In eKidz this week, we’re learning how to follow Jesus by loving our enemies. In our Quest lesson, we’ll learn that God made us to help others and our Safari toddlers will sing a fun song to help them remember that they can pray to God!

Jesus said to love our enemies and pray for them.  ●  Matthew 5:43-44

As a family, discuss a few questions together after your child watches this week’s episode.

Question #1: What should you do when you’re bullied?

Question #2: Read Matthew 5:14-16. These are the words of Jesus. What is He saying about bullies? Why do you think He wants us to pray for them?

Pray for someone.

So maybe you’ve got someone in your life who you already know you want to pray for because they’ve felt like an enemy for a long time. Remember, if you’re being bullied, you should absolutely let an adult know so that you can be safe and protected.

And also remember, revenge is not your job. You can pray for those who are against you, specifically that God would reach them and change their heart.

You can pray your enemies, your friends, and your family, too. Write down the names of anyone who comes to mind this week, and pray that God would comfort them and guide them through whatever it is that they’re going through.

And don’t forget to pray for yourself and ask God to work in your life. Thank Him for the good things, and ask for His help in the things that are more difficult. He will hear your prayers and He will grow your faith through them.

For more information about eKidz Online, visit our eKidz Online YouTube page. You can catch us during any of the Elevation Church live broadcasts, and those times can be found HERE.

God made me to help others. ● Timothy and Tabitha I 1 Timothy 4:12; Acts 9:36-39

This month, we’ll teach our preschoolers that they are wonderfully made in God’s image! Do you ever think about yourself like that — that you are wonderfully made in God’s image? We tend to forget about all the wonder that went into making us as we become grown-ups. It’s part of the reason why people have to ask us to “say cheese” when they take our picture. If we really believed that we are wonderfully made in God’s image, we would be smiling from ear-to-ear all day long! That is what we want for preschoolers — to smile with confidence, because they know God made them.

As a family, watch this week’s video and then discuss a few questions together. 

Question #1: Today’s Bible story was about a woman. What was her name? (Tabitha)

Question #2: Did Tabitha help people by making clothes or candy? (clothes)

Question #3: Does God want you to help others, too? (yes)

 

Family Activity: How Can I Help?

WHAT YOU NEED: activity pages, scissors, handheld mirror

WHAT YOU DO:

• Before the Activity: Print the activity pages and cut on dotted lines to create eight cards.
• During the Activity: Hold up the cards one at a time, and talk about who they are and how they help.
  • • Nurses help us when we’re sick.
    • Doctors help us when we’re sick.
    • Teachers help us learn.
    • Mail carriers help us by bringing our mail.
    • Police officers help keep us safe.
    • Firefighters help keep us safe.
    • Handymen help us take care of our home.
    • Tabitha helped by making clothes for people who needed them.

After you’ve held up all the pictures and identified them, give the handheld mirror to your child. Have them hold it up so they can see their reflection, and remind them that THEY can be a helper, too.

WHAT YOU SAY:

• During the Activity: “I have some pictures of people who help us. Let me show you. Oh, here’s a picture of a nurse. How do nurses help us? (Pause.) Yes, they help us feel better when we’re sick. (Continue in the same way until you’ve reviewed all the pictures. Then give your child the mirror.) “Look! It’s you! How can you help? (Pause.) That’s a great way to help others.”
• After the Activity: “Nurses, teachers, and police officers are helpers. Tabitha was certainly a helper, too. She made clothes for people as a way to help. And YOU are a helper, too! Remember, God made you to help others! Why? Because He loves you. Who made you?” (God made me.)

This month, we’re learning, “I can pray to God.” We will learn the story, “Daniel Prays to God,” in Daniel 6. When the king made a new rule, Daniel knew it was wrong and continued obeying God by praying to Him. Because Daniel didn’t follow the king’s rule, he was thrown into a den with lions, but God protected him. Just like Daniel, we can pray and talk to God, too!

TODDLER ACTIVITIES

Choose an activity to complete with your toddler to learn that we can love like Jesus!

Bible Story Activity

WHAT YOU NEED: Bible (Use a children’s Bible if you have one or download the Bible App for Kids and watch “A Roaring Rescue.”)

WHAT YOU SAY: “I love reading the Bible and spending time with Jesus. Let’s read our Bible story together right now!”

WHAT YOU DO: Read “Daniel Prays to God” — Daniel 6 from the Bible.

Song Activity: I Can Pray

 

WHAT YOU DO:

• During the activity: Lead your toddler in singing the song below to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

• I can pray and talk to God,
  Talk to God, talk to God.
  I can pray and talk to God,
  Anytime and anywhere.

• Continue to sing for as long as your toddler is interested.

WHAT YOU SAY:

• Before the Activity: “Let’s sing a fun song to help us remember that we can pray to God!”
• After the Activity: “Wow, you did a wonderful job singing! Who can pray to God?” Encourage your toddler to say, “I can pray to God!”