Story contributed by Kristen
Click here for the theological background
Remember, repetition helps children internalize and make connections. It might be a good idea to read the same story every day for a week. You can add different activities every day.
“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
2 Corinthians 3:2 NIV
My dear friends in Corinth,
I don’t quite know what to say. I am trying to find the right words. I know we had a big fight the last time I was with you, and many of you still aren’t sure about me. I sent my friend Titus to try to help. I wish I could come myself, but I have been struggling. Oh my friends, I have been having a very hard time.
It is hard to be a community, isn’t it? Many of you are concerned that I am not a good leader. Some of the flashy new leaders have convinced you not to listen to me. But my friends, answer me this: was Christ ever divided? Did Christ die for just one or two of us? No. Christ was not divided, and Christ unites us. Christ brings us together.
Some leaders say to listen to them because they are smart, or rich, or beautiful. But Christ says that He is our leader. We should be united in Christ, not in any one person no matter how smart or rich or beautiful they are.
I pray for you every day. I pray that we can resolve our quarrels and be united again. My friends, your living bodies are letters to me, written on my hearts and the hearts of my fellow missionaries. You are not written with ink like this letter, you are written with flesh and blood. I love you. I will never forget you. I will not stop loving you. I will keep trying.
With my heart,
Paul
Ideas for Play
Contributed by Kristen
- Print out the letter and “deliver” to your family.
- Talk about having disagreements/fights. How does it feel to be angry with each other? How do you greet the anger and work through it? How do you resolve conflict?
- Practice being angry and resolving conflict in positive ways (see this book)
- What is unity?
- Watch this video about good and bad teamwork and discuss being united/being a community
- Trace each family members’ hand and color them, then unite them in a circle and talk about being united as a family. See here.
- Read books about community (see some of our previous suggestions like:
Poetry
Compiled by Caroline
What does this poem say about our anger? What happens when we don’t resolve our anger with another? How can we plant peace within ourselves instead of poison?
A Poison Tree
by William Blake
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I waterd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
Art
Compiled by Caroline
Did you know there is a principle called “unity” in art? “Unity” refers to how all the different parts of an artwork can come together to make a connected appearance, a wholeness, or a unified message. We will look at three artworks that reflect how the artist used a certain technique to create unity. As you look at these artworks, what do they teach you about unity? What do they teach you about being united in community? How can they illuminate Paul’s words? Could you create a piece of artwork that is united by color, texture, or shape?
Unity through color:
Unity through form and shape:
Unity through texture:
Music
Compiled by Caroline
May All Children, from Music Together
Help Me Dear Father, Ashley Hess
milk & honey mamas 
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