Day Two: Family

CONNECT

Gratitude Jar

Prepare:

• A jar (or box)
• Small pieces of paper or sticky notes
• Pens or pencils

Spend a few minutes decorating the jar together as a family. Then, give each family member time to write down what he or she is grateful for about each other. The notes can also be about an experience you have had together as a family. Be specific and thoughtful. Fold the notes and place them in the jar.

Every week or month, set aside time to read the notes together. This can spark conversations and strengthen connections.

READ THE WORD

. . . but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:25–27

Have you ever thought about how important family is? In the passage we’ve read, we see a touching moment. Jesus, even while on the cross, showed His deep love for His mother, Mary, and His friend John. He asked John to take care of His mother. Mary was not his biological mother, but they were part of the same spiritual family. What an example for us to remember that we are to care for and be grateful for the family God has blessed us with.

Let’s also look at our spiritual family. In one of his letters, Paul writes:

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:11–15 (NIV)

As part of God’s family, we are encouraged to treat each other kindly, just as we do at home. Jesus also prompts us to think about how we can make our friends feel welcome and included. This helps us remember that love and care are at the heart of all our relationships (in our home, in the church, and everywhere else), the way Jesus showed us through His ultimate sacrifice.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• Do you love everyone in your family?
• Can you think of a time when you helped someone? How did it make you feel?

7–12 years old

• If you could create a special day for our family, what would we do together?
• How can you show kindness to someone in our neighborhood or your school this week?
• Do you have people around you who will pray for you and encourage you when you are down? Who are they?

Kids to Parents

• What’s one thing you love about our family?
• How can we show God’s love to others?
• Who is our spiritual family?

Just like our natural family, our spiritual family will help and nurture us as we grow. They even help us grow in our relationship with God. Let us commit to nurturing our relationships with others.

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for our family and the love we share. Help us care for one another, just like Jesus taught us. Guide us to support and show kindness to each other every day. May our hearts be filled with love, and always remember to help those around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

DISCOVER

In Jesus’ time, it was customary for the eldest son to care for his mother if she became a widow. His father, Joseph, had likely passed away by the time Jesus was crucified. When He was on the cross, He entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to His disciple John. This was an extraordinary moment of compassion. Even in His suffering, Jesus ensured His mother would be looked after. This act also highlights the importance of a spiritual family—Jesus built a new family in which people cared for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.