November 6th - What We Learned

This Sunday, November 6th, your two through five year old child learned that God gave him a family to care for him.  This was illustrated through the story of Naomi and Ruth in Ruth 1:1-19.  Naomi's husband and sons had died, leaving her alone in a foreign country.  She insisted that her daughters-in-law stay in Moab with their extended families who would care for them, while Naomi made the long journey alone back to Judah where she was originally from.  One daughter-in-law agreed to this plan and left, but Ruth, the other daughter-in-law, argued that she would not leave Naomi to face her life alone.  She then stated the words that have since become famous: "Where you go, I will go..." Ruth kept her promise to stay with Naomi, and she was a great helper to her on her journey back to Judah. 

The children in class listed people in their families who help them and they drew pictures of their families.  Then they thought of ways that they could be a help to the people around them.  To reinforce this concept, ask your child to join in with you as you carry groceries or sort laundry.  Sing the simple tune below as you help each other.  Singing makes helping fun!

(Sing to the tune of "The More We Sing Together.")

Oh, I'm a happy helper, a helper, a helper.

Oh, I'm a happy helper, a helper indeed!

My God made me a helper, a helper, a helper.

My God made me a helper, a helper indeed!

Your kindergarten through fifth grade child learned about The Silver Lining Principle found in I Thessalonians 5:18 which states "Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  The kids in class got to watch someone stop at a pit stop for a Gratitude Adjustment that went something like this: 

Person A - “Man, am I having a bad day! I got here late and now I have to do all this work by myself. You’d think someone would help me. It’s not like I don’t have other stuff to do. And I don’t feel too good either. I didn’t get much sleep last night because my neighbor’s dog was barking and then I overslept and missed breakfast. I can’t think of one good thing that’s happened today.”

Person B - “We’re going to give you a gratitude adjustment and fill up your tank so you can see all the things you have to be grateful for! For example, you had a bed to not get any sleep in last night! And you could have had breakfast this morning, if you’d had time to eat it! Some people don’t have a bed or any food! And you have this fantastic church where you can come and help all these amazing kids learn about things like gratitude!"

Person A - “Wow! You’re right! What was I thinking? I have a great home, and food, and a wonderful family. And sure, my neighbor’s dog keeps me up at night, but that’s because God has blessed me with really good hearing! I’m so grateful!”

Sure that skit was a little tongue in cheek, but it gets you and your child thinking in a new direction.  Besides, if we really trust that God is good all the time, then we know we always have something to be thankful for even when the circumstances we can see don't look so great.  It's funny how gratitude and faith walk hand-in-hand.

Check back later this week for a silly post on how to make gratitude a habit at home.  You may want to read that post with your child so you can laugh together.


*****If you have a story to share about how your child's lessons have been reinforced at home, please tell us about it in the comments section, or send us an email.  You can also share the story with us on Facebook, or catch up with us at church to tell us all about it!  You may find your family's story featured on this blog soon after.