Bringing It Home: Cookie Island & Sharing

This past weekend we traveled to Cookie Island with Marty and Sergeant Argent. Marty taught the islanders that God wants us to share. Our Bible Story was about David who kept his promise to his friend Jonathan by sharing what he had with Jonathan's son Mephibosheth.

Here a couple activities you can do at home with your child either as a springboard to get your kids talking about what they learned or as roller skates to help them put what they learned into action.

Bake Cookies Together

Baking is a great way for your child to feel like a "big person". It also teaches them to follow directions and that there are steps to take to accomplish a task. You can also teach a child about measuring, about safety, and about the value of waiting and the value of enjoying something you created and waited for.

As you cook together you can discuss what your child learned about this past weekend. Keep questions simple. Examples of questions you might ask are:

• Didn't Marty in church visit an island with a bunch of cookies? OR
• What was the name of the island that Marty visited this weekend? Cookie Island
• What was wrong on Cookie Island? They weren't sharing.
• What were the islanders not sharing? Cookies
• Where did the story Marty taught the islanders come from? The Bible
• Is everything in the Bible true? Yes
• Who gave us the Bible? God/Jesus
• Who was in the Bible Story this weekend? David
• Was David the King? Yes
• What do you think a King does? Let their imaginations run free!
• Do you think King David had a lot of stuff? What did he own? Again, let their imaginations run free!
• King David remembered that his best friend Jonathan who had died had a son. Did King David want to help or hurt Jonathan's son? Help
• Do you remember Jonathan's son's name? Mephibosheth
• Was Mephibosheth scared when he met the King? Why? Yes, the King might want to hurt him or think he was trying to be king since Mephibosheth's grandfather used to be the king.
• What did King David give Mephibosheth? Land, house, food. He became his friend.
• Do you think God wants us to share what we have? Yes.
• What are some things you can share? Toys, hugs, bike, etc.
• Who can you share with? Sister/brother, friends at school or on my street, cousins, etc.

Give From What You Have

This week go through your child's closet and toy box with your child. Pick out clothes, shoes, coats, toys, books, etc. that they no longer use or fit them. Encourage your child to pick out toys and books that he/she can give away.

Work together to clean them and pack them in a box or bag. Then plan a time to take them to a local Goodwill or Salvation Army or local shelter. Take your child with you when you go and talk to them about why they are sharing with others. Remind your child that we give from what God has given us.