Over the next few weeks, we would like to do a focus on family days … or Ecclesial outings or Sunday School activities, as they may be called in your part of the world! In this first post we will look at some positive reasons for having family days as part of the Ecclesial schedule. We will also list a few general ideas for family days. In following weeks we plan to look at specific ideas you can use for family days.
Why have Family Days?
Here are some positive reasons for having family days:
- CYC is geared at young people / children, whereas family days are supposed to bring the whole Ecclesia together, young and old.
- Helps to improve friendship and bonds in the Truth across different generations.
- Provides another opportunity for our children to be spending time with the Ecclesial family, instead of other influences that may not be as positive.
- “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10v25
- “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5v11
- We must always remember to keep the Word of God as part of our family day – this is what binds us together as an Ecclesial family!
Family Day Ideas
This is a general list of some ideas that could be used as an Ecclesial family day. 
* Kingdom by Candlelight (more on this in a later post).
* Bible based team games (more on this in a later post).
* Bible scavenger / treasure hunt (more on this in a later post).
* Quiz afternoon / night (more on this in a later post).
* Senior Members’ Day – a special dinner / outing organised by the young people for the over 50 year olds in the meeting.
* Passover Meal – re-enact the Passover and include aspects of what the Jews do now for this meal.
* Build your own raft and have a race – great family day for the summer! Build your own go-kart is another option.
* Family Concert night – a great night for all ages to ‘perform’ an item or share a talent with everyone!
* Progressive dinner – have entrée, main meal and dinner at a different brother and sister’s home. You could also do one of the daily Bible readings at each house and have other activities (ie. hymn sing, camp fire with marshmallows, team games).
* Cook-off – lots of ways to run this night from dividing everyone into teams and have them cook a different part of the meal, to doing it as a competition and have a panel of judges who judge the different dishes made.
* Car rally – put together a series of clues (can be cryptic) for people to get from one place to another and hopefully all end up at the same place! End with an Ecclesial dinner and readings.
* Bible Character Dress-up – you could have a theme or era (ie. Christ’s time) and have games related to the theme / era.
* Board Games night.
* Hike / trip to a local National Park.
* Canoe trip.
* Ice-skating / tobogganing / snowman making (for those who live in colder climates!)
* Campout at someone’s place who has a bit of property.
Stay tuned for more specific ideas in the coming weeks, God willing!