Obedience for First Cycle
First: Welcome the children into the session. Say how happy we are to see them and how important they are for the class. Explain we will follow the letters of the alphabet in order to choose the volunteer for the opening prayer. So, the child’s name that starts with the letter A will do the opening prayer this time. Everybody will have the chance to collaborate as the weeks passed by.
After that, the Spiritist worker will introduce the “Raffle Box of Prayers”. In your turn, each child will open the box, choose one prayer and read it loudly for whole class. We will do it until all the kids have their chance to choose and read a prayer.
When the activity with the “Raffle box of Prayers” finishes the volunteer will collect the booklet “The Lord’s Prayer” with the children who was responsible in the previous week.
The volunteer can make up a few questions, such as:
* What did you most like in this prayer;
* What could you learn during the week with the prayer and others
The child can also read the prayer for his/hers colleagues. Another child will be able to choose himself/herself to take the booklet home and bring next week, at the end of this activity.
The Lord’s Prayer booklet
P.S. At the end of the class the parents will be informed and also asked about their availability to bring the booklet next week.
Second: Prayer Activity – Each child will receive a piece of paper with a picture on the side. The children will be asked to prepare a prayer (what they would say to Jesus or God) within the topic of the picture (i.e. rain, sunshine, trees, people, etc). The volunteers will be all around in order to help the children to prepare their prayers. As soon as they finish they will be encouraged to read it to their colleagues and place the prayers inside of the “Raffle box of Prayers”.
Third: The meaning of the word - The volunteer will bring pictures and definitions of the word obedience to get the children to talk about it.
Fourth: Questions for discussion
How will others know that we love God?
What do you think Jesus did when His parents asked Him to brush His hair?
What do you think Jesus did when His parents asked Him to pick up His toys?
What do you think Jesus did when His parents asked Him to leave His brother/sister alone?
What do you think Jesus did when His parents asked Him to be quiet while they were talking?
Create additional questions similar to these, focusing on areas where the children struggle with obedience.
Key concepts
The Bible tells us that we show our love for God by obeying His commands (1 John 5:3, John 14:23). Jesus considered His purpose here on earth “to do His Father’s work” (John 6:38). One of God’s commands is for children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20). Just as God was pleased with Jesus for doing His will, God is also pleased with children who follow His instructions, obeying Him and their parents.
Fifth: Draw a large circle on the chalkboard with two smaller circles inside it (see illustration).
Explain that the object of this activity is to make an X inside the smallest circle while wearing a blindfold. Ask for a volunteer to try it. Blindfold the volunteer and give him or her a piece of chalk. Turn the blindfolded child around two or three times and then place him or her in front of the chalkboard. Have the child make an X on the chalkboard. Then ask the child to make another X after receiving instructions about where to place the X. Have a second child give the blindfolded child instructions such as “higher,” “lower,” “to the left,” “to the right.”
Look at the two markings and discuss how much better the blindfolded child did when he or she obeyed the instructions of the other child.
* Why did (blindfolded child’s name) do better at placing the X when she (he) obeyed the instructions?
Allow each child who wants to participate to be blindfolded and try to put an X in the circle while another child gives instructions.
Point out that the blindfolded children were more successful at placing the marks in the circle when they obeyed the instructions of someone who could see the circles better. Explain that sometimes Heavenly Father and our parents can see things in our lives better than we can. They give us instructions to help us. When we obey Heavenly Father and our parents, we will be happy.
Sixth: Prepare pieces of paper with simple instructions such as the following:
* Erase the chalkboard.
* Jump.
* Shake hands with each member of the class.
* Sing or say the words to “Do As I’m Doing.”
* Say something kind about each class member.
* Tell five things that you are thankful for.
* Act out something that you will do for a family member during the week.
Put the pieces of paper in a container. Have the children take turns choosing a paper from the container and obeying the instructions written on it.
Seventh: Video - Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXWHLB1f6_U.
Eighth: Show the video one more time and get the children to explain the parable with their own words.
Ninth: Read one question from The Little Spirits’ Book Laura Bergallo.
Translation: Jussara Korngold, Mônica Santos, Lorena Suppa, Fred Lima, and Danny Claudio
Tenth: Video - Star Size Comparison HD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q
Eleventh: Healing Theatre - The volunteer will bring many pieces of paper with good instructions. 2 children will participate on the activity at time. 1 child needs to sit down on the chair meanwhile the other will read the instructions. The child who is sat down should follow the instructions told by the colleague. If the child who is seat down would follow all the instructions he/she will deserve a “well done” stick. All the children will have the change to participate.
Twelfth: Closing prayer - One of the children will do a closing prayer. Explain we will follow the letters of the alphabet in order to choose the volunteer for the closing prayer. So, the child’s name that starts with the letter B will do the opening prayer this time. Everybody will have the chance to collaborate as the weeks passed by.
Suggested activity to be given as Homework:
Class suggested being suitable for: 1st Cycle (7 to 8 years old).
Spiritist volunteer: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to The Spiritist Psychological Society.
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