ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES
Did You Know?
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This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them. For additional support in spiritual parenting and to learn more about creating transforming environments in your home be sure to pick up HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource from your church or access the app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Younger Kids
4.6
• The Israelites celebrated seven annual festivals: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Festival of First Fruits, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). • During the feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God. • While celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, the people thanked God for His many blessings for His people.
REMEMBER & CELEBRATE Feast of the Tabernacles: A Festival to Remember and Celebrate God’s Blessings for Those Who Love Him
• During this festival, the Israelites would construct temporary shelters (“booths”) of branches and leaves where they would stay for seven days. This was a way of remembering the fragile dwellings their people lived in during the Exodus. Because of this, the feast is sometimes called the Feast of Booths.
Your child is continuing to develop his reading and writing abilities. Give him several strips of construction paper and ask him to write down some of the many blessings God has given him. Create a paper chain as a visual reminder of these blessings. (Consider using this as part of your “Just for Fun” celebration dinner.)
Older Kids Your child is capable of creating more complex pieces of artwork. Encourage her to create a portfolio or scrapbook that includes photos, stories, or other items that will help her to remember the many blessings that God has given her.
Teachable Moments After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • What are some of the ways God has blessed our family? • How is everything we have in life a gift from God?
Just for Funtable
Create a festive family dinner r using paper goods, balloons and othe is ily fam r you e Onc . ions party decorat seated at the table, read Psalm 65.
• How can we respond to the ways God has blessed us?
Blessing For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource.
A blessing to pray over your child:
© 2013 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.
(Child’s name), may you remember the awesome things the Lord has done in your life and always take time to celebrate the blessings God gives to those who love Him.