February

Feb 3 – Today we went to a wedding.  Jesus did his first miracle at a joyous celebration, and turned water into wine.  Sometime this week, read together the passage that tells about the wedding – John 2:1-11 – and then have your own family celebration.

Put scoops of ice cream into a tall glass.  Carefully add lemon lime soda until the glasses are half full.  Stir.  Then add and stir grape soda or grape juice.  As you slurp the wonderful explosion of purple foam and imagine the amazement of the guests at the wedding, talk about what things do we need to trust Jesus with?  What does trusting Jesus look like in our day to day lives?  What’s one thing we can do to trust Jesus more.

Feb 14 – In honour of Valentine’s Day, we heard a love story today…Jesus forgives Zaccheus.  Zaccheus was a “wee little man” who wanted to see Jesus.  The crowd was so big, that he had to climb a tree- just so he could see.  We talked about how it must have been like being at a parade, and not having dad’s shoulders to climb up on.  This week, make a small tree of your own, to remind you of your faith in Jesus.  Twist 8 chenille wires together at the botton.  Stick that in a cup filled with dried beans or popcorn kernels.  Now open the branches of your tree.  Cut small hears from red felt and use fabric paints to write the words from today’s Bible Verse – “We love because he first loved us” – 1 John 4:19.  Then add these to your tree.

Feb. 21 – This week our focus was Jesus teaching those gathered in what we call – “The Sermon on the Mount”.  He taught for a very long time, and what he taught was completely opposite to what the world thought was right.  “Love your enemies” was just one of the teachings.  Quite specifically, he taught the story of the wise man building his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24-29).  Building on the sand makes us vulnerable to winds and storms, but the rock stays strong and keeps us safe.

Build yourselves a rock reminder of the teachings from today.  As you decorate your rocks – talk about what it means to build your life on the rock?  What’s one new way we can put Jesus’ words into practise this week?

Feb 28 -  Today we learned about one of Jesus miracles.  This one happened when a huge crowd had gathered, and needed to be fed.  A young boy was willing to offer his lunch – 5 tiny loaves of bread and 2 fish – from this Jesus blessed the food, and more than 5,000 people had their fill.

Make “bread” ice cream to remember today’s miracle story.  Place a large scoop of ice cream on a sheet of waxed paper.  Fold the waxed paper in half and use you hands to mold the ice cream inot a mini-loaf of bread.  Peel off the paper and set the loaf on a plate sprinkled with a mixture of granola and crushed nuts.  Sprinkle more on top.  Cover lightly with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour.  Reread the miracle from John 6:5-14.  Then as you share your “bread”, talk about:  When had God cared for our family in a special way?  What is one of your favourite ways to care for others?