This Week in Preschool

David showed God’s love to King Saul when Saul was not kind to him
1 Samuel 26

BIBLE VERSE:
“Do good to all people.”  Galatians 6:10

One Christmas night, so long ago
a star shone down so all would know
that in a manger, on that night
a Savior was born- our guiding light!

Now Christmas time is almost here
a very special time of year
when everyone anticipates
that night where we can celebrate!

As you remove a link each night,
remember the star that shone so bright
and told the world of Jesus’ birth-
the Son of God- here on earth!

Hi Preschool Parents,

At this time in your child life they are learning appropriate social behavior, such as taking turns and sharing, they will have many opportunities to practice being kind even to those who are not kind to them. In our story this week this is the main concept we are teaching your children. As we continue in the life of David we find him in that same predicament.

At one time, David's music brought peace to King Saul. Over time, King Saul's jealousy of David grew out of control. David was in constant danger of his life. Several times, David had the chance to kill Saul. But David refused, calling Saul the Lord's anointed. David was willing to remain in danger to preserve the life of the man who wanted to kill him. David was willing to wait for God's timing to take over as king. He was humble, not grasping after power he knew would rightfully be his.

Take time with your children to think of creative ways to deal with problems. These life lessons give children tools with which they are then able to obey the Bible's instruction to "do good to all people."

"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in a due season we will reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of the faith." Ephesians 6:9-10

"And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:16

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and tell you how grateful I am to know your family and serve you. Enjoy your day giving thanks to the Lord for all He has done!

Happy Thanksgiving!

See you all this Sunday!
Praying for your family,
Melanie Ekblad
Nursery Preschool Director

How often have you said to your kids as you dropped them off at grandmothers or a friend's house to play “Now be good!”(right before you offer up that desperate prayer that your children won’t embarrass you … again)?

Parents try almost anything to get their children to “be good.” One of the most common tools parents use is to punish bad behavior and reward good. Although this approach may produce obedience, is it enough to instill in our children the goodness described as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)?

Jesus told a rich young ruler, “No one is good — except God alone” (Mark 10:18). The young ruler had followed all of God’s commandments, trying to become good through his moral behavior. Yet Jesus said it wasn’t enough.

The “goodness” described as a fruit of the Spirit is not merely moral behavior, but an excellence of character. It combines our attempts to do good with God’s character of being good. This goodness is only attainable through God’s divine power at work in our hearts (2 Peter 1:3).

This means that simply teaching our children to do good can look very much like legalism. The rich young ruler was trying to do good to earn his way into heaven, yet he was lacking the most important thing — an underlying love for the Rule Maker. This love is what compels us to follow the rules in the first place (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Goodness begins by obeying the greatest commandment of an all - loving God with all our heart, soul and strength. As we love God, He works His character of goodness into our lives.

• Goodness is not merely moral behavior, but an excellence of character.
• We cannot attain goodness through our own efforts, but only through God’s power.
• Goodness begins with a love relationship with God.

Preschool Activity

Since goodness is a “fruit” of the Spirit, use food to illustrate how your preschooler can reflect God’s goodness to others.
Remind her how your family says grace, thanking God for providing your meals. Then help her feed and water the family pet, paying attention to how the pet reacts. If you don’t have a pet, help your child fill a bird feeder, and hang it where she can easily observe her new feathered friends.
Wagging tails, squawking beaks, flashing fins — these responses from animals mean, “Thank you for being good to me!” Praise your child for mirroring the goodness of God.