Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

Cooking Workshop Sketch

Week 7

Summary:  All families in one workshop. Sock/Money Object Lesson, hear the story of the Widow's Mite & then making fruit smoothies to sell.

Supplies: 5 socks - 25 pennies in one, 2 quarters in one,  6 dimes in one, 8 nickels in one,  a dollar bill in one. Yogurt, ice, cups and straws (blenders, fruit, fruit juice parents bring).  Cardstock and markers for signs, bibles.  Goodness Journal Page, and Goodness Sticker*.

Lesson

Ask: When I say the word “good” what are some things that pop into your mind?

Say: One way the word “good” is used in the Bible to refer to people is when people are generous and giving and not selfish with what they have – giving things and themselves (like their time and talents) to each other and to God.

Sock/Money Object Lesson

I mentioned being generous and giving, and especially at church we often think of that as giving money. So I want to try something with money.

There will be 25 pennies in one sock, the 2 quarters in the second sock, the 6 dimes in a third sock, the 8 nickels in a fourth sock and the one dollar bill in the fifth sock.

What you do:
Show them the five socks. Explain that each sock contains an offering. Each sock will be passed around from person to person. The object is for them to decide as a group which sock has the largest offering in it.

First pass around the penny sock. After each person has had a chance to hold it, bring it to the front and place it in plain view. When the second sock has been all the way around the circle, have them decide whether the offering inside is larger or smaller by the way it feels. Place it in front of the first offering if they say larger and behind the first offering if they say smaller. Continue in this manner until all the socks are lined up from largest to smallest offering. Open each sock and show how much money is in each sock. Help them to understand that the value of the offering did not lie in the fact of how heavy or full it felt, but in the worth of the coins.

Story of The Widow's Mite

Say: In our Bible story today, Jesus said the amount of coins or the value of the coins is not important when you bring an offering. Let's find out what kind of offerings Jesus wants.

Each family should take a Bible. Find and read Mark 12:41-44.

Say: Discuss within your family -- I wonder why Jesus said that the poor widow gave more than the others when she actually gave less?

After they've discussed for a bit, recap for making sure this is concluded:

Jesus isn’t just talking about money here! The goodness or worth of a something – no matter what it is – isn’t judged by how big or how much, but by … what? [the spirit in which its given – do you give out of thanks or just give to give out of duty because you have to]. Gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they’re given with a “good” or “right” heart.

Goodness Journal

Distribute GOODNESS journal page and think of things that you have given in the past or can give this coming week, Gifts of any size, that would be pleasing to God because you gave them with a “good” or “right” heart.

Think of things that you have given in the past or can give this coming week, gifts of any size that would be pleasing to God, because you gave them with a “good” or “right” heart.

Helpful hints - things you can do for others without being asked by your parents or your spouse.  Sockfull (thoughtful) Gift ideas.  Do a goodness in secret. like cleaning your room without being asked, or putting the dishes into the dishwasher or emptying the dishwasher, etc, do it without being asked, but instead out of the goodness of your heart.  Fill-in the socks with ideas that you come up with.  When you get home attach this to the fridge and have everyone add to it in the coming weeks.

Fruit Smoothie Stand

With at least 25 minutes or more, call everyone’s attention and begin the Fruit Smoothie stand!

We will be selling smoothies at coffee hour. The money we collect no matter how big or small will be given to ______________. Some people may only be able to give a small amount and some may give more, but together we can do great things for God!

Closing:

Hand out a Goodness Sticker to each family to go on their cover page.

Note: The previous week I asked everyone who would be coming this week to bring a blender and one type of fruit and one type of juice. Families doubled up and it worked out great. Kids made signs to show what fruits and juices were in their smoothies, sat behind their tables and we collected a "good" amount of money!

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

No Goodness Journal Information provided with the original lesson.
Luanne Payne created a Goodness Journal Idea & matching Sheet in 2016.
(sheet included in Journal Attachment found in very last post)

Sock/money idea from NAD Children's Ministries

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