ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES date
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And we not only think of what’s good about each other, but we share how we see God in each other. Inspire (for parents) When my kids were about four and eight years old, our family sat around the dinner table one night watching the steam coming off the spread of food. It should have been a nice moment, but everyone was in a crabby mood. My kids had been arguing with each other all day, and I was at the end of my rope. Though they elbowed each other at the table, I didn’t care; I was frustrated.
mood that had entangled all of us. Now we do this often—even when we aren’t in a bad mood. And we not only think of what’s good about each other, but we share how we see God in each other. I am thankful the choice to remember and celebrate how God moves through each member of our family brings joy and peace to an ordinary dinner or turns a sour mood.
My husband looked around at us, and then by Ann Lund put down his fork. “Alright,” he said. “Everyone is going to say something nice about the person to his or her left. I’ll start.” After we had gone around the table once, we went the other direction until everyone had said something nice about the family member on each side. By the time we had finished affirming thians 5:15 each other, everyone was smiling Scripture: 2 Corin te ember & Celebra and the stale mood had broken. Main Point: Rem your family to designed to allow In that moment, remembering This resource is ur children yo Word before d’s Go in e and celebrating what was good tim have n is for parents Because God’s pla . ch ur ch nd about each other dissolved the te at children’s faith, l nurturers of their to be the spiritua frustration I felt and unwound the lly, your children you grow spiritua we know that as lly as well. will grow spiritua
Getting Started
Equip (for parents) Seven times a year the Israelites gathered together for a festival. These seven festivals are: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). In addition, the Israelites would gather weekly to celebrate the Sabbath. These were times to remember what God had done for His people and to celebrate His goodness. During the feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God. Why do we celebrate? We celebrate to be together as a community—to collectively look backward so that we can look forward. We celebrate to stop for a moment in time and remember what God has done. We celebrate to teach children what is important—to show what we value. And we celebrate because God commanded it. In Exodus 12:47 He said, “The whole community … must celebrate.
This month, we are highlighting the Feast of Harvest. This feast, also known as the Feast of Pentecost or Weeks, corresponded with the nation’s harvest season. During this feast, the Israelites thanked God for His provision for their physical needs. In addition, they thanked Him for providing a way into relationship with Him through Pentecost; set in motion when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
“He d REMEM BE ie who d for all R versE , live shou that tho live s l for t hem d no lon e him ger selv w es b was ho died u t fo for t rais 2 Co hem r rinth ed aga and ians in.” 5:1 5
Support
(for parents & kids) Every sixth and thirteenth week, your children spend time at church remembering and celebrating. While using the Israelites’ festivals as a model for celebration, your children will remember what God did in their hearts during the previous weeks. This week, set aside an evening to remember and celebrate as a family. Just as the Israelite celebrations always revolved around a feast, create a “feast” for your family. Do something special and spend the time remembering what God has done in the life of your family and in each of you individually. Together read Psalm 145. If your children are old enough to read, divide this passage of Scripture among each family member and have them read a portion. When you are finished reading tell your children that this week in church they will have another opportunity to remember and celebrate all that God has done in their lives.
© 2010 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.