|
Age 8
Home
Learning Theme: Count
Your Blessings!
PARENT PITCH: Your child comes along at an extra-ordinary
time in human history. They inherit a
rich legacy of faith from you and your church.
They have a heroic heritage to honor.
Help your child to embrace gratitude.
Help them see how blessed they are materially, socially, and
spiritually. Teach them to see each day
for the abundant opportunities it offers.
The alternatives to gratitude are selfishness, sadness and
self-pity. Charles E. Jefferson (1860 -
1937) wrote; “Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past
mercies.”
1.
God’s Blessings Abound! Learn The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12, use a translation of your choice)
MEMORY VERSE:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven...” Matthew 5:3 (first verse of the
beatitudes. Learn them all)
2.
All that is good first comes from God and He gives it to us for a
reason.
MEMORY VERSE:
“We love because he loved us first.” 1 John 4:19.
3.
Keep first things first.
MEMORY VERSE:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well.” Matthew
6:33.
MEMORY VERSE:
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through
love.” Galatians 5:6.
4. Be thankful! Share (or count) your blessings together.
MEMORY VERSE:
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in
Christ Jesus.” 2 Thessalonians 5:18.
MEMORY VERSE:
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for
our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29.
5. Be truthful. God
deeply desires truth from us. John
Ruskin (1819-1900) said, “To make your children capable of honesty is the
beginning of education.”
MEMORY VERSE:
“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in
the inmost place.” Psalm 51:6.
MEMORY VERSE:
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully
to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Ephesians 4:25.
6 Be a blessing! Make, “Be a blessing,” a motto around your
house.
MEMORY VERSE:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
ADVANCED MEMORY VERSE: “I will make you
into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you
will be a blessing. I will bless those
who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be
blessed through you.” Genesis
12:2-3.
7 Worship God Gladly!
MEMORY VERSE: “Worship the LORD
with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2.
ADVANCED MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, I urge
you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of
worship. Do not conform any longer to
the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing
and perfect will.” Romans
12:1-2.
8.
Teach the joy of generosity!
MEMORY VERSE: “Each man should give what he has
decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver.” 2
Corinthians 9:7.
ADVANCED MEMORY VERSE: “Remember this:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously. Each man
should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
giver. And God is able to make all grace
abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.” 2
Corinthians 9:6-8.
SUGGESTED SONG: “1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
and 10”:
PARENT POSTSCRIPT: The main thing is to keep the main thing
the main thing. Help your child see that
God’s steadfast love (the main thing) remains in place even amid life’s
frustrations. God is not just thank-worthy, He is trustworthy. And find practical ways to help your child
experience the joy of giving (Acts 20:35).
|