This Week in NewLife Kids

Elementary

Main Point: I Will Keep On Encouraging Others When They Are Bullied!
Bible Verse: “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 2 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

Bible Story: Enemies oppose Nehemiah and the people. (Nehemiah 4)

Main Point Review Activity:
Write down five examples of someone being a bully on slips of paper. Place the slips of paper in a bowl. Have a family member pick a piece of paper out of the bowl and act out the situation for the rest of the family. After they are finished acting out each situation, have the family say the Main Point together.

Try This!
Nehemiah encouraged the people working on the wall by praying for them and using kind words. God wants us to use encouraging words to help people who are bullied! This week, discuss times you have seen someone bullied and ways to help those who are bullied.

1. Speak Up: Tell the bully to stop. Tell an adult or person in authority what happened.
2. Stand Up: Do something to help the victims. Help them get away from the bully. Help them by being a friend and inviting them to play with you.
3. Be an example: Be sure you aren’t bullying people. Consider other people’s feelings and treat them the way you want to be treated.

• Make a poster with the above steps on it and post it in your home as a reminder to help those who are bullied. Then, using the paper and decorating supplies, have family members write a note of encouragement to someone who has been bullies recently.
• Family members should give their notes of encouragement to the people they chose the next time they see them. Giving notes of encouragement is just one example of how we can encourage those around us.
• Work hard this week to encourage everyone you come in contact with. You never know if they are and have been bullied and your words can make a difference in how they feel about themselves.


Pre-K & Toddlers

Main Point: I Will Be Nice When Others Are Mean!
Bible Story: Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:1-28)
Bible Verse: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.” Galatians 6:9a (NLT)

Family Activity - Nice Talk
Have your family gather together. Read each item on the following list of things that are not nice. Ask your family to think of something that is nice to do or say in each situation. After you have read through the list, pray with your family. Ask God to help each person remember to be nice when others are mean.
1. A new girl comes to school or church, and the other kids in your class tell her they don’t want to be her friend. How can you be nice? (Tell her that you want to be her friend. Offer to sit with her. Give her a hug.)
2. You are playing with your favorite toy and your brother comes and steals it? How can you be nice? (Tell him he can have the toy. Offer him more of your toys. Ask him if he wants to play with you.)
3. What if you are watching a movie and your sister comes in and changes the channel? How can you be nice? (Go to the other room to watch your movie. Ask her if she has a movie she wants to watch with you.)
4. What if another child comes and pushes your friend down? How can you be nice? (Help your friend up. Give your friend a hug. Go tell the other child that it was mean to push your friend down, but that you forgive him. Ask the other child if he or she wants to play with you and your friend.)
5. Someone at the park calls you a name. How can you be nice? (You say something nice to him.)
6. Your friend is playing with a toy and his brother takes it and hides it. How can you be nice? (Help your friend find the toy. Ask his brother to come play with the two of you.)
7. You are playing with some toys at school and another child sticks her tongue out at you. How can you be nice? (Smile at her. Say something nice about her outfit or hair.)
8. A girl at church says your shoes are funny looking. How can you be nice? (Compliment her on something she is wearing.)
9. You fall down while playing soccer and a boy points at you and laughs. How can you be nice? (Offer him some cupcakes that you brought with you to the park.)
10. You see a boy trip your friend at the playground. What can you do to be nice? (Help your friend up. Ask the boy who tripped your friend to play with you.)