Welcome to the Toolbox! This is a new segment in FamJamz  designed with parents in mind. The purpose is to provide you with tools,  ideas for you to implement at home with your kids. Last month, we told you about the family yearbook. We want all of you to be keep up with this because every month we’re gonna be writing in them.

This month, we’re talking about creativity: using your imagination to do something unique. Everyone is creative. We’ve used our imaginations at some point, whether it’s problem solving, decorating cookies, or coming up with our own dance moves. God created us to be creative. And here’s the best part: our creativity looks different than everyone else’s. And that’s ok! In fact, it’s by design.

So here’s what we want you to try out at home, Parents. We want you to be “Creativity Hunters.” For example, if you see your kids have made a really cool drawing or maybe built something original out of legos, we want you to snap a picture of it and put it in your Family Yearbook. The whole point of this activity is for us to celebrate our kids, to celebrate the creativity God has given them. Use those moments to build them up and remind them that their creativity comes from God.

Ask your kids to write about the picture in your Family Yearbook. They can write about what they created and add a “thank you” note to God for giving them their creativity. And if you want, send us a copy of the photo as well. We would love that!

And don’t forget, the tools only work when you take them out of the box.

NEW VIRTUE! Creativity!  We are created by a creative God in His image, but unfortunately the older we get, the less we seem to believe that we are creative and the more narrow our view of creativity becomes. So this month, we’re discovering where true creativity comes from and a variety of ways to be creative.

The first week, we’re going back to the beginning to explore the original Creator, a very imaginative God (Genesis 1:1-2:1). Bottom Line: you were created so you can be creative.

The second week, we’ll expand our definition of creativity to include the idea of how God empowers us to solve problems and lead in out-of-the-box ways. Bottom Line: use your imagination to think BIG.” We’ll take a look at the story of Miriam and her mother as they work together to save baby Moses (Exodus 1:22-2:10).

In week three, we’ll learn about how we can creatively express ourselves through our words, music, art and more to point people to God. We’ll study the life of David (2 Samuel 23:1-2). Bottom Line: use your imagination to make your mark.

Finally, there’s more to creativity than just problem solving and expressing ourselves. God created us to reflect Him and be the type of light that helps others see Him more clearly. We can do that when we learn more about what jests shared in His Sermon on the Mount about Salt and Light (matthew 5:14-16). Bottom Line: use your imagination to do more good.

We can’t wait to see what God will show us about creativity this month. Hope to see you in FamJamz!

‘Till next time!

Thanks for checking out The Toolbox! This is a new segment in FamJamz designed especially with parents in mind. The purpose is to provide you with tools to apply at home with your kids. This month we’re taking a look at the virtue of knowledge.

It is so important to let kids know that God loves them just as you know that for yourselves. And when we love God back, we give Him the #1 spot in our lives. We love with all our heart and soul and strength. And we want to impress that on our kids, right? Well, that’s where our widget, the Family Seal, comes in.

Make sure to put the Family Seal on your Family Yearbook, which can be one of the books we’re making available in FamJamz, or your own special book. Either way, put that seal on your yearbook and start talking! This month, Parents, we want you to tell your kids about how YOU came to know God. How did you learn about Him? How has your view of God grown over the years? How has your relationship with God changed?

Encourage your kids to ask questions. This is a chance for them to listen to your stories. We know you have some pretty cool things to share with your kids about your relationship with God.

Then comes the really fun part. Write down the highlights of your conversation in your Family Yearbook. Moms can write, Dads can write, kids can write. Anyone can even draw pictures and stuff. Whatever you want, it’s your Family Yearbook.

At the end of the FamJamz season, we’ll look back together and see what God has done in the lives of our families. Don’t forget… the tools only work when you take them out the box.

If you have any questions, email us at famjamz@ubcmiami.org
‘Til next time!