Family It!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Family It!

Supplies: Bible, a phone voice recorder (app)

SHARE
I once heard a grandfather talk about how he helped his grandchildren “hear” how they sounded when they were whiny, complaining, and fighting with each other.  One day after school he left a voice recorder running -and recorded the grandkids.  It just happened to be the perfect day for the recording to take place because both grandkids were especially agitated and this brought out a meanness and whininess that helped make the grandfather’s case is an extra impactful way.  He played the recording for his grandkids and said, “When you hear these kids, what do you think?  Are they thankful?  Are they grateful?  Are they kind?  Are they appreciative?  Are you proud of them?  How would you describe what you hear?”  

Well, it worked.  The kids admitted that they did not sound thankful or grateful, kind or appreciative.  And, they were not proud of themselves.  They thought they sounded spoiled and selfish.

READ
Read I Corinthians 10:9-10 with your family.

PLAY
Using the voice recording app on your phone, record each member of the family saying the following statements one at a time.  When every family member has recorded one line, move on to the next.

“God, why did you lead us here to die?!  Are you going to take care of us or not!”

Then,

“God, we know that you have a great future for our family!  Thank you for taking care of us!”

Discuss
1)  As we’ve been discussing the Israelites journey the last few weeks, we have heard them become a whining and complaining people.  Why do you think they are complaining so much?

2)  Play the recordings of your family.  What do you think of the way you sound?  Is it funny?  Sad?  Does it make you proud?  

3)  How would you rather have your family sound?  Complaining, like recording one?  Or trusting, like recording two?


PRAY
Jesus, we want to be a family that trusts you AND sounds like we trust you.  Help us learn to talk like we trust you, Lord.  Amen.


REPLY
Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog? We'd love to know about it! Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together. If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

Wednesday Readings

• Luke 7:18-35 (NIV) 

Jesus and John the Baptist 

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you, 

and you did not dance; 

we sang a dirge, 

and you did not cry.’ 

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

• Colossians 2: 6-7 (NIV) 

Spiritual Fullness in Christ 

 

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

•  Isaiah 49: 15-16 (NIV) 

15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast 

 and have no compassion on the child she has borne? 

Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; 

 your walls are ever before me.

•  Romans 5: 6-8 (NIV) 

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.