Download a PDF copy of the March Family Faith Conversation

Pear-fect questions to jump into the fruit bowl! 

Let’s continue to explore the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.)  These are the amazing, God-given traits that grow in us through the Holy Spirit. 

This month, we are going to learn more about goodness. It’s one in a melon!  

Bunch up for a grape question time with your family. 

• Who is someone you know who is very good? How do they show their goodness? 
• What is goodness? How is it different from kindness? 
• When have you shown goodness to someone? 
• When is it difficult to be good?  What holds you back from expressing goodness sometimes? 
• I wonder, what colour is goodness in your mind? What sound do you hear when you think of goodness? 
• Can someone learn to be kind? What would they need to know?  

Horses remind us of goodness.  Did you know that wild horses have one horse watch for danger while they eat? The other horses can eat in safety while one keeps watch. Horses also have an enormous range of vision and their eyes can look in different directions at once. Horses are incredibly intelligent creatures, too.  And they love sweet treats, like apples and sugar cubes.

Download the March Colouring Page with Hazel Horse who shares the message of our memory verse for this month.

Watch these short videos to learn more about horses.  

God’s Story 

Jump into the story! Jesus used special stories called “parables” to teach lessons to the people around him. These parables often used common objects or situations that people could relate to and understand.  In Luke 11:5-13 we find the parable of the neighbour at midnight. It’s about someone who has guests come late at night, and he needs to go to a friend and neighbour to ask for bread. 

Let’s look deeper at what is going on in this story… 

Right before this parable, Jesus taught his disciples to pray using something we call “The Lord’s Prayer”.  Do you know this prayer? How do you like to pray? 

Jesus describes someone who goes to a neighbour to ask for bread because an unexpected visitor came by.   

Jesus says that even though the neighbour is grouchy, because of the persistent asking, he will give you what you need in the end.  We ask a lot of God in prayer.  How do you think persistent asking works with prayer? 

Jesus shares that when we ask, we will receive; when we seek, we will find and when we knock, the door will be opened to us.  Does this mean that if we want God to give us a million dollars, or if we ask to become a giant panda that God will grant us those requests?  What do you think this passage means? (v9-10) 

Just like a father won’t give a child a snake when they ask for a fish, God will only give good things.  What are some good things you would like to ask God for?   

Do you think it is good to give someone something they need if you are grouchy about it?  How does attitude work with goodness and giving? 

Verse 13 says that God will give the Holy Spirit generously to those who ask for it.  How do you see the Holy Spirit active around you?  

Goodness is one of the things that shows in your life when the Holy Spirit is active.  Where do you see goodness in your life? In the lives of family or friends? 

How do you like to pray?  How do you thank God for his goodness?  How do you ask God for good things?  

Imagining Story 

Have you been in a position where you need to ask a friend for help, and you know it is inconvenient to ask?  What happened? 

The neighbour complains that it is late, his children are sleeping, and they are all in bed.  He kind of sounds grouchy! How would you feel if someone asked you to get up late at night to help you?   

Jesus says that even though the neighbour is grouchy, because of the persistent asking, he will give you what you need in the end. Is there something you would like to ask for in prayer? Something that only God could give you? 

Jesus says that if a son asks a father for a fish, would the father give him a snake instead?  I wonder what it’s like for parents to give good things to their kids?  Ask your parents or caregivers how it feels when they give a good gift to someone they love?  I wonder how it feels for you on Christmas or birthdays to give someone a really good present? 

Make your own story! You could write it down, or create it in drawings. You could create it out of play dough or lego bricks.  Be creative! 

Story prompt:  

Hazel Horse, Jesus and I were in a country pasture, enjoying the sunshine. It had been a morning of running and then lazing in the warm sun. What a great day! 

Clare Cow came upon us as she was travelling up the lane. 

“Hazel!” she called out. “Please, could you help?  Some new cows just came to the farm yard and now they are hungry. I am out of oats, and we won’t get more until the evening feed. These cows are hungry now!!!  Would you share your oats with us? 

“Aw, Clare…” said Hazel. “I’m in the field with Jesus and my friend! We are in the middle of enjoying the sunshine! This is not a great time…” 

Prayer time… the cherry on top! 

God thank you for being good to me.  I praise you because… 

Thank you that your goodness is such a gift. Help me to share it by… 

Help me share your goodness with… 

I confess that sometimes my goodness doesn’t show.  Help me to be good when… 

God, thank you that your goodness is seen in so many ways. Help me to see it… 

God, help me be a good person by also being a person who forgives, shows grace and trusts.  Forgive me, and help me forgive… 

God, help me practice mercy. Please continue to show me your mercy…