Missions
the giving tree
12 Months of Mission Event Fun!
Looking for a way to involve your families in local missions?
"The Giving Tree" is the perfect way to get them involved...and meet the needs of your community.
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And it all starts...with a Christmas Tree!
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You can use a plain, ordinary Christmas tree OR...if you have someone that is handy with tools...have them build a super, fantastic tree from wood.
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Since your tree will be the "Main Event" make it spectacular!
Switch the decorations out occasionally, keep it FRESH looking!
Let your imagination run wild.
You may even want to decorate it with a holiday or seasonal theme.
Make it spectacular but leave LOTS of room for the donations.
Remember the adage...less is more!
Bright colors are always an eye-catcher so don't forget to use color in your decorations!
You may want to create a huge "Topper" and keep the rest simple and appealing!
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Switch out your mission event monthly!
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Here are a few tree ideas for you to consider
Regular Christmas Tree
Select a tree that is large enough to be seen...and one that will hold plenty of donations.
Prepare a colorful collection box to sit beside the tree. All item that is too heavy to go on the tree can be dropped into the box.
Change the look of your tree each month.
Keep the decorations simple...and few...so that you have room for your donations.
Consider spray painting your tree a different color each month. Just take it outside and give it a fresh look. Even a hint of color is good!
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Go ahead and add a few items to your tree so that families will know what you are collecting at a glance. For instance, if you are having a sock drive, add a few pairs of colorful socks to get things rolling.
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Attach clothespins (hooks, tiny colorful bags, ribbons, etc.) to your tree to be used when attaching their gifts. (you may want to paint the pins various bright colors).
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Remember to support your tree. Attach a support wire to prevent it from tipping over onto someone. Although a regular tree (depending on size) is not that heavy...it could still hurt someone.
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Send me a picture of your tree, I would love to add it HERE to help kick imaginations into gear!
479-619-9932
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Wooden Christmas Tree
With a wooden Christmas Tree, you can get even more creative. Design the tree as tall as you like, design it with a little crook or lopsided, etc. You could even create an entire forest with several trees, cotton batting as snow, etc.
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Attach cup hooks to your tree for the hanging of donations. Ribbons or small bags could be
added to the hooks as well.
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The main thing here is support. Since families will be touching the display, it must be sound in design. A good idea would be to have a support wire attached to the top to prevent tipping over onto someone.
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Paint your trees with any creative colors that you would like. Who says there can't be a purple tree?
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Create an over to top tree topper and switch out a few things each month.
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Go ahead and add a few items to your tree so that families will know what you are collecting at a glance. For instance, if you are having a sock drive, add a few pairs of colorful socks to get things rolling.
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If you create your own tree, please send me a picture so that I can add it HERE to help kick imaginations into gear!
479-619-9932 - Text
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You Know Your Community Better Than Anyone
Mission Events
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The following events are simply suggestions. You know your community better than anyone else. If you have a specific mission event in mind...that is not listed, simply send me a message and I will try to create one for you (FREE)
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IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ!
Don't forget to add cards or tracks or tags to each gift.
Reach out to those who are hurting, hungry, cold or lost!
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Draft those in your church who may not be able to physically participate in the mission to write cards or fill out tags for each item.
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This is the perfect time to start working on future volunteers. Get EVERYONE involved in some way. People want to serve where they see results. If they see a thriving Children's Ministry...they will want to become a part of it.
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I have added gift tags and gift card downloads with the download link below.
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Teach your children to give and to help those in need...Make one day per month (perhaps the Sunday that your Christmas tree changes to the next mission event) your mission focus. There are some excellent lessons in the Bible such as:
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Dorcas/Tabitha - Who did good acts for neighbors, etc. Acts 9
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Instruction that Jesus gave to farm owners - Leave the outer portion for those in need and do not harvest fields a second time. (Good whiteboard lesson) Leviticus 23
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The Widow of Zarephath 1 Kings 17:7–16
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The Shunammite Woman 2 Kings 4:8–10
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Joseph of Arimathea Matthew 27:57–60
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The Churches of Macedonia 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
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Include your children in tagging gifts, sorting, counting...and even delivering the items. There is nothing more powerful than seeing their work in action.
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chalk
challenge
Jesus is Alive
Sidewalk Chalk Challenge
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Whip out the chalk and get ready for some AMAZING creations.
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This challenge is super easy.
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Purchase a box of chalk for each child (Dollar store or Dollar General is perfect). (If your budget is small, place 3 pieces of chalk inside each ziplock bag and attach tag....it's all good!
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Attach challenge tag
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Send your littles out to create some breathtaking Easter art on their sidewalk.
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Children are asked to take photos of their creations and text them to you.
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Creations are placed on Facebook.
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The winner is selected.
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The prize is presented.
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NOW, HOW EASY IS THAT?
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Budget saving idea
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Watch for after Easter sales and snag-printed plastic Easter goodie bags for almost nothing! The next time you do this event, you can drop 3 pieces of chalk inside the goodie bag and twist tie it to close...cute!)
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Watch for end of summer sales and grab up some sidewalk chalk
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OUTREACH
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This event is also the perfect outreach event...It costs nothing to put on...except for a prize.
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Post the event/challenge online.
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Make sure to include the words "Open to the public...anyone can play!"
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Share, share, share your post!
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Do a Facebook blast. (A Facebook blast is where you post your challenge on your Facebook page and then everyone in your church logs on at the same time and shares your post with family and friends.)
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Allow your challenge to run for 2 weeks (optional).
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All participants are asked to text their creations to you.
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All entries are posted on Facebook.
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At the end of the two weeks, select a winner or run a contest and allow others to vote.
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Announce the winner and invite everyone to attend Easter Sunday Service.
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Award the prize.
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Editable Facebook Invitation
Add your own information on the bottom of the downloaded slide
Editable Bag Tag - Insert your own text.
LAFFY TAFFY
FRIDAY
Laffy Taffy Friday - Faith and Trust
Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”
Genesis 17:17
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Genesis 18:12
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Drop off...or mail a piece (more if you would like) of Laffy Taffy to each child.
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Post the Laffy Taffy Competition on your Facebook site
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Challenge kids to post their best jokes in the comment section of your Facebook post.
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The best joke will win an entire container of Laffy Taffy.​
Make Um' Laugh
Game
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Take turns being "It"
"It" will try to make everyone else laugh
"It" may not say anything
"It" may not touch anyone else.
Once someone laughs, they become the new "It" and the game continues.
If there are enough participants, you may pair up and play with 2 people on each team.
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Devotion
Genesis 17:17-19, Genesis 18: 10-15 and Genesis 21:1-7
Laughing Sarah
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Laughing Abraham
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Don’t underestimate God. Don’t laugh. God can do mighty things...things that we do not understand.
Abraham was 99 years old (Genesis 17:1 and 17:17)
Sarah was ninety years old. (Genesis 17:17)
Sarah had a wonderful husband.
She had a lot going for her.
But the one thing she wanted more than anything was a child.
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When the Lord visited Abraham and said that he would have a son through Sarah, Abraham fell on his face and laughed (Genesis 17:17)
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When the Lord visited Abraham and said they would have a son, Sarah laughed to herself (Genesis 18:10-12). She likely thought it was impossible—and perhaps even ridiculous.
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When she overheard the strange guest tell her husband, “Lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son,” she couldn’t help laughing. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
But this was no joke – it was God fulfilling His promise.
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Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” — Genesis 21:6
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Yet later as she held her newborn son in her arms, Sarah understood that God was laughing with her. So she laughed again and urged others to laugh with her—not because the situation was funny or ridiculous, but because it was so wondrous. She even named the child Isaac, which means “laughter.”
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Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” — Genesis 21:6
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God had brought laughter and hope to Abraham and Sarah.
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God’s faithfulness to Sarah and Abraham is one example of how God is faithful to us. God wants to bring all of us laughter and joy. Abraham and Sarah’s long years of disappointment at not being able to have a child ended as the joy of welcoming this baby boy filled their hearts.
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The world’s disappointing and long years of waiting turned to a new hope with the arrival of another baby boy: Jesus. That’s what the season of Advent is about. It’s also about Christ’s coming again to bring an end to sin and death and sorrow.
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Sometimes it’s hard to believe that joy will come in the morning. But no matter how dark things seem...they will always seem brighter in the morning.
God has a time for everything...and everything is in His timing.
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Game
Shadow Puppets and Devotion Review
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You will need a flashlight for this game
Turn off all of the lights
Turn on the flashlight
Make shadows on the wall or ceiling using the flashlight and your hands
Guess what the shadows are.
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A perfect time for a flashlight review of the evening's lesson on faith and trust in God...even when things seem the darkest.
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Blanket Tent (Prayer Time)
For extra family time fun, create a tent using blankets, chairs, tables, etc.
Stretch the blanket(s) over the top of the chairs or tabletop and crawl underneath.
Perfect time for prayer...Take your flashlight along!
THE GOLDEN RULE OF PEACE
THE GOLDEN RULE "RULER"
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Create a fun and memorable "Golden Ruler" bag to teach your children
The Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you)
Bags include a ruler, bookmark, backpack tag, a sheet of "Situation Cards" to encourage family discussion, a candy bar (hide a golden ticket inside some of the candy bars for a chance to win misc. school supplies), and anything else that you would like to include.
The Golden Rule for Peace
Porch Drops, Drive-By Pick-Ups, Hand-Out's
or Back to School
PURCHASE A RULER FOR EACH BAG. USING A SHARPIE, WRITE "THE GOLDEN RULER" ON THE BACKSIDE. 'IF YOU CAN FIND WOODEN RULERS, THEY WOULD WORK BEST.
Create "Situation Cards" to go inside each bag.
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Situation Cards will encourage family discussion and devotion time.
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There is a sample card below along with a link to an editable version of the card.
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The font used to create the Situation card is
"Princess Sophia" and can be downloaded free at 1001freefonts.com
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PRINT OUT THE BLANK CARD BELOW, CREATE DIFFERENT SITUATION CARDS AND INCLUDE SEVERAL IN EACH CHILD'S BAG.
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BOOKMARKS
GOLDEN TICKET TO SLIP INSIDE OF A CANDY BAR WRAPPER - GIVE AWAY PRIZES TO LUCKY TICKET WINNERS
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BACKPACK TAG
Golden Pencils
If you would like to purchase golden (personalized) pencils that read "The Golden Rule, you can find them at oriental trading for $9.99/24 Count
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HOUSE OF
CARDS
Challenge Your Families to a
"House of Cards" Competition
Who can build a house using all 54 cards?
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
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Drop off...or mail a deck of cards to each family. (Optional: Most families have a deck of card...you could provide a deck for only those needing them)
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Challenge families to build a house of cards...using all 54 cards.
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Challenge families to have a Matthew 7:24-27 devotion time while building their houses.
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What a perfect time to teach your children about building their lives on Christ...Trusting God...Faith!
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C.A.R.D.S. - CHRIST ALONE REDEEMS AND DELIVERS SINNERS!
Download and edit with your own information
Spot the Difference
Teachable Moment
We are all flawed!
In a
deck of
cards,
spades are
always black
Porch Drop or Packet Tag
More Ideas and Suggestions!
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Include a copy of Matthew 7:24-27 with your cards
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Include a list of topics for each family to discuss as they work on building their houses.
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Turn your "Family Fun Night" into a Facebook competition. Ask families to submit 2-3 photos of their family fun night...one photo of the completed house of cards.
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Select a winner(s) and give out Lowe's or Home Depot gift card...to be used for home improvements (support local businesses if possible)
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Use this activity as a "Porch Drop" activity. Drop off a deck of cards to each family with the above tag attached.
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Have an acronym competition...have each family create an acronym using the letters C.A.R.D.S. - Example Christ Alone Redeems and Delivers Sinners...Hand out gift cards for the best acronym.
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Suggest that families skip cooking for one night and "Build a Sandwich" instead...another great teaching moment!
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Print out the "Can you spot the error-flaw" page and hand it out to each family...a great time to teach the children that we are all flawed.
BON VOYAGE CORONA
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:23
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NOTE: This event can be re-named and used any time of the year. Bon-Voyage Winter, Bon-Voyage School, etc.
Encourage your families to throw a Bon Voyage party that will send the Coronavirus packing!
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Families will use items that they already have around their home...or make their own.
Encourage families to decorate, decorate, decorate by using:
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Leftover party decorations...from ANY or ALL holidays, parties, etc.
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Cut up scraps of paper to create confetti
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Create "Goodbye Coronavirus" posters, yard signs, banners. sidewalk chalk farewell's etc.
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Hang streamers
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Hang balloons on their mailboxes
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Display their banners, posters, yard art in their windows, on their front lawns, etc to encourage their neighbors.
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Bake a cake...or any other party favorites!
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Dress in summer outfits...sunglasses, shorts, sun hats, etc and party! party! party!
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Games
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Cruise on outa' here: Families will make their own paper boats (sample template below) and award prizes for different categories. (If you prefer to make a paper airplane and have a competition...that is fine too.)
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Protect yourself: Families will draw names; amongst their family members and wrap gifts for each other. Gifts can be hand sanitizer, soap, hand wipes, homemade funny mask, etc...anything that will protect them while sending off the virus.
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Take a hike: If families are allowed to go outdoors, encourage them to take a walk around their neighborhoods. They may carry their posters, banners...even their balloons if they choose...to spread a little cheer amongst their neighbors!
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Encourage families to spend time in God's Word...and to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for the virus to "take a hike"!
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Quick Pick: Arrange items about the floor and have family members pack a suitcase or travel bag as fast as they can. Set a timer and have prizes for whoever can pack the bag fastest.
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Where is it? Name a place in the Bible and have a competition to see who can find it (in the Bible) first. You may have to team up if you have small children.
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Devotional and Prayer time...Pray, pray, pray!
Matthew 14:22-33 as a family.
Use the download below to get you started.
Peter Walks on Water
Put Your Trust in Jesus
Faith
Additional Activities
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Use this family time to discuss upcoming vacation plans...or dream vacations.
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Plan a special outing for "post" virus days...when things are safe. A picnic, a hike, a day trip, etc. Or, allow each person to select a family "day" trip outing and spread the celebration out over several weeks.
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Have each family member select a place that they would like to visit one day...encourage them to research that location during their free time and then gather together for another fun night of learning about each person's "dream location."
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Search for churches in selected "dream" locations and become "pen" pals with them (e-mails, text, etc). Learn even more about each selected location...how is the virus affecting their area, how is it affecting them etc. Pray for them.
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KEEP OUT
CORONA
(Family Fun Night - Social Distancing - Leprosy)
Keep Out Corona
CRAZY - CRAZY- CRAZY
Hat Day!
Note: This event can be re-named and used for a Crazy-Hat Night...any time of the year.
An optional "Crazy Hat Night" flyer download it attached.
Welcome to Crazy-Crazy-Crazy Family Hat Day...Corona Virus Style
Parents will help their children learn what social distancing
looks like by creating a crazy-crazy-crazy 3' hat.
Families will take an existing hat (or create one entirely from scratch) and add onto their hat in all directions until their hat measures 3' in all directions.
(From side to side and from front to back)
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They can use any supplies that they have around the house...no limits!
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Extend the width with pool noodles, cardboard, pipe cleaners...ANYTHING!
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There are no rules except that the hat MUST measure 3'...side to side
and front to back.
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TOTAL WIDTH OF YOUR HAT SHOULD BE 3’
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PRIZES
WHEN SELECTING PRIZES PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE...MADE IN AMERICA IF POSSIBLE!
PRIZE SUGGESTIONS:
GIFT CARDS FROM ANY LOCAL BUSINESS THAT SELLS HATS...SPORT SHOPS, FARM STORES, WESTERN SHOPS ETC.
OR, SINCE EVERYONE IS WEARING HATS TO COVER THEIR "CRAZY HAIR" A GIFT CARD TO A HAIR SALON WOULD BE PERFECT!
Devotional
Luke 17:11-19
Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
The Story of the 10 Lepers - Downloadable Lesson
Remembering to say "Thank You!"
Have parents pray with their children.
Thanking God in advance for the healing of our nation.
Thank Him for what He is teaching us through this pandemic.
Thank Him for using this virus to further His kingdom and to reach people who have never heard His Word before.
Thank Him for all the un-selfish people who are working so hard to take care of those who are ill, those who are doing research to find a cure, those who are keeping the shelves filled at the grocery stores and the truckers who are working hard to keep it coming etc.
Pray for healing of our world and the removal of the pandemic.
THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE...AND FOR THE GREAT THINGS HE IS GOING TO DO!
JUST
POPPED IN
(Drop and Go Challenge)
Just Popped In
Looking for a new way to connect with your families?
Try a "Just Popped In" popcorn challenge coupled with a "Friday Night at the Movies" family night.
Two great activities all rolled into one BIG, FUN, EXCITING, FAMILY FRIENDLY CHALLENGE!
NOTE: IF YOU ARE ON LOCK-DOWN, YOU CAN STILL HAVE FUN WITH THIS EVENT. POST IT ON FACEBOOK, PROMOTE IT ON ZOOM, ETC. GIVE FAMILIES POPCORN ALTERNATIVES IN CASE THEY DO NOT HAVE POPCORN ON HAND...ALLOW THEM TO MAKE COOKIES, CAKES, ANY SNACK ITEMS. MAKE THIS EVENT YOUR OWN!
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Drop off bags of popcorn...regular popping corn or microwaveable bags will work...just make sure to leave plenty for each family,
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Challenge families to create their own "special" popcorn and host their own "Friday night at the movies" event....complete with sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, pj's, a family-friendly movie...and their very own popcorn creations.
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Challenge families to take and 3 pics from their fun evening and text them to you. Or, create a special Facebook post promoting your event and ask parents to submit their pic in the comment section.
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One of the pictures must be a photo of their popcorn, they must include a list of the ingredients used and a name that they have chosen for their popcorn creation. One photo must be a family photo, and one photo of their own choosing.
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Grand Prize - Theater tickets for the entire family (support local theaters), a new "Family-friendly" DVD, a movie night gift basket...or whatever you choose.
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Encourage families to take an intermission time (if they can pause their movie) and do a quick devotion. The Parable of the Popcorn (based on the Parable of the Sower) is attached. You may use it, create your own, or have a parent's choice.
Flyer - Front
Flyer - Back
Download and Add Your Own Details
Intermission Devotional
Fun Printable Tickets
Print one for each member of the Family and place in their drop-off packets!
Snack Tickets that can be added to your "drop off" packets. (Optional)
I always pass these out to each child when they arrive and another one at intermission time to regulate how much junk food they are having. Parents may or may not want to use them.
I always make several unique popcorns for our "Friday Night at the Movies" events. Each popcorn is based on the movie. Below are a few of my fun creations!
POPCORN is so FUN!!!
