This Week in Preschool

David was kind to King Saul by playing his harp for him. Jonathan showed kindness to David by giving him gifts.
1 Samuel 16:15-23; 18:1-4; 19:1-7

BIBLE VERSE:
“A friend loves at all times.”  Proverbs 17:17

Dear Preschool Parents,

The lesson this week will teach the kids to be kind to others and how to be a good friend. Your children learn some things by listening and observing. This lesson is a great opportunity to teach by actions. Ask God to help and guide you as you show your child how to be kind especially to friends.

King Saul was often troubled but David 's music calmed him. So David stayed with the king . During this time, King Saul's son, Jonathan, struck up a friendship with David that continued for years. David and Johnathan had a give and take relationship. Each one invested in the life of the other. They trusted each other with their very lives. Kindness was the basis for this deep relationship.

Model kindness to your children and encourage them in practical ways to be kind. Think of some ways to show kindness to friends. Tell them why you are doing certain things and give them a chance to do be kind too.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Remember to be kind!

Praying for your family,
Melanie Ekblad
Nursery Preschool Director

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Did you know?! Kindness is originally from the Lord. God draws us to Himself with unfailing kindness. Kindness that never fails no matter how rude, disrespectful, or disobedient we are to Him. Wow!
 
 Here are some activities to teach kindness:

1. Family Activity Idea: See how long you can tap a balloon in the air. Can you do it for 5 minutes? 10? 60? Could you do it all day long? Forever and ever? It’s too hard to do without stopping! God’s kindness to us is unfailing, He never stops being kind to us!
   “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
   Paul writes to the Romans and Ephesians, reminding them to remember God’s kindness to us. God’s kindness goes hand in hand with His desire for us to be reunited with Him through repentance. As we see God’s forgiveness of our own sin, it will make it easier to forgive others and interact with them with thankfulness in our hearts to God!
2. Family Activity Idea: Write the above verse on a large sheet of paper. Let everyone in your family draw a small cartoon of 2 things that always go together (for example: macaroni & cheese, peanut butter & jelly, Mickey & Minnie). Then highlight or decorate the words KINDNESS and REPENTANCE/FORGIVENESS. Talk about how those two actions go together too.
   “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
   Once we recognize God’s kindness to us, Paul suggests we clothe ourselves in it. Just as getting dressed takes time and attention, making sure kindness is at the forefront of our lives and actions takes time and attention too.
3. Family Activity Idea: Do a clothes relay race. Have your kids race down to a pile of oversized clothes and put them on as quickly as they can. Once they are dressed, immediately take them back off and run back to the beginning, tagging the next player. Continue until everyone has gone. Talk about how getting dressed took time and attention. Explain how dressing in kindness should be done the same way too.
   “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
   God gives us His Holy Spirit when we become Christians. Then, the fruit of the Holy Spirit can begin to grow in us. One fruit of the Spirit is kindness. This is a trait that should be cultivated by staying close and listening to the Holy Spirit.
4. Family Activity Idea: Make a Kindness Kid out of an orange!