FunFaith™ Moments for Families

Pound Puppies

Use this life-changing experience to help your family see firsthand the power of redemption.

Scripture: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:10-13
Equipment: A local animal shelter, a willingness to adopt a pet (along with any associated fees), and a Bible. 

Before You Begin

Note: Be aware that this family activity may not be appropriate for younger children who might be emotionally overwhelmed by a visit to an animal shelter. Also, when you're done, you will come home with a new pet--so be prepared for that new family responsibility!

The FunFaith Moment

Take your family on a tour of a local animal shelter. If possible, call ahead and see if you can arrange for an employee there to show your family around and explain his or her work. If that's not possible, explain the work of the shelter yourself, pointing out that any pets not claimed or adopted are eventually put to death.

 

During the tour, ask your family members these questions:

• How does being here make you fee/ Why?

• What might you be feeling if you were on of the animals in this shelter?

 

After the tour, make a surprise announcement to your family that they can rescue one pet and adopt it from the shelter. Let your kids choose their favorite and then take it home!

Discovery

When you get home, gather everyone around your new pet and a Bible. Read aloud Romans 3:23 and 6:23a. Then discuss these questions:

• How does sin make us like caged animals in an animal shelter?

• How does it make you feel to know that we all deserve death because of our sins?

 

Read Romans 6:23b and 10:10-13. Then ask:

• What feelings did you have when I said we could rescue one pet at the animal shelter? Explain them.

• How is the way we rescued our new pet like the way Jesus rescues us from sin? Describe it.

• Now that our pet has been rescued, it will be trusting us to protect it and provide for its everyday needs. How can we trust Jesus to do the same for us? Explain.

 

Tell your family that although you were only able to save one pet from the animal shelter, Jesus is able to save anyone and everyone from sin. Then, because your pet is a living symbol of Jesus' redemptive power in your lives, have your family brainstorm names for your new pet that will always remind them of what they learned today. For example, you might name it, "Jailbird," or "Lively," or "Grace," or "Thankful." Be creative and have fun.

Prayer

Wrap up your time with a prayer, thanking God for saving your family from sin and for allowing you to save your new pet from the animal shelter.

 

--Mike & Amy Nappa

Note: This FunFaith moment is adapted from 52 Fun Family Devotions by Mike and Amy Nappa copyright © 1994 Augsburg Books. Reproduced by special permission of Augsburg Fortress Publishers. No further reproduction permitted without the written consent of Augsburg Fortress.

52 Fun Family Devotions by Mike & Amy Nappa (Augsburg Books)