During the month of November, the children finished talking about stories related to the fruits of the Spirit. When discussing gentleness, the children heard the story of Jesus welcoming and blessing the children. The 0-4 year olds discussed how to show gentleness in their touch and in their words — sharing toys, not hitting, using a kind voice instead of yelling. They prayed that they would depend on the Holy Spirit to help them be gentle as it can sometimes be very hard to do on our own! When discussing self-control, they heard the story of Jesus being tempted and the 5-7 year olds played different versions of ‘Simon Says’ and ‘Red Light, Green Light.’ They also made books in which they drew pictures of each of the fruits of the Spirit as a way to remind them at home what they had learned.
The children also prepared for and celebrated Christ the King Sunday. The 5-7 year olds, made crowns to remind them of Christ’s kingship. The 8-11s discussed what a good king is like and how Jesus shows us that a good king serves and sacrifices for the people he leads. They then talked about how we are ambassadors of this good king and are to share the good news of his love with those around us.
During the month of December, the children will learn of all the people who showed the way to Bethlehem, including the prophets, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi.
Confession: I often struggle to study Scripture…perhaps because I use the word ‘study.’ Not that studying is bad, but it brings back memories of working late at night anxiously and arduously learning information for exams. Lately, I have been learning from the children and seeing how curiosity is the motivator for learning, for studying. Within the Godly Play model, after a story is told, wondering questions are asked. These questions invite curiosity and are an invitation to enter into the story. “I wonder how it feels to walk past the injured man”; “I wonder if you have ever been the person that kept walking.” Judgment and right answers are not the focus; the focus becomes God’s Word and me. And so, I have been seeking to interact with Scripture with wondering eyes. Study and response follows, but wondering is a beautiful place to begin. And so once again, I am thankful for the ways the children are my guides and teachers into the heart of God.
~Laura
Aliza Bruner (0-4 Year Old Children)
Laura Menze (5-7 Year Old Children)
Jill Stoxen (8-10 Year Old Children)