Big Idea: We are strengthened in our faith when we drive deep into God's word and with God's family.

Bible Passage: Colossians 2:6-7

Parent Prep: This week we have celebrated Mother's Day together, and our schools are going back! We are taking it easy this week with our family devotions as a way to celebrate and thank our mums (and all our mother-figures) and give rest to those who need it.

Read Colossians 2:6-7 together in a children's Bible. 

Talk

As you drive, walk or sit together this week, discuss with children what makes plants and flowers grow up strong. Sunshine and plenty of light, good, deep roots, water, healthy, fertile soil. As plants need these things to grow up strong, so we need things to help us grow up strong in our faith too. Explain to children, when someone tells us about the hope of Jesus, and we put our trust in Him, it's like when a seed is planted. But seeds need lots of things to help them grow into healthy plants.

Listen

Ask What kind of things do we need to grow up strong in our faith? What makes our 'seed of faith' grow? (Reading and asking questions to understand God's words, singing songs of praise to Him, speaking to Him in prayer, trusting Him when it is tough, having others who are strong in the faith around us to encourage us, serving Him in love, using our gifts to help and serve others, telling others about Him).

Do

Go out into the garden and water the plants together. As you do, point out the things that make plants grow. Then, list the things that help our faith grow, and talk about where you have these things together in your family life. Celebrate that God has given you these ways to know Him, and be 'overflowing with thankfulness' to Him for these. Consider singing a song of praise together, or praying in thanks for these things around your family's 'Ebenezer' stone if you have one.

Enjoy your gardens, the sunshine, and the week together 🙂