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What is a Devotional?
A devotional is a tool or practice we can use to encourage spiritual growth. Through the Family Devotional, we invite your family to explore a Bible story’s meaning together, to ask questions, use your imaginations, see what catches your attention, and consider how the story can relate to your lives.
A time to connect, to ask, to listen, and to pray.
Fall 2020 Devotional
Greetings Families,
In this Family Devotional, we are focusing on a great story from the Book of Matthew of Jesus teaching about building a house on a strong foundation vs a weak foundation. When we follow Jesus in loving God and our neighbors, we are building a strong foundation. This helps us become resilient and faithful people.
As school starts back, families are facing many new challenges that come with distance learning and the ways we are adjusting to new normals. We encourage kids to keep the foundation of love at the center of their hearts and minds – loving God, their neighbors AND themselves.
To help, we are sharing resources from Big Life Journal: an article that explores resiliency and an activity to help kids focus on their strengths and gifts. We hope these are helpful!
Article for Parents: How To Raise Resilient Children Who Never Give Up
Blessings,
Tricia and Jamie
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”
- Foundations can be things in our life that make us feel safe and loved. What are those things in your life?
- How do Jesus’ teachings provide a good foundation for us to build our lives on?
- What helps you make wise choices?
Hold my hand, God, lead the way.
Help me make good decisions every day.
Let me know what’s loving or not.
Keep me safe day and night.
Lead the way, God, hold my hand. Amen.
The Bible is less a book of answers than it is an invitation to explore and engage with stories and meanings. Through this Family Devotional, we invite your family to read the Bible Story together and ask questions, to use your imaginations, to see what catches your attention, and to consider how the story can relate to your lives.
My “I’ve Got This” Board
When our children feel frustrated while learning something new, it can be hard to think positively about themselves. The “I’ve Got This” board is a great way to help kids remind themselves about who they are and what makes them so amazing. They can use it to help transition back to school, during challenging times, or the next time they need a confidence boost.
Download the packet and follow the steps below to create a special board.
Step 1 – Prepare
Gather supplies and print out the speech bubbles, illustrations, and self-portrait. Pages 11 and 12 include black and white options for printing the illustrations.
Step 2 – Create Your Board
Cut out your elements and arrange on the board. Fill in the blanks with words that describe who you are.
Step 3 – Display and Keep It Alive!
Display your board. If you need a pep talk, read your board and remind yourself that “I’ve Got This” and can accomplish anything.
Pastoral Associate for Family Ministries
t.guerrero@santamonicaumc.org
(310) 393-8258 ext. 104
Children and Family Ministry Intern
j.jones@santamonicaumc.org
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