A Splink is a SIMPLE way to LINK your family together spiritually.
It’s a FREE weekly email packed with ideas to help connect your family. Splinks are creative ways of interacting with your children through the use of faith talks, devotional starters and ideas for family time. Splinks can also help you use teachable moments to pass along spiritual truths and life lessons while making memories or just having fun together. No matter where you are, it can always be time for a Splink!
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Splinks for June 20th - June 26th
1
"Real Love Requires Action."
Real love requires action. Tell the following story - feel free to embellish it as I had to edit it to fit in this space. Taken from The Moral Compass, edited by William J. Bennett
There was a very wise and good king who lived long ago across the sea. He did some strange things, but he wanted to teach his people how to live. He noticed that many people complained and expected others to do things for them and solve their problems.
One night while everyone slept he placed a LARGE stone in the road in front of his palace. Then he hid and waited to see what would happen.
First came a farmer loaded down with grain. "Well, whoever saw such carelessness!" he said crossly as he drove around the stone.
First came a farmer loaded down with grain. "Well, whoever saw such carelessness!" he said crossly as he drove around the stone.
Soon after a soldier came by who did not see the stone so he struck his foot on it and went sprawling in the dust. He got up, dusted himself off and stormed angrily at the lazy people who left the stone in the road. He never thought of moving the stone, but went on his way.
Others came by and complained about the stone, but no one did anything about it. The king watched from his hiding place.
At last, at nightfall, the young miller's daughter came by. She had been working at her dad's mill grinding corn since early that morning and was very tired. She saw the stone and said to herself, "It is almost dark. Someone could trip over this stone and get badly hurt. I wouldn't want that to happen. I will move it out of the way."
So she tugged and pulled and pushed at the heavy stone. It was hard to move, but at last she moved it out of the road. To her surprise, she found a box underneath. On the box was a note: "This box belongs to the one who moves the stone."
She opened the lid and found it was full of gold! She ran home with a happy heart.
Ask:
Why did the young girl move the stone? (she didn't want anyone to get hurt)
How was she rewarded? (with the box of gold)
Real love requires action!
Read 1 John 3:16-18. (By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.)
How did God show His love for us? (by giving up - laying down His life for us)
How does the Bible say we should express love? (by our actions)
How does the Bible say we should express love? (by our actions)
How can we show action when we see a need? at home? at school? at church? in the neighborhood? (Do something instead of waiting for someone else to do it!)
2
Simple TLC
Choose a simple project to show love to someone this week. Brainstorm with the kids (They may have great ideas and will own the idea more if they are involved in the planning.)
Some suggestions:
Plant flowers, weed the garden, cut the grass and help care for an elderly neighbor's yard.
Have a yard sale and/or lemonade stand and donate the money to a special cause.
Make a meal and card for someone who has been sick and needs some "tender loving care."
3
Five Love Languages
Gary Chapman talks about five ways (languages) to give and receive love -
- touch (hugs, kisses, pats, etc.)
- gifts (can be inexpensive, but shows thought)
- quality time (one-on-one time totally focused)
- words of affirmation (You are smart, I like the way you... etc)
- acts of service (help with the dishes, making meals, driving them to places, etc.)
See if you can determine each family member's "love language." (Google "five love languages for kids" and there are some guides available to help you.)
Put each person's name in a hat and let each one choose a name. Challenge each one to "speak" that person's love language at least once in the coming week.
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