FunFaith™ Moments for FamiliesInspiration and ideas for families of faith
MICROWAVE POPSICLES
Use this fun activity to help your family explore the power of peer pressure. --- Scripture Reference: Romans 12:1-2 Equipment: Popsicles, a microwave oven, bowls, and a Bible.
Before you begin:
In the first century A.D., Rome existed as the center of a Roman world characterized by immorality and decadence. It was also home to many first-century Christians. As these Christians lived daily in a thoroughly non-Christian society, Paul warned them in Romans 12:1-2 to become like God, not like the people of their world. Families today live in a society not unlike ancient Rome. Family members of all ages are pressured to conform to the world's standards: "Cheat to get ahead" "Look out for number 1" "Everybody's having sex--just use a condom" "Popularity equals power" and so on. Use this fun activity to show your family how Paul's warning to the ancient Romans is still relevant today.
The FunFaith Moment!
Tell the family that you are going to have the latest trendy dessert that everyone is eating these days. Pull some popsicles out of the freezer and place them, wrappers and all, o a plate in the microwave. (Poke holes in the wrappers to ventilate.) Cook them until they are good and soggy, and then hand them out to family members. (Bowls and napkins may be needed!) Be careful to make sure no one gets burned by hot popsicle juice or a hot wrapper. Now point out the obvious: Microwaving popsicles may be trendy, but it's also a pretty stupid way to eat a frozen treat. Popsicles are not meant to be cooked! Share with your family how people are often encouraged by their friends, commercials, advertisements, celebrities, and society to do things that aren't very smart. This is often like trying to eat microwaved popsicles. It's just not what the maker intended.
Discovery:
Read Romans 12:1-2 and discuss these questions:
• How did you feel when I handed you the microwaved popsicles? • How is microwaving popsicles like following some of the trends our friends or celebrities follow? • What are some of the ways the world tries to get us and our friends to do whatever it does? What can we do when these actions or ideas are not smart or go against Gods plans for us? • What are the rewards of following God instead of the world?
Prayer:
Lead your family in a short prayer like this: "Lord, give us wisdom to be able to recognize when others encourage us to follow them instead of you. Give us the strength to follow the encouragement of Romans 12:1-2 this week and for the rest of our lives. In Jesus' name, amen."
Then pass out frozen popsicles for everyone to enjoy! ---
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