Tag: family

{Easter Resource & Giveaway}: Resurrection Clue Hunt

Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

I love to research ideas to make familiar Bible stories come to life in new, fresh ways, especially around holidays.  Today I’ll share a resource that might be a great activity to have children in your elementary ministry do this Easter.

Overview

Kidology’s Resurrection Clue Hunt is an adaptation of the classic deduction game, Clue. Designed for children ages 7-13, it is a lesson-based game that helps to uncover the many aspects of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

During the game, players (in groups of 4-6) must discover which PEOPLE clue is missing, what LOCATION clue is unknown, and which OBJECT clue is needed to complete the set.  As the children hunt for clues, biblical investigation and devotionals illustrate how the clues fit together to shape the resurrection story.

My Thoughts 

Initially I thought the game was more like an actual scavenger hunt than a game played in a small group or family setting.  (Now ideas are running through my head as to how we might adapt it that way!)  I love that the game is interactive while also helping children understand the crucifixion and resurrection in a new way.  I also love how the game is not only designed for fun but also incorporates learning through scripture and discussion.  The game is also a great family night activity!

I think that children, teachers and families would enjoy playing Resurrection Clue Hunt this Easter. The PDF game download includes:

  • Detailed Instruction Guide
  • Original, eye-catching artwork
  • Printable set of 20 cards (color and b/w versions)
  • Printable “Explorer Notebooks”
  • 20 “Fact Sheet” devotionals
  • Additional access to fact sheets via QR code

Kidology has graciously offered a complimentary game download (regularly priced at $18.99, Kidology Premium Members $13.99) to one of our readers.  You can enter to win by leaving a comment below, telling me how you’d use this resource in your home or ministry. The deadline to enter is 11:59pm on Sunday, March 30th.  I will randomly select and announce one winner and on Monday, March 31st.

So…how would you use this resource in your home or ministry?  Leave me a comment below and you’ll be entered to win!

Kidology provided me a free download in exchange for an honest review.

Celebrate “Write a Thank-You Note Day”

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments
Photograph via Tumblr

My husband and I spent the year before we were married in a long-distance relationship (he lived in Alabama while I attended college in Virginia).  During that year, we exchanged a lot of cards and letters.  Every now and then I read through the notes just for fun.  That’s easy to do because the notes sit in a floral basket next to my bed.  The basket also contains cards that my children made in their preschool and elementary years as well as other keepsakes from special people in my life.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post encouraging leaders to speak their volunteer’s love language.  Since my love language is words of affirmation, I treasure notes (hand-written and electronic) containing encouragement and thanks.

Yesterday, I received an email from one of my favorite home and garden magazines.  They declared today “Write a Thank-You Note Day”.  What a great idea, I thought.

Hand-written notes have almost become outdated in lieu of e-mail and text messages, but in my opinion, hand-written notes will never go out of style.

So, consider writing a thank-you note to someone you appreciate today.  Make it full of reasons why you appreciate them and how much they mean to you.

Don’t have a clue who you might bless with a hand-written note?  Here are some suggestions to get you started:

If you’re a KidMin leader:

  • Your spouse
  • Your children
  • Your pastor/supervisor
  • Someone who serves in your ministry
  • Someone behind the scenes but serves your ministry (i.e. your janitorial or church office staff)
  • Your mentor

If you’re a KidMin parent:

  • Your spouse
  • Your children
  • Your child’s principal/teacher/school administrator
  • Your child’s coach
  • Your children’s pastor/director

If you’re a KidMin volunteer:

  • Your spouse
  • Your children
  • Your ministry leader
  • Someone who serves alongside you in ministry
  • Parents of a child in your class

Challenge:  Go ahead – write a thank-you note today, but don’t let it stop there.  Take the time to regularly write thank-you notes to people you are thankful for.  You can write one a day, one a week, or one a month.  Just write it – your words and the thought behind it will bless you as well as the recipient.

Related Post:  Speak Your Volunteer’s Love Language

Thankful Thursday: Week 4

Kathie Phillips

A few weeks ago, I planned to set aside every Thursday in November to share some of the many things I’m thankful for.  

You can read about Week 1 here, Week 2 here, and Week 3 here.

“Give us today our daily bread.”

Matthew 6:11

As I type these words, the smell of sweet potato pie and pumpkin crisp fresh from the oven is permeating throughout the entire house.  Those are two Thanksgiving traditions that I bless my family with.  That’s what I’m thankful for today…tradition.

Growing up in my household meant that we celebrated everything.  My mom celebrated big events (such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter) as well as smaller events (such as good grades on our report cards, special awards and milestones reached).  Celebrating these special moments are memories that I still hold dear today.  It’s only natural that I passed along these traditions to my own children.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving today, we will weave years of tradition into our festivities.  Our day began with a big breakfast that I prepare each year–bacon, eggs, breakfast potatoes, toast and juice.  Afterwards, my daughter and I baked 2 sweet potato pies and 2 pumpkin crisps.  Now we are relaxing until we head out to family dinner, which will include lots of laughter, games (and prizes!), good music, fellowship and of course, great food.

A few weeks ago, I read an article by Anne Lamott called “Counting Our Blessings“.  In the article, Lamott shared why she says grace before her meals.  I found the article to be very enlightening because saying grace seems like second nature to me.  It’s not something that I have to think about doing.  My husband and I have raised our children to say grace before their meals.  Whether you’re at the cafeteria table, the food court at the mall or at a friend’s house, we pause to thank the Lord for the food that He has provided for us.

As you gather around the Thanksgiving table today, be sure to pause to thank God for the delicious food you will consume.  Ask Him to not only bless the food but also the hands that prepared it.  Pray for those who are less fortunate than you.  Pray for those struggling with their first Thanksgiving without a loved one.  Ask God to bless the conversation and memories that you’ll share.  Enjoy making new memories while savoring honored traditions.  As a friend mentioned this morning, “Thanksgiving is what comes out of the heart…not the oven.”

Happy Thanksgiving!