ACTIVITY: Reaction
WHAT YOU NEED:
Paper and crayons, colored pencils, or markers
What You Do
Tell your child that you’re going to play a game. Say, “I’ll tell you an action. On your paper, you’ll write or draw what you think the REACTION to that action would be. For example, if I say, ‘You smile at a stranger,’ the reaction could be that they smile back. So you’d either draw a picture of someone smiling back, or write down the words, ‘They would smile back.’ Make sense? Let’s get started.”
Actions
You hit your sister when she makes you mad.
You let your brother pick the movie for movie night.
You put all the toys away without complaining.
You choose to talk while the teacher gives instructions.
You hug your parent just because.
You ask your neighbor about their day.
When your child has finished writing or drawing the reactions, say, “What did you notice about the different reactions?” (When the action was kind, the reaction was good. When the action was unkind, the reaction was bad.)
Talk about the Bible Story
Look up Ephesians 4:32 and read it together.
How would you say that verse in your own words?
How does it feel when people are kind to you? How do you think others feel when you are kind to them?
According to our verse, why should we be kind to others? (We should be kind and forgive because God has forgiven us.) Can you think of any other reasons?
Parents, talk about a time you chose to show kindness, even if it was really hard.
Prayer
Use this prayer as a guide, either after your discussion or right before bed tonight:
“God, thank You for loving us and for always choosing to show kindness to us. You know how we feel, and You care about each one of us. Help us show kindness to others and show them that they’re valuable and important. Help us to forgive like You have forgiven us. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”