Learn Something New This Week!

According to dictionary.com, the word disciple comes from the Latin word discipulus, meaning “pupil” and from discere, meaning “to learn.” A disciple is a pupil or one who learns. Jesus chose 12 men as disciples to be His pupils; men who would learn from Him and take the good news to the whole world. Another time, He chose 70 disciples and sent them out to do His work.

Teach your children a new skill this week. It can be as simple as learning to tie their shoes (depending on their age) or learning to make a bed. Ideas: Let them pick a new skill they would like to learn such as: sew on a button, bake a cake, make an omelet, set the table, change a tire, draw an animal, make a campfire, fly a kite, etc. (I know this sounds simple, but as parents we often forget to teach our children the simple skills we learned as children. It is easier and quicker to do some things ourselves, but kids love learning these things and it’s a great time to be together and instruct them).

After teaching them, ask:
As a learner, what did you have to do first? (LISTEN to the instructions) Once you knew what to do, what was next? (DO what was told).

In order to be a good disciple (learner; pupil) you must learn to LISTEN carefully and then DO what you are told.

Play “Simon Says”

Start out with a parent as the “Simon.” If the kids have never played this before, explain that they are to do exactly what you say IF you say, “Simon Says.” Start out with simple, easy instructions: Simon Says touch your head, Simon Says touch your elbow, Simon Says touch your toes, Simon Says jump up and down, etc. Mix in instructions WITHOUT saying Simon Says and see if they do it.

After playing awhile, play elimination – if someone does the action and you haven’t said “Simon Says” they must sit out and watch. The last one in is the winner. Take turns letting the kids be the “Simon” and call out the instructions, reminding them to be sure to say “Simon Says” each time.

Talk about what it takes to be a really good “Simon Says” player – you have to LISTEN and DO what Simon says. If you don’t listen, you won’t hear the phrase, “Simon Says,” and you could be tricked. If you don’t listen, you won’t know what to do.

A disciple needs two qualities: they need to LISTEN and then DO what they are told. Jesus’ disciples didn’t always listen and do what Jesus told them to, but they were always learning. In order to keep learning, you must listen and do what God says in the Bible.

Read the following story and discuss:

Madison put the leash away and fell across the sofa, “I don’t think Benji is ever going to learn!” “What’s the problem?” Mom asked from the dining room where she was setting the table. “I tried teaching Benji to sit, but instead of sitting all he does is run around. If I didn’t have him on a leash, I’m pretty sure he’d run away,” Madison complained.

“It takes time to train a puppy. Why don’t you try giving him a treat every time you tell him to sit and he obeys?” Mom suggested. Madison got some dog treats and tried teaching her new puppy to sit. It went a little better, but Benji just wouldn’t listen and do what Madison commanded. Mom suggested that Madison be patient and give Benji lots of praise and love. Day after day, Madison took Benji for walks, played with him, and tried teaching him to listen and sit. Weeks later Madison yelled from the porch, “Hey, Mom, watch this!”

“Sit!” Madison commanded. Benji sat on the grass. “Roll over!” Madison ordered. Benji rolled over and over on the grass. “Lick my face,” she said and Benji ran up to her and licked her face.
“Well, you finally did it,” Mom praised them both. It took a lot of patience to teach Benji those tricks, but aren’t you glad you stayed at it?!”

Ask the kids:

• Why was Benji finally able to learn the tricks? (Madison stayed at it)
• Is it hard for you to learn to do the right things, the things you know you are supposed to do? (things like obeying your parents, loving others, being kind, etc.)
• Name one thing that is hard for you to learn.

Remind your kids that the more they keep trying, the more they will succeed. Remember when you were learning to ride a bike or hit a baseball, you made lots of mistakes. The more you kept at it, the better you were able to do it. If you practice obeying and loving and being kind, you will learn to do them better.
Close with a prayer asking for God's help.

Fresh Baked Cookies

Bake a cake or cookies with your children. Follow the instructions on the box or recipe. (You can use any simple recipe or make any type of food to teach the principle of following another’s instructions.)

As you are enjoying the special treat, ask them:

What if you decided to put in whatever you wanted (a whole box of salt) just because you wanted to?

Why was it important for us to read and follow the instructions or recipe?

The person who wrote this recipe made it many times and knows exactly what and how much should go into it. Following the recipe will make sure that the final product tastes the same each time and will be good. Jesus gave some instructions in the Bible. He also came to earth to SHOW you the way to live. By following Him, you can know the right things to do.

 Brainstorm:

What are some instructions God has given you? (obey your parent, love one another, be kind, forgive each other, pray, be thankful, etc.)

What is one thing you will follow today?

Follow The Leader

Play “follow the leader.” Choose a leader who will lead the others in what they must do. (Join in, Mom and Dad – that will make it much more fun) The leader can lead the others by walking, jumping, skipping, swinging arms, making faces, laughing, singing, etc.) Take turns and pick a new leader after a short time. (If they run out of ideas, give them ideas: pretend we’re playing ball, eating ice cream cone, cleaning a room, painting the house, etc.)

Ask them:

Did you like being the leader or the follower best? Why?

Jesus had twelve helpers called disciples when He lived on the earth. They traveled around with Jesus and watched as He taught the people and healed them and did His Father’s will. Then after Jesus died, they taught and healed people and did God’s will.

A disciple is one who watches the leader and follows Him. A disciple doesn’t go his own way, but is willing to follow the one in charge. Jesus wants you to follow Him. Name one thing you can do today to follow Jesus. DO IT!

Are You a Disciple?

Ask:  How will people know if you are a disciple (followers) of Jesus? 

John 13:35 says, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Did Jesus say that people will know you are a disciple if you wear a sign saying, “I am a disciple?” No!

Did Jesus say that people will know you are a disciple if you have pink hair? No!

Did Jesus say that people will know you are a disciple if you wear polka dots? No!

He said that people will know that you are a disciple if you love others.

Plan and do one thing to show love to someone else TODAY. (Brainstorm for ideas)

Ideas: Pray for someone. Write a note or card or draw a picture for someone sick. Make some food for someone. Give a bottle of water to a worker. Say nice, kind words to a friend. Visit and take some flowers to an elderly person.