M A X 7 W A Y S

7 Ways for Families Guide

A ready reference for Head, Heart and Hand - Family Times

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7 Ways - for Families

Introduction................................................................................................................................................3

Be together.................................................................................................................................................5

Chat together..............................................................................................................................................6

Explore the Bible together..........................................................................................................................7

Worship God together.................................................................................................................................8

Pray together..............................................................................................................................................9

Do Special Times together........................................................................................................................10

Serve your Family......................................................................................................................................11

Serve others together...............................................................................................................................12

Be Hospitable together.............................................................................................................................13

Grow faith in young children.....................................................................................................................14

Engage Teens in Faith................................................................................................................................16

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7 ways introduction

Different ways for different families

This guide is intended to be used for families to explore their Christian faith together in their daily lives.
We have provided eleven (11) topics each with 7 ways that work within family relationships. Every family
is different in so many ways and each idea suggested will not suit every family. Therefore, have fun and
try the ideas with your family. You may develop some family traditions or you might want to keep trying
new ideas because your situation keeps changing.

Head, Heart and Hand BibleMAX Family Times

Head, Heart and Hand Family Times, are written as a companion for BibleMAX lessons. Families who
want thematic Family Times based on Bible passages used in BibleMAX units, will find this of great
benefit to them. The BibleMAX lessons can be found if you search, 7Ways BibleMAX on www.max7.org
This 7 Ways for Families Guide provides some ideas for this resource. So print off this guide to use as a
reference.

Multiple Intelligence Guide

As you look over this list you will notice that the 7 Ways activities are varied and connect with many of
these different types of intelligences. Every family member is an individual, uniquely created by God to
offer different skills in honour of the Lord. As parents and carers of children, make sure you encourage
each of the children in your care to work on their talents and interests and explore their own faith
through a variety of ways.

Intelligence Strengths Teaching

Word Use of words Tell or read stories

Listening Use journal writing
Reading & writing Engage in discussion
Speaking Recitation
Memorizing Translate something
Translation Simplify a message
Meaning and definition
Musical Music Learn truths through songs
Rhythm Express heart through songs
Pitch Write music
Sensitivity to the emotional Perform music
power of music Encourage song writing
Use music to set the mood
Memorize specific words
Role of music in the Bible
Math and logic Numbers Analyse and interpret what is

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Abstract thinking studied

Logical reasoning Ask probing, thinking questions
Organization Involve children in problem
Problem solving solving
Historical Sequencing Build a timeline
Calculations
Space & Vision Art Use pictures, posters & videos
Drawing Draw their understandings
Imagination Plan arts & crafts activities
Spatial referencing Use maps, diagrams & symbols
Observing Measuring
Handcrafting, shaping. Creating
Body Athletics Act out stories with drama & role-
Dance play
Hand skills Games, dance
Acting Build models
Body Language Meet and greet
Facial expressions Engage an audience

People Working with others Work with others

Negotiation Do service projects
Awareness of others needs Include mingling and get-
Team Building acquainted time
Company Sharing
Conversation
Self Understanding self Make time for quiet reflection
Introspection Plan personal quiet times
Self-motivation Debrief learning one-on-one
Meditation Prayer
Reflection Self-directed learning
Quiet Company Invitation to share after giving
Insight time to think alone

Natural Open spaces Activities that connect with nature

Wilderness Use natural spaces as a
Things of nature springboard for stories
Agriculture and animal Use items from nature as
husbandry discussion starters or metaphor
Interaction of a living and non- Inspiration from nature
living environment Creation
Farming and nature parables.

There are more than 7 ways for each of these ideas. Use ideas that work best for your
family and please share your ways with other families by emailing info@max7.org .

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7 ways to Be together
1. Play a Game
Choose a board game that the younger children can play with everyone in the family.

2. Walk to the park

Walk together in a natural wilderness or parkland, enjoy times of conversation and silence.

3. Watch a Bible story animation

Search Bible story video animations on www.max7.org . You will find a whole library of videos.

4. Reading night
Everyone chooses something to read at their own level, that they will enjoy. Finish the night with one of
the better readers reading aloud a chapter of a book while everyone else listens, or finish with a few
verses of the Bible and a family prayer.

5. Play sport
Start playing a game of backyard cricket, football, basketball etc on the street, in the local park, on the
beach, etc. Invite onlookers to join in.

6. Family Night
Plan a family night once a week or once a month. Invite everyone to be there, even if they dont live at
home anymore. Make it so fun and so special that no-one wants to miss it. It can become a family
tradition. Plan together what you want to do on these nights. There could be a meal, sharing the
cooking, a time to explore a Bible passage and pray, a time to play a game. Someone could prepare a
surprise. If its a young family this could be the fathers job.

7. Hug each other

Physical touch generates a body release of Oxytocin a naturally occurring hormone in everyone that
helps us to reduce blood pressure, relax and hear everything will be alright messages. Family
members who hug each other will feel more bonded, more connected, more safe and more likely to
trust and help each other. (Guastella, A. J., Mitchell, P. B. & Mathews, F. (2008) Oxytocin Enhances the
Encoding of Positive Social Memories in Humans. Biological Psychiatry, 64(3), 256258; Zak, P. J.
(2008). The Neurobiology of Trust. Scientific American: USA).

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7 ways to Chat together

1. Together Times
Make the most of these times: around the meal table, while travelling, at bed time.

2. Church De-brief
Chat about what each person learnt at church last time; use the Bible passages from the kids program or
the church service. Look out for teachable moments that demonstrate this Bible learning.

3. Devotion
Family members (older ones) take it in turns to prepare a short devotion on a Bible passage, or a topic.
Search Family Times to find a library of family devotion resources, on www.max7.org .

4. Theme
Decide on a theme for the week. Everyone is encouraged to talk about the theme at various times and
places throughout the week.

5. 7 Ways to ask questions

Get some ideas from the 7 Ways Leaders Training Guide on www.max7.org .

6. Controversy
Use a controversial topic, verse or passage from the Bible to chat with the family. Use this time to
demonstrate how to disagree respectfully and remain on good terms.

7. Practice active listening

Did you know that 75% of listening energy is usually spent deciding what you will say when you next get
a chance to speak? Practice the skill of just listening to another family member without interrupting,
then swap roles so the listener now gets to speak uninterrupted. How did it feel to be listened to? (75% -
The International Listening Association http://www.listen.org/)

7 ways to Explore the Bible together

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1. Choosing Bible Readings
Use a devotional book or Bible reading plan these are produced by any number of Christian
organizations. It could be good to get readings from a Childrens devotional. Alternately use the Bible
passages from BibleMAX units. Search 7ways BibleMAX on www.max7.org , for a comprehensive
curriculum.

2. With an object
Find an object or two that has some connection with the Bible passage, e.g. some coins for the parable
of the lost coins. Let the children touch the object and pass it round as the Bible is being read.

3. Drama
If there are a few characters in the passage or Bible story, family members can volunteer to pretend to
be one of the people. Using the object (as mentioned in point 1) as a prop, gather other props, to help
as you act out the passage.

4. Dress-Ups
Younger children love to dress up, so gather some dress-up items that look like they belong in Bible
times. These dress-ups can really add to the telling of a Bible story.

5. Interviews
Read a Bible story, and then members of the family pretend to be a character in the story. Now one
person becomes the journalist and interviews the characters about what happened in the story, how
they felt and what impact it has had on them. E.g. the journalist interviews Peter who just walked on
water.

6. Art
The Bible story is divided into scenes. Family members join with someone or on their own draw one of
the scenes. Then the story is told in sequence with the pictures being explained by the artist of each
scene.

7. Songs
Give family members the challenge to find or make up song that reflects the message of the Bible story
being looked at. There are many to choose from on Max7. Search songs on www.max7.org .

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7 ways to Worship God together

1. Travel Worship
Choose worship music and gospel music to play or sing as you travel together. As a family make a list of
your top 10 favourite songs, that everyone can agree on. Make sure each family member has a say.
Respect peoples different tastes.

2. Outdoors Worship
Plan an excursion to a place in the outdoors a nice park, the beach, under a shady tree. The purpose of
this is to be out amongst Gods creation and spend time together reflecting on Gods greatness, his
creativity, his character. Each person could choose a little piece of nature a rock, a flower, a leaf, an ant,
etc and study it carefully for a few minutes, reflecting on how God, who made the whole universe, is also
concerned about the intricate patterns of the smallest parts of creation.

3. Admitting mistakes
A part of worshipping God is admitting how we fall short in comparison to his greatness. Spend some
time as a family reflecting on our fallibility the mistakes we make, the creation we damage, the people
we hurt. Each person could admit one sin from the previous week. Keep it brief, so the younger children
can also manage this. Then everyone together can say, Father forgive us.

4. 7 Day Worship
Each person could say how they plan to honour God more this week help out in the kitchen, be kind to
a lonely kid at school, get to work and meetings on time, etc. Next week share with the family how you
went with this and pray for each other as you each make a new plan for the next week.

5. Create something together

Build something as a family or make something that expresses a response of wonder and thanks to God,
like a sandcastle, a flower arrangement, a picture, growing vegetables, a wooden cross, etc.

6. Volunteer
Choose something to do as a family to give thanks to God for his provision. E.g. volunteer to serve food
to the homeless/widows/orphans. Talk about why you are doing this together, and what it means to
have each other and the food we share.

7. Write
A song/psalm together that praises a specific characteristic about God that you have been discovering
together. It may be his love, his presence with us all, his provision, his kindness etc

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7 ways to Pray Together

1. Family Prayer Journal
Once a week, after a meal, share and pray for prayer requests. Someone can write them in a book for all
to see throughout the week. Next week check the prayer requests and see all the interesting ways God
has answered your prayers.

2. Hand Prayer
Everyone traces their hand on a piece of paper. Then, each person works out 5 people to pray for and
write each name on a finger each. The hands are kept by each family member to pray for any time.

3. Pair-Share Prayer
Get together in pairs and pray for each other. Change prayer partners every week, or every month. For
example, Simon Says is a good game to use in this situation. A leader calls out an action and children
respond but only when the leader first calls out Simon says, for example; Simon says hands on
shoulders.. If the leader does not call Simon says children should not respond.

4. Popcorn Prayer
As you sit in a circle, people can pray one word or a short phrase only. Its easier if the focus of the
prayer is thanksgiving. Or you could pray for people, by just saying their names aloud. Little children can
join in with this sort of prayer.

5. Hands-on Prayer
This is a good way to pray with preschoolers. Ask them what or who they want to pray for. Then you can
each draw one of these prayer requests. The act of drawing is the prayer.

6. Prayer Meditation
This is a simple process to follow, suitable for anyone from about 5 years old. a) before you start
choose a phrase or short Bible verse to remember, so you can repeat it in your head as a chorus, b) sit
in a comfortable position, c) take some deep slow breaths breathe in the Holy Spirit, breathe out your
thoughts, d) sit quietly for as many minutes as your age, up to 15 minutes (for anyone over 15yrs). If
your thoughts keep filling your head, replace them with your chorus. Allow yourself to be open to listen
to God.

7. Responsive Prayer
As soon as the family hears news together stop what you are doing and pray (sometimes very briefly),
for news (good or bad) or emergencies youve just heard about.

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7 ways to do Special Times Together

1. Every family and culture is different
What are the special times your family can celebrate that are part of your cultural and church tradition?
Below are some suggestions, but please adapt these to suit your situation. Some of these could develop
into special rituals and traditions for your family.

2. Birthdays
Think of creative ways to make the recipient feel special. Its good to include a surprise something they
wont be expecting. Tell the story of the persons birth/arrival/or when you first met them.

3. New place
Go to the new school/home/workplace together and pray for what will happen there. For the people
there, for the witness of faith, for opportunities to minister and for the blessing of the family member
who will be there.

4. Changes of Life
These could be the birth of a baby, puberty, marriage. A celebration and preparation time with wise
people of the same gender, to give gifts, advice, pray and follow up the family member who is facing
these changes.

5. New Life Challenges

Starting school (or new School), university, job, leaving home, emigrating. (Ideas for what to do as a
family list here: party, meal, prayer at the venue together, photographs to share and to mark new
uniforms, certificates, graduations etc ).

6. Grief and Remembrance ceremonies

On the anniversary of a death - have a special candle to help remember the loved one, and light it every
anniversary of their death. Tell stories about the person that bring up happy memories, invite others
who were close to that person to come and share stories as well. Eat a meal they liked, visit a place that
you have a special memory of them at, and share with others how you learned more about God because
of them.

7. Sharing with others

When your family or members of your family are included in another familys special event, (like a
birthday, a funeral a celebration of another religion, e.g. bar mitzvah) spend some time talking together
about what the event is all about, polite behaviour, whether to take a gift, sharing in the emotions of the
other family, etc. It is good for children to accept that other families do things differently - not better or
worse.

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7 ways to Serve your Family

1. IAK
Family members can do Intentional Acts of Kindness (IAK) for other members of the family. The idea is
to be surprising, generous and secret.

2. Make a gift certificate

Offer yourself to do something for a family member, for their birthday, Christmas or when they are sick.
Design a little card in the style of a gift certificate: This certificate entitles (name of recipient) to claim
one free gift from (name of giver). Gift: _________________. Claim by _______________ (date).

3. Older helps Younger

Older children or teens keep younger children happy and busy to relieve mum and dad. Make it special
and fun.

4. Care for the Sick

Provide special care to a family member who is sick, recovering from hospital or injured.

5. Do Chores
As a family have a meeting to work out the division of chores. Remind family members that by doing
their chores without being reminded is a way of serving their family, as, thus serving Christ.

6. Choose a family member to serve in prayer each week

Pray for their health, their challenges, behavior, needs, school, work, and ministry. Pray for your own
relationship with that family member and ask God to reveal to you how to serve them and improve your
relationship with them.

7. Care for the Family member who is isolated

They may be isolated by distance, for work, or frailty and illness; they may be socially isolated from the
family living nearby but not spoken to. Prepare a message for them. It could be written, drawn, made,
filmed, emailed, etc. If you are able to deliver it, take a few family members. Otherwise send it as soon
as possible.

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7 ways to Serve Others Together

1. Visits
Go together to visit a hostel or hospital. Ask if you are able to take your pet with you (sometimes this is
allowed, especially gentle, friendly dogs).

2. Music
If anyone in your family is musical, prepare a few songs to sing and play when visiting sick or elderly
people.

3. Neighbour Visits
Visit an elderly or sick neighbor regularly. Take cards, gifts, childrens art, a meal (see...7Ways to be
Hospitable Together)

4. Make something
If your family knows someone who needs encouragement, they might appreciate something made for
them - a cake, cookies, card, and little gifts.

5. Help a neighbour
Clean their house, do some gardening, wash their car, mind their children, take their dog for a walk, buy
their groceries, take them shopping, or to appointments.

6. Serve at church together

You could welcome at the door, serve morning tea after church, cook and serve a BBQ at an outreach
event. Make sure the children are involved according to their age and capabilities.

7. Serve in the community

Take some or all of the family to help at community clean-up days, bush re-generation projects, a
community fair, canteen at the local sports club, serving a charity, serving meals at a homeless shelter,
etc. Each community has their own events and projects so keep up with whats happening and get
involved.

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7 ways to be Hospitable Together

1. Teach Hospitality expectations
As a family, agree on a clear set of expectations and responsibilities for each family member when
expecting guests. This enables families to offer hospitality smoothly and effectively. Expectations may
include: Clean and tidy up areas of the home, prepare foods, etc. Young children could select toys,
activities and books to share. Make time to talk together and pray afterward, thanking God for what you
were able to do together, encouraging each other on what was done well.

2. Involve children
Children and young people can be part of every aspect of inviting people over for a meal making
invitations, working out the menu, buying food, tidying the house, making welcoming decorations,
prepare and serve some foods, talking with the guests, cleaning up, tidying the house the next day.

3. Meal after Church

Make it a habit to have people over after church. Prepare food that can be stretched to feed more
people. Regularly invite people over for a meal after church. Ask children to look out for people in need
of friendship new people, old lonely people, stressed single parent families, etc

4. Childrens Sleepover
When children have friends for a sleepover, other family members help with meals and cleaning up,
being kind and thoughtful, the child who invited their friend acts as the host for the night.

5. Special Guests to Stay

Work together to make guests feel special. Children can help add the extra touches, e.g. fresh flowers,
towels on the ends of beds, messages or Bible verses on the pillows, small gifts and decorations.

6. Holiday Hospitality
When your family is on holidays, think about ways you can be hospitable and friendly with fellow
holiday-makers. E.g. invite other families to your tent/unit for a BBQ meal, have a campfire and sing-a-
long for any other campers, organize a family games night, invite other families who are in need of
friendship to go on holidays with you, offer to baby-sit so the parents can have a night/day off.

7. Reverse Hospitality
Arrange ahead of time to take food and share a meal with someone who is living alone. Allocate family
members tasks in advance to make the visit smooth and not too disruptive for the person being visited.
Take a gift or card youve made (good for younger children), get the food ready, serve the meal, clean up
the plates, wash the dishes, take out the trash. Ask them if it was alright for them, and if they would be
willing to have another visit from your family in the future.

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7 ways to Grow Faith in Young Children

Remember, young children learn best from watching and imitating you, so as much as you can, be
authentic in your own faith expression. You represent God the Father to them. Make the most of
opportunities for teachable moments, but only answer the question they ask.
1. Give positive attention
Hug them often, praise them with simple words and actions, stop what you are doing to give them
focused attention and eye contact. Play with them in their games, their way. This gives them a regular
reminder that they are loved just as they are, unconditionally.

2. Develop good spiritual habits

From the start set aside God time each day bed time is best. Read a short Bible story, sing, pray over
them and as they get older, encourage them to pray too. Introduce the teaspoon prayer (TSP) Thank
you, Sorry, Please. Attend church regularly, and develop close church friends for mutual support.

3. Songs
Teach simple Christian songs, like Jesus loves me. From birth sing your favourite songs to your baby.
Quieter songs can be a lullaby, to help put them to sleep. Brighter songs can encourage movement,
smiles and giggles when its their awake time.

4. Imaginative Play
Using Bible stories that your child knows well, encourage them to play-act the story, using toys,
(whatever you have) and people to take on the roles. Use scrap material, tea towels etc for dress-up
clothes. Grandparents are good for this play. See how well they remember the story, only correcting
them if really necessary.

5. Craft
As soon as they enjoy making things, encourage them to make gifts for special people in their life,
visitors, neighbours, sick people in the church, etc. Use nature as part of your craft, but try to only use
what has fallen to the ground.

6. Chores
Involve your child in chores around the house according to their age and ability. Show your appreciation
for their efforts. Some ideas: pick flowers, set the table, help cook, sweep, feed and water the animals.
Supervise them until they master the chore. Check out 7 Ways to be hospitable, for more ideas.

7. Appreciation for creation

Develop in your child a love for the natural world animals, plants and landforms. Link the
characteristics of nature to character traits of God, eg strength of mountains, joyful birds.

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7 ways to Engage Teens in Faith

This can be a time when young people start to question the faith they have been taught from a young
age. They need the space to explore doubts and questions. Dont force them to participate in Family
Times, but find ways that interest them. What they need most from their parents is an expression of
authentic faith and consistent unconditional love built over their whole lives. It is important to listen to
their thoughts and opinions. When parents are polite listeners they have more opportunities to speak
into the lives of young people.
1. Use what is current
Have conversations about the latest news items, or something that happened at school, or something
said by the Minister or Youth Leader, or the views of an atheist friend. Before stating your opinion or a
Biblical viewpoint, ask the young person what they think, and ask them questions about their opinion
first. Sometimes you will need to agree to disagree. Remember their opinions are still forming. Do what
you can to allow open expression and dont shut them down.

2. Support in difficult times

Often young people are most vulnerable when they have experienced something that shook their world,
like the death of a loved one or close friend, a natural disaster, one parent leaving, moving schools,
friendship issues. Accept any expressions of feelings grief doesnt have a pattern or a right and wrong
way. Dont shut them down. Be ready when they turn to you, waiting patiently like the father of the
prodigal son.

3. Teenage Spirituality
Find out what teenage Christians are into. Get to know their music, the social justice issues that they
become passionate about, the magazines and internet sites they are looking at, the books they are
reading, the growing youth groups in the area. If your teenager is not so committed in their faith you
might be able to gently introduce some of these things to them

4. Friends
Get to know your teens friends. The best way to do this is by encouraging your child to have their
friends over. When they come to your home, do what you can to provide a warm and welcoming
environment. If you are able to, then provide some of the food they love. Meet the friends but dont
hang around them. If you get the chance to have a conversation with them on their own, show a lot of
personal interest in that friend, take careful steps so that you dont upset the balance of your teens
relationship with the friend, but can still be welcoming and caring.

5. Social justice or service

Teenagers can often get very passionate about social justice causes, so make the most of their youth and
enthusiasm. Together get involved in projects in your community, go together to mission evenings at
church, write letters to the government about concerns they have and serve alongside them.

6. Encourage Mentors
As children grow up, parents influence decreases and the influence of others increases. Friends become
very important, and so can adults who are positive role models whom you can trust. Finding another

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caring adult your teenager gets along well with is a good relationship to encourage. They might be a
youth leader, another parent from church, a grandparent, etc. Encourage them to meet regularly.

7. Prayer
As part of your own prayer time, pray for your teens every day. Prayer is powerful and can move large
obstacles. Make prayer part of your daily activity that is short, to the point, natural and relevant. For
instance if your child has a test at school tomorrow, ask if you can pray for them. Chat with them about
your own prayer needs and remember to tell them when a prayer was answered. Teenagers need to be
reassured that the faith you are passing onto them is authentic and not a show.

Family Challenge
How many of these ideas can your family try in a year?
Which ones did your family enjoy the most?
Which activities surprised your family or changed your family?

We would love to hear about your Family Times, so be sure to email us at info@max7.org .

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