Bridgekids

Leftovers

2009-02-16T07:34:00.001-08:00

No snack at beginning

Open with Prayer

What We Are Teaching: God wants our best effort during praise and worship.

We will have one of the BKs read:

Psalm 111:1 "I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation."

Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."

We will have a plate of food with servings that are half eaten (i.e., Twinkles, hot dog, apple. etc.), a paper heart also lying on the plate

Presentation: "Today I brought some wonderful snacks as rewards for children that have been very well behaved." Pull out plate of food. "Let me see, who has been well-behaved today?"

"Well, let me first show you what the snacks are." Pick up each snack and talk about how wonderful it is, and how good it tastes as you take another bite out of each one.

"Alright, let me see. So who should I give this to???" Pause and look at the partially eaten food, then look at the children quizzically. "What's the matter? Some of you are looking at me like something is wrong." Allow children to respond. "Okay then, if you don't want a half-eaten food, how about a Twinkie? Is that better?" Then takes another bite.

"Do you guys know who the President of the United States is? Ok, so if you invited the President of the United States to come over for a meal and he didn't arrive right away–let's say you were hungry–so you ate without him. Just when you finished eating, in walked the president. So, you did the very best thing you could do. You gave him the food that was left on your plate!" Hold up half eaten food for them to see. "Would that be a good idea? Is that how the President of the United States should be treated?"

"What about God? Should we just give God our leftovers? We need to give God our best in everything we do. When we come to services here, come prepared to give God your best. God doesn't necessarily want your whole Twinkie, or whole apple, or whole hot dog, but God does want your whole heart." (Show heart from plate)

What do you think it means to give God your leftovers?

What do you think we are doing upstairs during the music portion at church each week?

Do you think sometimes our actions show God we are giving him leftovers?

Why do you think we worship God?

What are some things God has done in your life that you would like to thank Him for?

Activity: Kids create Prayer Flags showing the good things God has done for them

"Psalm 111:1 says, 'I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.' Don't give God just your leftover time, or leftover offerings, or leftover attention. Decide today to give God all the praise!"

Parker: Teach the kids the song - Spring up a well!

April– Bridge Core Values – Sharing by Telling the Data

2008-04-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

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)

The Bridge Core Values – Sharing by Listening

2008-04-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

The Bridge Core Values – Week 15 – Healing Through Being Trustworthy

2008-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 15 – Healing Through Words

2008-03-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – Judaism

2008-02-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – China

2008-02-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 13 – Inclusion

2008-02-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 12 – Equality through Respect

2008-01-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 11 – Equality

2008-01-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 10 – Equality

2008-01-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-13T05:10:00.000-08:00

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.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 8 – Giving at Christmas

2007-12-27T05:35:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, a man punished his 3 year old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy."
He was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box...all for you Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.
It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who put it there. In a very real sense, each of us humans, have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our family, friends and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold

This week at Bridge Kids, we continued our month of learning about the Bridge Core Value, Giving. We talked about how Giving of ourselves and/or our resources to others is a reflection of God’s Love Language of Gifts, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages – through worship to God, material provision, stewardship/trust, or loving inclusion of others.We started out reviewing the Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We also briefly discussed our weeks of Giving and what it means to be greedy and what it means to be giving.

Today, we focused on what giving at Christmastime means to us, specifically time spent, and giving of our talents. Laura talked about how time spent on a gift is important to her, and that time with others really makes Christmastime special. Geoff told the story of the little drummer boy who drummed because he didn’t have a present to give Jesus at his birthday party. He gave his talent. This Christmas two ways you can show your love for God and others is spending time with them, and doing the things you are good at for them.

Before beginning our activity today, we asked the BKs “What do you give someone when you really can’t give them anything material?” Like the drummer boy you give them your talent. As an art project today, we drew what we might give Jesus.

We challenged them to find time and do things they are good at to make this Christmas special.

December – Bridge Core Values -- Giving

Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about giving their talents at Christmastime. What does that mean to you?
Tell your child what you think they are good at. How can you translate that into a Christmas gift?
Talk about what your talents are. Ask what your kid thinks you are good at.
Do an activity together:The great thing about Giving is that anyone can give, regardless of social or economic standing. Be resourceful and talk to your kids about what they are doing and why.

Spend time on a found ornament – Give your family 10 minutes to run around the house finding items that they can make into an ornament. Then spend time decorating, drawing, pasting, and creating an original ’07 ornament. A memory that you can do every year (and a way to clean out your junk drawer).
Do a family talent show– If you have family around. Gather everyone and act as MC for a family talent show. You might never have known that Uncle Bob had pipes like that!
Create – Create art/bracelets/scarves/etc. together to be sold for $1-$5 at the Bridge Kids Merch Table, downstairs, before and after church, the month of December. Your kids will get $0.50 from each dollar that they sell. The other $0.50 will go toward HOMEPDX.
Socks – Go to Wal-Mart (or whatever store you would like) and buy a $7 bag of men’s white crew socks and bring them to church for the sock drawer. Let your kids pay for the socks at the counter. Talk with them about what you are doing and why. Discuss what it would be like to have to wear the same pair of socks every day. Let your kids fill the sock drawer at church.
Clean Out – Clean out your kids’ toy boxes and closets with things they don’t play with or use anymore. Things that are in really good condition. Clean them up and donate them to a local free porch or let your kids choose who they would like to give their items to – family, friends, or heck, even strangers.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 7 – Giving

2007-12-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

Matthew 10:5-8 “Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: ‘Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.’” II Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”

This week at Bridge Kids, we continued our month of learning about the Bridge Core Value, Giving. We talked about how Giving of ourselves and/or our resources to others is a reflection of God’s Love Language of Gifts, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages – through worship to God, material provision, stewardship/trust, or loving inclusion of others.We started out reviewing the previous Sunday -- Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We also briefly discussed our time from last week, our 2nd week of Giving – “The Giving Tree” – What it means to be greedy and what it means to be giving.

Today, we focused on Giving encouragement to those around us. We talked about how Giving encouragement to others, is a way we can show our love for God and for others. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.

Before beginning our activity today, we asked the BKs “What do you give someone when you really can’t give them anything material?” You can give them encouragement and prayer. As an activity today, we wrote words of encouragement to a Grandma who is friends with Geoff and Crystal Neill. She was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. The BKs will have a very positive impact on this Grandma’s life, by giving her words of encouragement. We discussed how we can have a positive impact in other peoples’ lives, just by giving encouragement.

We challenged them to find time and creative ways this week of giving encouragement to others.

Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about giving encouragement. What does that mean to you?
What can you give someone when a material thing or money won’t help or fix what they are going through?
Talk about what encourages you. Ask what encourages your kids.
Do an activity together:The great thing about Giving is that anyone can give, regardless of social or economic standing. Be resourceful and talk to your kids about what they are doing and why.

Encourage – Talk to your kids this week – ask them if there is anyone in their life (at school, church, family, etc.) that they think needs encouragement or prayer. Come up with creative ways to encourage that person (cards, a fun phone call, drop by their work to say hi, send an email, etc.) and pray with your kids for that person.
Create – Create art/bracelets/scarves/etc. together to be sold for $1-$5 at the Bridge Kids Merch Table, downstairs, before and after church, the month of December. Your kids will get $0.50 from each dollar that they sell. The other $0.50 will go toward HOMEPDX.
Socks – Go to Wal-Mart (or whatever store you would like) and buy a $7 bag of men’s white crew socks and bring them to church for the sock drawer. Let your kids pay for the socks at the counter. Talk with them about what you are doing and why. Discuss what it would be like to have to wear the same pair of socks every day. Let your kids fill the sock drawer at church.
In-Home Change Drive – Decorate a jar or box together that you will put all your spare change into for a month. At the end of the month, count all the change you have collected and donate it to a non-profit, help someone buy groceries, provide dinner for a friend or family member, or think of something you know another person needs and “donate” to their cause.
Clean Out – Clean out your kids’ toy boxes and closets with things they don’t play with or use anymore. Things that are in really good condition. Clean them up and donate them to a local free porch or let your kids choose who they would like to give their items to – family, friends, or heck, even strangers.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 6 – Giving

2007-12-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

Matthew 10:5-8 “Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: ‘Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.’” II Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”

This week at Bridge Kids, we continued our month of learning about the Bridge Core Value, Giving. We talked about how Giving of ourselves and/or our resources to others is a reflection of God’s Love Language of Gifts, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages – through worship to God, material provision, stewardship/trust, or loving inclusion of others.We started out reviewing the previous Sunday -- Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We also briefly discussed our time from last week, our 1st week of Giving – which can encompass all 5 Love Languages – Gifts, Time, Acts of Service, Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation.

Today, we focused on Giving of Time. We talked about how Giving our time to others, is a way we can show our love for God and for others. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.

As an activity today, we read the book, “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. After reading the book we asked the BKs the following questions: Why is the tree lonely when the boy grows up? How do you think the tree would feel if the boy didn’t take all it offered? How do you feel when you give something to someone? How do you feel when you receive something? What does it mean to be greedy? What does it mean to be generous? How do you feel when someone is greedy toward you? Do you need to have money in order to give?

We challenged them to find time and creative ways this week of giving to others.

Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about giving of your Time. What does that mean to you?
Ask your kids about the book, The Giving Tree. What did they think of the story? Did they learn anything? Review the questions we asked them during our time together this Sunday.
Do an activity together:The great thing about Giving is that anyone can give, regardless of social or economic standing. Be resourceful and talk to your kids about what they are doing and why.

Time – Give of your time this week with your kids. Volunteer somewhere: Church (Set Up/Tear Down, Help fill grocery bags, etc.), Dove Lewis Animal Hospital, Friends of the Children (in NE Portland, near The Bridge), HOMEPDX (help sort and collect socks), Retirement Homes, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, etc.
Create – Create art/bracelets/scarves/etc. together to be sold for $1-$5 at the Bridge Kids Merch Table, downstairs, before and after church, the month of December. Your kids will get $0.50 from each dollar that they sell. The other $0.50 will go toward HOMEPDX.
Socks – Go to Wal-Mart (or whatever store you would like) and buy a $7 bag of men’s white crew socks and bring them to church for the sock drawer. Let your kids pay for the socks at the counter. Talk with them about what you are doing and why. Discuss what it would be like to have to wear the same pair of socks every day. Let your kids fill the sock drawer at church.
In-Home Change Drive – Decorate a jar or box together that you will put all your spare change into for a month. At the end of the month, count all the change you have collected and donate it to a non-profit, help someone buy groceries, provide dinner for a friend or family member, or think of something you know another person needs and “donate” to their cause.
Clean Out – Clean out your kids’ toy boxes and closets with things they don’t play with or use anymore. Things that are in really good condition. Clean them up and donate them to a local free porch or let your kids choose who they would like to give their items to – family, friends, or heck, even strangers.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 5 – Giving.

2007-12-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” II Corinthians 9:6 “Now I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

This week at Bridge Kids, we began our new month of The Bridge Core Value, Giving, by talking about how Giving to others, of ourselves and/or our resources is a reflection of God’s Love Language of Giving, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages – through worship to God, material provision, or loving inclusion of others. We started out reviewing the previous Sunday -- Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We also briefly discussed Worship through Songwriting – the Love Language of Quality Time, Gifts and Words of Affirmation.

Today, we focused on giving of material provisions. We talked about how giving of the things we have, in order to help provide for others is a way we can show our love for God and for others. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.

Dave taught us about how people can manipulate gifts out of people, and it is important to have a pure heart when giving. Not out of obligation, but out of your true self.

As an activity today, the Bridge Kids designed buttons (round pins) to be sold the week of December 9th, at The Bridge, for $1. The proceeds will then go to HomePDX for socks! We talked about how we can use the materials we have either individually, or as a community, to provide material provisions for others. And, that giving can come in many forms and many creative ways. With the sale of the buttons, and the purchase of socks, the kids will be able to see immediate effects of their giving.

We challenged them to find time this week to find creative ways of giving to others.

December – Bridge Core Values -- Giving
Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about giving of material provisions. What does it mean to you?
Discuss a time (or times) in your life when you have been the recipient of someone’s generosity. What type of impact did it have on you? What type of connection to God did you feel?
Discuss a time (or times) when you have given to others, resourcefully. What did you do? Why? How did it make you feel? What type of connection to God did you feel?
Do an activity together: The great thing about Giving is that anyone can give, regardless of social or economic standing. Be resourceful and talk to your kids about what they are doing and why.
Create – Create art/bracelets/scarves/etc. together to be sold for $1-$5 at the Bridge Kids Merch Table, downstairs, before and after church, the month of December. The funds will go toward socks for HOMEPDX. Your kids will get $0.50 from each dollar that they sell. The other $0.50 will go toward HOMEPDX.
Socks – Go to Wal-Mart (or whatever store you would like) and buy a $7 bag of men’s white crew socks and bring them to church for the sock drawer. Let your kids pay for the socks at the counter. Talk with them about what you are doing and why. Discuss what it would be like to have to wear the same pair of socks every day. Let your kids fill the sock drawer at church.
In-Home Change Drive – Decorate a jar or box together that you will put all your spare change into for a month. At the end of the month, count all the change you have collected and donate it to a non-profit, help someone buy groceries, provide dinner for a friend or family member, or think of something you know another person needs and “donate” to their cause.

Clean Out – Clean out your kids’ toy boxes and closets with things they don’t play with or use anymore. Things that are in really good condition. Clean them up and donate them to a local free porch or let your kids choose who they would like to give their items to – family, friends, strangers.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 4 – Worship through Songwriting

2007-12-22T07:34:00.000-08:00

The Bridge Core Values – Week 3 – Worship through Dancing

2007-12-22T07:33:00.001-08:00

The Bridge Core Values – Week 2 – Worship through Writing

2007-11-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

John 4: 23-24 Jesus says, It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself – Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.

This week at Bridge Kids, we talked about how Worship is one of God’s Love Languages, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages. Our main focus this week was Worship through Writing Poetry. We discussed asking for help and giving thanks to God through writing poems. Writing, in worship to God, is like the Love Language, Words of Affirmation and Quality Time. We talked about how David, in the Bible wrote poems to God – some of thanksgiving and some a cry for help….David was not afraid to be his true self when communicating with God.
We started out reviewing the previous Sunday -- Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We also briefly discussed Worship through Art – the Love Language of Gifts to God. We then took a minute to sit in our circle, quietly thinking about things we are thankful for – whether it is people in our lives, our homes, school, or our life. This gave us time to reflect and prepare ourselves for the act of worship.

Today, we broke the group into 4 groups, pairing each group with a BK Volunteer. We then began the process of Flash Poetry with each of the groups. At the top of each flipchart sheet we wrote a different word – Thankful, Help, Laugh, Cry and had the kids give us words they thought of when we said the word at the top of their page. The BK Volunteer then transcribed the words the BK group gave them onto the flipchart paper and helped their group create a poem, as an act of worship to God. We then shared our poems with the entire group. We challenged them to find time this week to write their thoughts to God – whether they are happy or sad, angry of joyful. If they are unable to write, just yet, we challenged them to have their parents help them write a poem of worship to God.

Listen to the kids Poems
THANKFUL!
I am Happy and feel Warm on Thanksgiving.
Parties and Food make me smell Fishy.
Doggies are cute & the Family of the Gnarwhale are my Friends.
The Panda enjoys the PandaExpress, before he eats Candy.
you don't want Clothes on Christmas or to Fart in God's presence.
I can be mySelf in Love with Decorations of Candles on Halloween.
Bill Cosby eats jello Lions and is an Artist.

HELP
Dear God,
We love you,
Please help Kelli breathe
I feel like I'm going to Scream and I feel Sick.
God, we are a Team, we want to stop people from dying & Running away.
Help us Now.
I'm sitting in this Tired Car and I need to Call 9-1-1.
My Hair is on fire.
The Family of BridgeKids is Thankful but we're Scared & Distressed.
The Adults have turned into Apples.
Firefighters, Ambulance, & Hospitals are good for the environment.

AMEN!

Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about worship. What does it mean to you? How do you like to worship God? Ask them how they think they might like to worship.
Ask your kids what they are thankful for in their lives.
Discuss the things you are thankful for in your life.

Do an activity together: If you are a parent who is timid about writing – that’s ok. Before you begin, be sure to take time to reflect – even if it’s 2 minutes – on God, things to be thankful for and make sure it’s a quiet time, or a brief discussion.

Flash Poetry – Todd & Angie Fadel taught us, as a church, last year, that we can ALL be poets! This is a great way to worship God through writing. Have your child pick one word (it can be anything, even if they say, “Spiderman” – that is TOTALLY OK!) then, together, brain dump words that come to your mind, while thinking of the initial word chosen. Only do this for about a minute or two. Once you are finished, use connecting words or fragments to create a poem from your brain dump. Once you are finished, read the poem together as a prayer of help or thanksgiving to God.

Share – If you are someone who writes on a regular basis, share some of your work with your kids (make sure it’s age appropriate) and talk about why you wrote what you did – how you were feeling, how you felt after writing it, how, or if, it affected your relationship with God and with others.

Read Psalms or Proverbs – Pick a Psalm or Proverb to read to your child(ren) before bedtime each night. Talk with your kids about what they think of the writing, what you think about the writing and what you think the author was feeling when writing.

Re-Write a Psalm or Proverb – Choosing a favorite Psalm or Proverb, read it, line by line, with your kids and with their help, re-write it, in your own words.

Journal – Encourage your kids to write or draw in their journals, how they are feeling. If your kids aren’t at a stage of writing, help them write in their journal. Go somewhere private, where you won’t be disturbed by outside sources and write with your kids.

The Bridge Core Values – Week 1 – Worship through Art

2007-11-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

John 4: 23-24 Jesus says, It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself – Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.

This week at Bridge Kids, we talked about how Worship is one of God’s Love Languages, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages. Our main focus this week was Worship through Artistic Expression. We discussed showing love and thankfulness to God by creating art. Creating a work of art, in worship to God, is like the Love Language, Gifts.

We started out, talking about Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We then took a minute to sit in our circle, quietly thinking about things we are thankful for – whether it is people in our lives, our homes, school, or our life. This gave us time to reflect and prepare ourselves for the act of worship.

Today, we set up stations so the kids could express themselves through different types of art and experience what it’s like to worship God through art. We challenged them to find time this week to do an art project, simple or complex, which reflects their thankfulness to God.

We will be discussing and exercising different ways to Worship God through the month of November – Art, Dancing, Songwriting, etc. We encourage you to talk with your kids about the different ways you like to Worship – what works for you, what doesn’t, what works for them, what doesn’t. And, ask you be open to trying new things.

Dine and Dish:
Talk –
Talk to your kids about worship. What does it mean to you? How do you like to worship God? Ask them how they think they might like to worship.
Ask your kids what they are thankful for in their lives.
Discuss the things you are thankful for in your life.

Do an activity together: If you are a parent who is timid about art – that’s ok. Let your kids guide you on this one. Be sure to take time to reflect – even if it’s 2 minutes – on God, things to be thankful for and make sure it’s a quiet time, or a brief discussion. See if having different types of music playing in the background inspires you in different ways.

Drawing/Painting – Get out paper and pens, pencils, crayons, paint etc. and draw or paint things you are thankful for with your kids. Take time before you do to be quiet together and reflect on the things you are thankful for. Mat or frame the art if you want.

Collage – This is a great way to get reuse your old magazines or newspapers….maybe even certain books. Cut, tear, glue, imagine.

Photography – Walk around your house or outside with your kids – if it’s raining, grab an umbrella. Let your kids take photos with your camera. If they are too little to handle a camera, let them direct the photography session. Get prints of the pics and frame them – even if the photos aren’t “centered” or what you might think are “good”. Be sure to remind them to be thoughtful of what they are photographing – ask why they are choosing a particular subject.
Play Dough/Sculpting – Yes, Play Dough can be used for Worship! Sculpt, twist, smash together, but be thoughtful and genuine in what you are doing.

Found Art – Walk around the neighborhood with your kids, go to the Goodwill and find things that wouldn’t normally be picked up and create a sculpture or picture with what you have found. This is a good way to talk about how things may get ugly in life, you can find the beauty in it, if you seek it.

Patches – Create clothing/backpack patches with your kids using old clothing. Rip or cut into squares and using fabric paint, Sharpie markers, embroidery, create designs and attach by sewing or using safety pins.

Bridge Kids Sunday

2007-11-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Well... It was pretty remarkable
We had nearly 80% of the church dancing, the Kids GOT IT. The Adults added their peice to the puzzle. and there was lots of candy.

Thank you so everyone who made Bridge Kids Sunday happen!
Check out these incredible pictures of the Fun we Had!

Thank you to everyone that showed up and participated in one way or another -- we had so much fun...hope you did too! :)
Love you guys!
G&C

October 21 - Getting ready for Bridge Kids Sunday

2007-10-21T19:33:00.001-07:00

This week we got the kids ready for the Bridge Kids Halloween Next Sunday!

It was super fun. We chose all the music, figured out what instruments we were going to play, and then we GRADUATED!

Here's our Class picture from LOVE LANGUAGES CLASS OF '07

The Five Love Languages – Week 6 – Review

2007-10-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

This week at Bridge Kids, we reviewed each of the Love Languages.

We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always. Love God, Love Others as Self. God has given us an emotional fuel tank that uses the fuel of love to run smoothly. We talked about what happens when our love tank is empty, we feel sad, we might be grouchy, we may even be out of control. Or what happens when the love tank is full?

With each love language we reviewed what that language looks like, and how it fills our tanks.
We started out with Words of Affirmation, or Saying Nice Things to people, without expecting something in return. Saying something genuine is one way we can express our love for one another. We should never use words of affirmation to manipulate others into doing something for us.

Next was Giving a Gift to someone, without expecting something in return. This is one way we can express our love for one another. We should never use gifts to bribe others into doing something for us.

After that we discussed Time Spent With. We discussed showing love to others by spending QUALITY time with the people you love. Spending un-rushed time with someone we love, can show the other person, "You’re important. I like being with you."

Next we talked about Acts of service; how doing something for another person tells them "You’re needs are important to me." We said that it does not necessarily mean you are doing a courageous act or something huge – doing little things adds up!

Finally we wrapped up with Physical Touch. We discussed showing love to others by providing loving touch. We discussed appropriate hugs, high-fives, dancing (of course), fun snuggle times with parents while reading or watching a movie, holding hands, shoulder rides, being pushed on the swing, etc are all things we can do to show our love through touch.

We presented the kids with a specific love language challenge. We had the kids choose their favorite love language, and asked them how they will be speaking it this week?

Dine and Dish:
Talk – Ask you kids what their favorite love language is and why. Discuss the various activities that you have done in the past five weeks (whether at church or at home) and see if you discover what your child’s primary love language. Note: if your child is under five, they probably don’t have any preferences, or a primary love language. Ask them what doesn’t make them feel loved, and notice how that is related to a specific love language.

Do an activity together:
Challenge yourself to try to express a love language that you or your child doesn’t speak naturally. Read through the past materials given at Bridge Kids and see if you can learn any new tricks. Below is a quick review.

Kind Words
Say: Complements, Affimation, Kind Words
Do: Sending notes, Sending Cards.
No Criticism

Gifts
Say: positive, giving the facts
Do: Giving gifts on special (& not so special) occasions.
No forgetting special days

Time Spent
Say: One on one time, Not interrupting, Face to face conversation.
Do: Taking long walks, Doing things together, Taking trips.
No long periods being apart, or more time with friends than with significant other.

Acts of Service
Say: Action words like "I can" "I will" "what else can I do".
Do: Helping with the chores, repair/maintenance, Acts of kindness.
No ignoring significant other’s requests while helping someone else.

Loving Touch
Say: A lot of nonverbals, Verbals need to be word pictures.
Do: Touches, hugs, pats, kisses.
No physical neglect or abuse.

The Five Love Languages – Week 5 – Physical Touch

2007-10-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Mark 10:16 "He [Jesus] took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

This week at Bridge Kids, we reviewed each Love Language and our language focus last week, Acts of Service. Our main focus this week was Physical Touch. We discussed showing love to others by providing loving touch. We also discussed ways God has shown us Physical Touch – Jesus healing lepers (the grossest people on the planet at that time), Physical Healing, Giving us positive people in our lives that provide hugs and kisses.

We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always. Love God, Love Others as Self.

Today, we began with everyone giving each other a high-five. And discussed how high-fiving made them feel. Then, we talked about our emotional fuel tanks and how a friendly pat on the back or hug can show someone you care about them. We discussed when a person’s primary Love Language is Physical Touch, holding their hand or snuggling while reading a book are expressions of love that helps fill up their “love-tank”. We discussed appropriate hugs, high-fives, dancing (of course), fun snuggle times with parents while reading or watching a movie, holding hands, shoulder rides, being pushed on the swing, etc are all things we can do to show our love through touch. We also briefly discussed if someone’s touch makes them embarrassed, uncomfortable or feel wrong, they have the right to express how that touch makes them feel. They should also tell someone they trust, immediately, if someone is misusing the Love Language of Physical Touch and expressions of love should never make you feel yucky.
Today, each Bridge Kid traced their hands on paper, cut them out and decorated them. We then created a tree out of all the hands to show how positive loving touch makes us grow stronger emotionally. We discussed how positive loving touch is a way of filling the love tank of the other person, as well as their very own love tank.

We challenged them to find small ways of showing love through Physical Touch to their parents this week – so look out for those fun hugs and high-fives!!

Dine and Dish:
The Love Language of Physical Touch should be done appropriate to age. For example, your 11 year old son may not want to be hugged or kissed in public. If that is embarrassing to him, don’t do it. But if your 4 year old loves it, go for it. Physical touch should never be used inappropriately. It can and will skew your child’s view of love in a very negative way. If used appropriately, it can and will prepare them for a healthy adult life.

Talk – Talk to your kids about safety in physical touch. Empower your children to speak up if someone tries to be inappropriate or makes them feel embarrassed. Make sure your kids know they can tell you about instances where they feel uncomfortable. Even if it’s something as simple and harmless as, “Mom, it’s embarrassing to me when you kiss me on the cheek in front of my friends.” Let your kids know there is an open line of communication between you and them and you respect your child’s boundaries.

Do an activity together: If you are a parent who is timid about giving loving touch to your kids, start with something brief and simple, like a pat on the back for doing a good job, or placing your hand on your child’s shoulder while they are standing next to you.
Wheel Barrel Races – Did you ever do wheel barrel races when you were a kid? Try it out with your own! If you only have one child, set up an obstacle course around the living room or in the backyard.
Duck, Duck, Goose – Play Duck, Duck, Goose with your kids. Not only do you tap them on the head when they are chosen, if you catch them (or they catch you) it’s a fun hug, which can represent loving touch.
Everybody CONGA!! – When it’s bedtime, line up the family, put on some night time music and Conga your way to bed. It will get out last minute energy before bedtime and it’s fun!
Snuggle Times – Read a book or watch a movie together. Let your kids sit on your lap or close enough to you that you are touching. You can also place your hand on your child’s head during this time, indicating you want them close to you.
Swing – Play on the swings together. Push your child while they are swinging and let them try to push you. This is the perfect time for “Under Dogs”.
Belly Laughs – Everyone lay on the floor with your head on another person’s stomach. Once person let’s out a loud, “HA!” which will make your stomach expand and retract quickly, which in turn will bounce the person’s head…which then causes everyone to laugh and giggle.

The Five Love Languages – Week 4 – Acts of Service

2007-10-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Galatians 5:13 "Serve one another in love."

This week at Bridge Kids, we reviewed each Love Language and our language focus last week, Time Spent With (Quality Time). Our main focus this week was Acts of Service. We discussed showing love to others by helping or doing something for another person, as an act of love. We also discussed ways God has shown us Acts of Service – Jesus (in human form), Asking for help/needs via Prayer, Finding help through others, etc.

We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always. Love God, Love Others as Self.

We talked about our emotional fuel tanks and how doing something for another person tells them “You’re needs are important to me.” We discussed when a person’s primary Love Language is Acts of Service, doing a simple task or giving a helping hand is an expression of love that helps fill up their “love-tank”. It doesn’t matter if you help with dishes, clean their bedroom, do yard work, help buy groceries, wash their car, or even provide dinner for them while they are sick, these all help fuel the tank. We also talked about how Acts of Service does not necessarily mean you are doing a courageous act or something huge – doing little things adds up! We also discussed Acts of Service should never be used to get someone to do something for you, in return. We should also never say, “I will love you, if you do this thing for me.” Manipulation is not love and it squelches the fun and love a person experiences if their love language is Acts of Service.

Today, each Bridge Kid helped set up the groceries for distribution. We discussed how doing things for other people, even people you don’t necessarily know, is a way of filling the love tank of the other person, as well as their very own love tank.

We challenged them to find small ways of providing Acts of Service for one person in their life this week – whether it’s their parent, sibling, teacher or friend!

Dine and Dish:
All our service should be done appropriate to age. For example, we make beds for four-year-olds but not for ten-year-olds. When they are ready, we teach them how to serve themselves and then others. Loving service is a gift, not a necessity, not under coercion. Even for the best parents, it’s wise to have an attitude check now and then.
Ask your kids about helping out at church – How did they feel or what did they think about providing their Act of Service? Did they meet anyone new? How did they feel when they were finished? Did they like helping out?

Do an activity together: Be sure to use encouraging words during this time. Thank your kids for helping you—be specific. Let them know they are doing a good job! Don’t expect your kids to be at the same level as you when doing an Act of Service. And, if they don’t do things perfectly, remember, they’re kids – use gentle guidance.
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!
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.
Take an All Family Nap – To speak the love language of Acts of Service, you need physical and emotional energy. Pay attention to your own physical and emotional health. Talk to your kids about taking care of themselves – consuming healthy food and beverages, getting enough sleep/rest, allowing for alone time and how we need to love ourselves, in order for us to be healthy enough to love other people.
Make Dinner/Lunch/Breakfast for Someone Else – As a family, think of someone you love and make them a meal together, but don’t stay to eat. Deliver the meal together and on the drive or walk home, talk about how they felt delivering the meal.
Special Talent – Do your kids have a special talent? Do you? Show them how to use their special talent to provide an Act of Service. Do you know someone who needs their car fixed and you know cars? Do you know how to do carpentry/yard work/sew/play an instrument/create a budget? Do you know someone who needs help with those things? Take one child with you to help – even if all they do is hand you items you need. They will love being included. Afterward, talk with your child about what you did, how they felt and thank them for helping you. Don’t be false in your gratitude or praise – kids know when you are being sincere and when you are not!

The Five Love Languages – Week 3 – Time Spent With

2007-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Psalm 139:1-2 (The Message) God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance you know what I’m thinking.

This week at Bridge Kids, we reviewed each Love Language and our language focus last week, Gifts. Our main focus this week was Time Spent With. We discussed showing love to others by spending QUALITY time with the people you love. We also discussed ways God spends time with us and ways we can spend time with God – Jesus (in human form), Nature, Worship (through music, writing, dance, appreciation of creation, etc.), Prayer, Bible, People, etc.
We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always. Love God, Love Others as Self.

We talked about our emotional fuel tanks and how spending un-rushed time with someone we love, can show the other person, “You’re important. I like being with you.” We discussed when a person’s primary Love Language is spending quality time with another person, hanging out with them is an expression of love that helps fill up their “love-tank”. It doesn’t matter if you go on a walk, put a puzzle together, go on a road trip or even talking on the phone – as long as it’s QUALITY time, it helps fuel the tank. We also talked about how QUALITY time does not mean flipping through the channels on the television or doing something where you can’t have good eye contact and conversation – because neither person is actually learning something new from the other person. Seeking out another person, for the sole purpose of hanging out, is one way we can express our love for one another.

Today, each Bridge Kid decorated a jumbo puzzle piece and then we assembled the puzzle together. We discussed how time together allows people to understand you, and helps you understand how you "fit" with them. Every time you are "with" someone it’s a chance to show that you love them. We challenged them to spend quality time with someone they love this week and come up with fun ideas of how to spend time with the people they love!

Dine and Dish:

Ask your kids what “unconditional love” means to them. Discuss what it means to you.
Ask your kids about the jumbo puzzle we put together – How did they feel or what did they think about having their own piece of the puzzle? What did the puzzle symbolize/represent to them?

Do an activity together: Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to spend with your child – don’t rush your quality time with them….make eye contact and ask specific questions.
Puzzle – Choose a fun puzzle that will take a while to assemble and put it together with your family. During your time, be sure to talk to your kids, ask them questions about the things they like/don’t like, love/don’t love.
Go for a Walk – Get bundled up and go for a walk! If it’s around your neighborhood, talk about the neighborhood (not neighborhood gossip, but the culture of your neighborhood, why you chose to live there, what they like/dislike about where you live).
Saturday Market – Visit Portland Saturday Market together. Talk about all the different smells, colors, textures, different people and art you will experience. Ask your kids what they think about each thing. Ask if they could make something and sell it, for a living, what would they do?
Music Store – Visit a music store where you can listen to music together. Try different genres of music, even stuff you may not like and talk about how different types of music can evoke different emotions or feelings. Dance and be silly together (unless, of course, it would be embarrassing to your child).
Backyard/Basement/Living Room Camping – Go on a “camping trip” with your kids at 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 (Graham Crackers, 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!)

The Five Love Languages – Week 2 – Gifts

2007-10-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

This week at Bridge Kids, we began with a brief review of each Love Language (Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, Time Spent With and Physical Touch) and what we talked about last week, Words of Affirmation.

Our main focus this week was Gifts. We discussed showing love to others by giving thoughtful gifts (hand-made gifts, cards, flowers, etc.). Gifts that show you are thinking of the other person and not of yourself. We discussed God’s gifts to us – Jesus, Life, Nature, Laughter, Music, People, etc.

We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always.

We talked about our emotional fuel tanks and how giving a thoughtful gift to someone we love, can show the other person, “he or she was thinking of me’. We discussed when a person’s primary Love Language is ‘receiving gifts’- those expressions of love are what helps fills up their “love-tank”. A gift is a symbol of thought. It says – “I was thinking of you.” It doesn’t matter whether it costs money or not – the cost is immaterial, mostly! It’s what it conveys that is important. A card, a small home made object, a book, each conveys love – the thoughts of the heart and mind, and what’s cool is, cost isn’t all that relevant! Gifts are visual symbols of love, and for some people it is those symbols which fill up their “love-tank”. A flower picked from the garden, a special surprise visit from a friend or loved one, paint for an artist – all mean incredible amounts to the person whose primary love language is receiving gifts. Don’t wait for a special occasion to give gifts! If you are thinking about someone and have an idea of something that would make them feel loved, do it!

Giving a gift to someone, without expecting something in return, is one way we can express our love for one another. We should never use gifts to bribe others into doing something for us.

Each Bridge Kid received a gift from us today and created a gift for someone they love. We challenged them to give the gift to someone they love this week! We also challenged them to be thoughtful of the people they love this week with hand made or “found” gifts and give or send them to three different people 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:

Ask your kids how they felt when they un-wrapped their gifts today.
Create home made gifts together, for another person or family you love and leave the gifts on their doorstep! Be thoughtful in the gifts you make, with that specific person or family in mind.

Ideas for gifts** – Mixed CDs or Tapes, Framed pictures of your kids with that person/family, Framed pictures of drawings your kids have created for that person/family, Hand picked flowers, T-Shirt with a home-made iron-on, Bake cookies/cupcakes, Make Dinner

Do an activity together:

In-home Scavenger Hunt – place small gifts (bouncy ball, flowers, small stuffed animal, coloring books, etc.) around your home that reflect who your kids are and be sure to wrap them! Once your kids have found all the gifts, sit in a small circle together and watch your kids unwrap their gifts. Talk with them about why you chose the gifts you gave them and ask them their thoughts about each item.
Talk about how gifts have either encouraged or discouraged you when you were growing up – ask your kids about times people have given them thoughtful things and how it made them feel.
Music – if your kids love music, create a mixed CD or tape with them and have a dance party or hang out time together listening to the music. Create one for other people you love and write a note as to why you chose those specific songs!
Rent a movie – Let your kids pick out which one(s) you get!

Keep a journal. Write down the things you are learning from your kids and the things you do together. Keep track of their reactions to your questions or to the fun things you do together. See if your relationship changes or stays the same.

**Make sure you express your love verbally or in writing with the gift. This can be overdone and then, become meaningless; but remembering his or her love language with occasional and personal gifts will create good, loving experiences.

The Five Love Languages – Week 1 – Words of Affirmation (Saying Kind Things)

2007-10-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

This week at Bridge Kids, we began with a brief overview of each Love Language (Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, Time Spent With and Physical Touch). Our main focus this week was Words of Affirmation. We discussed showing love to others by saying kind things (verbal, notes, cards, etc) that are both true and authentic.

We started out talking about unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always.

We talked about our emotional fuel tanks and set up Fuel Stations labeled with each Love Language. Each kid had a sheet of stickers with the first letter of their name on them. We asked specific questions such as, “Which do you like best: When someone gives you hugs or when someone gives you a present?” or “Which do you like better: When someone says something nice to you or when someone reads you a book?” Which ever “fuel” they answered, they placed a sticker at that particular fueling station. This helped us get a high-level overview of what each kids’ love language might be. Words of Affirmation, or Saying Nice Things to people, without expecting something in return, and saying something genuine is one way we can express our love for one another. We should never use words of affirmation to manipulate others into doing something for us.
Each Bridge Kid created a card with words of affirmation 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 use words of affirmation 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.

Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death.”

Dine and Dish:
Ask your kids about the Unconditional Love Army Chant we marched to during our time together.
Create a fun chant together at home about your love for one another using specific things you love about each other.
Go through the “Work Book Pages” behind this page. They are taken directly out of “The Five Love Languages for Children” workbook.
Do an activity together:
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.
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.
Create a collage with one another using positive words about your family.
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.
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.
Keep a journal. Write down the things you are learning from your kids and the things you do together. Keep track of their reactions to your questions or to the fun things you do together. See if your relationship changes or stays the same.

Week One - Kick Off

2007-10-18T14:19:00.001-07:00

Get-To-Know You Dance Party Celebration!
This week @ Bridge Kids we got to know one another through an M&M game and had intervals of Dance Party!

Each person received a cup with three M&Ms in it. Each color of M&M represented a question.
Green: What makes you happy? Red: What makes you feel loved? Yellow: Where is your favorite place?

Blue: What is your favorite cartoon?
Brown: What is your favorite song/music? Orange: What is your favorite Animal?
They answered the questions according to what color(s) of M&Ms were in their cups. Once everyone had a turn, we poured all of our M&Ms into a large bowl to signify the diversity of thought each person has and how each individual thought makes up a very colorful and fun bowl that everyone can enjoy, especially, if we all participate and listen to one another…and respect each other in our sameness and in our differences. And, yes, we ate some of the M&Ms, too! We also introduced the Talking Stick (taken from Native American tribal meetings – See attached page for more details). The person holding the Talking Stick is the person who gets to “have the floor”. We will use this method going forward, to help ensure everyone gets a chance to have a voice and be heard. We hope it will help develop communication and listening skills in ALL of us! J After our time getting to know each other, we each decorated a giant puzzle piece, representing our individuality. Once each piece was finished we put the puzzle pieces together to show that even though we are all individuals, we all have our own place in the Big Picture and all belong together. The puzzle can always be added to, which means, as volunteers and other kids join our group, they can have a place in the Big Picture, just like everyone else.

Dine and Dish:
You can ask your kids the same questions as the M&M questions, and answer them yourself. Talk about why they answer the way(s) that they do and talk about why YOU answer the way(s) you do. For instance, “Why is the giraffe your favorite animal?” Or, “What makes purple your favorite color?” Remember, only one person talks at a time!

Do an activity together:
Create a Cartoon Strip – using your family members as “super heroes” and include the answers to your M&M questions in the storyline. It doesn’t matter if drawing is your forte, if you are spending time with your kids, they’ll eat it up!
Write a “love note” to a friend or family member and mail it!
Write a song together, using the style of your kids’ favorite music. Or, create a mixed CD/Tape with their favorite songs and listen to it in the car.
Go to the zoo and spend the majority of time at their favorite animals’ site.
Hang out with them in their favorite place and read a book together or just talk and have snacks.
Take 10 minutes out of your busy day to be silly – turn the music up and dance! See who can make the worst faces at the table. Who can make up the funniest walk, dance moves or noises. Embrace the silliness!! You might feel stupid to begin with, but seriously, who cares!?!
Keep a journal. Write down the things you are learning from your kids and the things you do together. Keep track of their reactions to your questions or to the fun things you do together. See if your relationship changes or stays the same.
Ask your child about the Talking Stick. What happens when you have it?
Try the Talking Stick method of communication at home and to help aid in disagreements or if someone is sharing something important.
Create a Talking Stick for your family. http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/9637/pg000014.htm

The Talking Stick
The talking stick was used in Native North American tribes at council meetings. It was used as courtesy not to interrupt a chief when he was speaking. The talking stick was then passed to the next council member who wished to speak. The stick was a ceremonial item and was decorated with eagle feathers and crystals to show its significance.
These tribes used a talking stick to ensure that each party was able to express themselves and feel listened to, without interruption. Here is how the talking stick is used: “Sarah” has the talking stick. Sarah shares her point and perspective. When she is finished speaking, she can pass the stick to the next person who would like to speak, but not until Sarah has been heard and that person understands what she has said, she will then hand the talking stick to the next person (and not until). That next person will not interject his opinions or point of view until he is holding the stick and only after he can re-tell what Sarah has just said. This goes on until both/all parties have said what they need to say and feel heard. The Indian Talking Stick produces bonding, and a new idea - not yours, not mine, but a third alternative to communicating with one another, whether during a disagreement or during a time of sharing.
If you would like further information on The Talking Stick, you can talk to Geoff or Crystal, and/or check out these websites: Here is a link to Steven Covey explaining it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxi-Zc45tA
http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/9637/pg000014.htm
Our hope, in using the Talking Stick, is to ensure everyone feels heard and everyone knows they have an important and valuable voice. It will help us all learn to listen better and have more meaningful conversations!