Mind Your Business

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Joey and Susie. Joey and Susie seem happy, don’t they? (Nod your head Yes and smile) I think they are happy because they made Mommy happy. Mommy is teaching Joey and Susie to mind their own business and they did a great job today! Mommy gave them each a red ribbon because they learned so quickly! Yeah, Joey and Susie! (smile and clap your hands)

Mind Your Business Song
(sung to London Bridge)

Mind your business everyone
Everyone
Everyone
Mind your business everyone
God’s Word says so

If it does not concern me
Concern me
Concern me
If it does not concern me
I won’t listen

Bible Time

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (1 Thess 4:11)

Story

Joey and Susie were playing with their toys on the floor. Mommy was in the kitchen scolding Billy for being naughty. Joey wanted to hear what Mommy was saying so he went to the kitchen. Mommy said, “Joey, this does not concern you. It is none of your business so please go and play with Susie.” Joey obeyed Mommy right away (smile and clap your hands) and went to play with Susie.

After lunch, Susie got up from the table but did not put her dirty dishes on the counter. Mommy said, “Susie, please go back and pick up your dirty dishes.” Joey said, “But Mommy, Susie just forgot.” Mommy said, “Joey, this is none of your business. I was speaking to Susie, not to you. So please go play now.”

When it was time for bed, Mommy was helping Joey put his pajamas on. Mommy said, “Joey, Mommy wants you to learn when it is OK for you to speak and when it is not OK for you to speak. When I was scolding Billy this morning, it had nothing to do with you. The Bible says to do your own business. Was Billy’s scolding your own business? (shake your No and frown) No, it wasn’t your business, was it?” Joey said, “No, Mommy.”

“And Joey,” asked Mommy, “when I asked Susie to pick up her dirty dishes at lunch time and you told me she forgot – was that doing your own business?” Joey said, “No, Mommy, it wasn’t.” Good, Joey! (smiled and nod your head Yes) I am glad you understand what God says is not your business. When Mommy and Daddy talk to you or ask you to do something, would that be your business?” asked Mommy. Joey said, “Yes ma’am, that would be my business.”

Good job, Joey! Joey learned how to mind his own business today! (smile and clap your hands)

Dear God…
Help me to mind my own business. I want to obey the Bible and my Mommy and Daddy.
Amen!

Helping

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of the hat. See the letter h? H sounds like (sound out h). Another word that has the letter h is “help”! Let’s use the word help in a sentence. I help Mommy to fold laundry.

The Helping Song
(sung to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

I help Mommy I must say
To pick up toys and make my bed
Folding towels and socks too
Washing dishes, forks and spoons
I help Mommy I must say
Obeying Jesus every day

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about helping.

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:(Psa 37:40a)

Story

Bobby likes to help Mommy. Mommy makes helping fun! (smile and nod your head yes) Mommy puts Bobby’s favorite Children’s Songs CD and they listen to music while they do the dishes. Sometimes Mommy makes folding laundry fun, too! Mommy gives Bobby all the socks and Bobby has to match them before his favorite song finishes. When Bobby finishes in time, Mommy gives Bobby some gummy bears!

Bobby likes to help Daddy in the garage, too. Daddy gives him a rag and Bobby cleans Daddy’s tools. “Bobby is a big boy! Good job, Bobby! Thank you for helping me!” says Daddy. “Would you help me rake the leaves, please?” asked Daddy. Bobby knew that if he helped Daddy, it would make Daddy very happy. “OK, Daddy, I will help you!” said Bobby. Good job, Bobby! (clap hands and smile)

Teaching Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, each time your child helps, clap your hands and tell them thank you! Remind them that when they are helping they are not only being a helper but they are being kind and they are doing the same thing God does. Repeat the memory verse to show them that they are being a helper just like God helps us.

Dear God…
I like helping Mommy and Daddy.
Please show me how I can help them more.
Amen!

Biting

Be ye kind one to another. Eph. 4:32a

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Bobby and Mary. See how they are smiling? Look at their teeth as they smile! Are teeth used for chewing? (nod Yes and smile) Yes, teeth are used for chewing our food.

The Biting Song
(sung to Bah Bah Black Sheep)

Biting someone isn’t very nice
God says everyone be kind
Never bite just to get our way
We must be nice every day
Biting someone isn’t very nice
God says everyone be kind

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about biting someone.

Be ye kind one to another. (Eph 4:32a)

Story

Mary and her little brother, Bobby, were playing with their toys. When Bobby grabbed Mary’s stuffed animal, Mary got very angry and bit Bobby on the arm. Bobby began to cry because it hurt very much. Mommy came from the kitchen and saw Mary’s teeth marks on Bobby’s arm. “Mary!” said Mommy. “That was a very bad thing to do! God’s Word says to ‘be ye kind one to another.’ Is biting being kind?” Mary started feeling very sad for biting Bobby. Mary said, “No, Mommy, biting Bobby was not being kind.”

Mommy said, “Mary, please ask Bobby to forgive you for biting him.” Mary said, “Bobby, I’m sorry I bit you. Please forgive me.” Bobby stopped crying and smiled. Then Bobby gave Mary a big hug. (smile and hug yourself) Good job, Mary, for asking for forgiveness!

Teaching Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, talk about what we use our teeth for. For example, at lunch time, bite into a carrot making a loud crunch and say, “God gave us teeth so that we could bite into a carrot! Thank You, God, for giving us teeth!” Quote Eph. 4:32a and have your child(ren) repeat it. Explain to them that biting is not being kind. If your child continues to bite, then it becomes an act of disobedience and discipline may be in order.

Dear God…
Help me to be kind to everyone. I know it is very bad for me to bite. I pray that I won’t bite any more.
Amen!

 

Staying in Bed

Bible Verse

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Col 3:20)

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Mary as she kneels down to pray. Mary is praying because she is asking God to forgive her. We’ll find out why Mary needed forgiveness when we read our story

Song Time

Obedience Song
(From Patch the Pirate)

Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe:
Doing exactly what the Lord commands,
Doing it happily!
Action is the key, do it immediately.
Joy you will receive!
Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe!

And you spell it O B E D I E N C E (yes, Sir!)
Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe!

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about staying in bed when Mommy tells you to.

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Col 3:20)

Story Time

Mommy said, “Come Mary, it’s time to get ready for bed.”

Mary did not want to go to bed. (shake your head No and make a sad face) She continued to play with her toys pretending she did not hear Mommy. (shake your index finger in the No motion) Mommy always told her to obey right away like the Obedience song. But Mary did not want to go to bed right now. Mary knew if she did not obey, she would be punished. So she changed her mind and went to put her PJ’s on.

Mommy was happy when Mary obeyed. “Thank you, Mary, for obeying Mommy!” (smile and clap your hands)

“Good night, Mary,” said Mommy. I love you! (say this in a sing songy voice)

Mommy turned out the light and left Mary’s room. As soon as Mommy left, Mary got out of bed to go get a toy and sat down on the floor to play. She knew she was disobeying Mommy but she was not sleepy. (raise your arms up in the “I don’t know” manner and raise your eyebrows) The door to Mary’s room opened and there was Daddy! Mary jumped up and ran to her bed.

Daddy said, “Mary, are you suppose to be out of bed?” Mary shook her head No. (shake your head No and make a sad face)

“When you get out of bed when you know you are not suppose to, what have you done?” Daddy asked.

“I disobeyed.” replied Mary.

“Yes, you did disobey.” said Daddy. “I will have to punish you now. So tomorrow night, you will go to be half an hour earlier because you got out of bed.” said Daddy. “Now, Mary, you need to ask God to forgive you for disobeying Mommy and Daddy. Also, you will have to ask Mommy and I for forgiveness, too, since you disobeyed us.”

Mary got on her knees right away and prayed. “Dear God, I’m so sorry I disobeyed Mommy and Daddy. Please forgive me. I will try very hard not to disobey them again. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen”

Mary got up and climbed up in Daddy’s lap. “Daddy, I’m sorry I did not obey. I will try to always obey from now on”! “Good girl!” said Daddy! (clap your hands and smile)

Teaching Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, recite this verse with the children. Especially stress that they are to obey you in ALL things. That means staying in bed once they go to bed. Review the story with them – was it wrong for Mary to get out of bed? Yes, it was sin because she did not obey her Mommy. Did Mary do right when she prayed? Yes, we need to pray and ask God to forgive us when we sin.

Dear God…
Help me to obey Mommy and Daddy in all things.
Help me to remember to stay in bed and not get up.
Amen!

 

Having Table Manners

Bible Verse

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (Luk 22:17)

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Bobby today (point to Bobby and smile). Bobby is eating corn! Is Bobby’s mouth open while he is eating (point to Bobby’s mouth)? No! (shake head No) Bobby is chewing with his mouth closed (go through the motions of chewing with your mouth closed and then with your mouth open). Good job, Bobby!! (smile and clap your hands). Before Bobby sat down to eat, his Mommy made him wash his hands so they would be clean. Bobby is smiling because he has used all his good manners at lunch today! Yeh, Bobby (clap your hands and smile)!

Table Manners
Author Unknown
(Sung to: “Frere Jacques”)

Chewing quietly, chewing quietly
Do not slurp, do not slurp,
We must say excuse me,
We must say excuse me
When we burp,
When we burp.

Oh, Before I Eat My Meals
Author Unknown
(Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know it”)

Oh, before I eat my meals, I wash my hands,
(scrub, scrub)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I wash my hands,
(scrub, scrub)
Oh, it’s very smart I think,
Sends those germs right down the sink.
Oh, before I eat my meals, I wash my hands.
(scrub, scrub)

Oh, before I eat my meals, I set my place,
(set, set)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I set my place,
(set, set)
I set everything I need,
I feel very proud, indeed.
Oh, before I eat my meals, I set my place.
(set, set)

Oh, before I eat my meals, I say my prayers,
(bow your head)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I say my prayers,
(bow your head)
‘Asking God to bless my food
Before I eat is always good
Oh, before I eat my meals, I say my prayers.

Oh, before I eat my meals, I pass the food,
(pass the plate)
Oh, before I eat my meals, I pass the food,
(pass the plate)
‘Cause we know it’s only fair
For us all to have our share
Oh, before I eat my meals, I pass the food.

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about lying.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (Luk 22:17)

Story

Bobby and Mary washed their hands and came running to the table to eat lunch. Bobby remembered the lesson on manners Mommy had taught them this morning at the breakfast table. Bobby wanted to surprise Mommy and do all the things she taught. Bobby and Mary sat down and bowed their heads and prayed. They thanked God for their food.

Bobby helped Mary open her straw and put it in her juice box. That was very nice of Bobby to help his sister, wasn’t it (shake head Yes, smile and clap your hands)? Bobby put potato chips in Mary’s plate and then he put some in his plate. Mommy saw that Bobby had done just what Jesus had done. He gave food to his sister before he helped himself. Good job, Bobby!, Mommy said. (smile and clap your hands)

Bobby took a bite out of his peanut butter sandwich and chewed with his mouth closed. He did not make loud noises while he was chewing. (shake head No and frown) Mommy saw how good Bobby’s manners were, so she said, “Bobby, your manners are very good! I am so proud of you!” (smile and clap your hands)

Mommy asked Bobby if he wanted more potato chips. Bobby said, “Yes, please!” When Mommy put more potato chips in Bobby’s plate, Bobby said, “Thank you, Mommy!” Good job Bobby! (smile and clap your hands)

After Bobby and Mary were finished eating, Bobby asked Mommy, “May I be excused from the table, please?” (smile while you’re saying this) Mommy excused Bobby from the table. Bobby helped pick up his dirty dishes and put his empty juice box and napkin into the trash can. Good job, Bobby! (smile and clap your hands)

Teaching Throughout the Day

Have a pretend meal to teach your children what manners are expected at the table.
1. Pray before eating
2. Serve others before yourself
3. Say please when asking for something
4. Say thank you when given something
5. Chew with your mouth closed
6. Don’t make noises when you eat
7. Ask to be excused from the table
8. Thank Mom for the good meal
9. Pick up your place setting

Take this time to teach your children that good manners show others how much we love God because we are following Jesus’ example. Jesus prayed over His food and passed it around to others. When we follow His example, we are showing others that we are like Him.

Dear God…
Help me to have good manners so people will see that I love You.
Amen!

Telling the Truth

Bible Verse

Lie not one to another(Col 3:9a)

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Bobby today (point to Bobby and smile). What is Bobby doing? Yes, Bobby is praying (clap your hands, smile and say the word praying enthusiastically)! Who is Bobby praying to? Bobby is praying to God. Good job, Bobby!! (Clap your hands and smile and say yeh!)

Never Tell a Lie
(Sing to Mary Had a Little Lamb)

I must never tell a lie
Tell a lie
Tell a lie
I must never tell a lie
The Bible says it’s sin

I must always tell the truth
Tell the truth
Tell the truth
I must always tell the truth
For God I must obey

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about lying.

Lie not one to another(Col 3:9a)

Story

Mommy asked Bobby to pick up his toys in his bedroom. Bobby did not obey Mommy (shake head no and make a sad face). Instead of picking up his toys, Bobby sat down and read his book. Mommy saw Bobby reading his book and she asked him, “Bobby, did you pick up your toys like I asked you to?” Bobby said, “Yes”! (Make a sad face.) Bobby told a lie, didn’t he? He did not pick up his toys at all (shake your head No and make a sad face). Mommy saw his toys on the floor and she knew that Bobby had told her a lie. This made Mommy very, very sad (make a sad face). Mommy had to punish Bobby because he told her a lie and the Bible says that lying is a sin. Mommy made Bobby pick up all his toys and then all of his sister’s toys, too. Then Mommy had Bobby kneel down and pray and ask God to forgive him for telling a lie. Bobby was so sad that he had lied to his Mommy. Later, Bobby went to see Mommy in the kitchen and said, “Mommy, I’m sorry that I told you a lie!” Mommy smiled and gave Bobby a big hug! (clap your hands and smile)

The Bible says it is a sin to tell a lie. Lie not one to another(Col 3:9a) Because Bobby told a lie, his Mommy had to obey God and punish him. Why did Mommy have to punish Bobby? Mommy did not want Bobby to lie again so she punished him. That is why Mommy punishes you when you are bad.

Teaching Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, make sure to listen closely to what your children are saying so you can hear right away if they lie. Use each opportunity to deal with this sin. Repeat the Bible verse several times so they can commit it to memory.

Dear God…
I know that telling a lie is a sin.
Help me to always tell the truth.
Amen

 

Being Gentle

Bible Verse

but be gentle unto all men, (2 Tim 2:24b)

Coloring/Teaching

Here’s a picture of Bobby and Mary (point to each of them and smile). Bobby has some eggs in a little box and he is showing Mary. Do you see the eggs? (Point to eggs and smile and nod your head yes) Let’s count how many eggs there are – 1-2-3, there are three eggs in Bobby’s box!

The Gentle Song
(Sing to The Farmer in the Dell tune)

Oh gentle I will be
Oh gentle I will be
No hitting and no pushing oh
Oh gentle I will be

I won’t push you down
I won’t push you down
I’ll hold your hand and walk with you
I won’t push you down

God’s Word says I should
God’s Word says I should
I will obey the Word of God
God’s Word says I should

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about being gentle.

Scripture: but be gentle unto all men, (2 Tim 2:24b)

Story

Mary and Bobby were playing with their Legos. Each time Bobby finished building something, Mary knocked down his Legos. This made Bobby very sad and he wanted to cry. (Make a sad face like you’re crying.) Mommy told Mary that she was not being nice. Mommy said that Mary had to be gentle and sweet. (rub your child’s arm softly when you say the word gentle.) Mommy said, “Mary, tell Bobby you are sorry for knocking down his Legos.” Mary obeyed right away and said she was sorry.

Later, Mary and Bobby decided that they wanted to play on the swing set. Bobby pushed Mary really hard while she was swinging. (Make a frown on your face to show this was wrong and shake your index finger back and forth). Mary fell down and started crying. (make a crying face again.) Mommy told Bobby that he needed to be gentle when he was pushing (rub child’s arm softly). Mommy said, “Bobby, give Mary a nice gentle hug like this and tell her you are sorry.” (Hug child and show the difference between a gentle hug and a “hard” hug.) Bobby was sad that he made Mary cry. Bobby gave Mary a nice gentle hug just like Mommy showed him.

Teaching Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, show your children the difference between gentle touches and rough touches, gentle hugs and hard hugs, gentle playing and rough playing. Teach them to be sweet and gentle when they play with their brothers and sisters. Teach them to be especially gentle to babies. A good lesson is to take hard boiled eggs (do not take the shell off). Have each child gently cup an egg in both their hands so they can’t see the egg any more (or close to it, depending on the size of their hands). Have them walk around the back yard while they are holding their egg. Then have them skip while they are holding their egg. Have the older toddlers run while they are holding their egg. If they are gentle, the egg shell won’t break, but if they are “rough” they will crack it. Explain to them that when they are gentle with their brothers and sisters, they won’t hurt them. But if they are rough with their brothers and sisters, they will hurt them.

Dear God… 
Help me to play nice and be gentle and sweet.
I do not want to hurt anyone.
Amen!