This month's devotion is coming out a bit late - but with some exciting changes. Below you will find the devotion in my standard format, but you can now also choose to print out an easy to follow booklet format by clicking here or the This Month's Family Devotion button on the homepage. Enjoy!
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We are wonderfully made!
For Parents: In this lesson, we will be looking at three
scripture verses that teach us how God uniquely makes each person. After the
discussion, family members will each make a snowflake. As a family you will write unique gifts,
strengths and talents onto each person’s snowflake. The
goal is for each person in the family to celebrate their God-designed uniqueness and think
about ways to use it for the glory of God.
Materials Needed:
·
Bible
·
A piece of 8x8 or 12x12 paper or cardstock for
each family member plus one extra piece
·
Scissors
·
Pens or markers
·
String
·
Tape
Introduction: When God created the world, He made an
amazing variety of creation. Did you
know there are over 5,000 types of ladybugs in the world? Everywhere we look, we can see variety in
God’s creation. Just look at something
as small as a snowflake. Scientists
believe that no two snowflakes are alike.
Isn’t that amazing? If God would take such care in the creation of
something as small and fleeting as a snowflake, just imagine the care that went
into creating you – His child. God has
made each of us in a special way. We are going to read three readings from the bible which talk about God special, unique creation of you.
Readings: There are three short readings. Read all three before moving onto the Discussion
section.
Genesis
1:27 – God creates man
Psalm
139:13-14a – I am wonderfully made
1
Corinthians 12: 14-21 One body, many parts
Discussion Questions:
1.
In Genesis, we read that God created men and women “in His
own image”. What does that mean? Were any of God's other creations made in His image?
2.
In Psalms we read that God intimately knows each
of us. He put us together in our
mother’s womb. What does that tell us about our unique value to God?
3.
In Corinthians, Paul wrote that each one of us
is part of the body of Christ. He wrote
that each part of the body is important and has a unique job. Why do we need a variety of people? What would happen if everyone were the same?
Family Activity- I am
wonderfully made snowflakes
Step 1: Make paper
snowflakes:
·
Give each person a piece of paper to create a
snowflake.
·
Fold the
paper into a triangle three times, creating a small triangle.
·
Cut out a design in the triangle, being careful
not to cut all the way across a fold as you will end up with two or more
snowflakes! Do not cut away too much as
you need room to write on your snowflake. (parents if you are helping younger children
with cutting, do not cut any two snowflakes alike.)
Step 2: Compare your
snowflakes
- When everyone is finished, open your snowflakes
together and lay them out for everyone to see.
- Compare the different designs.
- Discuss how the different designs reflect how
each member of your family is unique.
Step 3: Personalizing
the snowflakes
- Write your name on your snowflake. Write down 3-5 things that make you
unique/special. (Note to parents of
younger children. Ask your child
questions such as “What do you like to do?”
“What are you good at?” Write
down their answers for them – whatever they are!)
- When everyone has finished, start passing the
snowflakes around so that each family member has the opportunity to add things
that they love, admire or see as gifts from God in that particular family
member. Each person should have an
opportunity to add things to every family member’s snowflake.
Step 4: Share your snowflakes
- Return each snowflake back to its owner. Each person should take a turn to read aloud
everything that has been written on their snowflake. Family
members can take this time to elaborate on anything they wrote on another’s
snowflake.
- After everyone has shared their snowflake, each
family member should pick one characteristic written on their snowflake and
share how can use this unique gift to serve God. (Parents – you will need to help younger
children with this. Look for simple and
concrete suggestions such as: “Lisa you
wrote that you love to sing, you can worship God with your voice when you sing
praise songs.” Or “Matthew you wrote
that you love Mommy, you can make God
very happy by showing your love for Mommy by obeying her.”)
Step 5: Use your left
over piece of paper to write out Psalm 139: 14
I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made. Hang each of your family’s snowflakes and the
verse in a place where you will see it regularly. One suggestion would be to hang it on the
back of the door that you use most frequently, so that as you leave the house,
you are reminded to celebrate your uniqueness and go use it for God’s glory.
Prayer:
Close your devotion time in prayer, remembering to thank God
for each person in your family and asking God to help you to serve Him through
your unique gifts. If you wish, you can
follow the prayer below.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for this
time together. Thank you Lord for your
Word that teaches us that we are wonderfully and fearfully made. We praise you Lord for each person in our
family. We know that you created us each
to be unique and special. We thank you
Lord for all the wonderful gifts you have given each of us. Help us to find ways to use those gifts to
serve and worship you. In Jesus’ name we
pray. Amen.
