Children’s Liturgy of the Word “Nutshell messages” for Little Ones…
Together, the gospel and the eight Beatitudes will be the focus of our “nutshell messages” from now until our last meeting on May 4. During our eight meetings this year we will introduce the gospel messages “in a nutshell” – an easy way for children to learn that Jesus has a message for them in the Bible.
In 2008, we look forward to “Bee-ing full of the spirit” – truly getting our nourishment and thereby growing from our spiritual endeavors. We learn so much by preparing the gospel for your children. We want to full them up, too!
February 10
Gospel story, Matthew 4:1-11
Second Beatitude, “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.”
Our nutshell message for these two weeks is “Be Prayer-full” – full of prayer. Jesus is tempted and is modeling making good choices for us. There are so many choices in life that effect your child. Many choices are her own. Discuss both good choices and poor choices with your child – perhaps healthy vs. unhealthy mealtime choices or picking out an appropriate outfit for a particular kind of weather… each choice has a consequence for which your child is responsible. Everyone makes mistakes, of course and this is where we ask God for his Divine Intervention: “Please God, I am prayerfully committed to making good choices for myself and my family. Please help me__________ today. Amen.” During your prayer routine, pray for God to help with a particular choice that’s been difficult. You can choose something to work on along with your child and thereby model this prayerful behavior. I personally pray often for patience. Some days my kids see God deliver and other days I fail. I’m human and they know it. J Lovely lessons!... My children pray for help on their own goals and we praise them when they’ve obviously worked with God to do well. Throughout the two weeks we celebrate being prayerfull, talk about Jesus and the kinds of choices he models for us. Weave in discussion of the Second Beatitude by thinking of it like this: “Happy are those who have done something wrong and are ready to not repeat it, for they are forgiven.” Prompt your child to ask for forgiveness from those whom they may have wronged, and be sure to also ask God for his forgiveness. Encourage children to notice the sense of peace when forgiveness is granted. It’s also important to point out that giving forgiveness is a great feeling, as well. I’m sure you’ll have many opportunities to apply this nutshell message.
February 24
Gospel story, John 4:5-42 “Jesus accepts everyone”
Third Beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
We have chosen to interpret this week’s gospel as “Jesus accepts everyone”, and our nutshell message is simply: Be respect-full. Challenge yourself and your child to find a loving quality in anyone they meet – respecting that person whom God created. Talk about the concept of seeing others as God sees them. What do you enjoy about your own family members? Resolve to tell others how you respect their positive qualities. An amazing reinforcement for such an idea is the book You Are Special by Max Lucado. Another idea is to try not to hold a grudge with your child or others. Discussing this idea brings forward an understanding of the third beatitude – loosely interpreted as “Happy are those who are letting go of anger and hurt, for they will experience wonderful things in their lives.” Draw pictures of the wonderful gifts and blessings your child has. Mail the pictures to a relative who would appreciate the sentiment. Finally, practicing manners is a great way to be respectful. Teaching children to be respectful is a difficult job, but rewarding in the end (I hope!)
Thanks for allowing us to share some extended ideas for our nutshells. We hope this helps you continue your study of the gospel as you apply it to your lives with your children.
Together, the gospel and the eight Beatitudes will be the focus of our “nutshell messages” from now until our last meeting on May 4. During our eight meetings this year we will introduce the gospel messages “in a nutshell” – an easy way for children to learn that Jesus has a message for them in the Bible.
In 2008, we look forward to “Bee-ing full of the spirit” – truly getting our nourishment and thereby growing from our spiritual endeavors. We learn so much by preparing the gospel for your children. We want to full them up, too!
February 10
Gospel story, Matthew 4:1-11
Second Beatitude, “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.”
Our nutshell message for these two weeks is “Be Prayer-full” – full of prayer. Jesus is tempted and is modeling making good choices for us. There are so many choices in life that effect your child. Many choices are her own. Discuss both good choices and poor choices with your child – perhaps healthy vs. unhealthy mealtime choices or picking out an appropriate outfit for a particular kind of weather… each choice has a consequence for which your child is responsible. Everyone makes mistakes, of course and this is where we ask God for his Divine Intervention: “Please God, I am prayerfully committed to making good choices for myself and my family. Please help me__________ today. Amen.” During your prayer routine, pray for God to help with a particular choice that’s been difficult. You can choose something to work on along with your child and thereby model this prayerful behavior. I personally pray often for patience. Some days my kids see God deliver and other days I fail. I’m human and they know it. J Lovely lessons!... My children pray for help on their own goals and we praise them when they’ve obviously worked with God to do well. Throughout the two weeks we celebrate being prayerfull, talk about Jesus and the kinds of choices he models for us. Weave in discussion of the Second Beatitude by thinking of it like this: “Happy are those who have done something wrong and are ready to not repeat it, for they are forgiven.” Prompt your child to ask for forgiveness from those whom they may have wronged, and be sure to also ask God for his forgiveness. Encourage children to notice the sense of peace when forgiveness is granted. It’s also important to point out that giving forgiveness is a great feeling, as well. I’m sure you’ll have many opportunities to apply this nutshell message.
February 24
Gospel story, John 4:5-42 “Jesus accepts everyone”
Third Beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
We have chosen to interpret this week’s gospel as “Jesus accepts everyone”, and our nutshell message is simply: Be respect-full. Challenge yourself and your child to find a loving quality in anyone they meet – respecting that person whom God created. Talk about the concept of seeing others as God sees them. What do you enjoy about your own family members? Resolve to tell others how you respect their positive qualities. An amazing reinforcement for such an idea is the book You Are Special by Max Lucado. Another idea is to try not to hold a grudge with your child or others. Discussing this idea brings forward an understanding of the third beatitude – loosely interpreted as “Happy are those who are letting go of anger and hurt, for they will experience wonderful things in their lives.” Draw pictures of the wonderful gifts and blessings your child has. Mail the pictures to a relative who would appreciate the sentiment. Finally, practicing manners is a great way to be respectful. Teaching children to be respectful is a difficult job, but rewarding in the end (I hope!)
Thanks for allowing us to share some extended ideas for our nutshells. We hope this helps you continue your study of the gospel as you apply it to your lives with your children.
