W Is for Walk In It: ABC: Deuteronomy for Me! Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World
Little Kids: Ages 4-7
W Is for Walk in It!
W is for walk in it--
Walk in God's ways,
Follow him fully
all of your days--
like Caleb!
Will You? It's Your Decision!
Here's a decision you must make:
Will you follow the Lord?
What path will you take?
Will you fear the Lord all your days?
Will your trust Him wholly,
and walk in his ways? Will you?
LEP
Journal It: W Is for Walk in It!
On your whiteboard, print an upper/lowercase "Ww;" also print these Ww words: way, ways, walk, words, wrath, wander, wilder, and wilderness. 4s/5s: Write "Walk in It!" 5s: Write: way, ways, walk, words, and wilderness. 1st/2nd: Write words.. Which is the shortest word? the longest word? What do they begin with? Which word means: a path you take? very angry? a desert or waste place? walk here, walk there? The unusual archaic word "wilder" means to lose your way. Do you see "wilder" in wilderness? What other word do you see in wilderness? (wild)
Discuss: "Walk in it!" Walk in what? (Walk in God's ways and to fear or honor the Lord.) 1st/2nd Print rhyme; Ask: Where can we find out about God's ways? What does follow him "fully" mean? How long should we follow the Lord? How did Caleb follow God?
Learn It: Deuteronomy 8:6
"... Thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him." 1st/2nd: Print verse in journal. What does "fear" mean? Are we to be afraid of the Lord? No, we are to respect and honor him.
Draw It: "Walk In His Ways" Picture
Prep It: drawing paper, Bible verse copy, crayons, markers, colored pencils....
Draw It: Let kids draw themselves on paper. Below picture write: "Walk in his ways _____!" Fill in name. Say: The Lord wants each one of us to walk in his ways every day. We can't do this until we know him as our Savior. Do you know this "way" verse? John 14:6 "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life no man (woman, boy, girl) comes to the Father but by me." Who is the only way to get to heaven? What do we have to do so we can be on the Jesus way?
Frame It: Footprint Frame
Prep It: print footprints; print verse; paper scissors, print Deut.8:6 verse; print pathway image; glue, markers ..... shoe footprint images - Bing images
Make It: trace round or inside footprints with thin-tipped markers; cut out; glue to edge of paper so footprints overlap. Cut apart Deut. 8:6 word phrases; glue in order around pathway image. Hang up! Look at sample photo below.
Chalk It: Walk It!
Outside on sidewalk or hardtop use chalk to trace round footprint making nine sets of prints or 18 in all. Have older kids print the verse inside; for little ones print the verse for them. Let kids say the verse as they walk on the footprints.
Do It: Walk & Talk It!
Deuteronomy six and eleven tells us, as teachers and grownups, that we should walk with our kids by the way weaving in God's word as we go. Some of my very favorite times I've had with my grandson happened as we walked along exploring nature areas talking about and discovering God's awesome creation! Another great talk time often happens as one rides in the car with your kids/grandkids to and from events.
Spiral It: Spiral Image Verse
Prep It: towel tube, tissue or thin paper, spiral image, copy of verse, tape, glue ....
Spiral It: Print spiral image. 4s/5s Help them write: "Walk in his ways." Deut. 8:6 1st./2nd. write verse inside its pathway. Begin at outside of the spiral following the path inward. Cut out the spiral for younger kids or those who might have difficulty with this. Roll tube in tissue paper; tuck in ends. Tape at back. Attach spiral to top of tube with small folded piece of tape; make sure it is secure!. Glue on copy of verse. View sample below!
Easy Springy Spiral: Run it off; print verse on it. Cut it out. Let kids hold its end and jiggle it up and down as they walk around saying verse.
* Older kids will enjoy creating spiral verses as well. They however can do their own printing, cutting, and assembling of its tube.
Walk It: Go outside; let kids draw spirals on hardtop area to walk around, or just go round in a circle indoors. Hold tube downward; as you walk say verse and watch spiral move up and down.
Verse:"... Thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him." Print Deut. 8:6 first, and then follow the path inward. You might give kids a spiral to practice on before writing the final version. View image at end.
Find It: The "His Ways Puzzle"
Print Ps.128:1 this way on paper or onto white board.
1st./2nd. Psalm 128:1 "Blessed, blessed is every one, every one that feareth, feareth the LORD; that walketh, walketh in his ways, ways." Find the verse in your Bible. Highlight it. Read it. Look at puzzle. Cross off every extra word. Circle the words that are left. Lightly color them in. Print verse onto pathway image. Begin here: Fill in the word to this question: If you fear the Lord, and walk in his ways what will you be? "_ _ _ _ _ _ _!"
Repeat it this way: "Blessed (Say loudly lifting hands high!) is everyone (Point round to all present,) that feareth the LORD (Point up, smile!) that walketh in his ways. (Walk in place.)." Psalm 128:1 Instead of "everyone" say "boys" having boys say it, "girls," and have the girls say it, "adults" and the adults say it, and lastly all say it. It's fun to say it doubling the words highlighted as well! Sing the first verse of "Trust and Obey!" Hear the song here:
Hear It: Deuteronomy 8 The Wilderness Way
Can you count to forty? Let's do it! Forty is how many years God's people wandered in the wild wilderness. They were stuck there because the ten spy guys didn't obey God when he told them to enter in to the Promised Land. (If you don't know that story; do go back and read "S Is for Search It Out!")
What was the wilderness like? It was dry. It was dusty. It was rocky. It was a waste space. But, God led them, fed them and kept them safe. Why? The Bible says he wanted the people to learn that it wasn't just getting special food and care in the desert, but it was also about obeying and learning God's words and ways.
For God reminded them: " In the good land when you have food and water, good houses and land, flocks and herds, and gold and silver you must not forget the Lord. You must not forget the Lord led you in the great and terrible wilderness with its snakes, scorpions, and no water. You must not forget the Lord fed you a new food called manna. You must not forget to obey his words and ways."
God also said: "Do not forget the Lord, and walk after other gods to serve them, and worship them or you will be punished just like the other nations." God tells us too to walk in his ways, and after Him, not after other ways or other gods. In Psalm 128:1 it says, "Blessed is everyone that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways." From: Deuteronomy 8.
Hint: Do emphasize the Ww words in the story.
Here's a neat video to listen to that tells about some things that happened to God's people in the desert or wilderness. Look at it here: God's Story: Wilderness - Bing video
Sing It: "My Lord Knows the Way Through the Wilderness"
Listen to song here: My Lord knows the way through the wilderness - Bing video
Older Kids: Ages 8-12
Ponder It: "You Should!"
This day--
Love God always.
Choose life.
Choose good.
You should!
This day--
Walk in God's ways.
Choose life.
Choose good.
You should!
This day--
Turn not away.
Choose life.
Choose good.
You should!
LEP
Deut.30:15-20
Learn It: A "This Day" Verse to Say
Deuteronomy 30: 15,16: "See I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statues and his judgments, ...."
Copy the verse in your journal. Highlight life/good and death/evil; love the LORD thy God, walk in his ways; keep/commandments/statues/judgments. Note! "this day" and "the LORD thy God" appear frequently in Deuteronomy.
Even though this verse was given to the Israelites, it's one for us as well. It has such important lessons in it. What are the lessons? Choose ..... Love ..... Walk ..... Keep .....
Find It: Discover the Message
To discover the message darken the following words: turn right--turn left--depart--go astray--wander--depart--wilder--meander--turn aside--walk after--go after other gods-
Copy this puzzle message without any darkened words. Let kids hunt for words above that describe someone who does not walk with the Lord. Discuss this first. Let kids cross off words, write the message, search out the verses, highlight the verses, and finish the puzzle.
Puzzle: Walk wander walk after wilder in turn right turn left all depart meander turn aside go astray his go after other gods ways walk after The message is: "_____ _____ _____ _____ _____!" (Walk in all his ways.)
Highlight It: Mark these Verses
Verses: Deut. 8:6, 8:19, 10:12, 11:22, 13:4, 19:9, 26:17, 28:9, and 30:16
Which verses say? a.walk in his way b.walk in all his ways, c. walk ever in his way? d.walk after other gods? e.walk after the LORD your God
Answers: a. Deut. 8:6,26:17,28:9 b. Deut. 10:12,11:22 c. Deut.19:9 d. Deut.8:19, e. Deut.13:4
Discover It: Wilderness Words
From the very first verse in Deuteronomy we read "these be the words" that Moses spoke to the people in the wilderness-- the "great and terrible" wilderness! (1:19) Why? What took place in the wilderness? What wildernesses were they in? What are some wilderness words found in the verses below to describe it? Glue the word wilderness onto a paper cutting its letters from a map or photo of a wilderness scene. From it extend lines all over, and write a descriptive word along the line. e.g. "waste howling. " What's are some words for wilderness? desert, waste place etc. Check out snynonyms here: Check out these wilderness verses: Deut. 1:1, 2:7, 8:15/16, 9:7, 29:5, and 32:10. Also try: Ps.68,78, 106-107. Use both synonyms and Bible words around wilderness. How many words did you find?
Explore It: Wilderness Research
From the wilderness verses/words above pick out one topic you wish to explore. It might be e.g., "Wilderness Scorpions." After, write one or two paragraphs about it. Complete it with illustrations and photos or both.
Create It: A Wilderness Fan Booklet
Prep It: colored paper, scissors, glue, brad, photos/pics of wilderness verses, maps, etc. Look up Deut. wilderness verses to find phrases such as: great and terrible wilderness, waste howling wilderness, walking through the wilderness, fiery serpents and scorpions, water out of the rock of flint, and so on. Make a page for each phrase highlighting it.
Make It: Fold 9"X12" paper into four equal strips. Cut apart. Size: 2 1/4"X 12". Glue copies of verses, phrase words, and pics onto strips. For cover cut out capital letters from wilderness photos into "WILDERNESS." Glue across cover strip. Make as many pages as you wish. Punch hole at left of each strip, and insert a brad. Fan out your booklet to see various pages. See samples at end of lesson.
Hint: Little ones might make same booklet, but with just one word, or phrase, and a photo or map.
Make It: The Wilderness Moses Marker
Prep It: foam piece/heavy paper, Moses image, wilderness photo image, small scissors, lil' foam rod, thin line marker, Bible verse cutout, glue.....
Make It: Cut a rectange marker apx. 2 1/2"X 5 1/2" from foam/heavy paper. Uset Moses image; adjust size. Use markers to outline it. Use small scissors to cut round hand. Cut itty bitty rod about 1 1/2" long and glue so cut out hand/arm over it. At bottom glue tiny "In the Wilderness" photo. Print Deuteronomy 1:1: "These be the words which Moses spake to all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red Sea ...." Glue to middle section.
Mark It: Place it in your Bible by the "these be the words" wilderness verse. View the marker in the photograph section. Click on it to enlarge; may trace it.
Display It: Throw Rug Verse Race
Arranging an oversized verse on a small rug background is fun. Put words on paper strips, tubes, footprints, and so forth. Have a Verse Rug Race. Spread rug in front of each child. Place pile of word tubes, strips, footprints etc. in middle in front of rug. On signal begin to put verse onto rug in order specified prior to start. Give kids one or two practice times. After, repile parts, and play again as many times as you wish. If you have an entire class appoint someone to help you check results.
Read It: Star of Light by Patricia St. John
Star of Light (c.1954 Updated: 2002) is a kids' book set in Morocco where Patricia St. John lived working in a Muslim village as well as a hospital. Although fiction, it is based on many true experiences she had while living in a mountain village.
In the book the English nurse, Rosemary, uses her nursing skills and love of children to tell the villagers and street children about her Savior. Desperate mothers bring her their sick infants, little girls came learn to knit and to read, and little boys came to share a meal and to hear about Jesus. Everyone around knew about her wall picture of her "Saint" Jesus loving the children.
In the story one meets "Hamid" a scrawny street kid who had come from a far village walking many miles with his blind sister Kinza on his back to find the kind English nurse. Riveting, entralling, and full of the gospel, this book is just one of her classics. Find it, and read it aloud to your children and your grandchildren. It will not disappoint!
Hear It: Walking and Talking about Darkness and Light
In The Star of Light chapter ten: "Hamid Learns a Lesson for Life" one dark night the English nurse asks Hamid to guide her to the home of another child who badly needed clothing. Just before they left, as the nurse got ready, Hamid (one of her real life characters!) stole two raw eggs from a dish hiding them in his clothing. (In her autobio Patricia records not only did he steal eggs, but her watch, and a number of other items!)
Later, walking and talking with the nurse, Hamid crept along walking in the shadowy muddy gutter to keep out of the light from Rosemary's flashlight. Suddenly though, Hamid trips splattering those eggs all over himself and getting hurt quite badly. Frightened, he feared a beating, or jail like many did to children in the village. Instead, the nurse guided him back to her home, cleaned his wounds, and gave him new clothing, forgiving him, and sharing John 8:12 about walking in the light and the darkness. Very soon after, Hamid found the Lord Jesus so that he could walk in his ways. What a perfect chapter to use with this lesson! Click here to view book: Star of Light (lighthousetrails.com)
Teachers, Parents, Grandparent, YOU!
Discover It: Patricia St. John Autobiography
Since I've reviewed Patricia St. John's books in these lessons, I wish to also recommend her amazing autobiography An Ordinary Woman's Extraordinary Faith. As the author of several famous children's classics Treasures of the Snow (featured in the "R Is for Remember It" lesson), The Tanglewoods' Secret (featured in the "L Is for Learn It lesson.") and Rainbow Garden (To be featured in X is for Exit It" lesson) this autobiography is a peek into her life that unlocks why she wrote several of her books.
Full of stories that appeal both to children and adults, I would encourage you to share many of them with your youngsters. Patricia captures her childhood in a memorable way--especially her mischievous streak. She shares she went to boarding school. There, like a little monkey she could climb easily up on a rooftop to study, or crawl out the window of her classroom to fool her teacher. Once during roll call she had all the girls giving flower names to a new teacher--like Pansy Alexander or her name Rhododendron St. John.
Ms. St. John had a special ability to connect with children at their level sharing what salvation really is all about. Whatever stories she tells, she does it so vividly you will not forget them! Be ready to see this demonstrated in our next lesson "X Is for Exit It" through her book Rainbow Garden.
In her bio she explains while in Tangiers, Morroco, not knowing what the Lord wanted her to do next, she felt the Lord tug at her heart as she listened to a man named Mohammed question her doctor brother Farnham as to why he had to come down to the hospital to hear a message about the Lord. "Why don't you come up into our village?" he queried. It was at that moment Patricia realized that the Lord was speaking to her. The words from Isaiah 30:21 came to mind, "This is the way, walk ye in it...." It was then and there she knew she must be the one to go to that village. And go she did! The result was later her book: Star of Light and other stories. Each day may we too learn to follow our Lord-- to walk in his ways.
Click on photographs to enlarge them!
