October 21 - Family Night
FAMILY NIGHT – WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES
God has created the home as one of the most important places of ministry. Scripture shows that God has entrusted parents as the primary disciple-makers in the life of a child. To come alongside of parents in this task, we push pause on our regular Wednesday Night Activities for intentional time together. Our hope is that this would be an evening filled with enjoyment of one another as you focus on the good gift that our heavenly Father has provided.
Below you will find a few ideas to help guide your evening.
#1: Be together
Try to remove as many distractions as possible for the evening by making the evening screen-free. The goal is to create an atmosphere where we are present with one another and with the Lord.
#2: Eat together
We see woven throughout Scripture the importance of meals. The meal does not need to be complicated. Simpler means may serve a better purpose! The important part is sitting down and eating together.
To direct conversation, you might consider asking each person to answer these three questions:
High – What was the best part of your day?
Low – What was the hardest part of your day?
Unexpected – What was something surprising or fun that happened today?
#3: Pray together
Take a few moments to thank God in prayer. If possible, we encourage the father to lead the prayer. If needed, use the prayer below.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for our family and for this evening that you have given. Please help us to grow in our love for you and for one another. Create in us a gratitude for salvation through your Son, Jesus. It is in His name we pray, amen.
#4: Read Scripture together
Below is suggested Scripture and discussion questions that can be used to facilitate the time depending upon the season of your home.
Families with young children
Read Nehemiah 9:16-17 and talk about the following questions:
-How did God’s people act toward Him?
-Even when God’s people disobeyed Him, what does verse 17 tell us God is like?
-What does it mean that God is ready to forgive?
-When we sin, what should we do?
Families with older children or teenagers, couples, groups, or individuals
Read Nehemiah 9:16–17, 31–33 and talk about the following questions:
-As God's people looked back on their history, they acknowledge both their unfaithfulness and God’s faithfulness. How does God's faithfulness help us be honest about our sin and failures?
-Nehemiah 9:17 describes God as gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Which of these characteristics stands out to you, and why?
-How does remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthen our trust in Him today?
-How does Jesus show us God’s mercy toward sinners?
-What is one way you can respond to God’s mercy this week?
#5: Enjoy together
Enjoy the rest of the evening with a fun activity such as a board game.
