PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN KIDS & FAMILIES date
2.13
Remembering and celebrating what was good about each other dissolved the frustration I felt and unwound the mood that had tangled all of us up. Inspire (for parents) When my kids were about 4 and 8 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.
tangled all of us up. Now we do this often— even when we aren’t in bad moods. And we not only think of what’s good about each other, we share how we see God in each other. I am thankful that the choice to remember and celebrate how God moves through each member of our family can bring joy and peace to an everyday dinner or to a sour mood.
by Ann Lund My husband looked around at us and then 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 each Celebrate other, everyone was smiling and the emember and to Main Point: R low your family stale mood had broken. designed to al n is re ce ild ur ch so re ur This fore yo s God’s Word be In that moment, remembering and nt in re e pa r tim fo is ve ha se God’s plan au ec B , . ith ch fa ur celebrating what was good about s children’ attend ch rturers of their nu al n tu re iri ild sp ch e each other dissolved the frustration I to be th iritually, your as you grow sp felt and unwound the mood that had we know that l. ally as wel will grow spiritu
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Equip (for parents) Several times a year the Israelites gathered together for a festival. In Leviticus 23:1–2, the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed feasts … which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.’” These seven festivals came to be named: 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). In addition, the Israelites would gather weekly to celebrate the Sabbath. These feasts were times to remember what God had done for His people and to celebrate His goodness. They were times for the whole community to gather together, without the burden of work, simply to worship and celebrate. During these feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and sacrificed to God. The fulfillment of the feasts begins with the death of the Messiah satisfying the Feast of the Passover. When He gave His life as a sinless sacrifice the Feast of Unleavened Bread was completed. The resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits. After His death and resurrection, Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit of God. With the giving of His Spirit the Feast of Harvest began with a great harvest of three thousand souls, and continues today. We look forward to the Feast of Trumpets that will announce Christ’s return, and the Day of Atonement will usher in His judgment of the nations. Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles begins the journey to our new home in a new heaven and new earth. We are highlighting the Feast of Harvest, also known as the Feast of Pentecost or Weeks, which corresponded with the nation’s summer harvest season. The Israelites thanked God again for His provision for their physical needs and for providing a way into relationship with Him.
REMEMBER VERSE
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
Support (for parents & kids) Every sixth and 13th week, your children spend their time at church remembering and celebrating everything that has happened over the last weeks. While using the Israelites’ festivals as a model for celebration, your children will remember what God did in their hearts during the last few 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 up this passage of Scripture and let each member of the family read a portion. When you’re 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.