world through children’s eyes at the Amazing Kids web sites. Click on the first URL to discover art done by children. Scroll down to find individual artists. Then go to the writers’ site. There you will find amazing contributions by young authors. Discuss how you might have drawn or written about the same subjects addressed by some of these children.

Answer the following questions as a family:

• How do you think God feels about children?
• Do you think God sees children in a different way than he sees adults? Explain.
• Does God bless children today? How do you know?

Close in prayer, thanking God for loving children so much that he blesses them.

Group Publishing: http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/winter-2010-2011/week-13-(february-27,-2011)