Date: 04/20/08
The Bridge Core Values – Sharing
John 20:24-27 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master." But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."
Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe.
This week at Bridge Kids, we continued talking about sharing. We reviewed that listening to people is a wonderful way to show them that you care about them. Today we encouraged the BridgeKids to care for themselves as well by talking with others. It is in this balance of communication both talking and listening that both parties can value each other.
At the Bridge, We articulate our faith, innovations, and processes with individuals and other communities. We gratefully listen and learn from the stories of others. In the give and take it is our hope to become better followers of Jesus Christ. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
Today we talked about our senses and how they are our immediate points of contact with the outside world. Through these five senses you collect our “DATA”
What is this data? Gestures, Numbers, Stories, Tones, Words, Scent, Posture, Commentspresented three levels of listening. All given to us with our 5 senses. We learned that the more you pay attention to the small things, the more you will be aware of what is around you.
We shared the story of Thomas not beleiving that Jesus came back from the dead. And how God valued that him so much that Jesus allowed him to feel his wounds. So that he could tell others what he saw.
April– Bridge Core Values – Sharing by Telling the Data
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what they learned about the five senses today. Ask your kids what they thought about telling only data. See if you can practice both sharing and listening with your BridgeKid.
Do an activity together:
Copy Cat–Take turns saying something and then having your BridgeKid repeat it back. Try to throw him or her off. If you succeed then its your turn to be the copy cat.
Gibberish – Take turns communicating something to your BridgeKid without using real language. It is funny how you can make up gibberish and still communicate what you want to say.
Research – Go to your local library together and research other ways people communicate
Incorporate – Make an effort to show your BridgeKid that you care by listening to them
Challenge Yourself – to share something with someone only using your five senses, and in 2 minutes. (talking for over 3 minutes allows for most people to not be able to process all that you are saying. Stop and ask if they understand you)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Sharing by Listening
Date: 04/13/08
Proverbs 18:13 “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we continued talking about sharing. We found that one of the best ways for someone to listen to us is to give our attention to listening to them. This creates an unspoken agreement that allows for someone to desire to hear from you after they have felt heard/
At the Bridge, We articulate our faith, innovations, and processes with individuals and other communities. We gratefully listen and learn from the stories of others. In the give and take it is our hope to become better followers of Jesus Christ. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
Today we presented three levels of listening. The first level was the way that we have been learning all year with the talking stick. Parroting – This is listening to the other intently with the desire to repeat what they have said after they are complete. The second level we understood by the game “Gibberish”. 60% of what we understand from others is through body language. If you can articulate that someone is angry, happy, or other nuances of what they are communicating there is a greater feeling of being listened to. Finally the third level is to combine the two and to tell the person what they are saying in their own words.
There are many speaking courses that are out there but very rarely to you get a listening class. Practice these levels at home. And especially when things get heated. You will find that by active listening you will diffuse a majority of the bomb.
April– Bridge Core Values – Sharing by Listening
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about listening today. Ask your kids what they thought about the three levels. See if you can practice them with your BridgeKid.
Do an activity together:
Copy Cat–Take turns saying something and then having your BridgeKid repeat it back. Try to throw him or her off. If you succeed then its your turn to be the copy cat.
Gibberish – Take turns communicating something to your BridgeKid without using real language. It is funny how you can make up gibberish and still communicate what you want to say.
Research – Go to your local library together and research other ways people communicate
Incorporate – Make an effort to show your BridgeKid that you care by listening to them
Proverbs 18:13 “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we continued talking about sharing. We found that one of the best ways for someone to listen to us is to give our attention to listening to them. This creates an unspoken agreement that allows for someone to desire to hear from you after they have felt heard/
At the Bridge, We articulate our faith, innovations, and processes with individuals and other communities. We gratefully listen and learn from the stories of others. In the give and take it is our hope to become better followers of Jesus Christ. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
Today we presented three levels of listening. The first level was the way that we have been learning all year with the talking stick. Parroting – This is listening to the other intently with the desire to repeat what they have said after they are complete. The second level we understood by the game “Gibberish”. 60% of what we understand from others is through body language. If you can articulate that someone is angry, happy, or other nuances of what they are communicating there is a greater feeling of being listened to. Finally the third level is to combine the two and to tell the person what they are saying in their own words.
There are many speaking courses that are out there but very rarely to you get a listening class. Practice these levels at home. And especially when things get heated. You will find that by active listening you will diffuse a majority of the bomb.
April– Bridge Core Values – Sharing by Listening
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about listening today. Ask your kids what they thought about the three levels. See if you can practice them with your BridgeKid.
Do an activity together:
Copy Cat–Take turns saying something and then having your BridgeKid repeat it back. Try to throw him or her off. If you succeed then its your turn to be the copy cat.
Gibberish – Take turns communicating something to your BridgeKid without using real language. It is funny how you can make up gibberish and still communicate what you want to say.
Research – Go to your local library together and research other ways people communicate
Incorporate – Make an effort to show your BridgeKid that you care by listening to them
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Week 15 – Healing Through Being Trustworthy
Proverbs 13:17 “An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
but a reliable messenger brings healing.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we learned about our 5th core value: Healing. At the Bridge, we bring the broken hearted into community where true life healing happens as a result of being loved, trained, and being exposed to the Holy Spirit. We have found that the Bible gives us the pattern for this. Today we learned that being trustworthy brings healing.
We started by playing “the bad messenger” where we learned about what bad messages can do. Bad messages include gossiping, using mean words to someone, and betrayal; and all of these can get us into trouble.
We played “trust fall” where we learned that being trustworthy means that if you say you are going to catch someone you always catch them.
Each Bridge Kid created a picture with a promise that they intend to keep this week, because being trustworthy means that you keep your promises. We chose easy promises so that each bridgekid would be successful in their road to trustworthiness.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk with your bridgekid about:
How gossip has hurt you in the past and what you learned from it (remember to not use names otherwise you are gossiping)
What happened when someone “dropped you” when you trusted them. Take the time to listen to times that your bridgekid felt betrayal.
Their promise, and be a cheerleader for their cause.
Do an activity together:
Make a promise – Think of one thing this week that you can do for someone that would be easy for you to accomplish. Tell that person that you promise to do it. And then make sure you do it. Challenge yourself each week to make one promise to someone that you will keep.
Play “Trust Fall” – Have your bridgekid ask “are you going to catch me?” Respond “yes I will catch you!” Then have your bridgekid fall into your arms. Catch them safely.
Go on a Date with your Bridgekid – create a promise and anticipation by asking your bridgekid out on a date. Make sure you keep your promise and the date is full of memory makers.
but a reliable messenger brings healing.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we learned about our 5th core value: Healing. At the Bridge, we bring the broken hearted into community where true life healing happens as a result of being loved, trained, and being exposed to the Holy Spirit. We have found that the Bible gives us the pattern for this. Today we learned that being trustworthy brings healing.
We started by playing “the bad messenger” where we learned about what bad messages can do. Bad messages include gossiping, using mean words to someone, and betrayal; and all of these can get us into trouble.
We played “trust fall” where we learned that being trustworthy means that if you say you are going to catch someone you always catch them.
Each Bridge Kid created a picture with a promise that they intend to keep this week, because being trustworthy means that you keep your promises. We chose easy promises so that each bridgekid would be successful in their road to trustworthiness.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk with your bridgekid about:
How gossip has hurt you in the past and what you learned from it (remember to not use names otherwise you are gossiping)
What happened when someone “dropped you” when you trusted them. Take the time to listen to times that your bridgekid felt betrayal.
Their promise, and be a cheerleader for their cause.
Do an activity together:
Make a promise – Think of one thing this week that you can do for someone that would be easy for you to accomplish. Tell that person that you promise to do it. And then make sure you do it. Challenge yourself each week to make one promise to someone that you will keep.
Play “Trust Fall” – Have your bridgekid ask “are you going to catch me?” Respond “yes I will catch you!” Then have your bridgekid fall into your arms. Catch them safely.
Go on a Date with your Bridgekid – create a promise and anticipation by asking your bridgekid out on a date. Make sure you keep your promise and the date is full of memory makers.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Week 15 – Healing Through Words
Proverbs 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing”Proverbs 15:4 “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit”Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”
This week at Bridge Kids, we learned about our 5th core value: Healing. At the Bridge, we bring the broken hearted into community where true life healing happens as a result of being loved, trained, and being exposed to the Holy Spirit. We have found that the Bible gives us the pattern for this. Today we learned that the Bible teaches us that kind words can make someone whole.
Saying Nice Things to people, without expecting something in return, and saying something genuine is one way the bible says we can heal one another. It just so happens that it is also a way we can express our love for one another. We should never use our nice words to manipulate others into doing something for us.
We learned that two things that cause us to hurt others: reckless words and lying. We shared times that people hurt us this way, prayed and asked God to help us talk to those people and forgive them.
Each Bridge Kid created a card with a kind word written on the inside, or a picture showing how/who they love. We challenged them to give the card to someone that they love this week, whether it’s a parent, sibling, grandparent, or friend. We also challenged them to give a kind word to three different people this week in a genuine way to see how it makes other people feel and to see how it makes them feel, as well.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk about how words have either encouraged or discouraged you when you were growing up – ask your kids about times people have said nice things/not-so-nice things to them and how it made them feel.
Do an activity together:
Love List - Create a List of all the things you love about one another in your family and read it out loud to one another before bed time.
Art – Create a collage with one another using positive words about your family.
Fun Notes – Buy fun postcards write notes to 3 different people telling them why you are glad they are in your life and either hand-deliver them or mail them.Nice Call – Call someone together and sing “I just called to say I love you” and tell that person why you love them and don’t call for any other reason.
This week at Bridge Kids, we learned about our 5th core value: Healing. At the Bridge, we bring the broken hearted into community where true life healing happens as a result of being loved, trained, and being exposed to the Holy Spirit. We have found that the Bible gives us the pattern for this. Today we learned that the Bible teaches us that kind words can make someone whole.
Saying Nice Things to people, without expecting something in return, and saying something genuine is one way the bible says we can heal one another. It just so happens that it is also a way we can express our love for one another. We should never use our nice words to manipulate others into doing something for us.
We learned that two things that cause us to hurt others: reckless words and lying. We shared times that people hurt us this way, prayed and asked God to help us talk to those people and forgive them.
Each Bridge Kid created a card with a kind word written on the inside, or a picture showing how/who they love. We challenged them to give the card to someone that they love this week, whether it’s a parent, sibling, grandparent, or friend. We also challenged them to give a kind word to three different people this week in a genuine way to see how it makes other people feel and to see how it makes them feel, as well.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk about how words have either encouraged or discouraged you when you were growing up – ask your kids about times people have said nice things/not-so-nice things to them and how it made them feel.
Do an activity together:
Love List - Create a List of all the things you love about one another in your family and read it out loud to one another before bed time.
Art – Create a collage with one another using positive words about your family.
Fun Notes – Buy fun postcards write notes to 3 different people telling them why you are glad they are in your life and either hand-deliver them or mail them.Nice Call – Call someone together and sing “I just called to say I love you” and tell that person why you love them and don’t call for any other reason.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – Judaism
Date: 02/17/08
I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began talking about including other cultures into our world. Today the Harris Family spoke to the BK’s about their Jewish culture.At the Bridge, we welcome everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life into a community where they matter. We care and make an effort to provide a safe place for those who have slipped through the cracks of family, church, or society. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
We first presented three things that were important in their Jewish family: God, Family, Enjoying life. The Harris’ then described how those items were celebrated with various ceremonies like Shabbat, Hanukkah, and Yom Kippur. Then we got to make puppets for the story telling of the Jewish holiday Purim; Esther was a queen whose bravery allowed her people to continue to be included in their society. As we told the story of Esther we cheered and jeered at the various characters, depending on whether they included others or not.
The Harris family has included Judaism in their lives, hopefully, by them sharing this part of their family with the Bridge Kids, you might want to share a little bit of your family’s culture with them. God likes us to lovingly include others in our lives, to show others respect and love, even if they come from a different background.
February– Bridge Core Values – Inclusion of cultures - Judaism
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about Judaism Today. Ask your kids what they thought about the story of Esther.
Do an activity together:
This Friday hold your own Shabbat service– clean the house, prepare a meal, before sundown and spend the rest of the night as a family. No TV, just good family time… you may even invite another family over!
Understand – Judaism holds God, family, and life up as the top three things that are important. What three things are important in your family’s culture? Plan ways that you can make these priorities in your family’s life.
Research – Go to your local library together and research the Jewish culture. Create artwork similar to what you find in your research, write fun reports on Judaism and present them to each other at home.
Incorporate – Find something fun about the Jewish culture that you can incorporate into your home, whether it is a fun tradition, family ceremony or particular type of artwork that you can do together.
I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began talking about including other cultures into our world. Today the Harris Family spoke to the BK’s about their Jewish culture.At the Bridge, we welcome everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life into a community where they matter. We care and make an effort to provide a safe place for those who have slipped through the cracks of family, church, or society. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
We first presented three things that were important in their Jewish family: God, Family, Enjoying life. The Harris’ then described how those items were celebrated with various ceremonies like Shabbat, Hanukkah, and Yom Kippur. Then we got to make puppets for the story telling of the Jewish holiday Purim; Esther was a queen whose bravery allowed her people to continue to be included in their society. As we told the story of Esther we cheered and jeered at the various characters, depending on whether they included others or not.
The Harris family has included Judaism in their lives, hopefully, by them sharing this part of their family with the Bridge Kids, you might want to share a little bit of your family’s culture with them. God likes us to lovingly include others in our lives, to show others respect and love, even if they come from a different background.
February– Bridge Core Values – Inclusion of cultures - Judaism
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about Judaism Today. Ask your kids what they thought about the story of Esther.
Do an activity together:
This Friday hold your own Shabbat service– clean the house, prepare a meal, before sundown and spend the rest of the night as a family. No TV, just good family time… you may even invite another family over!
Understand – Judaism holds God, family, and life up as the top three things that are important. What three things are important in your family’s culture? Plan ways that you can make these priorities in your family’s life.
Research – Go to your local library together and research the Jewish culture. Create artwork similar to what you find in your research, write fun reports on Judaism and present them to each other at home.
Incorporate – Find something fun about the Jewish culture that you can incorporate into your home, whether it is a fun tradition, family ceremony or particular type of artwork that you can do together.
The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – China
Date: 02/10/08
I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began talking about including other cultures into our world. Today the Hogeweides spoke to the BK’s about China.At the Bridge, we welcome everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life into a community where they matter. We care and make an effort to provide a safe place for those who have slipped through the cracks of family, church, or society. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
We started with a couple games Pam, Rose and Jeremy taught us using chopsticks, and we learned about lucky gold coins and the Chinese New Year. We talked about Pam’s missionary experience in China, and what Rose and Jeremy saw while they were there a few months ago. Pam included the Chinese people in her life, showed them respect, and love. God likes us to lovingly include others in our lives, to show others respect and love, even if they come from a different background.
We finished our time together today, with a craft, making beautiful Chinese lanterns that the kids got to take home to remember what the Hogeweides taught us.
February– Bridge Core Values – Inclusion of cultures - China
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about China Today. Ask your kids where they would go if they could go anywhere in the world
Do an activity together:
Learn to use chopsticks– get some chopsticks and spend one meal learning how to use them together.
Get Take out Chinese food and have a Chinese banquet – Find your nearest Chinese food restaurant and have you kids order one item. Take it back and eat on the floor with paper plates.
Celebrate – This week is Chinese New Year, and it’s the Year of the Rat. Have your kids teach you how to make the Chinese lanterns at home, hang them in the house or in their room.
Research – Go to your local library together and research the Chinese culture. Create artwork similar to what you find in your research, write fun reports on China and present them to each other at home.
Incorporate – Find something fun about the Chinese culture that you can incorporate into your home, whether it is a fun tradition, family ceremony or particular type of artwork that you can do together.
I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began talking about including other cultures into our world. Today the Hogeweides spoke to the BK’s about China.At the Bridge, we welcome everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life into a community where they matter. We care and make an effort to provide a safe place for those who have slipped through the cracks of family, church, or society. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
We started with a couple games Pam, Rose and Jeremy taught us using chopsticks, and we learned about lucky gold coins and the Chinese New Year. We talked about Pam’s missionary experience in China, and what Rose and Jeremy saw while they were there a few months ago. Pam included the Chinese people in her life, showed them respect, and love. God likes us to lovingly include others in our lives, to show others respect and love, even if they come from a different background.
We finished our time together today, with a craft, making beautiful Chinese lanterns that the kids got to take home to remember what the Hogeweides taught us.
February– Bridge Core Values – Inclusion of cultures - China
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what learned about China Today. Ask your kids where they would go if they could go anywhere in the world
Do an activity together:
Learn to use chopsticks– get some chopsticks and spend one meal learning how to use them together.
Get Take out Chinese food and have a Chinese banquet – Find your nearest Chinese food restaurant and have you kids order one item. Take it back and eat on the floor with paper plates.
Celebrate – This week is Chinese New Year, and it’s the Year of the Rat. Have your kids teach you how to make the Chinese lanterns at home, hang them in the house or in their room.
Research – Go to your local library together and research the Chinese culture. Create artwork similar to what you find in your research, write fun reports on China and present them to each other at home.
Incorporate – Find something fun about the Chinese culture that you can incorporate into your home, whether it is a fun tradition, family ceremony or particular type of artwork that you can do together.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – Inclusion
Date: 02/03/08
I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by doing our six month talking stick ceremony, where we were able to switch out the current talking stick with a new one that is chosen by the kids. The use of the talking stick teaches us to respect each other by listening and including each other’s voice. We talked about how including others in conversation is a way of loving them and showing God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
I John 4:10-11 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by doing our six month talking stick ceremony, where we were able to switch out the current talking stick with a new one that is chosen by the kids. The use of the talking stick teaches us to respect each other by listening and including each other’s voice. We talked about how including others in conversation is a way of loving them and showing God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
Today we started a new month topic related to our core value inclusion. At the Bridge we welcome everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life into a community where they matter. We care and endeavor to provide a safe place for those who have slipped through the cracks of family, church, or society. Our passion is to love people simply because they exist.
We started with a couple games “the greyhound and the rabbit” and “ring around the rosey” to illustrate what it feels like to be excluded and included. We talked about Jesus and how he included others that were not cool. There was Matthew who was a tax collector. No one liked him because they always owed him money. Jesus included him, and he ended up writing one of the books of the bible. Jesus included all types of people. He showed them respect, and love. God likes us to lovingly include others in our lives. It doesn’t feel good to be left out
We continued by playing “Respect Role Play” where we had different scenarios that allowed the Bridge Kids to come up with creative ways to include others. And then we ended by drawing a picture of us including someone that we wouldn’t normally include.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what makes them feel included
- Ask your kids if there was an instance in their life where they were not included by others? Don’t fix it. Listen and tell your child that they were very strong to endure that. Don’t belittle the other party (it will be easy to do); make sure to show the other “excluder” respect. Your child is strong enough to manage through this difficult instance.
- Discuss with your kids times that you felt excluded in school, work, at church, brainstorm creative ways with your kid to handle that situation.
Do an activity together:
- Invite someone over – Choose someone who you have wanted to include for a time, and ask them over for a play date.
- Go for a walk to meet the neighbors – Get bundled up and go for a walk! If it’s around your neighborhood, talk to your neighbors (not neighborhood gossip, find respectful ways to start conversations, why you chose to live there, what they like/dislike about where you live).
- Backyard/Basement/Living Room Camping – Ask your child if one of their friends would like to go on a “camping trip” in your own home. Build a “tent” in the living room together….create a fake campfire out of construction paper and paper towel spools, get your flashlights and tell stories to one another….make S’mores in the stove (GrahamCrackers, Chocolate Bar, Marshmallows – assemble the S’mores and place on a cookie sheet. Set under the broiler for about 30 seconds. Check and see if the marshmallows have begun to get poufy– they’re done!)
- Include your kids in the chores –
i. Dishes – Allow your kids to help you do the dishes or clear the table this week. Make it fun! Turn on the music or dance together while cleaning. Remember, your kids aren’t your indentured servants – give them some slack!
ii. Laundry – Let your kids help you fold laundry. Even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly or if it’s not folded the way you like it, it’s ok. The world won’t fall apart if the towels are not folded symmetrically! The purpose is to let them help.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Week 12 – Equality through Respect
Proverbs 1:7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by reviewing what we learned about last week, the Bridge Core Value, Equality. We talked about how treating all people with equal care and respect is a reflection of God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves. Today we talked about how the core value of equality can be summed up in one word; Respect.
We learned that manners at the dinner table are a form of respecting those who we are eating with. And learned about the Golden Rule “treat others how you want to be treated.” Jesus treated a woman with respect who was grateful to him. He showed us that everyone deserves respect. We roll played a bit giving scenarios where we might be disrespected and how to show respect.
We continued writing the Bridge Kids Declaration of Equality, adding to what we wrote the previous week, which will be added to, each week in the month of January and then signed by each Bridge Kid who declares to do their best to walk a path of Equality.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what respect means to them
Ask your kids how much they feel respected by you on a scale from one to ten? Discuss ways with them that they can feel respected.
Discuss with your kids times that you felt disrespected and what you did.
Do an activity together:
Play Pig – Everyone has twenty nickels and each time a family member is caught with no manners (elbows on the table, no “please”, no “may I be excused”) they have to put a nickel in the jar in the middle of the table.
Act – Do one small thing each day to encourage your kids to have give someone respect
i. Find a way to help a person.
ii. Keep your eyes out for someone who society does not value, and do something that would make them feel valuable.
iii. Get Involved – Whether it’s picking up trash in a local park, serve food every 5th Sunday at Home PDX with The Bridge, write letters to Congress or the School District, volunteer, etc.
Listen– Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss what it means to you, personally with your kids.
Write – Write down ways you can respect others. And try them out.
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by reviewing what we learned about last week, the Bridge Core Value, Equality. We talked about how treating all people with equal care and respect is a reflection of God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves. Today we talked about how the core value of equality can be summed up in one word; Respect.
We learned that manners at the dinner table are a form of respecting those who we are eating with. And learned about the Golden Rule “treat others how you want to be treated.” Jesus treated a woman with respect who was grateful to him. He showed us that everyone deserves respect. We roll played a bit giving scenarios where we might be disrespected and how to show respect.
We continued writing the Bridge Kids Declaration of Equality, adding to what we wrote the previous week, which will be added to, each week in the month of January and then signed by each Bridge Kid who declares to do their best to walk a path of Equality.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about what respect means to them
Ask your kids how much they feel respected by you on a scale from one to ten? Discuss ways with them that they can feel respected.
Discuss with your kids times that you felt disrespected and what you did.
Do an activity together:
Play Pig – Everyone has twenty nickels and each time a family member is caught with no manners (elbows on the table, no “please”, no “may I be excused”) they have to put a nickel in the jar in the middle of the table.
Act – Do one small thing each day to encourage your kids to have give someone respect
i. Find a way to help a person.
ii. Keep your eyes out for someone who society does not value, and do something that would make them feel valuable.
iii. Get Involved – Whether it’s picking up trash in a local park, serve food every 5th Sunday at Home PDX with The Bridge, write letters to Congress or the School District, volunteer, etc.
Listen– Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss what it means to you, personally with your kids.
Write – Write down ways you can respect others. And try them out.
The Bridge Core Values – Week 11 – Equality
John 4:27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?”
Luke 10:36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by reviewing what we learned about last week, the Bridge Core Value, Equality. We talked about how treating all people with equal care and respect is a reflection of God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves. Today we talked about how Jesus treated people with respect and care even though they were a different gender or nationality. He based his value of them on who they were, what they did, and how they lived. We call this character.
We then talked about how God cares about our character and values our insides more than our outsides. We then read a story about a woman with a great character, Harriet Tubman. This is a book of a woman who let God lead her out of slavery, and then turned to help others out as well.
We continued writing the Bridge Kids Declaration of Equality, adding to what we wrote the previous week, which will be added to, each week in the month of January and then signed by each Bridge Kid who declares to do their best to walk a path of Equality.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about who their heroes are and what sort of character they have.
Ask your kids What does someone with character do? Ask and discuss ways with them that they can build their character.
Discuss with your kids about your dreams for making the world a better place.
Do an activity together:
Pray – Once you’ve talked about positive traits in your BK’s character, pray together about them. Ask God to develop them in the right direction.
Promise – People of character keep their promises, so make a promise to someone this week and keep it. It could be something as small as meeting them for coffee on time.
Act – Do one small thing each day to encourage your kids to have great character.
i. Find a way to help a person.
ii. Keep your eyes out for someone who society does not value, and do something that would make them feel valuable.
iii. Get Involved – Whether it’s picking up trash in a local park, serve food every 5th Sunday at Home PDX with The Bridge, write letters to Congress or the School District, volunteer, etc.
Listen– Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss what it means to you, personally with your kids.
Write – Write your own “I Have a Dream” speech together. What kind of changes do you want to see in your neighborhood, schools, workplaces, church? Discuss these with your kids.
Luke 10:36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by reviewing what we learned about last week, the Bridge Core Value, Equality. We talked about how treating all people with equal care and respect is a reflection of God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves. Today we talked about how Jesus treated people with respect and care even though they were a different gender or nationality. He based his value of them on who they were, what they did, and how they lived. We call this character.
We then talked about how God cares about our character and values our insides more than our outsides. We then read a story about a woman with a great character, Harriet Tubman. This is a book of a woman who let God lead her out of slavery, and then turned to help others out as well.
We continued writing the Bridge Kids Declaration of Equality, adding to what we wrote the previous week, which will be added to, each week in the month of January and then signed by each Bridge Kid who declares to do their best to walk a path of Equality.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about who their heroes are and what sort of character they have.
Ask your kids What does someone with character do? Ask and discuss ways with them that they can build their character.
Discuss with your kids about your dreams for making the world a better place.
Do an activity together:
Pray – Once you’ve talked about positive traits in your BK’s character, pray together about them. Ask God to develop them in the right direction.
Promise – People of character keep their promises, so make a promise to someone this week and keep it. It could be something as small as meeting them for coffee on time.
Act – Do one small thing each day to encourage your kids to have great character.
i. Find a way to help a person.
ii. Keep your eyes out for someone who society does not value, and do something that would make them feel valuable.
iii. Get Involved – Whether it’s picking up trash in a local park, serve food every 5th Sunday at Home PDX with The Bridge, write letters to Congress or the School District, volunteer, etc.
Listen– Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss what it means to you, personally with your kids.
Write – Write your own “I Have a Dream” speech together. What kind of changes do you want to see in your neighborhood, schools, workplaces, church? Discuss these with your kids.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Bridge Core Values – Week 10 – Equality
Jeremiah 29:12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13-14a"When you come looking for me, you'll find me.
This week at Bridge Kids, we began by reviewing what we learned about last week, the Bridge Core Value, Equality. We talked about how treating all people with equal care and respect is a reflection of God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves. We asked the Bridge Kids if they knew who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was. After they gave their answers, we talked about how Dr. King was a great leader because he had great dreams about how to make the world a better place. How he used words and non-violence to change the world around him and how he relied on his faith in God to help him work toward fulfilling those dreams.
We then talked about how God cares about our dreams and listens to us when we pray to Him (Jeremiah 29:12). As an activity today, we asked the Bridge Kids what their dreams for a better world would be and had them write their vision on the back of a star. While we were working together, we discussed our dreams for a better world and talked about why they chose the things they did.
Once each Bridge Kid finished their star, we created an I Have a Dream Mobile out of their work, we discussed simple things we could do each day to move toward achieving those dreams.
We continued writing the Bridge Kids Declaration of Equality, adding to what we wrote the previous week, which will be added to, each week in the month of January and then signed by each Bridge Kid who declares to do their best to walk a path of Equality.
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about their dreams for making the world around them a better place.
Ask your kids about their answers – why did they come to that conclusion? Ask and discuss ways with them that they can achieve their dreams.
Discuss with your kids about your dreams for making the world a better place.
Do an activity together:
Pray – Once you’ve discussed your BK’s dreams with them, pray together about them. Ask God to help guide you and them in the right direction.
Act – Do one small thing each day to encourage your kids to fulfill their dreams.
i. Go to the library together & research ways to get involved.
ii. Search the internet and research ways to get involved.
iii. Get Involved – Whether it’s picking up trash in a local park, serve food every 5th Sunday at Home PDX with The Bridge, write letters to Congress or the School District, volunteer, etc.
Listen– Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss what it means to you, personally with your kids.
Write – Write your own “I Have a Dream” speech together. What kind of changes do you want to see in your neighborhood, schools, workplaces, church? Discuss these with your kids.
The Bridge Core Values – Week 9 – Equality
Galatians 3:28-29 In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises.
This week at Bridge Kids, we began a new month of learning about the Bridge Core Value, Equality. We talked about how treating all people with equal care and respect is a reflection of God’s Love. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.
We started out asking the BKs what the word “Equality” means to them. We talked about how our church, The Bridge, provides equal opportunities for all in any capacity, male and female alike, which brings full benefit to the kingdom of God. God doesn’t play favorites. His gifts and enabling love is given to all human beings, the same.
Then, we randomly separated the kids out on different sides of the room. We told the group we were going to give the kids on one side of the room a special treat. Then, we asked each side how they felt about the situation – “Why do you think this side of the room is getting a treat and the other side is not?” “How does it feel to be getting a treat, when your friends do not?” “How does it feel to not be getting a treat when your friends get one?” Once we discussed things, we brought everyone together and talked about how God doesn’t give preferential treatment to certain people. We all get His love, regardless of how we look, what we have/don’t have, where we live, or if we are a boy or girl. God loves us all.
We talked about how we need to treat one another equally and ways we could do that. We then created the first sentence of the Bridge Kids Declaration of Equality, which will be added to, each week in the month of January and then signed by each Bridge Kid who declares to do their best to walk a path of Equality.
"God doesn't play favorites,
Kid Response: Be love to each other and be nice."
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about Equality. What does that mean to you?
Ask your kids if they have ever been treated differently at school, or by others because of the way they look or think. How did they react? How did it make them feel?
Talk to your kids about times you have ever been treated differently because of the way you look or think. How did you react? How did it make you feel?
Ask your kids if they have ever treated someone differently because of the way they look or think. Ask them why and what happened and what, if anything, they would change about their actions.
Do an activity together:
Read – Read about the Civil Rights movement. Talk to your kids about what happened and how specific individuals changed the world by standing up for what they believed.
Read – The Bible. Read about Jesus’ life. The way he treated women, lepers, Gentiles & Jews, etc. Discuss why Jesus treating people the way he did made such a huge impact on the world.
Listen– Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss what it means to you personally with your kids.
Write – Write your own Declaration of Equality for your home, as it pertains to your family. Each person should contribute and sign the Declaration – put it on your fridge or somewhere prominent where you can all see it.
Write – Write your own “I Have a Dream” speech together. What kind of changes do you want to see in your neighborhood, schools, workplaces, church? Discuss these with your kids.
Get Involved – Find a “cause” together, as a family, and volunteer. It can be as simple as writing a Congressperson about something you feel strongly about or even a school principle. Or, you can find ways to volunteer together at the Urban League of Portland, your kids school, etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
