Dawn Renee Stephens's Blog, page 7

Fruit of the Spirit for Kids – 3 Ways to help it grow.

The fruit of the Spirit for kids is described in Galatians 5:22-23. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Are these characteristics that describe most children? If you have children around, you probably would love these characteristics to flow from them. However, growing these traits is not natural for them or us.

Little humans may show love and joy. But, they typically want things right away. Their patience is something you are probably helping them to develop. If you have babies or pets around your kids, you may tell them to be more gentle. In addition, we say to our children, “Be good”. However, we assume they know what ‘goodness” is. Likewise, we want them to be kind to others. We hope they show self-control and grow to be faithful.

It is easy to treat these Godly traits as human characteristics. We somehow believe that we can cultivate these values without the spirit that forms them. In addition, kids mimic the behaviors of others. Therefore, if they are with people that show the fruit of the Spirit, they are more likely to model these behaviors too.

The fruit of the Spirit comes from God. We read about it in HIs Word.Kids need to see examples of the fruit of the Spirit

The first way kids will be able to develop the fruit of the Spirit is to see it modeled. As a school principal, these qualities were something that I focused a lot of effort on. First, I tried very hard to make sure my own actions and thoughts were characterized by these traits. Likewise, I regularly asked the Holy Spirit to be in control and produce these qualities each day through me.

I also reminded my teachers that they needed to do the same. Together, we came up with specific things we could do that would allow God to produce His fruit through us. You can read more about these steps here. By recognizing these characteristics in each other and keeping our focus on the Holy Spirit, we were helping children grow it too.

We can create an environment for the fruit of the Spirit to grow.

Let’s talk farming. Farmers would never plant crops in areas where they knew the seeds could not grow. Much of their job is in preparing the land before the planting. God prepares us and our kids to be fruitful too. Putting kids in the environment where they see adults model the fruit of the Spirit is definetly good, Unfortunately, not all schools have principals and teachers who ask the Holy Spirit to grow His fruit through them. Therefore, we need to make sure our children are around other believers. We need to make sure they have a church family.

As my children grew, they would often seek the advice of adults and older teens from our church. We made sure that church was not just a place we attended each week. The church is a family of believers. Consequently, we knew it was important to spend time with that family.

The third way we can help kids to grow the fruit of the Spirit is by reading God’s Word with them. The Bible should not be a book they only use when they are at church. It should also be something that you read together at home.

Become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

The fruit of the Spirit can be produced through anyone that allows God to be their Lord and savior. Understanding how God uses us to produce the fruit of the Spirit is important. That is why Little Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

Learn how the potter grows the fruit of the Spirit through you.

You can purchase signed copies of these books from our store. The books are also available on Amazon.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post Fruit of the Spirit for Kids – 3 Ways to help it grow. appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

What can wash my sin away?

There’s an old hymn that asks the question, “What can wash my sin away?” The answer? “Nothing but the blood of Jesus”. I sang this song before I was taught what it meant. I was too young to read the lyrics for myself. However, I still stood with an open hymn book resting on the pew in front of me. I would sing alongside my family, “Oh precious is the flow, That makes me white as snow, No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus”.

What can wash my sin away lyrics

Here are the lyrics to the hymn:

What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Refrain:
Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

For my pardon, yes I see, nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my cleansing, there’s my plead, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Nothing can for sin a tone, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Not of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteous mess, nothing but the blood of Jesus

-Robert Lowery

Jesus’ blood is what can wash my sin away

As a child, I pictured bathing in blood, and wondered how red blood could turn me “white as snow”. In the Old Testament, before Jesus came to die for our sins, God told His people to wash before coming to meet with Him. (Exodus 30:20). Likewise, they were told to sacrifice animals. Blood was the necessary payment for their sins. Think of it this way. Sin=death and blood=life.

The Bible is full of physical descriptions that help us understand spiritual concepts. Consequently, people have associated sin with being dirty. Sin makes us unworthy to be with God. Therefore, we need to wash. However, we do not do the “washing”. David is the one who asks God to wash him and make him whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).

The New Testament speaks of washing our sins away too. Paul is told by Ananias to be baptized and wash away his sins (Acts 22:16). Everyone needs this washing. We all have sin (Romans 3:23). John 1:7 tells us that the blood of Jesus is what washes us from our sin.

Washing your sins away

Just as the potter is an important biblical illustration of God, washing is a meaningful illustration of forgiveness. For this reason, I wanted children to see it in the Tea Pot book. After the vessel admits its selfishness, the potter washes it.

In The Tea Pot, the vessel is washed clean.Pruning scripture

This washing occurs when we come to Christ and ask Him to forgive us, believing that His death on the cross is the payment for all our sins, past, present, and future. It only needs to occur once. That is the moment that the Holy Spirit enters our life and makes us vessels that can truly serve Him. With His Spirit living inside us, we are able to grow the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Unfortunately, we don’t always cooperate with the Holy Spirit. We still sin. Therefore, we need to be pruned (John 15:2).

Therefore, in The Tea Pot book, Little Pot has stopped meeting with the potter alongside Tea Pot. It has been selfish too. The fruit must be picked and removed. Just as we grow the love for others, not ourselves. Likewise, we show patience and kindness to others. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit is something we grow, demonstrate, and grow again. Little Pot had been made clean in the first book, The Little Pot. It did not need washing again. However, it still needed to have sin removed. This is what the Bible calls pruning in John 15:2.

In the book, The Tea Pot, the potter prunes Little Pot just like God prunes us.Become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

Being a fruit-bearing vessel is not as easy as reading a children’s picture book. That is why Little Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

Learn how the potter grows the fruit of the Spirit through you.

You can purchase signed copies of these books from our store. The books are also available on Amazon.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post What can wash my sin away? appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

When PRIDE should be celebrated and how to see it.

When pride became the name of a month that businesses and schools began to celebrate, I considered how the word itself is viewed by our kids.

I’ll be honest, I hesitated to write this post. I know I risk offending people on both sides of LGBTQ+ issues. However, If you spend time on the internet (and obviously you do, since you are reading this post) you know that ignoring Pride Month is hard. If you are a Christian, you may want to avoid the topic altogether or you may wonder if you should be ignoring it.

The big debate around our schools right now is if and when we should have LGBTQ+ discussions with our children. Last year, I discussed this very thing with a preschool director. Her organization asked her to promote Pride Month to her preschoolers. It was suggested she set up a display of rainbow flags and stickers to give to two, three, four, and five-year-olds. Monies were allocated for a “pride” celebration. Aside from the LGBTQ+ conversations, I began to consider if and when pride should be celebrated.

What Bible says about pride

We encourage children to take pride in themselves and in their achievements. As parents and educators, we love seeing the individual children discover their own likes and dislikes. It is not uncommon to tell children they should be proud of what they’ve done or who they are. Compare those ideas to Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” You can find many other biblical references that caution us about pride. Likewise, Proverbs 8:13 even tells us that God himself hates pride. Therefore, It is important to know why pride is so strongly warned against. Is it always a sin to feel proud of something you have accomplished? Is it a sin to be proud of who you are?

There are many verses in the Bible that talk about pride.When pride is wrong

Pride is wrong when we value something over Christ himself. For example, we can help children to learn about pride by reading them The Little Pot. In the story, Little Pot was a proud paper pot when the potter gave it papers to hold. It felt smart. However, the potter took the papers away. Then, the little pot held coins, and felt rich and proud. However, the potter removed the coins too. Eventually, the little pot grows fruit and begins to discover that growing fruit for the potter is best.

Even after the little pot becomes a fruit pot, pride creeps in. In the second book, The Tea Pot, a teapot convinces Little Pot that the fruit is something it should be proud of. The two vessels decide they want to keep the fruit and tea. Essentially their fruit and tea become more important than the potter. In addition, they forget that it is the potter who grows the fruit and brews the tea. They are merely the vessels that the potter works through.

Pride is also illustrated in the third book, The Oil Lamp. In this story, a little oil lamp learns to shine a light. Yet, when the lamp becomes proud of the flame, it blazes hotter and burns the other vessels. This causes them to move away from the light.

When we are focused more on who we are than on who Christ is, our pride leads us astray.Pride can lead us away from our creator

The same things can happen to us. When we grow love, joy, peace, patience (etc.), we can become more focused on the character traits than on the fact that they are the fruit of God. It is God who grows them through us. In the same way, we can also develop pride in how we shine. We begin to think we are the ones who create light and forget that it is God who put the light inside us. In doing so, we “burn” so brightly that we turn others away from Christ instead of drawing them closer to Him. Pride is wrong when we value the things God gives us over God Himself. Pride is wrong when we no longer see God’s part in it.

“Keep seeking Jesus more than your calling”.

“Time Spent with Christ is far more important than the things I do for Christ of any title I hold”.

–Beth Moore and Heather Riggleman

When pride is good

Pride is good when we see that without God we can do nothing (John 15:5). Therefore, our pride is in Christ and we give God praise for the things we do and have. If we see things this way, we have humility. Likewise, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Having pride in the potter for how he made you is a good pride.

Today “Pride” is also defined as the self-affirmation, dignity, and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. The word is used to encourage these people (and others) to be proud of who they are. Aside from your position on the lifestyle or biblical teachings against homosexual activities, one should ask if is it good to be proud of who we are apart from Christ. As Christians, our identity should be found in Him, not in ourselves. A vessel must always remember it was created by the potter. It grows fruit, serves, and shines at the potter’s will not its own.

As a Christian school principal, I always tried to make sure my students gave God recognition when they did something great. I would say things like, “Thanks, for letting God use you!” or “You did that?! That’s awesome. God is so amazing to use you in that way!” It’s important to keep our kids’ focus on the fact that it is God who works in us to do good. We should always be proud of that!

Become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

Being a fruit-bearing vessel is not as easy as reading a children’s picture book. That is why Little Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

Learn how the potter grows the fruit of the Spirit through you.

You can purchase signed copies of these books from our store. The books are also available on Amazon.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

You may also want to read Six Resons Christians don’t support ‘pride’ and What Makes Pride a Sin.

The post When PRIDE should be celebrated and how to see it. appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

Tea Pot Calling the Kettle Black. How to Teach Kids about Sinful Hypocrisy.

What does pot calling the kettle black mean?

Tea Pot calling the kettle black is an idiom that dates back to the 1600s. The phrase or a similar phrase can be found in a 1620 novel titled Don Quixote and another in 1693 titled Fruits of Solitude. During that time, most pots and kettles were made of iron and were used over open flames. The kettles or pots would turn black from the fire. This would happen to all vessels, The pot calling the kettle black, therefore, is a statement that explains someone acting in a hypocritical way. Essentially, they are seeing the fault of someone else when they possess the same characteristic themself. It is easy for us to see the faults in others and ignore our own. When we do this, we are the teapot calling the kettle black.

Matthew 7:3-5 is when we see faults in others and ignore our own.speck in eye log in your own

Likewise, the Bible has its own way of speaking against hypocrisy. In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus asks His audience why they look at the speck in another’s eye without first removing the log in their own. First, He is explaining that the faults of someone else should appear much smaller to us than our own. A pastor once explained to me that the speck we see in someone else’s eye is most likely the shadow of the log in our own. He even went as far as holding up 2X4 to his eye. He explained that as he looked down the beam, the end of it appeared as a small speck in front of someone else. This means we can see our own faults projected on others and quickly judge them instead of realizing the wrongdoing lies in us.

meet Tea Pot and Little Pot

The following is a short story about vessels and a potter. The Little Pot and The Tea Pot are picture books that will introduce these characters and provide you with a backstory.

These books provide a backstory to “Tea Pot calling the Kettle Black”Tea Pot Calling the Kettle Black (part 1)

Little Pot had told Tea Pot all about its journey to becoming a fruit pot. Each time Little Pot was given something wonderful to hold, the potter removed the items and placed them in another vessel. Tea Pot loved hearing Little Pot’s story and could imagine how sad it felt when the other vessels were given the job that Little Pot wanted. However, each time Little Pot shared its feelings, Tea Pot thought to itself, “Little Pot was selfish for not wanting the other vessels to hold what the potter gave it”.

After all, Tea Pot served the other vessels with a delicious tea. It poured the tea into other vessels almost every day. In addition, the potter regularly cleaned its insides so the tea was always fresh and tasty. It never noticed that its bottom was dirty from sitting on the fire each day.

Later, the potter had made a new kettle and was brewing something else. The kettle sat on the fire just as the teapot did. However, the aroma coming from the kettle was much stronger than any tea. The liquid was dark, earthy, and bold. The potter called this liquid coffee. The kettle poured the coffee into other vessels just as Tea Pot. The potter drank the coffee each morning instead of tea.

Tea Pot was jealous of the black Kettle.Tea Pot Calling the Kettle Black (part 2)

The teapot vessel noticed that the kettle was turning black from the fire. And because it was black and dirty on the outside, Tea Pot assumed it must be dirty on the inside too. It shunned the kettle and decided that it was not worthy to concoct any drink for the potter. It wanted to be the only vessel that the potter used for brewing liquid. Whenever the teapot thought the potter wasn’t listening, it would tell the kettle how black and dirty it was. It told the kettle that it was unclean and that it shouldn’t brew coffee for the potter anymore.

The kettle noticed that the teapot was also black on the bottom. However, it thought that the teapot hid the stains from the fire better. Therefore, it began to believe just what the teapot said. It felt unworthy and unloved by the other vessels. Consequently, it felt the potter did not love it too.

The all-knowing potter saw what was taking place. He grew angry at Tea Pot. The potter said, “Why do you look at the black soot on the kettle when you are also blackened from the fire?” You are being selfish and not showing the other vessels the love that I have shown you.”

Tea Pot immediately saw that it was the more selfish vessel. It had thought that Little Pot was selfish. It had thought the kettle was selfish. Then, Tea Pot realized that calling the kettle black and ignoring the dirt on itself was wrong. Seeing the other vessel’s faults before its own is sinful. Tea Pot apologized to the potter, Little Pot, and the kettle. They forgave Tea Pot and the black kettle became a friend.

become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

Being a fruit-bearing vessel is not as easy as reading a children’s picture book. That is why Litle Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

You can purchase these books here in our store and they can be signed by the author specifically for your teacher The books are also available on Amazon.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post Tea Pot Calling the Kettle Black. How to Teach Kids about Sinful Hypocrisy. appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

3 Delightful Teacher Gift Ideas End of Year

Looking for teacher gift ideas end of year? We have three options that will provide your teacher with a wonderful keepsake to remember you and also get them started on a relaxing summer break.

The Little Pot makes a great teacher gift.The Little Pot book with a pot full of summertime fun makes a great end-of-year gift for teachers.

In the inspirational children’s book, The Little Pot, the potter creates a vessel. This vessel is eager to discover its purpose. With each item it holds, it wonders if this task is its purpose. Holding papers makes it feel smart. Holding coins makes the little pot feel rich. However, both of these items are not what the potter allows the clay vessel to keep. Then, the potter puts dirt inside the little pot. The clay vessel now wonders even more what its purpose is. Unbeknown to the little vessel, the potter has planted something in the soil and it is beginning to grow something inside. Eventually, the plant blooms beautiful flowers. Is its purpose to be pretty? Not exactly. The flowers do not last. Ultimately, they turn to fruit and the vessel realizes its purpose does not come through what it holds, but from what is produced through it.

The little pot becomes a vessel to grow fruit. Your teacher will love Little Pot. She will read it to her class for years to come and remember you and your child too. When searching for the best teacher gift ideas end of year, consider giving The Little Pot book. Pair it with a clay pot filled with things your teacher can use to relax during their summer break too.

The Tea Pot is a great end-of-year teacher giftThe Tea Pot Book is a great teacher gift idea for the end of the year.

Another book that makes a great end-of-year teacher gift is The Tea Pot. In this book, the potter continues to grow fruit through Little Pot as he makes more vessels from clay. As other vessels are made, Little Pot watches and begins to compare himself to them. One day the potter makes a vessel that will serve a different purpose. It is a teapot. As the potter makes tea inside this vessel, Little Pot wonders if the teapot is better. The teapot makes a delicious tea. However, when the potter continually pours out the liquid and picks the fruit, the vessels become frustrated. Selfishly, they want to keep their fruit and tea. The Potter allows it. Eventually, the fruit rots and the tea spoils. Finally, the vessels realize that they need the potter and ask him to clean and prune them. He does, and the vessels can now serve others.

There is little more relaxing than a cup of tea. Give your teacher this book with a recipe for a summertime tea drink. If you want, you can pair it with a teapot and some coconut teacups.

The Oil Lamp, Delightful teacher gift ideas end of yearThe Oil Lamp book makes an excellent teacher gift idea too.

In the third inspirational children’s book, Tea Pot and Little Pot have learned to serve the potter and others. Likewise, their relationship with the potter continues to grow. Then a potter creates a small oil lamp. The purpose of this vessel is to shine a light on the other vessels. The potter knows that a storm is coming and that a light is needed. The new clay vessel, however, is too shy to shine its light and hides under other vessels. When it finally does become bold enough to shine, it flares up and burns the other vessels. After hearing the testimonies of Little Pot and Tea Pot, the oil lamp has the faith it needs to shine brightly for the potter.

Through this book, your teacher will inspire future students to be like Little Pot and Tea Pot, and share their experiences with others. Your teacher will be like Oil Lamp, shining the light inside her/him. Pair this book with a fun summer-scented candle.

Become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

Being a fruit-bearing vessel is not as easy as reading a children’s picture book. That is why Litle Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

You can purchase these books here in our store and they can be signed by the author specifically for your teacher The books are also available on Amazon.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post 3 Delightful Teacher Gift Ideas End of Year appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? Does it mean the same as it used to?

As a child in the 1970s and 80s), Memorial Day was the one day of the year when we visited the graves of the people in my family. We would take flowers to my sister’s, grandmother’s, and grandfather’s graves. I also remember attending the Memorial Day Parade in our small town. I can remember marching as a little girl in Brownies and Girl Scouts. My mother was a Girl Scout Leader and dressed as the Statue of Liberty in the Parade. In addition, I remember seeing a photo of my dad dressed as Uncle Sam. Eventually, I marched in that same parade with the High School Band. Memorial Day was a time to remember those that had died while celebrating America. Beyond that, I was never really sure why we celebrated the day.

Parades are a common Memorial Day Celebration

After starting my own family, I moved out of state. Consequently, I did not live near a Cemetary where I had family buried. However, I did continue to go to a Memorial Day Parade. We would watch one of the longest-running Memorial Day parades in America. It began in 1884 and was in Portsmouth, Virginia. For me, the parade was a time to visit with friends and kick off summer. We always had a pool party after the festivities. Memorial Day was the day pools opened. That in itself was a reason for celebration. Probably not the real reason we celebrate, however. therefore, let’s take a look at the history of Memorial Day.

The history of why we celebrate Memorial DayThe history of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was originally Decoration Day. It was a day to remember the soldiers who died in the Civil War. The Civil war ended in 1865 and saw more deaths than any other conflict in our history. Therefore, the first national cemeteries were made. On May 5, 1866, Waterloo, NY celebrated the day with a community-wide event. Businesses were closed. Soldiers’ graves were decorated with flowers and flags. Then, two years later, General John A. Logan, a leader of Civil War veterans made May 30th the National Day of Remembrance.

During World War I, the holiday evolved as a time to honor and remember all U.S. soldiers who died. In 1968, congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that changed the celebration to the last Monday of May. This created a three-day weekend for federal employees and thus started the Memorial-Day-Weekend idea. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971. In addition, you can learn more about the history of this day here.

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day at church?

I already described to you how this holiday was celebrated when I was younger. Similarly, we also celebrated at church. With the separation of church and state being such a strong idea, you may wonder why we celebrate Memorial Day within religious institutions. All faiths feel a strong pull toward Memorial Day celebrations. You can learn more about the role of faith on Memorial Day here. Likewise, faith in Christ somehow makes this holiday even more meaningful.

As we remember the soldiers that gave their lives for our freedom, it is hard not to think of the One who died to free us from our sins. A soldier’s sacrifice is a reflection of the sacrifice Christ made for us. Remembering those who died in wars reminds us to remember Jesus too.

The biggest reason we celebrate.The biggest reason we celebrate is Jesus.

Children’s books like The Little Pot, The Tea Pot, and The Oil Lamp can remind us of Jesus also. As these vessels interact with their potter, children begin to understand the love their creator has for them. Through this love, God sent His only son to die for us. Let that sink in a bit. He died for you! That is a day to remember and definitely a day to celebrate!

Become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

being a fruit-bearing vessel is not as easy as reading a children’s picture book. That is why Little Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

You can purchase these books here in our store and they can be signed by the author specifically for your little graduate. The books are also available on Amazon.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

What is Beatitudes? 8 Fruitful Attitudes to “BEE”

What is Beatitudes? In the Bible, in Matthew 5 verses 2-11, Jesus told his followers they were blessed in eight ways. We think of being blessed as something good. Likewise, when a person receives money or gifts we tell them they have been blessed. When we give our blessing to someone, it means we wish good things on them. In contrast, these verses describe the blessings coming from circumstances that we would not consider very good. Therefore, let’s join Little Pot and some bees to see how they compare to the fruit of the Spirit.

Beatitudes in the Message

The Message Bible writes Matthew 5:2-11 a little different than our traditional versions. It reads:

The Beatitudes in the MessageThe Beatitudes of the Bible, NKJV

You may not be a fan of the Message Bible. However, I enjoy seeing how the text interprets the traditional verse I grew up with. In a more traditional Bible version the text reads:

The New King James tells is a more traditional version of the Beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

Matthew 5:2-11 NKJV

Beatitudes in Luke

Another place in the bible where we find the Beatitudes is in Luke 6:20-23. This is a more condensed list. It reads:

Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
 Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Luke 6:20-23 NKJV

Beatitudes Explanation

Explaining the beatitudes to children does not have to be difficult. Let’s look at what the word beatitude sounds like. We hear the words “Be” and the word “Attitude”. Children know that being something is important. They know about attitude too. Both these concepts work closely with our lessons on the fruit of the Spirit.

In the story of The Little Pot, Little Pot wants to be something significant each time the potter gives it items to hold. We all want to be important to God and others. However, what grows through us is what makes us fruit-bearing vessels like Little Pot. Little Pot also learns that the fruit that grows inside it is for the purpose of others. Through getting to know Tea Pot, Little Pot learns that its fruit is to serve others. Finally, the pots meet a third vessel named Oil Lamp. Here, readers learn to shine when scared or things seem darkest.

Bee Attitudes to grow the Fruit of the Spirit

Do you see the similarities between the beatitudes and the fruit of the Spirit? Above all else, we grow the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in hard circumstances. It is when we face tough situations (like the ones mentioned by Jesus in the Beatitudes) that He produces the fruit of the Spirit in us. This fruit is a blessing! Likewise, it is an attitude that allows us…

Have joy when life is hard and we face loss Make peaceBe patient and gentle, waiting on GodShow love and kindness to others even when they do not deserve it. Be good and pure in a sinful worldHave self-control and continue to be faithful even when others persecute us.

If we have an attitude that exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit, we will “Be” a vessel that the potter not only uses but one that is BLESSED!

These bees have fruitful attitudes to teach Little Pot what is Beatitudes and help him grow fruit.Little Pot Learns a Song

Bees help Little Pot grow fruit. Therefore, let’s pretend that while they are buzzing around pollinating the flowers, they also remind Little Pot of fruitful attitudes. Similarly, we will call them the BEE-Attitudes. In addition, I’ve written a Beatitude Song to help us remember each item in the list of Beatitudes. The song goes to the tune of Do, Re, Mi. “Do, a deer, a female deer….”

Be humble, depend on God.

Be sorry for your sin.

Be obedient all the time.

Be eager, God will win!

Be a friend to everyone.

Be without sin and stay pure.

Be the one for peace and fun.

And be bold and brave for

God, God, God, God…

Sing to the tune of Do, Re, Me.
”Doe, a Deer, a female deer…”

You can download a free copy of the song and learn how each line matches a Beatitude too.

In conclusion, I have a question for you. Do you want to learn more about becoming a fruit-bearing vessel? Sign up below. After that, you’ll get seven steps to follow that will allow you to grow the fruit of the Spirit continually. In addition, I’ll send you a fruitful Friday email each week. Moreover, It will tell you about new products, upcoming events, inspirational books, and new creative teaching resources!

The post What is Beatitudes? 8 Fruitful Attitudes to “BEE” appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

Lyrics to Humpty Dumpty that Yield Three Areas of Growth

The lyrics to Humpty Dumpty have an interesting back story. At this link, you’ll learn about the wall, fall, king’s horses, and men.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty topgether again.

-Mother Goose

We’ve designed a book that uses the lyrics to Humpty Dumpty to teach about positional words and opposites. It is from “The Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature” series. In addition, the teacher’s guide, “Teach About Positional Words and Opposites with Humpty Dumpty”, helps children to grow spiritually, socially, and academically. These three areas of growth are necessary for producing the fruit of the Spirit.

The three areas are more specifically described in the whole child approach and the holistic education model.

New Lyrics to Humpty Dumpty

In the new nursery rhyme created with Humpty Dumpty, Humpty is an eagle egg. The other eggs are afraid that Humpty will fall. Instead, Humpty breaks out of his shell and flies. The “Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions” printable guided reading book extends children’s knowledge of the positional words: on, off, over, under, left, right, in, out, above, and below. Additionally, teachers and students can use this new nursery rhyme to grow in three ways.

These lyrics for Humpty Dumpty yield 3 areas of growth: spiritual, social, and academic1. Spiritual Growth with Eagles

According to Little Pot, we can grow the fruit of the Spirit if we have spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is illustrated by the humus soil that Little Pot contains and the seed that is planted in it. Likewise, the humus soil represents our humility. The seed represents the word of God (Luke 8:11). Therefore, children should learn about eagles in the Bible.

Humpty hatches out of his egg and becomes a full-grown eagle. The Bible has several references to eagles. God is compared to how an eagle spreads its wings to cover her young and carry them away from danger. (Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11) Eagles are also used in describing God’s awesome creation. (Proverbs 30:19, Job 39:27) Likewise, eagles symbolize power in the Bible. For example, God uses eagle imagery to warn Israel and other nations who do evil. (Obediah 1:4, Jeremiah 49:22)

A common biblical reference to eagles is in Isaiah.

But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will be able to rise up as an eagle in the sky.
    And will run without needing rest.
    They will walk without becoming tired.

Isaiah 40:31

This verse concludes a chapter about the greatness of God. Like the traditional Humpty Dumpty, we may fall. However, if we trust in the Lord we have strength beyond ourselves. When we see an eagle flying through the sky, we can remember that just as God gives the eagle its power, He will also strengthen us (Psalm 50:15, Isaiah 55:6-7).

There are many verses in the Bible that tell about Eagles.2. Social Growth with Humpty Dumpty

In addition, Little Pot needs social growth for the fruit of the Spirit to be produced. Social growth is illustrated by the straight and upright stem. Also, the leaves that nourish the plant with light (photosynthesis). These items represent our integrity (Proverbs 10:9, 11:3)) and good relationships. (friends that nourish us with the light of Christ)

Within the lyrics to Humpty Dumpty, the interactions between Humpty and the other eggs are quite entertaining. As children read the text, they will learn how to respond when others tell them they cannot do something. They will learn to believe in themselves despite what others think. Humpty the egg has something inside that tells him to fly. When he finally does, he is right back encouraging the other eggs. Therefore, the synergy that happens between Humpty and his siblings can spark important conversations that lead to social growth.

Humpty Dumpty helps the other eggs fly too!3. Academic Growth with Humpty Dumpty

Finally, Little Pot grows academically by blooming flowers. The flowers allow pollination and represent the transfer of knowledge. Academic growth happens when new information is transferred to others. As mentioned earlier, the resource extends children’s knowledge of opposites and positional words (on-off, over-under, left-right, in-out, and above-below). In addition, children can learn mapping skills and about eagle habitats and life cycles. They will gain knowledge while completing writing activities and sequencing events too.

Lessons on mapping, opposites, positional words, and life cycles are just a few things in the academic growth section.

In conclusion, you can find other creative teaching resources that use different Nursery Rhyme Lyrics each month. And, because Little Pot believes that spiritual, social, and academic growth produce the fruit of the Spirit, each guide contains these three sections.

The Mother Goose meets Mother Nature Recommended Timeline

September: (Routines and Schedules) “Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time” and “Teach About Time with Hickory, the Mouse”.

October: (Pumpkins) “Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth” and “Teach About Decay and Growth with Peter-Peter”.

November: (Healthy eating habits) “Jack Sprat Learns About Food” and “Teach About Food with Jack Sprat”.

December/January: (Snow and ice, States of Matter) “Jack and Jill Learn About Water” and “Teach About Water with Jack and Jill”.

February: (Shadows) “Jack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows“ and “Teach About Shadows with Jack B. Nimble”.

March: (Animals and Habitats) “Mary Learns About Animal Coverings” and “Teach About Animal Coverings with Mary”.

April: (Insects and Spiders) “Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders” and “Teach About Spiders with Little Miss Muffet“.

May: (Life Cycles and Positional Words) “Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions” and “Teach About Positions with Humpty Dumpty”.

Spiritual, Social, and Academic growth lead to growing the fruit of the Spirit. Sign up for the 7 steps to become a fruit-bearing vessel below. You’ll get details about each area of growth. In addition, I’ll send you a fruitful Friday email each week. It will tell you about new products, upcoming events, inspirational books, and new creative teaching resources!

If you want to read more on this topic, check out the Helpful Professor.

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Gifts for Kindergarten Graduation: 3 Inspirational Children’s Books

Looking for the perfect gifts for kindergarten graduation? We have the best idea that your kindergartener or preschooler graduate will love.

A book makes a great kindergarten graduation gift.The Little Pot is a great kindergarten graduation gift.The Little Pot makes a great gift.

In the inspirational children’s book, The Little Pot, the potter creates a vessel. This vessel is eager to discover its purpose. With each item it holds, it wonders if this task is its purpose. Holding papers makes it feel smart. Holding coins makes the little pot feel rich. However, both of these items are not what the potter allows the clay vessel to keep. Then, the potter puts dirt inside the little pot. The clay vessel now wonders even more what its purpose is. Unbeknown to the little vessel, the potter has planted something in the soil and it is beginning to grow something inside. Eventually, the plant blooms beautiful flowers. Is its purpose to be pretty? Not exactly. The flowers do not last. Ultimately, they turn to fruit and the vessel realizes its purpose does not come through what it holds, but from what is produced through it.

The little pot becomes a vessel to grow fruit. Your kindergartener or preschooler is like Little Pot because he/she is also a vessel made by the potter, God, to grow the fruit of the Spirit. When searching for the best gifts for kindergarten graduation, consider giving The Little Pot book.

The Tea Pot is a great kindergarten graduation gift.The Tea Pot makes a great gift for a kindergartener.

Another book that makes a great kindergarten graduation gift is The Tea Pot. In this book, the potter continues to grow fruit through Little Pot as he makes more vessels from clay. As other vessels are made, Little Pot watches and begins to compare himself to them. One day the potter makes a vessel that will serve a different purpose. It is a teapot. As the potter makes tea inside this vessel, Little Pot wonders if the teapot is better. The teapot makes a delicious tea. However, when the potter continually pours out the liquid and picks the fruit, the vessels become frustrated. Selfishly, they want to keep their fruit and tea. The Potter allows it. Eventually, the fruit rots and the tea spoils. Finally, the vessels realize that they need the potter and ask him to clean and prune them. He does, and the vessels can now serve others.

Your kindergarten graduate is like Tea Pot and Little Pot in this story because they were created to serve others.

The Oil Lamp is a great kindergarten graduation gift.The Oil Lamp makes a great gift.

In the third inspirational children’s book, Tea Pot and Little Pot have learned to serve the potter and others. Likewise, their relationship with the potter continues to grow. Then a potter creates a small oil lamp. The purpose of this vessel is to shine a light on the other vessels. The potter knows that a storm is coming and that a light is needed. The new clay vessel, however, is too shy to shine its light and hides under other vessels. When it finally does become bold enough to shine, it flares up and burns the other vessels. After hearing the testimonies of Little Pot and Tea Pot, the oil lamp has the faith it needs to shine brightly for the potter.

Through this book, your kindergartener or preschool graduate can learn to be like Little Pot and Tea Pot and share their testimonies with others. They also will learn to be like Oil Lamp and shine the light that the potter, God, gives them. That is why these books make excellent gifts for kindergarten graduation.

Become a fruit-bearing vessel like Little Pot!

being a fruit-bearing vessel is not as easy as reading a children’s picture book. That is why Litle Pot and I have come up with a seven-step process that will allow the potter to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control through you. Just put in your first name and email so we can send you those seven steps. Then you’ll get a fruitful Friday email each week with ways to be even more fruitful!

You can purchase these books here in our store and they can be signed by the author specifically for your little graduate. The books are also available on Amazon.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post Gifts for Kindergarten Graduation: 3 Inspirational Children’s Books appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

3 Ant Facts and Ant Bible Lessons We can Learn with Little Miss Muffet

We can learn a lot from ants. In the book, Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders, Miss Muffet discovers five differences between spider facts and ant facts. Likewise, the Teach About Insects and Spider with Little Miss Muffet resource, provides spiritual and social growth too.

Ants Bible

 Go to the ant, O sluggard;

    consider her ways, and be wise.

Without having any chief,

    officer, or ruler,

she prepares her bread in summer

    and gathers her food in harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

In these verses, we are told to consider the ways of ants. What important principles can we learn from these tiny little creatures? Here are three important behaviors of ants that will help children too.

I recently read a thesis project by Karl Alan Stelzer who is a potter and a minister. He gives incredible insight into the imagery of God as a potter. You can also listen to a sermon he gives on this topic here.

Ant Facts #1Ants are not lazy and work without being told.Ants do not have a leader.

Likewise, ants do not have a leader that tells them to keep working. Therefore, they know to do their best and keep going. Ants stay busy while other ants sleep so the work can continue. Therefore, we can assume that anty never complain.

Do everything without complaining and arguing

Phillipians 2:14

Ant Facts #2Ants prepare and never quit.Ants prepare for the winter in the summer.

In addition, ants gather food for the winter in the summer. Consequently, they plan ahead. Even though they find the shortest path, they quickly form a new one if something interferes with the route. They never let negative circumstances stop them. They keep going and mark their path so other ants will know the way.The following five steps will illustrate reasons that we can think of God as a potter.

Ant Facts #3Ants work togetherAnts create bridges for each other and work together to carry heavy items.

A colony of ants will work as a team. Subsequently, they carry heavy loads together. Above all, they have no concept of yours or mine. Just as Acts 4:32 explains that the early church shared their possesions, the ants share everything.

In conclusion, we should be like the ants.

Work hard and not complain even when our teacher is not watching. We won’t let others stop us from working.Be prepared with our supplies every day and when things go wrong, we will not stop. We will find a new way to do our work.Work together as a team. We will listen to each other and use everyone’s ideas. We know that together we can carry and do more than we can each do alone.Spiritual, Social, and Academic Growth are Necessary for Fruit-Bearing

In conclusion, The Teach About Insects and Spider with Little Miss Muffet is a part of The Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature Series. Therefore, this resource includes activities for spiritual, social, and academic growth. All three areas are necessarry to grow the fruit of the Spirit. I explain it all in this FREE booklet. In addition, it will show you and your children how “the Potter” will grow the fruit of the Spirit through you. When you sign up, you are added to the email list. Consequently, each Friday you will receive a short, fruitful email of fun information and additional freebies. I hope you will join me.

Read more about the Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature Series here.

The Little Pot, The Tea Pot, and The Oil Lamp are also available on Amazon.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post 3 Ant Facts and Ant Bible Lessons We can Learn with Little Miss Muffet appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.