Couch Time Motivators – To help motivate your GKGW class members to have couch time, some leaders have found the “Couch Time Can” helpful. After reminding your class of the importance of couch time, tell them you also understand how many couples may need a little motivation and accountability to have couch time each week. Here is what you can do: Hand out a couch time report card to each couple (this is found in the “Lesson Support and Student Handouts” section of GFI Leader’s Place). Each husband will need to report back next week their grade for couch time.
Grades area as follows:
A = 5 nights a week
B = 4 nights a week
C = 3 nights a week
D = 2 nights a week
F = 1 night a week.
+ grade is given for a date each week
+ grade is given for family night each week.
Since Growing Kid’s God’s Way calls our children to a high standard, we also call on our parents to high standards. For each couple that reports an A or B they are praised and encouraged. For lower grades, Dad’s (not Mom’s) need to contribute to the “Couch Time Can” as follows:
C = $1.00
D = $2.00
F = $3.00
As parents share +’s for dates and family nights, ask them to share what they did to give others in the group ideas.
Your “Couch Time Can” can be anything that holds money. Many have used Coffee Cans with a slot in the lid. As money is collected, class members may ask where the money goes? Provide a vague answer. You do not want your couples to do couch time for a reward, but rather because it is the right thing to do for their children. Knowing how the money may be used might undermine the blessing that will come for the couple who is persistent for the right reasons. At the end of the entire series, the leader can take the money and purchase a gift certificate to a nice restaurant for the couple with the best record. Or split the money between first place and second place with different amounts or different restaurants. Leaders might also consider watching the children of the first place couple for the evening as an additional gift.