FOR TODAY:
Parents: Read these passages before gathering with your child.
Click on the links to read the passage from the Bible on biblegateway.com: Proverbs 24:11 Msg
The story to read for 3 & 4 year olds: The Story of Esther CEV
The verse to read for Kindergartners thru 5th graders: The Story of Enoch NLT
Parents: Read this section before gathering with your child.
Esther was a beautiful Jewish woman married to a king. Jews were not highly thought of back then, and for Esther to hold the position of queen during this time was not an easy task. She was constantly in a position where her integrity was tested. She stood up for her people despite what it would have cost her, her crown and maybe her life. Her faith in God gave her the strength to do what was right.
We can teach our children through Esther’s example. Bullying is common in our schools. Bullies can feel superior when no one else is willing to give a helping hand for their victim. We can teach our children to have strength to stick up for people who are being wronged by deciding to help out instead of ignoring the situation.
Parents: Use this section to guide your family discussion.
Have a family conversation about bullying that may happen at school. Talk about some of the things your kids can do to help out (like going to get an adult or speaking up).
Parents: Use this section to guide your family prayer.
PRAY WITH: Pray together, “Jesus, we know you are always with us. Give me the strength to help out when others may need it. Amen.”
PRAY FOR: Parents, pray for hearts of courage for your children so they can stick up for others who may need their help.
FOR THE WEEK:
Parents: The sections listed below are designed for you to do one time during this week. It will be a great addition to your family devotional time if you can plan a day that works for you and incorporate the Activity of the Week.
For 3-4 year olds: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
For Kinder-5th graders: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 (NIV)
GOAL: To show how when we choose to put God first in our daily lives, He helps us with all our other stuff we need to do through a demonstration.
PREPARE: You will need three golf balls or walnuts, some dried rice or beans, an old empty sauce jar, like one used for spaghetti sauce, and a large bowl. Make sure you premeasure your materials by first putting in the three golf balls or walnuts and then putting in the rice or beans. Make sure lid can close tight.
INTRODUCE: Say, “Today I am going to show you how putting God first makes a big difference.”
ACTIVITY: Take the jar and empty the contents into a large bowl. Then say, “This jar represents our day. And the rice/beans are all the things we need to get done in the day, like school, homework, our chores, brushing our teeth (start putting in the rice and beans until they are all in the jar, and let the kids join in with what they need to get done too). Then after we’ve done all that, that’s when we decide, now I have time to read my Bible (put a golf ball/walnut in), write in my journal to him (put another golf ball/walnut in), and my prayer time (put the last golf ball/walnut in).” Try and close the jar with the lid. You will find it does not all fit in the jar. Then say, “Wait a minute, I can’t close the jar! There’s not enough room in the jar for all this.” Then dump all the materials out into the bowl again. Continue on with, “Let’s see, how about we start our day with God. If we start by reading the Bible, journaling, and prayer (put the golf balls/walnuts in first), then I can go on with my day with all the other things I need to get done (pour in the rice/beans). (Close the lid) The jar closes! How did that happen? We put God first in our day. When we do that He makes all our other things possible to do. That is why it is so important for us to make sure we put God first every day before we do anything else.”
~From Thriving Family
APPLY: Ask and discuss, “What are some things you can do to put God first? Is it reading your Bible? Praying? Writing in your journals? Reading a devotional? How can you remember to do them first before anything else in your day?”
SUPER
*The Project Parenthood devotionals are written and edited by a team of volunteers and members of Eastlake Church.
