During the month of August, we’re going to explore a spiritual exercise together each week- something you can practice together, as a family! These are practices that are designed to give attention to spiritual matters and in doing so, make your spirit strong. Just like we exercise our bodies, our spirits need exercise too!
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE- Rest
Today’s Spiritual Exercise is Rest!
I enjoyed resting on my front porch one evening. Listen in and then decide how you can find rest as a family today- will it be snuggling on the couch, a nap, stargazing tonight, or a leisurely walk after your chores are done? Be intentional today about periods of work and rest and talk about it together & take time to thank God! We were made for both work & rest. When we enjoy this rhythm together, we are recognizing God’s wisdom in creating us & trusting God to care for us!
BIBLE STORY: Elisha Sees an “Unseen” Army
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
TALK ABOUT IT: Why was Elisha calm even though he was surrounded by the enemy? Could Elisha’s servant see the heavenly army with his eyes? What needed to happen for him to see? What can we do today to see things from God’s view? Could Elisha’s servant trust what he could (or couldn’t) see? Is it better to trust God or what we see for ourselves?
OLDER KIDS might enjoy thinking more deeply about this here:
GAME- Blind Potato Race
Blindfold one player and scatter potatoes (or other objects acting as your potatoes) across the floor. The blindfolded player then has to crawl around the floor gathering up the potatoes. The non-blindfolded players can help those on the floor by shouting out directions, like “warmer, colder”. Give each person a chance and see who collects the most after 30 seconds.
TALK ABOUT IT: How could this remind us of our Bible story today? Would your job have been easier if you could see? How could someone else help you when you couldn’t see? How can we encourage each other when we’re not recognizing the spiritual world? Tell about a time that you didn’t understand something, but someone reminded you to look from God’s perspective or ask God for wisdom.
EXTRAS: Print out some optical illusions from Mr. Printable HERE. Do our eyes always fully understand what they see?
Have a great Sunday, everyone!
