New to the Kit or looking for helpful hints on how to use it? Check out the Kids Kit Tips and Tricks - Elementary Edition where we share detailed instructions about the resources below.
Our elementary curriculum builds on the biblical foundation laid for kids in preschool. We want elementary kids to see the excellent character of our all-powerful God and why He is the hero of every story. We do that by looking at 36 godly character traits – one per month – with weekly Finish Lines that teach kids about God, His Word, and how He can help us reflect His character to the world.
Our character trait for JANUARY is GENTLENESS! Check out the Monthly Overview for a snapshot of everything we will be learning about this month.
Use these activities to keep talking about and applying what you learned this weekend throughout the week.
Look at Matthew 25:35-36. What do you think it would look like for you to respond gently to a world in need as a family? How can you respond to someone who is hungry? How can you respond to someone who is lonely? How can you respond to someone who’s clothes are worn out or don’t fit? How can you respond to someone who is sick or in a hard time? Take one of the ideas you thought of and put it into action this week.
Invite your kids to help you spot other drivers who are not responding gently on the road. (Careful! This might be a little convicting!) Talk about how even when others don’t respond to situations with gentleness, we still have a choice to respond back harshly or gently. Help your kids think through other examples in their own lives where they have a choice to respond harshly or gently to the world around them. (Examples: specific situations at school, with siblings, when there are consequences for their actions, etc.)
Think about specific ways people have responded gently to you when you were in need. Pray and thank God for those people. Ask Him to give you opportunities to respond in a kind and careful way to those in need around you this week.
Take some time this week to think of a neighbor, family member, or friend who could use some cheering up. Plan a way that you can surprise and delight them this week through a simple act of kindness. You could write a card, send a meal, make a video, deliver a favorite treat, etc. Remind your child(ren) that responding gently to the world in need includes both big and small acts.
Father, thank you for providing your word and telling us how to respond gently to a world in need. Please provide opportunities for me to respond in a kind and careful way this week.