Tuesday, May 4, 2021

W Is for Walk in It: ABC: Deuteronomy for Me! Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

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. 

View It:  "God's Story: The Wilderness"
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"


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!

       



   







 


  

 



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Friday, April 2, 2021

V Is for View It: ABC: Deuteronomy For Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

V Is for View It:  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World


Discover the stories of Moses and Aaron at Meribah, and Moses and Aaron's deaths on Mt. Nebo and Hor.  Discuss Lot's viewing of the Jordan area and what he viewed round Sodom. Learn about the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, or 'Joy in the Torah' and how it's associated with the last chapter in Deuteronomy.  Sing a Simchat Torah song, and make a flag too. Make a Movable Moses with a unique "V Viewer!" and a Moses Story Tube.  And vow to put no evil things before your eyes! (Ps. 101:3)  

V Is for View It!

V is for view it,
Moses do it,
It's a command,
See it, behold it--
the Promised land!

Little Kids:  Ages 4-7

Journal It:  V Is for View It!

In our story today God tells Moses to go up Mt. Nebo, and look in every direction to see the special land God had promised to the Israelites.  Have you ever been up a mountain?  What could you see from way up high?  What did you see below you, around you?   

What did Moses use to help him view the Promised Land?  Did he have binoculars?  Did he wear glasses?   No, God said his eyes were good even though he was 120 years old!  What do we use to view things?  Yes, we use our eyes too.  Moses was looking at or viewing something good, and we should do that as well.  We must be careful with our eyes to view good things rather than bad things.  Can you name some good things to view?  bad things?   

Print "V Is for View It!"  Identify the letter and the Vv word.  Let little ones print that.  For 1st./2nd let them copy the rhyme; and talk about it.  Have each one illustrate things they could see from a high place.  Have them draw too some good things to view with their eyes!    

Listen to It:  The Back Story: Moses' Sin at Zin 

In our lesson today there are two stories to tell.  The first one happened to Moses as he led the people along toward their special land.  In it Moses gets angry or mad.  Let me tell you about it.  Moses was leading God's people through this dry, dusty, rocky "Wilderness of Zin."  Along the way the people kept getting thirsty.  The old people were thirsty.  The parents were thirsty.  The kids were thirsty.  Their animals were thirsty too!

So they started to moan and complain,  "We are thirsty!  Why did you bring us here in this hot dry place?  Give us water!"  Moses, and Aaron felt bad, so they fell on their face and prayed to God for water.  God heard their prayers.  And God said, "Moses, here's a rock.  I want you to speak to the rock, and it will give you water."

Did Moses obey? Did he use his voice to speak to the rock like God said?  No, he did not!  Instead, he got mad at the people.  He spoke to them.  He called them "rebels!"  He said, "Why do you make us get water for you?"  Then, he took his rod and he made a sad choice.  He hit the rock twice.  Like this.  "Smack!, Smack!"  Out gushed water--lots of water for everyone to drink.

Was God pleased with Moses?   No, he was not!  God said, "I told you to speak or talk to the rock, but you did not!  You sinned before all the people.  And because of that, you will not go into the Promised Land You will only be allowed to see it."   Numbers 20:1-13

Psalm 106:33 tells us about Moses.  It says the people made him angry.  It says then Moses spoke unwise words with his lips.  We often do that too.  And God hears us and sees us. There's a song that says, "He sees what we do, He hears what we say, my God is watching all the time, time, time,  He sees what we do. He hears what we say. My God is watching all the time!*

Some versions "writing."  Find this song here: 


Learn It:  "The Eyes of the Lord Are In Every Place"

In our lesson "view it" means "see it," or "behold it."  Proverbs says God sees the good and the bad.  He saw Moses when he obeyed, and he saw Moses when he did not.  He sees you too.    

Proverbs 15:3  "The eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the evil and the good."  Let's find this verse in our Bibles.  Go to the big book of Psalms; then go over one more book to find Proverbs 15:3.   Highlight it!  K:  Write "The ... place...."   1st./2nd:  Write verse in journal.

Move It:  Moses "V" Viewer 

Prep It:  Moses image, colored paper, bendable straw, small V cutout, cotton, small straw, markers, hole punch, pencil, glue, scissor, small scissors ....

Make It:  Print Moses figure.  (See pattern at end.)  Cut out; glue to small piece of colored paper; cut round it.  Parents use small scissors cut slit for straw top of head, cut round bottom of beard, and slit in sleeve for end of straw.  Also cut or punch hole in rt. hand for straw "rod." Use pencil to poke out tiny mouth.  Put glue on lil beard; stick on cotton.  Let child carefully color, or outline small figure.  Cut out small "V" --punch two "eye holes."  Tape on "V."  Do look at finished marker at end of lesson!!!

Move It: Push straw behind head, under beard, and through sleeve to move "Moses."  Attach "V" viewer end of straw.  As retell Meribah story insert small "rod straw."  Remove rod to use as a book mark.  Peek through "V" holes or between V to locate "v" words or "Bible" words.  Move beard to make Moses speak. What fun kids can have with this versatile V viewer, Moses, and marker!       

Make It:  Moses Story Tube 

Prep It:  small color page, images of story parts, towel tube, 9"X12" colored paper, scissors, tape, glue...
Make It:  Roll towel tube in colored or tissue paper; tape; and tuck.  Color Moses striking the rock page; cut out arm so rod is out.  Run off map image of Kadesh, photo image of Zin, and picture of Moses angrily raising rod.  Tape round the tube so pictures line up all the way down tube.  Print captions as: Story Tube, Numbers 20, Desert of Zin, Moses at Zin, Psalm 106 etc.  Glue, tape round tube.  
Use It:  Help child to tell story using each picture in turn.  Hint: Make sure each separate image overlaps as you place it round the tube!  Make a Nebo story tube too.

Find tube pages here:  

Find photo pages here: 

Wilderness of Zin Map:  wilderness of zin map - Bing images

View tube at end here:

Hear It:  Moses Views Canaan

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses taught all the people a song, and in Deuteronlmy 33 Moses wrote blessings for all the people..  And in Deuteronomy 34 Moses climbed Mt. Nebo. Now, Moses was old, but he was still strong.  Yes, Moses was old, but his eyes were still good. When Moses got to the very top of Mt. Nebo God told him to look in every direction to see the land.  Moses did.  

And God said to him, "This is the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give it to them."  After Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab and God buried him in the valley.  Then the children of Israel wept and cried for thirty days because their leader Moses had died.  After Joshua, full of a spirit of wisdom, was all ready to be their new leader.  

At the end, Deuteronomy says in Israel there wasn't another prophet like Moses who knew the Lord face to face.  No prophet was like Moses in all the signs and wonders he did in Egypt, and before all the people.  No prophet was like Moses in all that mighty hand, and in all that great things Moses did before all Israel.

Move to It:  "Up, Up on Mt. Nebo" (Tune: "On Top of Old Smoky")

Up, up on Mt. Nebo,
Mountain so high,
Moses did climb up,
up, up to the sky.
(Pretend to climb.)

Up, up, on Mt. Nebo,
Moses did view
the Promised Land
like God said to do.
(Both hands over
eyes.)

For Moses obeyed God,
obeyed his command,
for that was the way 
he saw all the land! Yes! 
(Wag finger; shout
"Yes!") 

Create It:  "My Mini Vee Book"
Vary It:  Cut three Vs from solid violet, patterned violet prints, light violet, and solid white paper. twelve in all.  Begin with a violet cover.   Use these words: violet, vee, vex, vim, vow, verb, view, vigor, voice, vista, valley, and vocabulary.  Print words/write words. Glue to left side of "V".  Print definitions/write them on rt. side of "V,"  Use these words/definitions: violet/color between red/blue; like purple; vee/22nd. letter of alphabet; vex/trouble/upset; vim/energy; vow/solemn promise; verb/action word; view/to look at; vigor/good health; voice/sound produced by God or humans; vista/pleasing view;  valley/low area between mts./hills; and vocabulary/lots of words.  See photograph sample below.
Voice It:  Use each vocabulary word in a sentence.

Eat It:  Vel"vee"ta Cheese "V Words"

Cut slices of Velveeta Cheese into strips; use to form your "Vee" words.  Do show kids the wrapper with the word Velveeta and ask them if they see the "vee" in the middle.  Enjoy!  

Create It:  "My Mini 'View It' Synonym Book"

Vary It:  Cut four Vs from solid orange and green.  Cut four Vs from concordance or other map print showing Mt. Nebo, and Jordan area.   Assemble booklet beginning with solid orange page, green page, and map page using twelve pages in all.  For cover print: "My Mini 'View It' Book"  Print words View it" eleven times; glue to left, and to right glue synonyms.  Synonym list: behold, check out, examine, eye, gaze at, look over, observe, peer at, see, and survey.  Explain that "view it" has many synonym verbs or action words that mean the same thing. 
Journal It: 4s: Write "See it!"  K: write three synonyms.  1st: write five, and second all of them.  
Voice It:  Read the words with the kids like this: "Moses did behold the land. Moses did check out the land.  Moses did examine the land." etc.  Ask children to find Mt. Nebo on their map "V."   What else can they see?  Look at photo of mini book at close of lesson.    

Apply It:  Which Story?  M or N?

1st./2nd: To enable the kids to use their Vv vocabulary words ask these questions about the Meribah or Nebo story?  Let them answer M or N.  In which story did Moses .....?

1.  ... raise his voice in anger?     M
2.  ... look at a pleasant vista?     N
3.  ... hear God use his voice to say, "Speak to the rock!?"     M
4.  ... hear the people use their voices to complain against him and Aaron?     M
5.  ... still have vim and vigor?     N
6.  ... look in all directions to view the Promised Land?     N
7.  ... see "the plain of the valley of Jericho?"     N
8.  ... hear God's voice say, "Because you didn't obey me you can't enter the land.?"     M
9.  ... view a vale or a valley?     N
10.  ...  use his voice unwisely against the rebels?     M 

Learn About It:  Celebrating Simchat Torah!

Way back in the Introductory Deuteronomy Lesson, we learned that there were five books in the Book of the Law or the Torah:  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  In Jewish synagogues today they read the Torah--out loud--from Genesis to Deuteronomy over a whole year.  When they get to the last chapter--chapter thirty-four--then they start all over at Genesis again.  To celebrate this yearly completion of the Torah Jewish people celebrate  "Simchat Torah" which means "Joy in the Torah."  They empty out all the Torah scrolls from their aron or ark and adults carry them round and round the synagogue seven times.  Kids march too and carry small flags often with an apple on top of the flag stick.

Chaya Burstein's Jewish Holidays and Traditions Coloring Book (Dover Publications, Inc., New York, c. 1990) has three great coloring book pages (pp.18-20) to color.  One shows Moses on Mt. Nebo, a second shows the parading of the Torah in the synagogue, and the blessing page with kids under the tallit shawl.  Not only is it a great color book, but is full of wonderful information kids (adults too!) should know.  Order a copy here:    


Review It:  "Books of Moses--Pentateuch Rhyme"

In first Deuteronomy lesson  we learned this rhyme:

Hold out your fingers just like so, ready, set, let's go:  
"Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy!"
Hold out your fingers again once more: 
let's say those books just like before: 
"Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy!"
(Hold left hand palm up; with right hand touch each finger.)

If you've never read the first lesson do scroll back to find it!

Watch It:  Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah

An informative book Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah by Slyvia A. Rouss is read aloud on line.  This book is about an imaginary family that will celebrate Simchat Torah and a spider who observes this.  Its first page begins: "Again, and ...and again ...and again ... and again."  On the very next page you'll meet Josh and his mom, Mrs. Shapiro.  Josh is begging his mom to read a book his teacher gave to him. He wanted to hear it once again!  Above, on the ceiling listening, is Sammy Spider.  When his mom is finished reading, Josh begs to hear it once more. Find out what happens next by clicking here: 

While the story is fiction, the lessons and facts it gives are not.  The emphasis on the repetative  words: "again and again refrain!" is what Jewish people do as they listen to the Torah read aloud every week on Shabbat over and over.  Yes, little folks and  adults learn best by repetition.  This book teaches an important lesson we often miss --that is the Word-- needs to be read aloud consistently.  And as we've learned, Deuteronomy teaches the importance of instilling and instructing your child in the Word every chance you get!  It also teaches through its Simchat Torah celebration there is "joy in the Torah."  And as written in the book--signified by the apples--that the reading of the Torah is sweet!

As a side note, some years ago I wrote a book Celebrate the Bible.  Below are several pages from it.  Perhaps, you too might set aside a special time to celebrate the Word with your youngsters!  See down below:

Make It:  Simchat Torah Flag/Celebrate the Bible Pennant

Prep It:  Simchat Torah flag print, colored paper, glue, scissors, markers, colored pencils straw, pipecleaner, tape....  
Make It:  Glue flag pic to colored paper.  Cut out carefully.  Use markers/colored pencils to outline color page.  Put pipecleaner through straw*; turn over tape flag to it.  Move to songs.
*  Makes it so much strudier than just a pipecleaner, or straw alone!  Find flag images here:


See sample flag below!

Prep It:  Celebrate the Bible Pennant page find in photographs; use same materials as above.
Note!  Remember you can click on photos and enlarge it to see it, and even trace it. Or you can find pennant shapes on line.  After print, or write out "Celebrate the Bible!"  
Make It:  Add other details.  Check below to see flag. 

March to It:  "Celebrate the Bible!"

Celebrate the Bible
with a boom, boom, boom.
Celebrate the Bible,
march around the room.
Celebrate the Bible
with a ring, ring, ring.
Celebrate the Bible;
Praise the Lord and sing.
Celebrate the Bible
with a cheer, cheer, cheer.
Celebrate the Bible
every day of the year!
                                  LEP
 
Sing It I:  A Jewish Simchat Torah Song to Sing

Hear this catchy Simhat Torah song by Stephen Melzack here:  : 

Sing It II:  Read the Torah!  Tune:  Chorus: "Give Me Oil in My Lamp"

Read the Torah,* read the Torah, read the Torah, celebrate today, 
Read the Torah, read the Torah, read the Torah and obey!
* your Bible, or the Bible 

May also sing third verse of "Give Me Oil in Lamp."  Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart today, Give me joy in my heart keep me praising, praising to the break of day!  Hear it here:   Sing Hosanna - Give Me Oil In My Lamp | Bible Songs for Kids - Bing video

Say It:  Be Wise!

Be wise what you
put before your eyes,
(Point to eyes.)
Be wise what you
hear with your ears,
(Point to ears.)
Cling to wholesome
things!
(Hug self.)
Vow now to do it!
( Shake finger; raise voice!)
   
Older Kids: Ages 8-12:

Hear It:  Aaron at Mt. Hor

Once again, there are back stories to explore.  There's Aaron at Meribah and there's Aaron's death at Mt. Hor.  After, there is Moses on Mt. Nebo.  Here are some read-aloud scriptures to share first:  Numbers 20:1-13, 22-29; Numbers 27:13; and Deut. 32:50.  Read and discuss.  

Discuss It: Think About It! 

What were the people complaining about?  Against whom were they fighting?  What did the people wish they had done?  After this what did Moses and Aaron do?  What was Aaron's part (v.10) in the rock command?  Moses?  Notice verse 12:  What did God say to both Moses and Aaron?  Where did everyone go from Kadesh?  What did the Lord say about Aaron?  Why couldn't he see the land?  Who went with Aaron up Mt. Hor?  Who was watching?  What did God command Moses to do?*  Then what happened?

Note:  Perhaps, you wonder why Moses took off Aaron's priestly garments.  Exodus 29:29 gives us an answer.  It says, "And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them."

Hear It:  Moses at Mt. Nebo

Moses went up a mountain too.  Unlike Aaron, he viewed the Promised Land before he died.  As you listen, think how Moses' story was like Aaron's or different than Aaron's account.  Numbers 27:12-15  tells us of Moses going up Mt. Nebo to see the land, and after he'd seen it he'd be gathered unto his people.  Why couldn't he enter the land?   Verse 14 gives the  answer--because he didn't honor God's command to speak to the rock at the waters of Meribah in Kadish.  

Deuteronomy 3 tells us more.  It records that Moses begged the Lord to let him go over and see the good land.  But, writes Moses, the Lord was angry at him for asking, and told him not to speak to him any more of this matter.  But, he was to go up to the top of Pisgah (mountain range), and lift up his eyes in all directions to behold it or view it.  But, it was Joshua who would get to go into the land!

And Deuteronomy 32 explains that Mt. Nebo was in the land of Moab.  From it he was to behold Canaan.  Again it says "because" you trespassed or sinned at the waters of Meribah-Kadish, and didn't honor me before all the children of Israel you can't go into the land.  

Finally, in Deuteronomy 34 we learn exactly which land the Lord showed him and what the Lord said about his land promise.  As before, we read at 120 year old Moses would "see it" with his eyes but not go in.  Sadly we read that Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there.  After it was the Lord who buried him in a Moab valley without anyone knowing where his grave was!   

The last three verses tell us in the Old Testament there wasn't any other prophet in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face.*  For not only in Egypt, but in the wilderness the Lord had allowed Moses to do powerful miracles in the sight of all Israel!
*References:  Deut. 18:15  Deut.18:18

Learn It: Two Verses to Know-- Acts 3:20,22

In Acts Peter quotes Moses' words from Deuteronomy 18 that state God would raise up a Prophet to whom they should listen.  And that Prophet was Jesus Christ!

Here's the Deuteronomy 18:15 prophecy verse:  "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet* from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken."  *Note:  Prophet is capitalized!  Also a "cross reference" below my verse says:  "Deut. 18:15"   

Say It!  Acts 3:20,22  "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ... For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you."

What great tools markings/cross references are!  e.g. in my Bible Deuteronomy 18:15 and Acts 3:22 are starred.  Here's the note in the front about "star" markings:  A "star" beside a verse in the O.T. indicates a Messianic prophecy.  In the N.T., a "star" beside a verse indicates a prophecy that has been fulfilled. 

Make It:  Star It:  Print Verses onto Oversized Stars

Either cut out two oversized stars and print the verses inside.   Or instead glue words to a page surrounding them with shiny stars.  See sample at end: 


Visit It:  A Mt. Nebo Tour Via Video

There's a number of video virtual tours taking one right atop Mt. Nebo; pick one, view it, and then share parts with your children afterward discussing what is shown.  Note that Mt. Nebo is in the country of Jordan, and that from it among other areas one can view the Jordan valley.  Here are some videos available that you can choose:  mt nebo tour video - Bing

Compare It, Contrast It:  The Mt. Hor Vs. The Mt. Nebo Story Make It!

Prep It:  Print two oversized outline Vs.; print words/phrases listed below, brown, blue paper, markers, crayons,scissors, glue. ....

Make It:  Trace Vs onto br. paper; cut out.  Turn upside down for mts.  Glue onto blue paper.  Cut apart words printed in list; glue on and around 'mountains."  Glue Mt. Hor-Aaron and Mt. Nebo-Moses at top of mountains. If you wish older kids can just draw upside down mountain "V" and write the phrases round their mountains.   For younger kids make two big V mountains on the white board first, and write in the phrases/words that go with each one.  After, let first/second graders do it alone using printed strips, or printing their own!  Find sample photo at end of lesson.  


Explore It:  Simchat Torah--"Let's Hear It for the Torah!"

Simchat Torah, (pronounced sim-kaht-toe-rah) is a Jewish holy day of rest and joy, celebrated the day after Sukkot (Feast of Booths).  On that day all go to synagogue to the hear the last of the Torah read, the first of it begun again, and to sing and dance with the Torah.  Read more in The Torah for Dummies by Arthur Kurtweil. Especially read chapter thirteen: "Walking Through the Torah Synagogue Service" where Kurtweil highlights the respect for the Torah they were to show as each hearer followed along reading his own copy.  

Great care is given to the handling of the Torah from taking it out of its coverings, to carefully handling it, to redressing it, and putting it away.  As often stressed in these lessons there's huge dividends to be had from reading aloud the Word to and with your  kids. Bill Randles, a wonderful pastor from Iowa, demonstrates this aloud reading of the Word so beautifully nearly always reading through his sermon texts verse by verse.   

Note:  Christians read both the Old and New Testament, while Jewish people read only the Old Testament. Why is this?  It is because as Christians we believe that the Prophet that Moses talked about in Deut.18 was Jesus, the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem.  Whereas, Jewish people believe that Jesus the Messiah has not yet come.  John 1:4,5 says, "He (Jesus, the Messiah) came unto his own (the Jews) and they received him not.  But, as many as received him , to them gave he power to become the sons of God....."  Notice John 1:45 references Deut.18;18!  Therefore, we celebrate Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and coming again.  Oh, praise His name!
 
To View It, Or Not?  A Verse to Remember!

Psalm 101:3a tells us to use our eyes wisely viewing things that are good rather than worthless.  It says,
 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:...."  In Genesis we read about a man and his family that found that difficult to do for they lived where they were continually surrounded by evil.

Now, that man was Lot, a nephew of Abraham, who traveled with his uncle into Promised Land territory where their workers quarreled.  Therefore, Abraham suggested they separate.  He told Lot to look at the land nearby, and choose an area in which he'd like to live.  So, the Bible says, Lot lifted up his eyes and chose the lush, green, well-watered  Jordan plain. 

After, Lot moved to a sinful city called Sodom. There every day Lot and his family were viewing and hearing evil things.  II Peter 2:7,8 says because of the wickedness all around it vexed Lot's righteous soul--or upset him.  Meanwhile, the Lord also looked down seeing all the wickedness and sent angels to take Lot and his family out the city. Then, the Lord destroyed Sodom.  Read more here:  Genesis 13, 18-19; Luke 17  Explore More!  What happened when Lot's wife turned back to view Sodom again?

Today just as in Lot's time we too are surrounded by many evil things, and that's why we need to focus in on good things to use our eyes for.  Here are images that help us think about this verse; view them.  Then print several, and use as book marks reminders! 


For  a lot more about Lot visit:   iBIBLE  and  iBIBLE.

Pray It:  A Prayer to Say!

Dear Lord:  
I vow now today
to be wise, to obey,
and not to allow
"...any wicked thing
before my eyes."
Amen.

Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, YOU:

What Are Your Grands Viewing?  Your Kids?  You?

Whether young or old  we're constantly being confronted via television, games on the internet or phones, I Pads, or other tech toys with unsuitable things to view.  Recently, I heard  about a four-year-old boy who loved watching Bendy which is a trendy demonic cartoon figure. The little guy so liked this Mickey Mousish-like character that he wanted it on his birthday cake.  Perhaps, you think this unusual, but sadly it is not for game characters like this abound.  

Examining an ABC book, on a video I viewed, was a little tot sitting on his mom's lap being coached to say words he would never begin to understand.  Who would believe we'd see the day when such books are specifically focused on our smallest children?  (Oh, and on their naive and undiscerning parents and grandparents too!) Like a friend said these books, programs, and toys should grieve us for they surely should vex our very hearts!  

Know what's happening all around.  Remind others whether young or old as Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set no evil thing before mine eyes."   Instead, as  Amos 5:15 records, "Hate the evil, love the good, ...."

Light House Trails Kids' Corner is a great site full of kids' books, and movies that honor the Lord.  View them here:        

Click on photos to make them larger!




















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Saturday, February 27, 2021

U Is for Utter It: ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

U Is for Utter It:  ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World

Teachers, parents, grandparents: never miss the end section especially written for you discussing current issues/books/videos that you can share with others or your children. Do scroll to the end to read this.  Also, do not miss the photographs at the end of every lesson!  

U Is for Utter It!

U is for utter it:
to declare it
to share it,
to air it aloud;
to express it
boldly in a crowd!

What is it that we are to be uttering?  The Word of God!  Paul writes in Ephesians 6:19:  "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,...."         

Little Kids: Ages 4-7

Understand It:  Discover What "Utter" Means

Print "utter" on your white board.  Can you read our Uu word?  Let's say it together.  How many syllables or parts do you hear?  (two)  What sound does it begin with?  (a short "u")  What double letters does it have?  (two t's)  If you see two double letters you can divide it in half like this: "Write ut-ter."  To utter means you speak words, or send words out. Who in Deuteronomy spoke a lot of words?  Moses!  In fact, Moses declared or uttered three speeches.

Journal It:  Write the Rhyme 

Have the child write the "U Is for Utter It" in their journal.  Circle the rhyming words.  Point out that declare, air, and express are synonmous with "utter."  Have kids draw a person with an over-sized mouth praising the Lord.  Make a speech bubble with letters "PTL" inside for "Praise the Lord!"  1st./2nd  should  write Psalm 106:2 below into their journals as well.
      
Learn It:  "Who Can Utter?"

Psalm 106:2  "Who can utter (speak) the mighty acts of the LORD?  Who can shew forth all his praise?"  

Our verse for "Uu" is found in Psalm 106:2.  Psalms is the Old Testament.  If I open my Bible in the middle like this (demo it) I will find the book of Psalms.  If you need to you can check out "The Table of Contents" in your Bible.  Psalms is the longest book in our Bible!  It has 150 chapters. Write Psalm 106:2 on the board.  Help each child find the verse, and highlight the word "utter."  

Now, let's speak out or utter our verse!  Make a "U" by sticking up your two index fingers like this and then joining your two thumbs.  Put that big "U" round your mouth, and speak it out loudly, softly, and happily.  Our verse asks us who can speak out about the great things God does.  Do you know who?  You!   Let's make our big U, speak our verse in a big voice through the U, and then raise our hands with praise. 

Note:  Do not miss the many Psalms that describe God's wondrous works as the Israelites exited from Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and took their wilderness jounry.  What mighty acts the Lord did for them.  What wondrous things He does for us as well.  How we should praise Him! 

Say It:  The  "Who Can Utter?" Action Rhyme

Who can utter, who can declare Bible words everywhere?  I can!
Who can utter, who can share Bible words everywhere?  You can!
Who can utter, who can air Bible words everywhere?  We can!
Who can utter, who can speak Bible words each day of the week?  Us!
                                                                                                        LEP
Utter It:  The U Tube!

Prep It:  toilet tube, foam sheet or heavy paper, U image, scissors, glue, tape .....
Make It:  Roll tube in paper; tape it.  Cut apx. 2 1/2" "U" from foam or heavy paper.  Attach to top of tube to make an easy "U Tube" to speak through.
Use It:  Hold your "U Tube" in front of mouth, and utter a verse, or rhyme through the top!   Look at the "U Tube" at the end of the lesson!  

Speak It:  The Lips Tube

Prep It: toilet tube, red tissue or typing paper, scissors,  tape 'n red marker ....
Make It:  Press one end of tube to look like lips (indentation on top of end of tube), go round "lips" with red marker,  Cover tube with red tissue or typing paper--thin paper works best.  Tape in place.  Hint:  Leave just a brown tube edging round your lips.  Do see "Tube Lips" sample below.    
Move It:  Move your "lips" to declare Bible words pressing in top indentation with your index finger to make your lips "speak!"     

Make It:  A Super-Sized U 

Prep It:  small outline U image, scissors, glue, marker,  printed verse words, foam pieces.
Make It:  Print nine Us; cut out.  Overlap Us into a super U; four on both sides, and one in middle on the bottom.  Print words for verse/ synonyms for utter or use a marker to write them.  Cut apart words; and glue one word per U. Or print words, cut them out, and glue them to a small piece of foam as I did.  Check the bottom for a sample photograph!  Note:  This "U" has little pocket areas you can stick  words in.   

Hear It: Moses Utters "Be Strong!"

Moses spoke to all the people.  I am old.  I am one hundred and twenty.  I can't go out places.  I can't come in places.  I can't go over the Jordan River.  I can't go into the Promised land.  But, the Lord will go before you.  He will help you defeat your enemies.  He will you give you the Promised Land.  

And Joshua will be your new leader.  Then Moses uttered these words to all the people:  "Be strong and of a good courage; fear not, do not be afraid of them (your enemies) for the LORD your God will go with you...."

Then Moses called to Joshua too.  Moses uttered these words just to Joshua:  "Be strong and of a good courage: : for you must go with the people into the land. ...the LORD... will be with you,... fear not, neither be dismayed."

God tells you and I this too:  "Be strong, be of a good courage... I will be with you!"  Do not be afraid!"
Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Sing It:  "Be Strong and Of a Good Courage"  
(Tune: "The Bear Went Over the Mountain")

Be strong, and of a good courage, 
be strong, and of a good courage, 
be strong and of a good courage, 
for I will be with you.   
for, I will be with you, 
for I will be with you.
Be strong and of a good courage,  
be strong and of a good courage, 
be strong and of a good courage, 
Yes, I will be with you! 
(Point to others, make fists, n' point up. 
Raise voice at end.)

Move It: The Moses Tube Mouth

Prep It:  toilet tube, scissors, white paper/toilet paper/tissue paper, pencil, tape ....
Make It:  Press tube in and cut out mouth. Cover tube with tissue paper, or other paper.  Cut out mouth part. Tape. Attach piece of paper for Moses' beard  under mouth. Fringe bottom; curl beard parts with pencil. Tape on.  I used foam sticky letters to spell "Moses."  May also add nose/moustache. 
Move It:  Kids hold tube in front of mouth; to say or sing: "Be Strong" words through it, or use for other "utter" verses.   See sample below! 

Discuss It:  You Can "Say Something!"

Peter Reynold's book Say Something!  fits with this lesson. Note while some pages offer good advice,  others do not.  Which is which?  Preview it; then after share a few pages appropriate to your youngsters talking it over with them teaching them the skill of discernment now!!!  

For example, show younger children the little girl looking up to heavens and thanking the stars and the Universe.  You might say:  "Do you see that little girl looking up at the sky?  She is quietly talking to the stars.  She is thanking the stars and the Universe because she is alive.  Is that who we thank?  No, it's God we thank because He made us, our world, and the stars too."   Remember how we can open our mouth to utter or speak and give God our praises!  Our Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God--he created us!  And Ps. 145 says we can utter or praise God for his wonderful works--all the things he's made.  Yes, we can say something--we can say something to God!    
  
View this read-aloud book here:   

Say It:  Think About It!  

When in your Bible 
a scripture you find:
(Palms up to 
make 'Bible.')
Use your eyes, read it!
(Look down as if reading it.)
Use your lips, speak it!
(Point to lips.)
Then use your mind--
think about it! 
(Pat head. Raise voice!)
                              LEP

Older Kids: Ages 8-12

Understand It:  Is "Utter" in Deuteronomy?

While the word "utter" is not in Deuteronomy, synonyms for it are!  Can you name some?  However, there is a word in Deuteronomy that is not a verb, but an adverb that has utter in it.  Do you know what that is?  It is "utterly" a word we met when we did the lesson on Caleb!  It means totally, or competely, or wholly!  Can you find one or two Deuteronomy "utterly" verses?   Record them in your journal.

Journal It:  Told to Be Bold!

In Ephesians 6:19 Paul prays that utterances might be given him that he would "open his mouth boldly" to speak and make known the gospel.  Copy Ephesians 6:19 in your journal.  Draw someone boldly declaring the word of God.  Make a mouth in a "U" shape.  Look up Acts 4:29 and Ephesians 6:20.    

Hear It:  Moses Utters a Charge

Moses was getting very old.  Soon it would be time for Joshua to take over.  So God said, "Moses, give Joshua a charge, or instruction.  Meet at the Meeting Tent.  So Moses and Joshua met God there; God came in a cloud.  There Moses laid his hand on Joshua's head.  There God made Joshua become the new leader to take the people into the Promised Land.  And there Moses uttered some words we read in Deuteronomy.  These words were to encourage Joshua.  Moses said, ""Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee."  Deuteronomy 31:14-15, 23

Learn It:  The Eagerly Utter Verse

In Psalm 145:4-7 there's some verses about uttering or declaring words that tell of God's great goodness.  Open your Bible to Psalm 145 to read them.  Read aloud this part: "I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatnes. They shall abundantly* utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness."  Oh, that we too would be an eager utterer of God's goodness and greatness!
* Means: "eagerly" or "bubbling forth!"

Make-It:  Paper Plate Utterer

Prep It: paper plate. scissors, paper, printed verse/ words, tape, glue....
Make It:  Cut hair strip; at edges tape across top of plate.  Cut baseball cap or other hat from colored paper; fit to top of plate so hair shows just a bit.  Cut U for mouth and pieces for utterings.  Cut out eyes/nose pieces. May place Urwin Utterer on a covered towel tube to make a puppet, or feature him on a page. Ursula Utterer, you may notice has a snow hat, and a wide open mouth into which words can be placed.  See samples below.  

Draw It:  Some Eager Utterers 

Have kids draw some eager utterers with various mouths" in U shape, smile shape, and so on.  Incorporate as many "u" parts as ears, eyebrows, cheeks, barrettes, clothing, etc.  

Search Ps. 145 for all the words that describe what an eager utter does with their mouths: extol, bless, praise, declare, speak, utter, sing, and make known.  Inside a small lip outlines list them all!   What would they praise the Lord for? his mighty acts, wondrous works, terrible acts, greatness, great goodness, righteousness and so much more!

Find It:  An Awesome Psalm--Psalm 78

Psalm 78 is an awesome Psalm that talks about "uttering" things.  In it the Psalmist says, "I will open my mouth in a parable  (story); I will utter mysterious sayings of old."  Now, a parable, as my mom taught me, is an earthly story with a heavenly meeting.  Jesus, in Matthew 13:35, told stories in parables to his disciples.  

This Psalm tells how people hear stories from their parents and then pass them on to their children.  Now the most important story anyone can pass down to their children is the Calvary Story of Jesus' dying for us to forgive our sins and to make us a new person in Christ. 

The Israelites saw many wonderful things that God did for them, Verse 12 says, "Marvelous things did he (the Lord)."  Oh, I love that word "marvelous" --it is such fun to say! What amazing works the Lord did so they could tell the children that would be born later!  Will you utter those words?  Will you care enough to share the good news?  Will you air it?  Will you?

Listen to It:  An "Open Air" Meeting

Here's a true story about two young men and two young ladies.  The first young man had a parent that was Jewish and one that was not.  This man had never heard that Jesus was the Messiah, nor that he came to die for him to save him from his sins.  But, one day a friend told him the story of the cross and this young man found the Lord Jesus as his Savior.  Eager to share this good news the young man went up to the Atlantic City boardwalk to hold an "open air" meeting.  There he uttered the gospel to all who passed by.

Now, as he was speaking along came my father and mother to be and my mom's friend. My mom happened to be visiting my dad's family, and she and her friend had just told him he needed to know Jesus as his Savior.  Dad had never heard that so he thought mom and her friend were really different.  It was then they encountered the young man sharing his story.  They stopped to listen.  Dad, touched by his message, said to mom and her friend, "Well, I guess there are other people like you who believe such things."

Dad fell in love with mom wanting to know her much better, but mom said unless you really know Jesus as your Savior I'm not interested.  So mom went back to her home in Michigan and said she'd write to dad.  She did.  Mom told him the good news of Jesus over and over. After dad tried a church and whom did he meet there but that same open air guy!  Coincidence?  I think not!

Besides dad began reading the Bible, and soon dad knew he needed Jesus, confessed his sin, and trusted  him as his Savior.  How he eagerly shared this news with mom.  Although dad and mom had only met in person for a week the very next year they were happily married.  And for over fifty years they told many others the gospel--especially boys and girls.  What happened, you might ask, to the young open air preacher?  Well, he went on to become a well-known pastor, and The Pacific Garden Mission of Chicago recorded his testimony on a DVD of which I found a copy.  Amazingly, I also have all those old letters my parents wrote to each other.      

Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, YOU!

View It:  Peter Reynolds' Be You!  

Peter Reynolds, illustrator/author, is an exceptionally talented artist whose stories and books have great child/teacher appeal.  He also illustrates books for a Susan Verde series of "I AM" books filled with New Age declarations.  All of these books can be found either on You Tube Read Aloud sites, or on Amazon books "Look Inside" previews.    
 
In his book Be You! Reynolds illustrates and writes many "Be" declarations.  On one page the "Be" thought is "Be your own thinker ... set your own unique course...  you'll be heading in the right direction."  But, the Bible says,  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Prov.3:5,6  On another page there's a picture of a kid sitting in a lotus position with mudra fingers meditating.  The "Be" words say: "Take time to be on your own. Hear your own thoughts. Listen to your heart."  Notice too how this child in the picture is meditating, but it's not the Bible way. Why is that? (Meditator uses words or breath to still the mind.)  What is the Bible way?  (Thinking Bible words over and over to fill the mind.)  Everywhere you'll see similiar books and slogans celebrating  "youness."  Even greeting cards are filled with it!  So beware!  Listen to the book here: 


And always be sure to look into exactly who the author is no matter how captivating their book!  To do so is called "discerment!"

Learn About It: The Lectio Divina Deception

Recently I tuned into a Christian college virtual chapel time only to find out they were excitedly exposing their students to the ritual practice of "Lectio Divina" or so-called "sacred or divine reading."  This practice involves uttering or declaring a scripture passage over and over until you narrow it down to one word or phrase that jumps out at you.  You then use this word or phrase to go into silence and still yourself to hear 'God's voice'.  

Learn here why this practice is problematic. Read these Light House Trails booklets: 
Lectio Divina:  What It Is. What It Is Not.  And Should Christians Practice It?  Also read:  
D IS for Deception: The Language of the "New" Christianity  by Kevin Reeves.    Find them here:  


Here's a source entitled "How to Pray Lectio Divina: The Catholic's Ultimate Guide." In it a priest lets its listeners in on where it all began.  Be aware that Lectio is but a stepping stone to full-blown mantra-like New Age meditation.  Therefore, stay away from it, instead meditating on the Word thinking about it over and over.    Find it here:  How to Pray Lectio Divina: The Catholic's Ultimate Guide (theprodigalfather.org)


Click on photos to make them larger!

  

                                          













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