On the last day of our visit, I thanked the mom for including us in her Bible time. She took that as an opportunity to share her concern over the time. It was feeling like a struggle to keep the children engaged and interested, did I have any suggestions?
Yes, ESP! This mom was doing a fabulous job of explaining the Proverbs to her children—so I encouraged her to go one step further and show them what the verses looked like and then have them practice that with each other.
For example, after reading Proverbs 24: 29 “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did,’” talk through how to respond when a sibling takes from or yells at another. Then show your children how that looks by having them stand up and you telling them what to act out. Johnny take the truck from Joey. Joey yell, “Mine.” Ask “What will happen next?” Discuss the spiral down effect of paying back for what the other has done. Next, show them how you want them to respond, by telling them again what to act out. First, Johnny take the truck from Joey. Joey respond with a calm, “Please don’t.” Have Johnny respond by giving the truck back. Discuss how much nicer this scenario played out.
Finally, practice by setting up the role playing, but letting them act it out themselves. Feel free to step in and guide, but the idea is for them to act out the right way and the wrong way to react.
After one week of adding showing and practicing (ESP) to their Bible time, this is what my friend had to say, “Roleplaying through the Proverbs is WONDERFUL!!! The kids are staying engaged and interested; Thanks!”