You Will Need: 

• A Bible marked at Matthew 7:7-8

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GET STARTED

Tell some “Knock, Knock” jokes and let your child also try to make some up, if they want too. 

Here are some examples:

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

Ima / Ima Who? 

Ima a really hungry. Can we order a pizza? 

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

Shirley / Shirley Who? 

Surely you can get up and open the door! 

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

Dishes / Dishes Who?

Dishes the police! Open up! 

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

Handsome / Handsome Who? 

Handsome of the pizza to me! 

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

General Lee / General Lee Who? 

General Lee I ring the doorbell! 

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

Boo / Boo Who? 

Please stop crying. I didn’t mean to scare you. 

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

Tom Sawyer / Tom Sawyer who?

Tom Sawyer underwear!

SAY—As Jesus was teaching, listen to what He said about prayer?

Read Matthew 7:7-8 from your Bible.

ASK—What do you think Jesus meant by these verses?

SAY—When you have cares and concerns, God wants you to ASK Him, SEEK Him about them, and KNOCK on “His door”. He wants you to bring your requests and your whole life to Him.

ASK—Does this mean that you will always get what you pray for? (No, because God knows best and won’t give you things that wouldn’t be good for you. You have to trust that God will answer prayers in the best way possible.)

ASK—Does God always answer prayer? (Yes. God ALWAYS answers prayer: He answers by saying “Yes” or “No” or “Not right now—wait a while.” God doesn’t always answer yes, but He does always answer.)

ASK—What are some things that you would like to ask God about?

PRAY—Take turns praying and giving your requests to the Lord.

You Will Need: 

• An old comic book or newspaper
• White Silly Putty or you can make your own with the following items: A container, white glue, liquid starch, and a spoon 
• A Bible marked at Matthew 5:16

If you don’t have these items: You can use a mirror to reflect light using the same DISCUSSION below. Take turns reflecting light at different targets. Who are some people who need to see the light of Jesus?

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STEP 1

Mix two parts glue with one part liquid starch. Stir well.

STEP 2

Keep adding starch one spoonful at a time, while working it with your fingers, until it becomes a putty-like mixture.

STEP 3

Put the putty onto an old comic book or newspaper. Press down and then peel it off. What changed?

SAY—The putty didn’t show anything until you pressed it against the comic book or newspaper. Now it shows whatever words or pictures you pressed it on. 

DISCUSSION 

SAY—In the same way, once people meet Jesus (give their lives to Him), they become a reflection of who He is.

Read the verses below and think about ways you show Jesus to others who don’t know Him.

Read Matthew 5:16 from your Bible.

PRAY—And thank God that He can use you as a light to show His life and love to others.

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BREAKFAST BITES

ASK—What kind of difference do you think Jesus makes in your life?

ASK—How do you think people around you every day see the difference Jesus makes?

ASK—How can you tell others about the difference Jesus can make in their lives?

Read Matthew 5:13-16

You will need:

• 1 Bag of Large Marshmallows
• A Bible marked at 1 Corinthians 10:13

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Get Started

Have an inside “snowball” fight using large marshmallow. You may want to outline certain boundaries, such as not going in bedrooms, etc. Or, if you desire, you can play all over the house. You can even play a hide-and-seek version. Have fun and don’t worry about marshmallows going everywhere. Messes last a little while; memories last a lifetime. 

(NOTE: If you don’t want to use marshmallows, use wadded up pieces of paper.)

After your game, gather your family around and continue with the following:

ASK—Did anybody get hit by a marshmallow they didn’t see coming?

SAY—In life sometimes you get hit by a temptation you didn’t see coming.

ASK—What is an example of temptation? (Being tempted to cheat on a test, etc.)

ASK—Is it wrong to be tempted? (No. Temptation is not wrong, but if you give into the temptation, that’s sin. Jesus was tempted, but He overcame it.)

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 from your Bible.

SAY—God always makes a way for you to escape from temptation. So the next time you’re being tempted, talk to Jesus and ask Him for the strength to do what’s right. Then let your love for Jesus overcome the temptation because those who love Jesus, obey Him.

ASK—As New Year gets closer, let’s find ways we can live for Jesus all the way every day this next year. What are some changes each of us could make to walk closer with God this next year? 

PRAY—Thank God for always making a way to escape from temptation.

• You will need:
• 1 roll of toilet paper
• A Bible marked at Luke 2:11-12

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Get Started
Wrap your children from head to toe in toilet paper (Or you can use wrapping paper.) (NOTE: Be careful that they don’t fall over and are unable to catch themselves.) Keep them wrapped while you continue with the following.

ASK—How does it feel to be wrapped up like a gift?

SAY—Since you’re wrapped up like a toilet-papered, Christmas gift, I want you to know that you are a special gift from God to us and we love you and are proud of you.

On the count of three, have them break free as fast as they can. Put the toilet paper aside.

ASK—Do you know how the greatest gift in the world was wrapped?

SAY—Listen to what the Bible says and let’s find out. 

Read Luke 2:11-12 from your Bible.

ANSWER—The greatest gift in the world was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger. Jesus is the greatest gift of all.

ASK—Do you know what the name Jesus means?

SAY—“Jesus” means “He saves,” and that’s why Jesus came, to become the Savior of the world by taking the punishment for all the wrong things we would ever do so that we could be forgiven and have a way to go to heaven.

PRAY—Thank Jesus for being our Savior.

You will need:

• An ice cube or a small ice sickle for each child 
• A Bible marked at Luke 22:39-44

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Get Started
Give each family member an ice cube and race to see who can melt theirs the fastest by holding it in their hand. (NOTE: Be sure to tell them that if it feels too cold, it’s okay to stop.)

ASK—Did you ever feel like giving up?
SAY—I’m going to read a story to you out of the Bible about a time when Jesus didn’t give up.

Read Luke 22:39-44 from your Bible.

ASK—When Jesus said “cup” what do you think He was talking about?

SAY—This happened just before Jesus died. He was referring to all the pain and suffering He had to endure to pay the price for our sins. Even though He was born to be the Savior of the world and even though He was perfect, it still didn’t make it easy for Him to take the punishment for everybody’s wrongdoings. But this is how much He loves you—That he suffered and died to make a way to forgive your sins and to make a way for you to go to heaven.

SAY—This is the real meaning of Christmas. God gave His Son to save us. This makes Jesus the greatest gift of all.

PRAY—Thank Jesus for enduring suffering and death to be the Savior of the world and for being the greatest gift of all.

You will need: 

• A Blindfold
• Two drinks or food items that you know your child likes. One drink or food item that you figure your child will dislike. 
• Your Bible marked at Philippians 4:4.

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Get Started
Send your children to another room while you find three drinks or food items, two that you know they like and at least one that you figure they won’t like. For example, you might use chocolate milk, Pepsi, and prune or pickle juice. Then blindfold your children and bring them in one at a time to be a “Taste Tester.” Ask them to identify each drink. Give them the item they won’t like last.

ASK—Did you get what you expected?

SAY—Sometimes in life we get what we expect, sometimes we don’t. Bad things can even happen to good people, but listen to what the Bible says about what we should do when bad things happen.

Read Philippians 4:4 from your Bible.

ASK—When “bad” things happen, what can you do? (Make the choice to rejoice.)

ASK–Why do you think you can always rejoice? (Because God is faithful. He’ll never let you down. He’ll always keep His Word. You can trust Him, etc.)

ASK—What are some things our family can rejoice about? (Don’t just list good things. Also list things that they might consider to be “bad.” For example, we can rejoice even though daddy lost his job. Why? Because we trust God and we know He won’t let us down…In 1 Thess. 5:17 the Bible says to “Give thanks in everything…”)

ASK—What does rejoicing have to do with Christmas?

SAY—On the night that Jesus was born, the angels told the shepherds about the baby Jesus. They hurried to go see Him and when they left the Bible says that they went away “glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). When people meet Jesus and put their faith in Him, they can rejoice always, no matter what, because God is real, because He loves you and me, and because God sent His Son to be the Savior of the World.

PRAY—And thank God that no matter what happens in our lives, we can always rejoice if we know and follow Jesus Christ.

NOTE: If your children want a further answer about why they can rejoice in the middle of difficult times, explain that sometimes we do wrong things and these bad choices bring “bad” things into our lives. But sometimes we do everything right and someone else does something wrong and we get hurt because of it. Even so, there’s nothing your children will ever do that is so bad that God can’t forgive them and there’s nothing so bad that can happen to them that God can’t turn it around to their good if they love Him and are walking with Him. (See Romans 8:28 for a great promise.)

You will need:

• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 plate
• A Bible marked at Isaiah 9:6 and 1 John 4:14

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Get Started
Gather your family around. Then squeeze out a good amount of toothpaste on a plate.

ASK—Do you think you can get it all back inside the tube?

Give each family member a chance to try.

(Some may try scooping it back in; Some may ask for scissors to cut it open and put it back. Just tell them no if you don’t want them to ruin the toothpaste tube; still others may want to lick all the toothpaste off the plate and use their mouth to put it back in. This is actually quite funny although if they push too hard, toothpaste will begin to come out of their nose—This really happened once!)

ASK—Is it possible to get all the toothpaste back inside? (No.)

SAY—The toothpaste is kind of like your words. Once something comes out of your mouth you can’t take it back. So if you don’t mean it, or you don’t plan to follow through with it, don’t say it. Every word you say should be as trustworthy as a promise.

ASK—Did God ever make promises? (Yes, the Bible is full of promises for you and me.)

ASK—Can you name a promise that God made? (Nothing can separate you from His love; He will never leave you; That you’re going to heaven once you’ve given your life to Jesus; etc.)

SAY—God also promised that a Savior would be born.

Read Isaiah 9:6 from your Bible.

SAY—This is a promise God made about 700 years before Jesus was born. God always does what He says, and we should do the same. Then, in the right time, God sent His only Son, Jesus, who was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He came to save us from our sins. This is the true Christmas story. 

Read 1 John 4:14 from your Bible.

SAY—As we get closer to Christmas you’re going to hear a lot of people talking about gifts and family and Christmas movies and Christmas stories but Jesus is the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas is all about the fact that God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. 

PRAY—Thank God for Jesus and how wonderful He is. Thank God for always keeping His promises.

You Will Need: 

• Something you can throw
• A Bible marked at Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7

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GET STARTED

TELL your child that you are going to throw an item to him and you want him to catch it and throw it back. Do this several times.

ASK—What does it mean to “cast” something? (“Casting” is another way of saying “throwing.”)

SAY—We are going to read about something that God wants us to throw His way.

Read Psalm 55:22 from your Bible.

ASK—What does God want you to “cast” on Him? (Our cares.)

ASK—What does it say God will do if we cast our care on Him? (He will sustain you.) What does that mean?

SAY—“Sustain” comes from a Latin word that literally means “to hold below.” 

Have one person stand in front of you. Ask them to wobble. Then take hold of them to keep them steady. 

SAY—In the same way that I held him steady, God sustains us which means He supports us, supplies us with what we need and keeps us steady from falling.

SAY—Sometimes the worries and cares of this world drag us down, but we can cast our cares on God and He will sustain us. 

ASK—What else did the verse say God will do? (He will never let the righteous fall.)

PLAY AGAIN

TOSS the item back and forth again but each time you throw it, say a care or worry that someone might have. 

ASK—What are some cares or worries that you have? What about your friends?

TOSS the item back and forth again. This time with each throw say something for which you are thankful.

ASK—God wants us to always have a thankful heart but how can you give thanks when you’re facing tough situations?

SAY—We can always give thanks, no matter what, because we trust in God. He takes care of us and sustains us.

SAY—Before we pray I want to read one more verse. 

Read 1 Peter 5:7 from your Bible.

SAY—Because God is so good and Jesus died and rose again for us, we can cast our cares on Him. And because we know how God will take care of us, we can always give thanks no matter what we’re facing.

PRAY—Take turns praying and let each member of your family tell God about a care or worry (something that concerns them)—something they are giving to Him. For example, “Dear Lord, Grandma is sick. Please help her to get better. I give this to you. In Jesus’ Name—Amen.” Then go around again and let each person tell God something for which they are thankful. For example, “Thank you, Lord, for caring for me.”

You Will Need: 

• A Bible marked at Philippians 4:4 and Acts 16:19-34

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GET STARTED

Tell the following jokes to begin…

-Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?

Yes. A building can’t jump at all!

-What did the turkey say to the turkey hunter?

“Quack, Quack, Quack”

-What’s blue and covered with feathers?

A turkey holding its breath

-If the Pilgrims were alive today what would they be most famous for?

Their age!

SAY—Now I have a few Thanksgiving questions for you:

ASK—What is your favorite thing about the Thanksgiving holiday? 

ASK—What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? 

ASK—What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert? 

ASK—What is your favorite thing that our family has done on Thanksgiving? 

ASK—What do you think a turkey’s least favorite holiday would be? (Probably Thanksgiving; maybe Christmas.)

SAY—Around Thanksgiving we seem talk more about the things we’re thankful for, but God wants us to be thankful all year long. God also says that we can rejoice no matter what situations is going on around us. 

Read Philippians 4:4 from your Bible

ASK—When does this verse say we can rejoice? (Always)

SAY—After everything I say, I want you to say, “No.” Ready…(No!)

-Does this verse say to rejoice in the Lord sometimes? (No!)

-Does this verse say to rejoice in the Lord every once in a while? (No!)

-Does this verse say to rejoice in the Lord from time to time? (No!)

-Does this verse say to rejoice in the Lord when things go good? (No!)

-Does this verse say to rejoice in the Lord when you get what you want? (No!)

REPEAT after me: “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.”

SAY—“Always” means always. 

ASK—What does it say to rejoice in? (The Lord)

SAY—We can rejoice in the Lord, not in the situation. We can always rejoice and be thankful because of who God is. Even if we find ourselves in a tough situation, if we are following God, we know that He has promised to turn all things to our good. Because of who God is and what He can do, we can rejoice in Him, no matter what is going on around us.

EXTRA TIME

Read Acts 16:19-34 from your Bible for a great story that illustrates this kind of attitude.

PRAY—Take prayer requests and pray together…Pray that your family will always give thanks and rejoice in the Lord.

You Will Need: 

• A Bible marked at Colossians 3:17

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GAME—THINGS YOU DO

SAY—We’re going to play a game and here are the rules: In a moment I’m going to say something that I did today, then we’re going to go around the circle and everyone else is going to say something they did today. Then when it gets back to me, I’m going to keep going. We’ll keep going around and around but here’s the catch—if you take longer than 3 seconds to come up with something you did today, then your out. 

Read Colossians 3:17 from your Bible.

SAY—According to this verse, everything we just named we should have done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him. 

ASK—What do you think this verse means? (That no matter what you say or do, you should always be living for Jesus with a thankful heart.)

ASK—Are there any of your actions today that didn’t glorify God?

ASK—Are there any of your words today that didn’t glorify God?

ASK—What are some ways we can give thanks to God? (Through prayer, in our actions, in our words, in our attitude, in how we respond to situations—especially situations where we didn’t get what we wanted or things didn’t go the way we desired.)

SAY—Because Jesus died and rose again, we live for him in everything we say and do and always give thanks to God through Him. 

GAME—THINGS YOU SAY

SAY—We’re going to play another game. It’s actually the same game we played before except instead of naming things we did today, we’re going to name things we said today. 

Re-Read Colossians 3:17 from your Bible.

PRAY—Take Prayer requests and pray together…Pray that your family live for Jesus everyday in everything they say and do and always have an attitude to thanks.