Safe on an Island: Acts 28:1-10
We believe that spiritual development happens in the home as well as at church. We hope that these ideas will help you engage as a family. It’s designed to help you connect with your child about the lesson they had this past week. Use all the ideas one night, or spread them out throughout the week. Enjoy!
- SNACK items needed: gummy worms, chocolate chips, waxed paper, pretzel sticks, butterscotch chips, cooking spray
Once the shipwrecked crew made it safely to shore, the islanders built a fire for them. The fire started to go out, so Paul gathered sticks to put on it. As he threw the sticks on the fire, a poisonous snake came out of the fire and wrapped itself around Paul’s arm and bit Paul. The islanders were sure that Paul would die from the snake bite, but he didn’t. God had protected Paul and now the islanders were anxious to hear whatever Paul had to tell them about Jesus.
Let’s build a fun snack that will remind us of this great Bible story.
You can make as much or as little as you want. Before the melting starts, break small pretzel sticks in half until each person has about 1/3 cup. Then, melt equal parts of butterscotch chips and chocolate chips. Use the defrost setting in your microwave and stir every 25-30 seconds. Keep doing this until the chips are completely melted and it is smooth. Give each person a piece of waxed paper and lightly spray it with some cooking spray. Dip out about a tablespoon of the melted chocolate/ butterscotch mixture and place it on the waxed paper. This will act as the glue for the pretzel sticks. Stack the wood (pretzels) to make a fire. You may need to add a little more mixture as you build. As you’re doing that, put the gummy worm in the middle so that he is coming out of the fire. Take a picture of each person with their masterpiece. Now, eat up … it’s yummy!
- SCIENCE EXPERIMENT items needed: match, pillar candle
Light the candle and let it burn for a few seconds. Then, blow it out. Immediately, light a match and touch it to the little stream of smoke that is coming from the wick. Hold the match close to the wick, but don’t touch the wick. The candle will relight. It’s strange how that happened.
When people see Jesus in you (because they’ve been watching what you do, how you react, how you treat others, and what you say) you are helping to ignite a spiritual fire in them. It’s strange how that happens. God is the One who works in their life, not you, but because they see God working in your life, they want that fire, also.
- OBJECT LESSON items needed: binoculars
Today I’ve brought in a pair of binoculars. Has anyone ever used a pair of these? Indicate something outside the window or on a wall that is far away. Then, let several students look through the binoculars at what you have pointed out. Ask them to describe what happened. When you looked through the binoculars, what could you see about the object that you couldn’t see just looking at it (without the binoculars)?
Some people who live out in the country keep a pair of binoculars on their porch. That way, when they spot a wild animal, like a deer, they can get a good look at the animal without bothering it. The animal never even knows that it’s being observed! Detectives and spies use binoculars when they need to watch people without them knowing anyone’s around. The detectives and spies gather information about the person without them knowing what’s going on.
When you tell other people that you are a Christian, then they’re going to watch you. It’s like they’re using a pair of binoculars, because you won’t even notice when they’re making note of something you’ve said, how you’ve reacted, or the look on your face. They are gathering information about what a Christian life is by watching you. You won’t even know it’s happening, but you’re being watched with invisible binoculars.
- KNOW YOUR BIBLE items needed: Bibles
Look up these verses together. You can find online versions of the Bible at http://www.biblegateway.com/
What does each verse say to you?.
1. Acts 1:8
2. John 1:8
3. Philippians 4:5
4. 2 Corinthians 8:21
- Scripture Memory
Galatians 3:22 (NCV)
”Instead, the Scriptures showed that the whole world is bound by sin. This was so the promise would be given through faith to people who believe in Jesus Christ.”
- Thought For The Week
AS SURVIVORS WE SHOULD TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO TELL ABOUT GOD!