Good King, Bad King

Children who use the CLEAR curriculum are studying about the Old Testament kings–some good and some NOT so good.

Make a crown (or get one from Burger King) and make one of the kids the “king/queen for the day.”  A king is in charge of a country or people. Let your “king” make some important decisions (what the family will watch on TV, what to eat for snack or dinner, when to go to bed, etc.)

At the end of the day, ask:
What do you think about the decisions the “king” made?
To the king: Who were you thinking about when you made those decisions? (Were you thinking about yourself or others?)

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, was crowned king and he made some bad decisions. He didn’t listen to wise advice. A good king is not too proud to ask and listen to others who are wise and have good ideas.

I Can Top That!

While riding in the car or sitting around the dinner table, play a game of “I Can Top That!”

Start off by making an outlandish statement (I can wrestle an alligator) and the next person will have to top that statement (Oh yeah, I can wrestle five alligators). Make it a silly game–a pretend game. Encourage children to use their imaginations!

Tell them: This was just a pretend, silly game, but have you ever met someone who was always trying to “top” what you’ve done. (Oh, that’s nothing, I . . .) At the heart of trying to show that we have done better or are better is PRIDE!  God does not want us to be proud!

Giving, Not Getting

One of the best ways to deal with pride is to think of others, not ourselves!  Since Christmas is coming up, let your children make a list of what they are going to GIVE (not get). Post a list of extra chores on the fridge so they can earn money. Moving our children from being selfish and proud may be a parent’s most difficult job!

• Make up a basket of goodies, take it to a friend’s house, ring the doorbell and hide.
• Make a meal (and cards) for a sick or lonely person and take it to him or her.
• Color pictures and deliver them to patients at a nursing home.
• Ask the store clerk what her favorite candy bar is and buy it for her.
• Invite your neighbors to church and to lunch afterwards.
• Write each family member’s name on a slip of paper, let each one draw a secret friend, and do something nice (secretly) for that person every day this week. Reveal identities at end of week.