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52 Creative Family Time Experiences
Parents want to connect with their kids and pass along their faith as part of those connections. Timothy Smith gives the ideal tool to parents making this possible using 20 minutes a week. This book provides 52 experiences for families to share time together with lasting benefits. Each experience includes a short Scripture reading, games, activities, and guided discussion that will draw families closer together and closer to God. The author also includes adaptation for younger children and teens with many of the activities. Timothy Smith writes with creativity and experience in family ministry. Fun is the key ingredient in the family time experience and allows for a natural process of sharing faith to develop between parents and kids
- GenresParenting
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 27, 2023
Excellent instruction that is practical and to the point. With the real 52 examples it gives ypu something you csn refer back to again and again.
November 6, 2012
• A practical Life oriented book for BUSY families who want to walk and talk about the Bible with their kids and need a jumpstart. A book that helps create a guide for purposeful parenting in the enjoyable moments that make a family!
• It’s not a book that you need to read in one sitting, you could read the intro and set up in less than an hour, and have a framework for a whole year of weekly family time! It is adaptable for many ages, and has a materials needed list at the end. Each activity was easy to follow, laid out on two pages, and readable.
• As a teacher I love the solid pedagogical foundations that take into consideration learning styles, personalities, with relevant kid oriented activities that are connected to a scriptural truth/concept that our kids need.
• I see it as a springboard of ideas for a new believer, a parent who lacks time to think up ‘fun’ to do with their kids, or who wants concrete ideas for a family time.
• Whether or not we’d like to admit it (those who are in children’s ministry) Sunday morning, midweek programs, summer camp, VBS, our programming only affects one dimension of a child’s life, it needs reinforcement and connections at home, and these ideas are just what I’d like to see happen in homes on a regular basis. This is NOT a bible study or theological book, but rather a way to talk about a biblical verse/truth in a setting where it is connected to real life activities.
• If you are looking for a family Bible study, a theology book for children, a deep analysis of the scripture, it’s not here. But if you want ideas on how to integrate a biblical truth with a fun, memorable activity that your kids might just giggle, smile, and ask “can we do this again”, then this book is for you. How deep the truth affects their lives, is left up to the adults leading the family time. But this book’s ideas have the potential for true ‘family memories’ and inside jokes, silly stories, all rooted in character or lesson of truth!
• The ‘main point’ and the scriptural truths seemed to be addressing solid concepts our children need to see integrated into life, emphasizing who God is, how He cares for us, how He asks us to live. I imagine that some scholars may be disturbed if they read only the main idea/verse, but as a child oriented teacher, I see the truths that are relevant, could be connected to a full-fledged family devotion or scripture reading, but our kids are often not ready for a long, drawn out inquiry, and these short ideas are central to building a foundation of who God is, and how I should glorify Him.
• I’ll have to report back on how it works with our kids and if the actual activities achieve their goals, but I have a feeling that is based more on the delivery by me, than it is the plans of the author! His concepts seem well thought out and achievable.
• It’s not a book that you need to read in one sitting, you could read the intro and set up in less than an hour, and have a framework for a whole year of weekly family time! It is adaptable for many ages, and has a materials needed list at the end. Each activity was easy to follow, laid out on two pages, and readable.
• As a teacher I love the solid pedagogical foundations that take into consideration learning styles, personalities, with relevant kid oriented activities that are connected to a scriptural truth/concept that our kids need.
• I see it as a springboard of ideas for a new believer, a parent who lacks time to think up ‘fun’ to do with their kids, or who wants concrete ideas for a family time.
• Whether or not we’d like to admit it (those who are in children’s ministry) Sunday morning, midweek programs, summer camp, VBS, our programming only affects one dimension of a child’s life, it needs reinforcement and connections at home, and these ideas are just what I’d like to see happen in homes on a regular basis. This is NOT a bible study or theological book, but rather a way to talk about a biblical verse/truth in a setting where it is connected to real life activities.
• If you are looking for a family Bible study, a theology book for children, a deep analysis of the scripture, it’s not here. But if you want ideas on how to integrate a biblical truth with a fun, memorable activity that your kids might just giggle, smile, and ask “can we do this again”, then this book is for you. How deep the truth affects their lives, is left up to the adults leading the family time. But this book’s ideas have the potential for true ‘family memories’ and inside jokes, silly stories, all rooted in character or lesson of truth!
• The ‘main point’ and the scriptural truths seemed to be addressing solid concepts our children need to see integrated into life, emphasizing who God is, how He cares for us, how He asks us to live. I imagine that some scholars may be disturbed if they read only the main idea/verse, but as a child oriented teacher, I see the truths that are relevant, could be connected to a full-fledged family devotion or scripture reading, but our kids are often not ready for a long, drawn out inquiry, and these short ideas are central to building a foundation of who God is, and how I should glorify Him.
• I’ll have to report back on how it works with our kids and if the actual activities achieve their goals, but I have a feeling that is based more on the delivery by me, than it is the plans of the author! His concepts seem well thought out and achievable.
May 27, 2015
For those parents looking for a way to share their commitment to a Christian life this book provides a year's worth of focused time together on that many themes. There are suggestions for "warm-ups", "family discussion" prompts, "activities", "adapting for" younger children and teens, and "wrap-up". Some of the activities didn't connect for me. No problem-- they share a grid for designing your own "Family Faith Plan" and another grid for plotting in your own "Impression Points". They explain all that, too.
They coin the term "peanut butter family" which they say means to them figuring out how to make your family stick together--which would have been great to put in the title somehow.
They coin the term "peanut butter family" which they say means to them figuring out how to make your family stick together--which would have been great to put in the title somehow.
July 8, 2013
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for a review.
I wish I had had this book when my kids were younger. They are both college students now.
Anyway to get Jesus in front of your kids in a fun way is great. I looked at the 52 activities set out and I really think they are geared for kids 7-12. Once you get teenagers involved you have to deal with teenage society. Hopefully they are already on board. If not you will have a battle with some teenagers.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to all families with kids ages 7-12. Get God in their lives.
I wish I had had this book when my kids were younger. They are both college students now.
Anyway to get Jesus in front of your kids in a fun way is great. I looked at the 52 activities set out and I really think they are geared for kids 7-12. Once you get teenagers involved you have to deal with teenage society. Hopefully they are already on board. If not you will have a battle with some teenagers.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to all families with kids ages 7-12. Get God in their lives.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews