Keys to Effective Family Nights

There are several keys which should be incorporated into effective family nights.

Make it Fun!

Enjoy yourself, and let the kids have a ball. They may not remember everything you say, but they will always cherish the times of laughter – and so will you.

Keep it simple!

The minute you become sophisticated or complicated, you’ve missed the whole point. Don’t try to create deeply profound lessons. Just try to reinforce your values and beliefs in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. Read short passages, not long, drawn-out sections of Scripture. Remember, the goal is to keep it simple.

Don’t dominate!

You want to pull them into the discovery process as much as possible. If you do all the talking, you’ve missed the mark. Ask questions, give assignments, invite participation in every way possible. They will learn more when you involve all of their senses and emotions.

Go with the flow!

It’s fine to start with a well-defined outline, but don’t kill spontaneity by becoming overly structured. If an incident or question leads you in a different direction, great! Some of the best impression opportunities are completely unplanned and unexpected.

Mix it up!

Don’t allow yourself to get into a rut or routine. Keep the sense of excitement and anticipation through variety. Experiment to discover what works best for your family. Use books, games, videos, props, made-up stories, songs, music or music videos, or even go on a family outing.

Do it often!

We tend to find time for the things that are really important. It is best to set aside one evening per week (the same evening if possible) for family night. Remember, repetition is the best teacher. The more impressions you can create, the more of an impact you will make.

Make a memory!

Find ways to make the lesson stick. For example, just as advertisers create “jingles” to help us remember their products, it is helpful to create family night “jingles” to remember the main theme – such as “It’s best for you to seek what’s true” or “Just like air, God is there!”

Keys to Effective Family Nights

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