40 DAYS OF “THE FAITH FIVE”

EVERY NIGHT IN EVERY HOME

September 13 - October 22

Rally Sunday – Reformation Sunday

The FAITH 5 (Faith Acts In The Home)

Care to have some fun, keep your family communicating every night, and grow in your understanding of yourself and God? Try this simple five-step process for the next six weeks and see if it doesn’t help!

Here’s how you do it: Whoever is going to bed first in your home calls “FAITH 5” or “Huddle Up!” Everyone must drop what they’re doing, turn off the television, put down the newspaper or their homework, set the cell phone on silence and gather in a room of the convener’s choice. Then take turns going through these five simple steps:

1. SHARE highs & lows of the day

2. READ and highlight a verse of Scripture in your Bible

3. TALK about how the verse relates to your highs & lows

4. PRAY for your highs & lows, for your family, and for the world

5. BLESS one another

 

Q:  What if I’m single?  How can I commit to doing “The Faith Five”? 

A:  The Faith Five is for you too!  Think about your most important, closest friendships.  Talk to these friends and introduce them to The Faith Five, and commit to these intentional caring conversations together.  It might not be practical to do this right before bed, but perhaps during the day, over coffee, or after work. Whatever works for you!  Be creative!  It may be that at times it needs to happen over the phone, or on-line. 

Q:  I don’t think I’m up to praying out loud.  It’s not something I grew up with.  Any suggestions?

A:  Prayer does not have to be fancy, formal and smooth.  Here’s how you can start.  When you pray  for someone’ s Highs you can say “Dear God, thank you for (name) high of _________.”  And when praying for their Lows you can say, “And God please be with (name) as they are dealing with  their low of ________.”  Over these 40 days, you may surprise yourself as you dare to expand upon this format.

Q:  The kids (or my husband, or my wife or ….) might not want to do this. What should I do?

A:  Be persistent and insistent.  With the kids you don’t need to make it optional, just as you probably don’t make eating fruit and vegetables optional, or just like you don’t make going to school optional.  It’s good for them.  With adults focus on the benefits of intentional coming together time and sharing.  And – this is only for 40 days.  You can do anything for 40 days!

Q:  Where can I find a verse from the Bible for every day?

A:  Several possibilities:  If you or your child is involved in FINK (confirmation instruction) there is one verse per day listed on the last page of the Though Sheets.  The same is true for anyone involved in our new intergenerational ministry called BibleSong.  Another option is to go to Salem’s website (www.salemdwd.org)  On the right side of the home page there is a new Bible verse every day.  The booklet “Daily Texts” has an appointed verse from the Old Testament and the New Testament every day.  If you do not have a copy of that you can find it online at www.mountcarmelministries.com Or you can sign up to have the verses emailed to you everyday at. www.moravian.org/daily_texts/.  Other devotional booklets or calendars may be helpful too.