This Week in Preschool

Samuel obeyed God by learning to be a helper in the Tabernacle 
1 Samuel 1:28; 2:11,18-21,26

BIBLE VERSE:
“Whatever you do, do your work for the Lord.”  Colossians 3:23

Hi Preschool Parents,

This week our lesson is all about being a helper. Its about how Samuel, as a boy, helped in the Tabernacle. He must have known from a very young age that he'd one day go to the Tabernacle. He began serving God by doing practical tasks for Eli, who was old, overweight and nearly blind. Samuel's role grew through the years, to serve as a priest, prophet, judge, and leader. His lifelong work built on that early experience of practical usefulness centered on God.
We all grow spiritually throughout our lives. Your children are in the same journey as you are-they've just begun later. Ask your child to join you as you serve God and help them notice how much they enjoy helping. Knowledge and encourage their work. Say things like: "I see you worked hard." or "Thank you for picking up all the scraps." Your teaching them that doing your work for the Lord (no matter the size of the job) always has great value.

We can all find ways to serve the Lord. Start today serving Him, you never know how He will use you to do great things.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

"Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." 1 Samuel 12:24

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
 
Praying for your family,
Melanie Ekblad
Nursery Preschool Director

Have your kids seen God’s hands? It’s great to talk about Jesus washing feet and feeding crowds, but those accounts are just bedtime stories to children who don’t witness servant behavior in their world.

 Jesus never avoided a task that was “beneath” Him or considered any person unworthy of His time. Sure, He got frustrated: He wept for our lack of understanding, but He never gave up on His mission. Whether He was performing a marvelous miracle or holding a child, He did everything with great compassion.

It’s never too early to cultivate servant- like traits. If we start by teaching and modeling basic kindness, we lay a foundation for communicating the value of love, compassion and charity. Here are some worthwhile aspects of servanthood to teach and model:

Aspects of Servanthood

1. Empathy and compassion:  Around the time they start talking, children are capable of empathy. When psychologists studied young children whose parents were physically or emotionally hurt, they observed that the kids either sought to solve the problem or offered comfort and kindness to the parent. It’s critical that we nurture this inherent concern for others.
2. Godly work ethic:  The Bible frequently warns against idleness, asserting that it leads to ruin. Work is not a punishment from God but a means by which we develop character. People who comprehend the purpose of work – and who find satisfaction in a job well done – are most likely to behave in ways that will improve their world.
3. Volunteering, serving and giving:  In God’s economy, our time and money are not our own. We are stewards of his earthly kingdom. People who understand and act on this principle set themselves up to receive abundant blessing, in this life and the next!
4. Discernment in Servanthood:  Compassion must be tempered by wisdom. Kids need to recognize that even if their motives are pure, other people’s may not be. There are ways they can protect themselves while giving their time and money as wisely as possible.

Your goal is to pass a legacy down to your children. The earlier kids see our hands at work, the greater chance we have of equipping them for a lifetime of compassion and service to others.