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Entertainment Topics
Advertising and Kids
Active Learning
Use this activity to teach your children to fight the temptation to want more stuff and learn to be content:
Supplies: You will need a television, paper, pencil and Bible.
Activity: Gather everyone around the TV for this activity. Since you will be flipping channels in search of commercials, keep a remote control handy.
Share: We’re going to watch television, but we’re not going to watch a regular show. We’re going to look for commercials and play a simple game as we watch them. When you see an ad, call out what you think it’s trying to sell. If you see a restaurant commercial, you might call out “hamburgers.” I’ll make a list of everything you call out.
Note: If you’d prefer not to use a television, this activity can be done with various magazines.
After compiling a large list, read it aloud and discuss the following questions.
- When you see things that interest you in commercials, how do you feel?
- How do advertisements make us want more stuff?
- What does a commercial do or say to get you to believe you need that item?
- How is this goal similar to tricking people?
For biblical application, read Matthew 4:1-11 with your family. Consider these questions:
- How did Satan try to deceive Jesus like commercials try to trick you?
- How did Jesus deal with the temptation to have more “stuff”?
- What can we learn from this story about temptation?
Now read Hebrew 13:5; talk about what it means to want more things. Remind everyone that God has promised to take care of our needs. Ask each family member to complete the following sentence: “One way I can be happy with what I have is to …”
If you haven’t tried taking a break from TV or the Internet, now might be a good time to suggest it to your children. Use the time for other family activities or to serve others in the community.
—Heritage Builders’ Money Matters Family Night Tool Chest published by Focus on the Family
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