Faith At Home

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13 & Matthew 3:1-12

• Watch this video from the Bible Project which explores the core meaning of biblical peace, or Shalom, & how it leads to Jesus.
• Read Isaiah 11:6-9.  What surprising animal pairs could you place around the manger with your nativity set?
• Watch The Baptism of Jesus based on Matt 3:1-12
• Click here for an activity & reflection on the Matthew reading.
• Do some wondering reflection after reading the Matthew reading: I wonder what kind of road you're on now as we travel to Christmas, I wonder if there's a way that you could make your road to Christmas a bit smoother, & I wonder if we're doing what we can to make the road to God easier for others.

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; Luke 1:47-55; James 5:7-10 & Matthew 11:2-11

• Watch this video from the Bible Project to explore the unique type of joy to which God's people are called.
• Click here for a reflection on the James reading
• Click here for an activity & a reflection on the Isaiah reading.

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25

• Watch this Bible Project video to explore how in the New Testament "love" or "Agape" refers to a way of treating people that was defined by Jesus himself.
• Talk about your name and what it means. What does Jesus' name mean? (see the Isaiah & Matthew readings)
• Click here for an activity & reflection on the Isaiah reading.
• Some wondering after reading Matt 1:18-25 - I wonder what was it like for Joseph to hear that Mary was going to have a baby, I wonder what would it be like for Joseph to have an angel appear to him in a dream, I wonder what the angel might have been like & I wonder how did Joseph know it was an angel?

• Watch this Paperlesschristmas - the Road Movie to explore the Christmas Story
• 5 Household Rituals for Christmas Eve
• Christmas Eve for the Christian Household
• Click here or here for reflections on John 1:1-14
• Have birthday cake for Jesus and sing "Happy Birthday"
• Read or act out the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20
• Read Hebrews 1:1-3 and discuss why Jesus and his birthday are so important.  Verses 2a-3 are an ancient hymn or Christmas Carol - see Worshiping with Children for a script which explains the verses (scroll down to the Hebrews reading)
• Read John 1:1-14 - invite people to put their hands like an open book every time they hear the word "word" in the reading
• The Light Shines in the Darkness - John 1 light craft & discussion
• Some wondering questions - I wonder what God really wants for Christmas & I wonder if there's something that you can give God?

Readings: Ecc 3:1-13; Ps 8; Rev 21:1-6a & Matt 25:31-46

• Click here for a refection for the New Year
• Discuss some of the general pairs of opposites in the Ecc reading
• Make a banner for your front door with the blessing "Christ's Hope and Peace and Joy and Love to You!" to remember the new life we have in Christ based on an idea from on the chancel steps.

Readings: Is 63:7-9; Ps 148; Heb 2:10-18 & Mt 2:13-23

• Read Ps 148 and draw the things mentioned in the Psalm
• Watch & reflect on this version of Psalm 148 from Sons of Korah

Readings: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-7, 10-14; Eph 3:1-12; Matt 2:1-12

• Put glow in the dark star stickers on the ceiling of your bedroom to remind you of Isaiah's call to rise & shine in Is 60:1-6 or a reminder to follow the star as the magi did (Matt 2:1-12).
• For the Matt 2:1-12 reading tell the story in your own words moving the figures from your nativity to different parts of the room to represent the journey.
• Here's a Chalking the Door ritual that is traditionally done on Epiphany.
• Star of Wonder - A book that you can purchase but there are also lots of ideas for having an Epiphany celebration
• Make this Epiphany King Cake
• A few more ideas for celebrating Epiphany
• Some wise men crafts

Readings: Is 42:1-9; Ps 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matt 3:13-17

• Talk about the baptism of each person in your household - When was it?, Who was there?, etc.
• Watch this video about John the Baptist

Readings: Is 49:1-7; Ps 40:1-11; 1 Cor 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

• Before reading the 1 Cor reading (which is the start of a letter from Paul), take time to explore what a letter is and what they meant to the early Christians.  Find a letter you have and show your children.  Explain that the Corinthians were sent a letter from Paul and they thought it was so important that they saved it, copied it and shared it with others.

Readings: Is 9:1-4; Ps 27:1, 4-9; I Cor 1:10-18; Matt 4:12-23

• Use this spinning fish prayer activity with the Matthew reading.

Readings: Mic 6:1-8; Ps 15; 1 Cor 1:18-31; Matt 5:1-12

• Click here for a reflection on Ps 15
• Click here for a reflection on the Matthew reading
• Go here to watch a video of The Beatitudes

Readings: Is 58:1-9a (9b-12); Ps 112:1-10; 1 Cor 2:1-12 (13-16); Matt 5:13-20

• Go here to watch a clip about being the salt and light of the world.

Readings: Deut 30:15-20; Ps 119:1-8; 1 Cor 3:1-9; Matt 5:21-37

• Click here to bake some Secret Inside-Outside Cakes & a reflection on the Corinthians reading.

Readings: Ex 24:12-18; Ps 2 or Ps 99; 2 Pet 1:16-21; Matt 17:1-9

• Have a fish & chip dinner and read Ex 14:19-31
• A Visual way to tell the Parting of the Red Sea story
• Tell the story using objects to make sounds
• Go for a nature walk and then make a journey stick as you explore Ex 14:19-31
• The Forgiving King/Queen Craft - Matt 18:21-35 (scroll down to find instructions)
• Count 70 items of something to show what this number looks like
• Discussion questions for Matt 18:21-35:  If you were the King in today’s story, would you have forgiven the first official at the beginning? Why/why not?  Why do you think God wants us to forgive people? What would happen if we didn’t?  If you have forgiven someone, should you forget what they did?

• Discussion Questions for Matt 20:1-16:  What do you think Jesus meant by “Everyone who is now first will be last, and everyone who is last will be first.”?  Do you think it was fair that all the workers in the story were paid the same amount? Why/Why not?

• Read Phil 2:1-11.  V6-11 are like a creed or statement of belief.  What do you believe about God/Jesus? Write your own creed.  Or use playdough to model how your faith can be expressed.
• Read Phil 2:1-13.  Listen for the word or phrase that stands out to you.  Discuss:  How can your attitude be the same as Jesus?  How can you act more like Jesus this week?

• Click here for an explanation of the 10 Commandments using your 10 fingers.
• Go outside & look at the sky.  If it's daytime, look at the clouds, what do you see?  If it's nighttime look at the stars.  Read psalm 19.
• Click here for a reflection on the Psalm 19.  If the sky was the only Bible we had, what would we learn about God?  How can the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to God?
• Look at the sky several times throughout the day & night and discuss how the heavens declare the glory of God.  Or look at the sky at the same time each day, this week and notice how this time of day declares the glory of God.
• Share some grapes and read Matt 21:33-46.  Discuss or google how grapes are grown.  How do you think this passage relates to faith?

• Look at the Brick Testament version of The Golden Calf
• Click here for a reflection on Exodus 32:1-14
• Read Phil 4:1-9.  Discuss:  How do we rejoice in the Lord always?  What are you anxious about?  How can you give the worry to God?
• make s’mores to remind you to rejoice in the Lord always and to give your worries to God in prayer (prayer s’more).

• Play Simon Says.  Read 1 Thes 1:1-10 and talk about how God wants us to be copycats of Jesus.

• Write a list, in priority order, of those you wish to please the most.  Then read Thessalonians 1:1-10.  Who does Paul want to please the most?
• Look at the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20) and work out which match "Love God"  & which match "Love your neighbours" thus demonstrating what Jesus says in the Matthew 22:34-46.  Go here for a version of the 10 commandments that you could print out & cut up.
• Read Matt 22:34- 40.  Discuss:  How can you love God with your heart?  How can you love God with your soul?  How can you love God with your mind?  Why can you only love others as much as you love yourself?  How does loving God and loving others fulfill all the law and the prophets?
• Love one another: spreading hearts prayers - a fun visual prayer activity that will help children to think about the idea of sharing love
• Reflecting God's Love prayer activity -
• More ideas for exploring Matt 22:34-40

These readings could be used either Jan 3 or Jan 10 or for an at home celebration on Jan 5 or 6.

• Put glow in the dark star stickers on the ceiling of your bedroom to remind of Isaiah's call to rise & shine in Isaiah 60:1-6 or a reminder to follow the star as the magi did (Matt 2:1-12).
• For the Matt 2:1-12 reading tell the story in your own words moving the figures from your nativity to different parts of the room to represent the journey.
• Here's a Chalking the Door ritual that is traditionally done on Epiphany.
• Star of Wonder - A book that you can purchase but also lots of ideas for having an Epiphany Celebration.
• Make this Epiphany King Cake.
• A few more ideas for celebrating Epiphany.

• To go with the Mark1:4-11 reading - talk about the Baptism of each person in your household.  Maybe look at photos if you have any.
• To go with the Genesis 1:1-5 reading - name different sources of light, after each one say "Thank you God for light."
• To with Psalm 29 - print the Psalm in the middle of a sheet of paper & draw storm pictures around it.

• Read 1 Sam 3:1-20 - Discuss:  How did God speak to Samuel?  In what other ways does God "speak"?

• Discussion/reflection questions to go with Jonah 3:1-5, 10.  Do you need a second chance from God?  Are you hard on yourself?  Do you need to give yourself a second chance as well?  Who might you need to give a second chance to?

• Read psalm 111 and then write the word "Praise" in the middle of a sheet.  Either draw pictures or write words of things that you want to praise God for.

• Brainstorm a list of "what's wrong in the world", then list the woes of the Jews in Exile, then read Is 40:27-31 to explore "God with us" even when it doesn't feel that way
• Make a list of the most powerful groups & people in the world. Read Is 40:21-31 and listen for who Isaiah said was most powerful.
• Read Ps 147:1-11,20c and draw illustrations for each verse or print out the passage and underline your favourite phrase and illustrate around the edges
• Look at your hands.  List some things you can do with your hands (hit, hug, dribble a ball, etc).  Read Mark1:29-39 and listen for the hands

(above ideas adapted from Worshiping with children)

• Make emotions cards (smiley face, sad face etc). Read 2 Kings 2:1-12 &/or Mark 9:2-9 and hold up the emotion card that's appropriate for that part of each story.  Or show the different emotions with your face.
• Close your eyes as Mark 9:2-9 is read and try to see with your imagination what the story describes
• Draw your own pictures of the transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9) or 2 Kings 2:1-12
• "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" - Listen to stories of Jesus by reading the gospel of Mark during Lent; Listen to God through prayer (don't just talk but have a time of sitting in silence, perhaps whilst drawing/doodling); Listen to others around you and around the world - how can you respond as Jesus would?
• Read Psalm 50:1-6 and listen for words about God's power & glory

See Lent/Easter Resource Page where there are lots of ideas from Shrove Tuesday through to Easter.

See Lent/Easter Resource Page where there are lots of ideas from Shrove Tuesday through to Easter.

To explore Gen 9:8-17:

• Read the whole story of Noah in a children's Bible
• Make a walking water rainbow - along with discussion & prayer ideas
• Put together a Noah story bag with objects to play with & ideas to explore the story
• More ideas for play & exploration
• Decorate Noah's Ark Rainbow biscuits
• Gen 98-17 and Mark 1:1-15 - 40 days of rain on the ark, Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, & 40 days of Lent.  Remember the 40's each day of Lent.  Between now and Easter think each day of the fact that it would still be raining on the ark & Jesus would still have been fasting in the wilderness.  God saves us from the flood, claims us in baptism, & is with us in the wilderness.
• Rough times sandpaper prayer 

See Lent/Easter Resource Page where there are lots of ideas from Shrove Tuesday through to Easter.

• Discuss opposites for the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17)  and imagine a world lived by those rules
• Click here for an explanation of the 10 Commandments using your 10 fingers.
• Go outside & look at the sky.  If it's daytime, look at the clouds, what do you see?  If it's nighttime look at the stars.  Read psalm 19.
• Click here for a reflection on the Psalm 19.  If the sky was the only Bible we had, what would we learn about God?  How can the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing to God?
• Look at the sky several times throughout the day & night and discuss how the heavens declare the glory of God.  Or look at the sky at the same time each day, this week and notice how this time of day declares the glory of God.
• Read 1 Cor 1:25 and discuss what is wise and what is foolish
• Read John 2:13-22 - Where do you think Jesus might like to overturn the tables in your life, church or community?

• Draw a large empty cross shape.  Read John 3:16-17.  Draw pictures or write names of people Jesus came to save.  Pray for these people.

• Read John 12:23-26.  Look at some seeds and talk about how the seeds when planted in the darkness, die & transform into a sprout which grows and becomes the plant.  Discuss how Jesus needs to suffer to save us.  Plant your seeds as a reminder.
• Read John 12:32.  Demonstrate how a magnet draws metal objects to it.  Discuss how we are drawn to Jesus.

• Directions for making palm crosses
• A reflective colouring sheet for Palm Sunday
• A Palm Sunday playdough mat to print out
• Palm Sunday Card Matching Game to print an play
• Make a Palm Sunday spinner
• Make donkeys with peg legs
• Make palm weaving magnets

• Holy Week Reading Bookmarks
• 7 activities for Holy Week
• Decorate a Last Supper Cup
• A Family Messianic Passover Celebration

For more at home ideas for Holy Week and Easter go to the Lent/Easter Resource Page or https://feedmyfamilyblog.com/holy-week-and-easter-family-ideas/

• On Easter Saturday night make Resurrection Cookies

• Read Psalm 23 thinking like a sheep
• List all the dangers that might be present for the sheep.  Reread Psalm 23 noting who is in the middle with the sheep.  What "dangers" do we worry about today.  Who is in the middle with us?
• Draw Good Shepherd pictures to go with Ps 23 or John 10:11-18
• Read John 10:11-18.  Use toy sheep & a small figure for the shepherd.  Make a pen with blocks and act out the reading.  How can you act as a good shepherd and care for others?
• Print and use this Good Shepherd playdough mat
• Read 1 John 3:16-24.  Draw a heart to place somewhere to remind you that God wants us to love others.

• Read Acts 8:26-40.  Discuss or draw what you would tell someone if they asked "Who Jesus was?".
• Read 1 John 4:7-21.  What do we learn about love?

• Read Ps 98.  Draw a large cross and make your own Psalm of praise by writing or drawing some of the marvellous things you think God has done.

See the Pentecost Resource Page for ideas

• Use Eph 3:14-21 to pray for members of your family
• As a family write a prayer for your church
• Look at this painting of Jesus feeding the 5000 - find Jesus wearing a red robe, what do you notice about the picture?
• Remember Jesus every time you eat bread this week

• Print this reflective colouring sheet for John 6:35
• Use the "Here is the Church" finger rhyme to go with the Eph 4:1-16 reading
• Talk about the gifts you see in each other that you can bring to the church

• Talk about different rules we have to follow in our everyday lives.  Read Eph 4:25 - 5:2 and discuss the rules Christians should follow in their everyday lives.  What does it mean to live these rules out.

• "fear of the Lord" features in a few of this weeks texts.  For a good way to explain it to children go to Worshiping with Children & Scroll down to the ? "Fear of the Lord" heading.

• Make some wearable armour of God - Flame Creative has some ideas for this to go with the Eph 6:10-20 reading

• Read Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9.  This Psalm was written by a poet for a King on his wedding day.  Write a prayer for someone you know who has a special day.
• Make paper planes to use with letting go interactive prayers, to go with the Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

September is celebrated as the season of creation in some congregations.  For link to resources go to our intergen page.

• read some or all of Prov 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 - Discuss a few of the proverbs.
• Read James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 - Discuss what you think "faith without works is dead" means?

• Read James 3:1-12 - discuss how once words are said they can't be unsaid.  Perhaps demonstrate with a tube of toothpaste how it's very hard to put the toothpaste back once it's squeezed out.  Talk about specific ways you can be careful about what you say.
• Read Mark 8:27-38 - discuss how Jesus is not calling us to take up our cross literally.  Rather, Jesus is calling us to love God and other people even when it's hard.
• Plan a family project to help someone, that calls for self-denial.

• Read Mark 9:30-37  - Discuss: What you think it means when Jesus said "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all"?  Who are the least in our society?  How can we be a servant to all?
• Imagine that you are face to face with Jesus, just you and him in private. You can ask the daftest or most profound question of him right now. What question would you ask?

• Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 - Use this prayer activity to explore the story of Esther.
• Read the full story of Esther from a children's Bible
• Discuss people who are in situations like Esther today, eg. some people in Afghanistan
• Read James 5:13-20 - This passage talks a lot about prayer.  Below are some creative prayer ideas.
• Fidget Spinner Prayers from Strandz
• Chatterbox Origami Prayer from Strandz
• Colour Coded Paper Prayer Chains from Flame Creative
• Alfoil Prayers from Flame Creative
• Read Mark 9:38-50
• Verse 50 about the salt is an object lesson.  Give everyone a tiny taste of salt.  Talk about the difference salt makes on some foods.  Jesus says we should makes as big a difference in the world as salt makes in food.  Identify ways we can make a difference.  How us someone done something small which has made a big difference in your life?

• Read Mark 10:2-16 - make this craft as a reminder that Jesus said "let the Children come to me."

• Read Mark 10:17-31
• Use this paper cutting activity to help lead into a discussion about nothing is impossible for God (Mark 10:27)
• Use this reflection to reflect and discuss Mark 10:17-31

• Read Job 38:1-7 (34-41) - Click here for a reflection and questions to ponder that relate to the Job passage.
• Or pause after each question in the Job reading and put it into your own words.  Wonder or discuss together what God wants Job to think about.
• Draw illustrations to go with Psalm 104
• Act out Mark 10:35-45 as one person reads it

• Read Mark 10:46-52 - To understand the plight of Bartimaeus, blindfold family members and take them on a “Trust Walk.”
• If Jesus is asking you “ What do you want me to do for you?", what is your answer.

• Do you ever feel like an alien – like a misfit, like you don’t belong?  Read Ruth 1:1-18 and discuss it must have been for Naomi & then Ruth to live in a strange place.
•  Ruth 1:1-18 - Faithfulness Paper Braid and Prayer Activity
• Read Mark 12:28-34 - Discuss specific ways we can love God with our heart, soul, mind and strength.

• Form the letters of love with your body and talk about how love is put into action into today's readings - see idea at top of page from Worshiping with Children.
• Read Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 or use a children's Bible or story of Ruth.  Who gets treated like Moabites today?  Pray for different groups of "foreigners" who are in the news.  Hospitality is about welcoming strangers.  How can we welcome strangers?

• Read 1 Sam 1:4-20 & 1 Sam 2:1-10 Hannah prayed when she was really unhappy.  She also prayed when she was really, really happy.  In her prayers she tells God exactly how she feels.  Make a list of feeling words.  Select a feeling word then draw or write a prayer to share that feeling with God.

• Read Heb 10:11-25. Discuss how we usually provoke each other.  How do we provoke others to do good things?  How does this passage help us to live without fear and have a strong faith?
• Read Mark: 13:1-8.  In order to think bigger look at pictures of the universe and talk about how big it is and how small we are and how big God is - the creator of the universe.

• As it's the end of the church year, perhaps have a party to celebrate.
• Read Dan 7:9-10, 13-14 - Before reading explain that the Ancient of Days is God and the one who comes in the clouds is Jesus.  Invite everyone to close their eyes and see with their imaginations what they are hearing as the verses are read.
• Read Rev 1:4b-8
• If your Christmas tree is already up, make some simple paper Christmas decorations & write a brief hope, dream or prayer for the future & add your decoration to the tree.
• Divide a sheet into 3 columns & write past, present, future at the top of each column.  Draw or write in each column about your past & present and then what you would like your future to look like.  Where do you need God the most: healing your past, with you in your present, or being your future?
• Blow some bubbles - Make different shaped bubble blowers with wire or pipe cleaners.  What shape do the bubbles always come out as?  Just like the bubbles shape doesn't change, God doesn't change.  "…who is, who was, who is to come." Revelation 1:8b
• Shadow Play - Find a sunny spot and play with your shadow.  Can you make it bigger, smaller, change it in other ways?  What things in your life are always changing?  What are some things that stay the same?  Remember God never changes.  "…Who is, who was, who is to come." Revelation 1:8b
• Make Goop (a mix of corn flour & water - hard when you press it but pick it up & it's runny) - Play with the goop.  Can you roll it into balls?  What happens when you slap it?  Are you able to change the goop much?  Remember God never changes.  "…Who is, who was, who is to come." Revelation 1:8b
• Enjoy a game of handball - What are your rules, will they change as the game progresses?  Remember God never changes. "Who is, who was, who is to come." Revelation 1:8b
• Print or write the words "The Lord is King" on a sheet of paper and decorate it with drawing or collage

• Read Mal 3:1-4 - What are some things that sting or taste bad but help us when we are injured or sick? eg bad tasting medicine, rehab exercises. In Malachi's message we hear that sometimes we must make hard changes & work hard to be the people God made us to be.  Google refiner's fire or launderer's soap to find out how they were a hard process but helped.
• Make soap or glycerin soap to help illustrate the Malachi reading and as a reminder that we are washed clean in baptism which leads to the Luke reading.
• Read Luke 3:1-2 and then reread it with the names of our current Prime Minister, state governor and mayor, followed by the names of the minister/s of your congregation & replace Jordan with the name of your city or suburb.  Keep John's name. This reading is a real story about real people.  Reread with the Biblical names.  Then read Luke 2:3-6 to hear about what John did.
• Discuss the difference between being sorry and repenting (making changes).
• Discuss: Who points you to Jesus?  How do you point others to Jesus?
• If you still have your Baptism candle, light it to remind you that you are baptised.

• Read Zephaniah 3:14-20 - Spend some time simply singing favourite songs and enjoying music together​.
• Luke 3:7-18 is about John the Baptist sharing the good news.  Talk or think about who you would like to share the Christmas message with?  How can you share the good news of Christmas?  Maybe through rejoicing, through gentlessness, through prayer, through peaceful words or actions or some other way?

• Read Luke 1:39-55 -  Who would you go to if you needed to talk to someone about something that you think God wants you to do?
• List all the promises of Mary's song and ask people to choose the one which gives them the most hope.
• Write your own song praising God & about what God has done for us.  Or make a list of how God has been good to your family.

• 5 Household rituals for Christmas Eve
• Christmas Eve for the Christian Household
• Birthday Cake for Jesus - have a special cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus (perhaps with your bacon & eggs for breakfast on Christmas morning)
• Read or act out the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20
• Read Hebrews 1:1-3 and discuss why Jesus and his birthday are so important.  Verses 2a-3 are an ancient hymn or Christmas Carol - see Worshiping with Children for a script which explains the verses (scroll down to the Hebrews reading)
• Read John 1:1-14 - invite people to put their hands like an open book every time they hear the word "word" in the reading
• The Light Shines in the Darkness - John 1 light craft & discussion

• Psalm 148 - Colourful Worship Biscuit Decorating
• Read Col 3:12-17 and discuss how you see some of the people from the Christmas story have put on some of the traits mentioned in the reading, for example the kindness of the innkeeper & the meekness/obedience of Mary & Joseph who kept doing what God asked,.

• Read Ecc 3:1-13 - Discuss some of the general pairs of opposites.
• Make a banner for your front door with the blessing "Christ's Hope and Peace and Joy and Love to You!" to remember the new life we have in Christ based on an idea from on the chancel steps.

• Read Isaiah 60:1 - Talk about how one symbol of God is light.  We use things that make light like a star, a candle, a lamp.  Christmas candles remind us that God the light is with us.  Name & discuss how other light symbols remind us of God.  "Arise, shine" is also a command to reflect God's light.  How can we shine and share God's light.  Stick a star sticker on each person & say "Arise, shine" as you do. Based on ideas in Worshiping with Children.
• Read Eph 3:1-12 - Use a globe or world map and choose some countries to pray for - you may like to google news of the country to pray for specific things.
• Tell the story of the wisemen (Matt 2:1-12) using the wisemen from your nativitiy to move them around the room/house for different parts of the story.
• Talk about what gifts the wisemen offered Jesus.  What gifts could we offer to Jesus?  It might be time or a talent & not necessarily a treasure.
• Chalking the Door is an Epiphany tradition you do at home.  Here's another Epiphany Chalk Door Blessing with a printable prayer
• Epiphany Star Finger Print Prayers
• Epiphany King Cake
• Epiphany Play Dough Mat
• More ideas for celebrating Epiphany at home.

• Psalms colouring pages to download & print for the next 4 weeks.
• Read Is 43:1-7 - share a time when God felt close to you and a time when it felt like God was far away.  How can the verses to be a help to us?  See also ideas in worshiping with children (scroll down to the ideas for the Isaiah reading) - talk about our whole names & how we are known by God, plus a breath prayer.
• Talk about the Baptism of each person in your household.  Read Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 - Take a bowl of water, dip your finger in it & mark the sign of the cross on each person with the words "You belong to God"
• Make a poster with the heading "___________ (name), beloved child of God lives here and include Is 43:4a on it. Based on "With Children" ideas from Stewardship of Life.
• Reflective Colouring: The Baptism of Jesus
• Baptism of Jesus Spinner

• Click here for a devotion base on John 2:1-11

• Click here for a devotion based on Psalm 19
• Click here for a cotton bud painting activity based on 1 Cor 12

• Read Jer 1:4-10 - Discuss:  What are Jeremiah's 2 excuses for not being God's messenger?  What is God's response to these excuses?  What is God asking you to do and what excuses are you using?
• Click here for a family devotion based on 1 Cor 13

• Prayer light tubes based on Luke 2:29-32

• Season of Creation ideas
• Father's Day Ideas
• Jeremiah 18:1-11 - Shaped by the Potter's Hand Youtube clip
• Psalm 139: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Craft & Prayer Activity
• Psalm 139: Guess Who Prayers, Story Links & Talking Points
• Psalm 139: God Made Me Unique - Painted Marbled People
• Psalm 139: God Has Plans for Me
• Psalm 139: God Made Me in a Wonderful Way
• Luke 14:25-33 - Play Jenga as a way to talk about making sure your foundations are firm

• Luke 15:1-10 - An activity and a reflection
• Luke 15:1-10 - The Lost Sheep or Lost Coin Sensory Play
• or make these Paper Plate Sheep Masks for Kids
• Discuss:  Who are the lost?  How should we treat the lost?

• 1 Timothy 2:1-6 - Reflection & Discussion
• In 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Paul lists 4 types of prayer, along with reasons & attitudes for prayer.  Discover these together, then pray together using the different types of prayer

• Luke 16:19-31 - an activity and a reflection
• Brainstorm a list of "Lazarus People" or "Invisible People" that we come across in our everyday life.  Prayer for these people and prayer that God might help you make them visible in some way.
• 1 Timothy 6:6-19 - This passage may be a lead into teaching kids about money.  This infographic from makeuseog.com has some great ideas.
• Make a list of all your favourite toys and possessions.  Read 1 Tim 6:6-10.  Look back at the list you made.  Draw a line through everything you don't need in order to be content.  What do you need to be content?

• For World Communion Sunday - buy/bake bread from different countries.  Discuss how people everywhere eat bread and how this is a good symbol used in communion
• If you have a world map or a globe use it to pray for different countries or different places around the world.
• The theme of faith runs through today's readings.  Explore the theme of faith into today's readings - Lam 1:1-6, 3:19-26; Ps 137: 2 Tim 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10
• Discuss these question: Who has helped you grow in your faith?  Write this person a note/letter to thank them for helping you grow in faith.
• Read Ps 137 or watch this sung version

• Read Luke 17:11-19 or watch this version.  Discuss what we do about the blessings we have received?

• Read Jeremiah 31:27-34.  Click here for a reflection on this reading or here for another reflection.
• Read Ps 119:97-104.  Eat some honey before or after the reading to see how sweet honey is.  Add your own versions to Psalm about why you like to read the Bible.
• Read 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:5.  Discuss: what sort of things was Timothy encouraged to persist with?  What should we persist with in our own personal faith?

• Print Ps 65 in the middle of a page.  Illustrate some verses of the Psalm around the edge of the paper.
• Read Luke 18:9-14 or watch this version.  Discuss:  Who is the equivalent of the Pharisee and the tax collector for us today?  When have we unconsciously uttered the prayer "Thank God, I'm not like the Pharisee"?

• Read Luke 19:1-10.  Click here for a reflection on the reading.

• A reminder to us all that all God's people are saints
• discuss people of faith who've gone before you or those who've helped you grow in faith.
• Read Luke 6:v31.  What is the number 1 rule for all Christians from this verse?  What does it mean?  Now read Luke 6:20-31 & listen for other rules that go with this one.

• Read Haggai 1:15b-2:9.  Click here for an activity and a reflection on the reading.  What is in this reading for us?
• Read Ps 98.  Make shakers or other instruments, play some worship music and praise God!
• Watch this gospel reading and reflection for children based on Luke 20:27-38
• Read Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and 2 Thess 2:1-5, 13-17.  Use materials such as pipe cleaners, paper, cardboard boxes, string, ribbon, playdough or lego to model of how you think God wants your church to be in the future.
• Go here to download a memory verse to print & colour for 2 Thess 2:1-5, 13-17

• Click here for a reflection on Isaiah 12
• Click here for a reflection and activity based on Is 65:17-25 & Luke 21:5-19
• Read 2 Thess 3:6-13.  Discuss how we can encourage each other to not be discouraged, to never give up, to persist?
• Read 2 Thess 3:13.  Discuss what you think it means to "never get tired of doing good"?  Go here for instructions to make a family feel good jar.

• Click here for an activity and a reflection based on Jeremiah 23:1-6 & Luke 23:33-43
• Make crowns to remind you that Jesus is King.  Discuss how Jesus is our servant king.
• Make this chocolate crown of thorns to help begin to understand the awesomeness of Jesus' love for us.