Thoughtfulness
Week 15
Planning ahead (2)
In this block we discover that we are thoughtful; we plan ahead, we are kind to others, we can consider others and act upon it, and we can easily share. To highlight these precious traits, we compare these to specific animals that do not exhibit these traits.
Note: Serving one needs to have a pet to use for this week.
Point to emphasize
Dogs and other pets do not think ahead about what they may need. They act upon instinct. But we can think about what we may need, plan accordingly and be prepared!
References
Proverbs 21:5
Sample content and conversation with children
- Show your pet to the children. Tell them the story of how you got your pet. So we brought our pet home. Is that all we needed to do? No, even before we got this pet we thought about what we needed for it. What do you think we needed? [As they answer have the items on hand so show them. Ex. A dog needs a water bowl, food bowl, a brush, chew toys, dog food, dog shampoo, dog bed, a collar and lease.] We planned ahead so that when our pet came home with us we would have what we needed.
- [Ask the children what kind of pets they have.] Have one or two of the children tell you what things are needed to take care of their pets. [Hopefully there will be 3 very different pets.] See, you planned ahead and got the things your pet needed.
- You know, a dog gets hungry and thirsty every day. [Show picture of a dog or an actual dog.] Does this dog think about all the things that it needs every day? Does it plan ahead? NO!!! It does not! It may play out in the yard with you and then suddenly realize that it is hot and needs water. When it is hungry, it goes to eat. When it wants to play, it finds its chew toy. All these things happen according to how the dog feels in the moment. We are the ones who make sure that they have food and water.
- This week I ate XX (pancakes) for breakfast, a XX (sandwich) for lunch, and XX for dinner. [Show pictures of each meal.] What did I need from the store to make this meal? [Have a shopping bag ready with items that are needed. As the children give their answers pull items out of the bag.] Make the point that someone had to plan ahead and get the groceries that were needed for each meal.
- So, while our pets depend on what we give them or what they can find when they have a need, God made us in such a way that we can think about what we need and prepare ahead of time. I am so glad that God made me in such a way!
Suggested activities/games
- Show the children pictures of different kind of foods that are composed of different ingredients. Then have them identify which ingredients they would need to buy if they wanted to prepare these. For example, for a sandwich the kids could identify bread, ham, cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mustard as ingredients needed.
- Play “What is different about me?” A Zoom game. The leader turns off their video and changes something about themselves (take off glasses, put pencil behind ear, put hat on.) Then restore your video and ask, “What’s different?” Have the children answer. Then have a child be the leader.
Suggested songs
Jesus Loves Me
God Made Me
I’m just to young to drive a car