SUPER Simple Teachable MOMents - Teachable MOMents #1

First day of school 2012

To kick off the official first day of a new busy school year, I wanted to start a new weekly event called - Teachable MOMents.

Now that summer is over, I know your schedule is getting busier than ever. With all the busyness, we don't have time to plan and prepare character lessons for our kids.

Hopefully these fun and  SUPER simple ideas using objects and activities that you are already doing, will help you diligently teach your children while you "sit in your house, walk by the way, lie down, and rise-up" (Deuteronomy 6:7).  Here goes:

Teachable MOMent #1 - "Create in Me a Clean Heart"

Activity: Bathtime with kids

Lesson: Just like we clean our bodies regularly because we get dirty, we should also clean our hearts regularly because daily sin makes our hearts dirty.

Talking Points:
     1. Discuss what kinds of sins you or they may do on a regular basis or did that day.
     2. Discuss how to clean our hearts. It's as simple as asking God to forgive us.

Scripture: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10-12

For Fun: The bathtub has great accustics. Sing along with Kieth Green to his great song - "Create in Me a Clean Heart". I like this YouTube version from TheSongsofWorship because Kieth helps the younger kids by saying what words come next part of the time.

What is your favorite fun or teachable idea for bathtime?

Joy of Music - Finding Joy #5

I was still searching for joy, but it was time to teach my monthly Playgroup with a Purpose and guess what fruit of the spirit I was supposed to be teaching these preschoolers about? You guessed it - JOY! Gratefully, I had taught this character quality before. Looking back at my past notes reminded me of all the things that produce joyfulness.  Below is the beginning of this lesson for your children. Today we will begin with the intro and songs. See Wednesday for activities and Friday for object lessons.
INTRODUCTION

Simple Definition of Joy- showing your unconditionally happy heart

The way to have J.O.Y. is to put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last.

"In Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever." - Psalm 16:11

"Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." - William Vander Hoven

JOYFUL SONGS - The Bible talks repeatedly about expressing our joy through music. Put some music on or make your own music. Get out the toy band set, the pots and pans, or a jar full of beans or rice, and let your kids sing and play for joy. 1. "Ho, Ho, Ho, Hosanna" 2.  "Are you Downhearted?" by Robert Harkness, 3. "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart" 4. "J - is for Jesus" - Lyrics are "J is for Jesus, and O- is for others, and YYYYYY is for you and you and you and you and you and you." 5. "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" (Nehemiah 8:10)

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." - Abraham Lincoln

What are your favorites ways to show joy through music?