As Jesus Did

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who hurt you and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44, paraphrased)

Jesus was amazing! Did you know that when He was dying, He asked His Father to forgive the people who had nailed Him to the cross? He wanted the men who had done that terrible deed to receive God's forgiveness.

That was probably very difficult for Jesus to do, but He did it because He has so much love for everyone.

Jesus wants us to show love and kindness to others too. Even if those we show kindness to are unkind, we can show them how much Jesus loves them by being caring and nice and acting like Jesus would.

We can also show our love and kindness by praying for others.

It is not easy to be nice to others when they are not nice to us, but it is part of showing God's love to others.

Action:

Cut four big circles out of paper. Write an "L" on one circle, "O" on one, "V" on one, and "E" on the last to spell "LOVE." Now draw a picture of a kind deed you can do for someone else on each circle. Staple the edge of each circle in order ("L-O-V-E") together and hang it on your wall.

Make Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.—Matthew 5:9 KJV

What is a peacemaker? A peacemaker is someone who chooses to make peace rather than pick a fight. That is sometimes a hard choice to make, especially when someone has made us angry, and we want to show that person how upset we are at what he or she has done.

When we choose to forgive and make peace with someone who has wronged us, then we are peacemakers. People can see that God's Spirit lives in us and that we are children of God.

Jesus was a peacemaker. He chose to do the things that were kind toward others—He forgave others. His actions and words showed others how much God loved them.

God blesses us when we choose to show forgiveness and be a peacemaker. When we choose to make peace instead of fighting, we are being a good reflection of Jesus' love to others.

Action:

Talk about times when you could choose to be a peacemaker, even when someone has done something wrong to you.

Caring for Things Big and Small

He who is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.—Luke 16:10, paraphrased

As we grow up, we learn to do tasks. We learn how to help with chores, like how to make our beds, tidy the toys, care for our pets, and keep our cupboards clean.

Learning to be diligent in our chores, even if they are small tasks, teaches us good habits. Through it we learn to care for small things and big things.

When we take good care of the things we have, then we can be trusted with more.

Sometimes we think that something is small or not important, and so we don't take such good care of it. But even little things are important.

When we are diligent in how we care for what we already have, our actions show others that we can be trusted to take good care of other things too.

Action:

Make a chart of two jobs you are learning to do. Don't forget to put all the days of the week on your chart. Every time you remember to do your job, give yourself a sticker.

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!

Redeem the time.—Ephesians 5:16, paraphrased

Have you ever listened to a clock tick? Every tick you hear is time that is passing.

The Bible tells us that we should make the most of our time. That means we should do our best to use our time wisely by learning to focus on whatever it is that we need to do and completing it as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Sometimes, though, we may not want to do what we need to do, so we let ourselves be distracted, or we complain about what we have to do. When we do this, we are not using time wisely. It is as if we are throwing our time away. When a day is done, all that time is gone. We cannot get it back. And many times we still have to do the things that were left undone.

Jesus wants us to look back on each day and feel glad for how we used our time. The best ways we can use our time wisely are by helping others, doing what we are asked, studying and learning, and by reading and living God's Word. If we do these things, we can be happy that our time is being used well.

Action:

Ask your mommy or daddy to show you a clock or watch in your house that has a second hand. Put it to your ear and listen to the clock tick. Talk about ways you can use your time better.

God Is Everywhere

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.—Proverbs 15:3, paraphrased

God is very powerful! He is everywhere at all times. He can see things that no one else can. The Bible tells us that He is keeping watch on all that we do.

There are times when we might be tempted to do something that we know isn't right. There may not be anyone around to see what we have done, but we should always remember that God sees. He knows what we have done, and He judges us accordingly.

When we choose to do what is right, even when no one else does, God knows that, too. He blesses us for making the right choice. In fact, if we stop to listen we can hear His voice speak to our hearts, telling us to do what is right. When we listen to His voice, He will guide us to what is good and right.

Action:

Think about some of your favorite places to hide in your house. Do you think God knows where to find you when you are hiding? No one is ever "lost" to God—He knows just where you are at all times. Talk about some of the things that you do when no one is around that would make God proud of you.

Drop a Little Sunshine

Give, and it will be given to you.—Luke 6:38 NIV

Giving is one way that we can show love to others. And did you know that we can give to others by the things we say and do? We can speak words of thoughtfulness and kindness, and that is giving love to others. We can do deeds to help others, and this is showing our love. This was what Jesus meant when He told us to give to others, and that others will give in return.

When we think about others and give from our hearts, then others are likely to return our kindness. Jesus also gives to us when we share what we have with others, by filling our hearts with gladness and joy.

Throughout our days we can be looking for ways to drop a little sunshine into someone's day, through our smiles, our gentle words, a thoughtful deed, a prayer, a helping hand. Everyone needs love, and we can make our family and friends happier by showing love and kindness wherever we go.

Action:

Think of someone you'd like to do a kind deed for. Get a small piece of paper to make a "giving coupon," and ask your mommy or daddy to help you write on that paper what you'd like to give to that person. Then decorate the paper with pictures and colors. When you're done, give the coupon to the person you were thinking of, and see how it will brighten his or her day.

A Gift of Giving

It is more blessed to give than to receive.—Acts 20:35 KJV

Gifts have a wonderful way of making us feel special. We all like to be given presents, especially if it is something that we have wanted very much. It makes us glad when someone thinks of us and makes the effort to get a gift just for us.

The Bible teaches us that even though we like to receive gifts or receive help from others, giving to others is more important than receiving from others. God blesses us when we think of others and give to them.

If all we think about is ourselves and getting more things, we become selfish and we ignore other people and what they may need. When we put the good of others above our own wants, this is called being unselfish. Being unselfish means we are thinking about other people and how we can help them—we are first thinking of others and then about ourselves. And did you know that often when we help others, God in return helps us?

Giving to others is a way to spread God's love in a simple but wonderful way.

Action:

Would you like to try giving to someone else and see how happy it makes you feel? Ask your mommy or daddy to help you find a toy that you don't use anymore and that you think would make a friend happy. Wrap it up and then put a tag on it that says, "To my friend, because you are special to me." And don't forget to write your name too. How did that bit of giving make you feel?

The Seeds We Plant

A man reaps what he sows.—Galatians 6:7 NIV

If you plant a seed in soil, water it, and care for it, it will grow into a plant. The things we do are like little seeds. Sometimes what we do for someone else seems so small and like it won't matter much, but it does. Just as little seeds can grow into healthy plants, our actions, if they are good and kind, will result in goodness and kindness that will come back to us. This is why it pays off when our actions are kind and thoughtful.

When we are kind to someone, it's like we are planting a little seed of love in that person's heart. And if we water that seed, by continuing to be kind and thoughtful, then love will grow.

The more kindness we show others, the more kindness others will show us in return. So plant a little seed of love in someone's heart today.

Action:

Trace your hand on a piece of paper, and then draw a flower at the end of each of your fingers. Color the picture. Think of five acts of kindness or thoughtfulness that you can do for someone else, and ask your mommy or daddy to write a kind deed in each of the "flower fingers" of your drawing. Now remember to try to do those kind things.

Better Days with Jesus

Rejoice in the Lord always.—Philippians 4:4 NIV

The Bible tells us that no matter what is happening around us, or even how we feel, we can rejoice in Jesus. Do you know what it means to rejoice? It means that we show great happiness. We can talk about our joy in Jesus, and even when things are not as we want them to be, Jesus' presence in our day always makes it better.

When we think about Jesus and His love and care for us, our hearts can know joy; we can trust that even when our day seems a little upside down, Jesus will be there to turn everything right-side up. But we have to do our part first by talking to Jesus and asking Him for His help. And when we do, good things will start to happen.

Our days are always better when we fill our hearts with praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for all the love and goodness that He brings into our lives.

Action:

Can you think of two things about Jesus that make you glad? Talk about how thinking about Jesus can make even a difficult day better.

Sweet Harmony

How good and how pleasant it is to live together in unity.—Psalm 133:1, paraphrased

Did you know that in an ant colony hundreds of ants will live and work together, diligently doing their tasks to make sure that everything is running properly? Ants are hard workers, and they know how to work together well. If you watch ants at work, you won't see ants from the same colony fighting or taking things from each other. They work in harmony.

We can learn a lesson from the ants. When we work together in harmony, we can get a lot done. It also makes everything more pleasant.

Sometimes it's not easy to play or work with a brother or sister who is bothering us or making us upset. But the Bible tells us that when we can be together in unity—in harmony—this is good. When we settle our arguments, forgive someone who has upset us, and choose to show love, this is how we can make harmony among ourselves.

Action:

Draw a picture of an ant colony, with many ants working together to collect food, care for the young ants, keep the colony clean, and more. Talk about some of the ways that you live together in harmony with your family, and ways you can also make it better.

With a Cheerful Heart

Do everything without complaining or arguing.—Philippians 2:14 NIV

Has your mommy or daddy ever asked you to do something that you didn't want to do, such as having to clean up your toys when you would rather play, or doing something your brother or sister wants to do instead of getting your way? It can be difficult to do these things without complaining or arguing.

God's Word teaches us that we should do all things with a cheerful heart. That means without complaining or arguing. Sometimes we may think that if we make a fuss about what we have to do, we won't have to do it. But instead, all the time we spent arguing or complaining has been wasted, because we still have to do what we needed to do.

The best thing is to do what we know is right as quickly as possible. This makes it easier for our parents and those who have asked for our help. It also makes it easier for us, because things are done quicker when we don't complain or argue about them, and then we can go on to do something else we'll enjoy doing. We are also pleasing God when we do what we know is right.

Action:

Ask your mommy or daddy if there is something they would like you to do to help them around the house, then practice doing it right away with a cheerful heart.

Diligent in All Things

Let all things be done decently and in order.—1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV

Have you ever done a chore, but then your mommy or daddy asked you to do it again because you didn't do it right the first time? Sometimes we want to get a job done as quickly as we can so that we can get to something we would prefer to do. But learning to do a task properly is an important part of growing up.

We learn responsibility and diligence when we do things thoroughly. Sometimes the things we are asked to do seem unimportant, but they help us to build good habits that will make a difference in our lives as we grow up.

The Bible tells us that when we are diligent in the small things, then God and others can trust us with jobs or responsibilities that are more important. Little by little, each day we can learn how to do our tasks in the right way. We can learn how to see a need and respond in helpful ways. We can learn to do our tasks with order and diligence. And in these small ways we are growing and maturing into the boys and girls that God wants us to be.

Action:

Pretend your parents have asked you to put your toys away, but instead of doing that, pretend to hop like a bunny, then spin like a top, and now roar like a lion. Do you remember what you were supposed to do? You may have forgotten, but you still need to clean up the toys, right?

Now try it again. When your mommy or daddy asks you to clean up, do it right away. That is being diligent!

Slow to Become Angry

A gentle answer turns away wrath.—Proverbs 15:1 NIV

There are times when others do things that bother us or make us upset. The Bible says that we should be slow to become angry. When we do something slowly, it means we take extra time to think about what we do and say.

If someone says or does something that upsets us, often we want to answer back with an angry word or deed. But that's not being slow to anger, and it will only make the problem worse.

Jesus wants us to think before we react to what others have done, and make sure our actions are done in love instead of anger.

The next time someone does something that upsets you, go slow and try to think of a way to answer the wrong deed or ugly word with kindness and gentleness. Act slowly and patiently. Problems are solved better that way.

Action:

Learn the following saying to remember whenever something makes you angry.

When I'm angry, I'll answer slowly,
By first counting ... one, two, three.

Lend a Hand

Carry each other's burdens.—Galatians 6:2 NIV

Have you tried to lift something that was too heavy for you, and then someone came and helped you lift it? You probably felt happy for the help.

Throughout our days we will find people who need our help, and whenever we can we should try to give them a hand. When we help others we show kindness and thoughtfulness. One important way we can help other people is by being friendly and courteous.

Jesus was a good example of helping other people. He took time to help people. He made friends with people whom others did not like, and He made those who were sad happy. We can do the same!

Sometimes it may not be easy to help someone else, or we may have to stop doing something we want to do in order to help. Even when it is difficult to do, helping others is important.

Action:

Ask your parents or a friend how you can help, and then lend a helping hand. Even helping in a small way will make a difference.

Listen! What Can You Hear?

God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.—1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

Have you noticed that everything in creation is in harmony and has a pattern? God likes calm and peace. He created the world without unnecessary noise and confusion.

God wants us to be happy and to enjoy ourselves, but learning when to be peaceful is important too. When we are calm and quiet, we are then able to see and hear things that we do not notice when we are noisy and unruly. Take time to be peaceful, and see what new things you will discover!

Action:

Take a few minutes to be quiet and listen to all the things around you that you would not be able to hear if you were being noisy. What did you hear? How does it make you feel when you are calm and quiet?