HONOR THY FATHER AND Mffi'HER

BffiLE BASISExodus 20:12

LESSON AIM

That the child will understand that the Bible says he is to love his mother and the child will learn ways hecan demonstrate that love.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

God's plan for the family is revealed through the teachings of Scripture. Today we single out the importantrole of the mother, which includes life"bearer, nurturer, trainer and caretaker. If we examine the examples ofsome of the mothers who are included in the Bible, we can learn valuable lessons which will help all of us, whetherwe are parents, teachers, relatives or friends of small children.

From Isaac's mother, Sarah, we learn the lesson of joy in receivingthe gift of a child from God (Genesis 21:6).

From Moses' mother, Jochebed, we learn the importance of earlytraining and the lesson of protecting our children from a hostile world(Exodus 2:1-10).

From Samuel's mother, Hannah, we learn the lesson of dedicatingour children to God and praying for them faithfully (I Samuel 1-2).

From Jesus' mother, Mary, we learn the lesson of faith in God's pro­mises for our child (Luke 1:45).

From Timothy's mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, we learnthe lesson of the importance of our Christian example to our children(II Timothy 1:5).

The role of mother is always challenging and sometimes overwhelming. A godly mother is a tremendousblessing in any child's life, and she should desire to be God's instrument in the development of her child. Proverbs31 tells us that the children of a godly mother will one day" ... arise and called her blessed."

GREETING

Greet each child this morning by showing him a picture of your mother or a picture of yourself if you area mother or your wife is a mother. Have the following conversation: •• (Child's name) . , can you find a mother inthis picture? That's right! She is a mommy! Today is Mother's Day. I love my mommy." (If you are using a pictureof yourself, say, "My children love me.") "Today you can say, 'God loves you, mommy!'"

CENTER TIME

1. "Is Your Mommy Home?"The purpose of this activity is for the child to hear his mommy's name and to hear God loves her.Make six or seven construction paper houses (each should be about the size of 1/2 sheet of construction paper).

Tape the houses onto the table (see diagram) in front of each child. The teacher should sit at one end of the table.

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The teacher will need one small paperdoll (see center #1 patterns) taped to a popsicle stick. Each child willhave a picture of his mom, or if he has no picture, give him a small "Mommy" paperdoll. (Have several extra..Mommy" paperdolls made for those who did not bring their own Mommy's picture.

, Have the children put their pictures or paperdolls behind the house. Conversation: "I'm going to come visit;t II the'm6mmi('s. Is everybody ready? (Peek in a door.) "Knock, Knock! Is (child's name) 's Mommy home?"(Guide child in bringing picture to the door. If the picture is too large for the door, have child hold it to the side

of the nouse.) .. (Child's name) , what is your mommy's name? Do you love your mommy? God loves her, too!Happy Mother's Day, (mother's name) !"

Repeat this same conversation at each house. Some of the children may want to take your place as the "visitor."

2. "Who Wants To Help?"The purpose of this center is to introduce ways the child can help at home and to remind him to help at home.

Bring five placemats, napkins, forks, spoons and paper plates. Also bring paper towels and a spray bottleof water. Let five children help set the table. (Use one of your big tables rather than a small table in your homecenter.) The placemats will help to make this activity more inviting.

Before the children begin to set the table, give each of them a paper towel and let them clean the table.Remind the children that they should help their mommies at home. Conversation: "There are so many ways

that you can help your mommy. If mommy says, 'Who will help me set the table?" you can say, 'I will.' Whenwe help our mommy, we make Jesus happy."

As the children finish setting the table, sit down and say a prayer (as if you were blessing the food) askingJesus to help them help their mommies and thanking God for mothers.

3. "I'm My Mommy"Set six chairs up in the homecenter, two by two. Set a doll from your room or special dolls from your home

in every other chair. Each doll should have an empty chair next to her for a child to sit in. Youwill want to slantIhe pairs of chairs in toward each other so they appear to go together.

Conversation: " "would you like to pretend to be your mommy and take care of this baby?"(Cive the child a bib or a small dish towel to drape around the doll's neck, a baby spoon or another small spoon,,111 empty baby food jar or a small cup or bowl.) Have enough items for several children to be mommies at the~ame time. You will need to demonstrate with your own "baby." Be sure to show the children how mommies('Iean a baby's chin with the spoon after each bite. Remind the children how special mommies are. If your children;1 i-eattentive, stop and say a prayer thanking God for all the things mommies do.

FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER

1. "Where's The Mommy?"The purpose of this activity is to engage the child in an activity that requires him to recognize a Mommy

while you thank God for his Mommy.

Tape 5 half sheets of construction paper to a sheet of butcher paper. Under three flaps place amagazine or catalog picture of a woman. Under two flaps place a picture of a man. As each child comesto you, have the following conversation: " (Child's name) , can you find a Mommy?" (Guide him inlifting the flap.) "There's a mommy! Where is another mommy? Is that a Mommy? No, that's a Daddy!

(Child's name) has a mommy. Thank you, God, for (child's name) 's mommy."

2. Mommies In A Box

Place five or six magazine or catalog pictures of women in a shoe box. Draw five circles on thebutcher paper covering your table.

Attract the children's attention by shaking the box. Conversation: "I have something in my box!"(Set the box on the table and let one or two children reach into the box and pick out a mommy. Guidethe children in placing the mommies in a circle.) " (Child's name) has a mommy. Thank you, God, for

(child's name) 's mommy."Let the children put the mommies back into the box and begin again. You may want to let one of

the children shake the box. You will need to put a lot of enthusiasm into shaking the box in order tokeep the children's attention.

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(jl('~:;;FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER (cont'd.)

3. "I'm My MommySet an adult rocking chair in the home center. Wrap a doll or teddy bear in a blanket and pretend

to give him a bottle (a real baby bottle would be best). Encourage the children to take turns sittingin the chair holding the "baby" and giving it a bottle. (A teddy bear may be more interesting.) As eachchild takes a turn, remind him that he is just like his mommy. He is taking care of someone. Mommiesare special.

STORY TIME

1. Supplies NeededBible; an apron; a large doll; a cooking pan and spoon; a child's tennis shoes; kleenex; a towel and soap; the

bed or a pallet in the home center; two chairs for a car; a steering wheel made from a clothes hanger; a pictureof your family; pictures brought by the children of their mothers.

You will want to have your story in the home center today.

2. Preparation For StoryEase the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated, sing "Where

is ?", act out monthly rhyme, say the monthly Bible verse and begin the story with prayer."Dear God, thank you for my mommy who cares for me. Help me to help my mommy. In Jesus' name, Amen."

*BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and read (repeat after you while he is holding the open Bible)."Honor your Father and your Mother." Exodus 20:12

3. Outline For StoryThe aim of the story is to cause the child to think of all the ways his Mommy caresfor him.

• Begin your story sitting down at the small table in your home center. "I am a mommy. God wants me to takecare of my family." (Show a picture of your family.) "I do many things to care for my family."

• (Stand by the stove and put on your apron.) "I cook for my family." (Demonstrate with the pan and spoon.)"Does your mommy cook for you? Thank you, God, for mommies."

• "I help make up their beds." (Make up bed.) "Does your mommy make your bed? Thank you, God, for mommies."

• "I help my children get dressed to go outside." (Put the tennis shoes on the doll.) "It's hard to tie shoes. Mom­mies can do that! Thank you, God, for Mommies."

·"1give my children a bath." (Pretend to bathe the doll with the soap and towel). "Does your mommy give youa bath? Thank you, God, for Mommies!"

• "I put my child to bed." (Put doll in bed and cover her up.) "I make sure he has his special blanket or his teddybear. Then I fold my hands, and he folds his hands and we talk to God together. Does your mommy pray withyou at night? Thank you, God, for mommies!"

• Carry the doll to the chair at your home center table. Sit down and hold the doll in your lap. "But the mostimportant thing a mommy does is tell her child about Jesus." (Hug doll.)

• "I have some pictures of mommies right here. Thank you, God, for (child's name) 's mommy." (Show the mommyof each child who brought a picture and repeat the conversation.)

• "Today, say to your mommy, 'Mommy, God loves you!'" (Say it together as a class.)

FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER (cont'd.)

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1. Supplies NeededA teddy bear or doll; a rocking chair; a blanket; a bottle; a diaper; a small bowl and spoon; a towel

and soap; the bed in your home center.

2. Preparation For StoryEase the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated,

sing "Where is ?", act out the monthly rhyme, say the monthly Bible verse and beginstory with prayer. "Dear God, thank you for my mommy who cares for me. Help me to help my mom­my. In Jesus' name, Amen."

*BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and sit in the special chair. Then give him an openBible and say, "God gives us Mommies."

3. Outline For Story• (Sit in the rocking chair.) "I am a mommy. I rock my baby to sleep." (Wrap bear or doll in the blanket.)

"I love my baby. Did you know your mommy loves you? Thank you, God, for mommies."

• "Mommies change diapers." (Put a small diaper onthe bear.) "Does mommy change your diapers?Thank you, GOd, for mommies."

• "I put my baby to bed:' (Put bear in the bed and cover him.) "I say his prayers with him. Does yourmommy put you to bed?"

• "I feed my baby." (Feed bear using the spoon and bowl.) "Did mommy feed you? Thank you, God,for mommies."

·"1 give my baby a bath." (Pretend to bathe bear with soap and towel.) "Does your mommy give youa bath? Thank you, God, for mommies."

Sit down in the rocking chair again and hold the bear in your lap. "The most important thing todo as a mommy is to tell my baby all about Jesus! Jesus loves you!" (Hug bear.)

MUSIC TIME

• Invite two or three mommies to visit your music time. Have three chairs up front for them to sit in and holdtheir children. Place a special crown on each mother's head as you introduce each one. Be sure to applaudafter each introduction. Remember to introduce each mother as (child's name) 's mother.

• Sing the following song to the tune of "Happy Birthday":

Happy Mother's Day to you,Happy Mother's Day to you.Happy Mother's Day, Happy Mother's Day,Happy Mother's Day to you.

• Also sing "Pitter, Patter" and "Give Him My Heart."

CRAFT TIME

1. Before Sunday cut out the hearts and the child and mother paperdolls. Also fold the background sheet of con­struction paper (as shown on the craft pattern) and mark an x where the child's hand and mother's hand shouldbe glued.

2. Have the child glue the child and the mother onto the background (as close to the x as possible) as you identifythe child paperdoll as (child's name) 's mommy. Then have the child glue the heart between the two paper­dolls and say, " (Child's name) loves his mommy. (Child's name) 's mommy loves him, too." Then

demonstrate how to fold the paper allowing the paperdolls to "run" to each other and hold hands.Younger children may only glue on a mother and a child onto a flat sheet of construction paper.

NafE TO PARENTS

1. Encourage the parent to guide· the child in carrying out daily routines a mother encounters. The child cando these activities using a doll or stuffed animal. For example, he can pretend to feed the doll, bathe the doll,read to the doll, etc. Of course, the mother will need to supervise and interject her own feelings as a mother.This should be done as the child encounters each "mothering" situation.

2. Ask the parent to set aside a time this week for child and parent to go through the child's discarded or outgrownclothes. Let the child choose one article to bring to Sunday School next Sunday.

Next week's story is centered around sharing and the children will be collecting clothes to give to theNeighborhood Christian Center.

EXPANDED SESSIONHONOR THY FATHER AND MUfHER-

Supplement

BIBLE BASISExodus 20:12

LESSON AIM

That the child will understand that the Bible says he is to love his mother and that the child will learn wayshe can demonstrate that love..

CENTER TIME1. Is Your Mommy Home? (refer to Center #1 in main curriculum)

2. Who Wants To Help? (refer to Center #2 in curriculum)

Since your children are older, you might let them use a broom and/or carpet sweeper around the area nextto your table. One child could dust the chairs with a dry cloth.

3. Jesus Loves Mommy, And So Do IThl' purpose of this activity is to remind the child that the Bible tells us to love our Mothers and give him a way

to shoU' Ihal love. II will also remind him that Jesus loves his mommy.

The children will make special cards for their mommies. Each child will need a whole piece of light coloredconstruction paper folded in half. On the outside write "Jesus Loves Mommy" and on the inside write "AndSo Does (Child's name) ." The children will place Jesus stickers and pictures of mommies cut from magazinesand catalogues on the front (or they may wish to draw a picture of their mommy). Inside they may write theirnames if they are able, or you may write them for them. If you have a polaroid camera handy, you could alsotake each child's picture as he or she comes into class and glue that inside the card.

As the children are completing this activity, have the following conversation with your Bible opened to Ex-odus 20:12:

"The Bible tells us to love our mommies. It also tells us that Jesus loves our mommies. Let'smake a special card for our mommies to remind them of that. We will put a picture of Jesusand mommy on the front of our card to remind her that Jesus loves her. On the inside wewill write our names (or put our pictures) to remind her that we love her. We are doing whatthe Bible tells us to do. We are showing our mommies that we love them.

Try to end your activity with a prayer thanking God for mommies.

STORY TIMERefer to main curriculum.