BY GLORIA LINDSEY TROTMAN

Introduction for Teachers
The theme for this children's Week of Prayer is "Grace Is for Kids, Too." We introduce the theme with a child-friendly explanation of grace and conclude with our response to God's grace--our love for Him. Throughout the text you will see teachers' notes in italics.

Motivational Device
We introduce each presentation with a motivational device. It could be a display, dramatization, pictures, any other type of visual aid, or a small activity. We want to stimulate the children's interest right from the start. Have a ready supply of paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, and any other art supplies you may want to use.

Story
Present the stories with energy and interest. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you. Involve the children by inviting comments. This encourages them to participate and realize their thoughts are valuable. If possible, have the children sit in a semicircle around you. By asking open-ended questions you will stimulate their minds and get ideas from their answers how they are interpreting what they hear. Keep eye contact.

Application
The purpose of the application is to encourage the kids to consider committing themselves to a relationship with God. Note their responses carefully, but don't force them to respond.

Activity
This section gives the children an opportunity to express how they understand the story. It may involve a group discussion, drawing, coloring, etc. You may group the children according to age, and adjust the activity to each group. Be sure to allow enough time for the activity part of the program, for this is the fun part.

Assignment
We give the children an assignment to keep them thinking about the story. As they leave the meeting you may want to give them slips of paper with the assignment written on it. Feel free to adjust the assignment to suit your group of children. Spend a few minutes at the beginning of the next day's meeting for the children to report on the assignment.

SABBATH
This Is Real Grace

The Fall and the meaning of grace John 3:16, 17

Motivational Device
Provide a globe or a map of the world and have some items that represent the things God created on each day of the week--a flashlight, flowers, stars, fruits, a stuffed animal, etc. Give these to the children. Ask what God created on each day and have the children put the things on the table as they answer. Remember to tell them that God made the Sabbath day. Perhaps a picture of a church could represent the Sabbath.

Story
How long do you think it would take you to build a house? (Give some time to answer.) That depends on how big the house is and how many persons help you build it. Many thousands of years ago God made this whole world in six days. That sounds like a lot of work, but not for God. He made a beautiful world with swaying trees and sweet-smelling flowers and singing birds. He made frisky rabbits and scampering squirrels, tall giraffes and playful monkeys, and fish with stripes, dots, and circles. Big and small creatures splashed in the water. (Ask someone to show how the creatures might have splashed in the water.)

God made a man and called him Adam, and then made a woman and named her Eve. Then they had a wedding, and God married the two of them. When God looked at all the things He had made, He was very happy. Then on the seventh day God rested. Instead of working, He spent time with His new children, Adam and Eve. On the Sabbath God likes us to rest, go to church, spend time with people, and enjoy the wonderful things He made.

Adam and Eve had fun in the Garden of Eden, where they lived. They liked to sink their toes into the velvety green grass and pat the lions and cuddle the tigers. If you lived in the Garden of Eden, what would be your favorite thing to do? (Allow time for answers.) They could eat any fruit they wanted except the fruit from one big tree in the middle of the garden. God told them to leave that tree alone, or they would die. Let's read Genesis 2:16, 17.

One day Eve went to that tree, and whom do you think she met there? (Wait for some answers.) Oh yes, Satan. (Ask kids what they think Satan might have looked like. Be sure to get answers from the tiny ones, too.) Actually Satan appeared as a beautiful talking snake. He told Eve to eat the fruit and disobey God, because, he said, she wouldn't die. Did Eve believe what God had said, or did she believe Satan? Do you know that Eve ate that fruit and then gave some to her husband? They both disobeyed God. An awful and sad thing they did--they sinned. Read about it in Genesis 3:6.

This made the angels and God very sad, because they loved Adam and Eve and didn't want them to die. From then on everything and everybody on earth would die. Ugh, how terrible! But God didn't stop loving them. You see, God does not stop loving us when we do wrong. I like that about Him, don't you?

God and Jesus had a plan. Jesus would come to this world, live here, and teach us to love and obey God. Then He would die in our place, so that we would not have to die forever. When He came, wicked people killed Him on a cross one Friday! He rested over Sabbath, and on Sunday morning, God, His Father, called Him out of the grave--alive! Because Jesus died and lives again, we can live forever with Him.

That's the meaning of grace. When someone does good, kind, and nice things for people who don't love them, that is grace. You see, boys and girls, God's grace is love given to people so that they can be saved from dying forever. Although some people still don't love Jesus, He loves them and wants to save them. That's real grace.

Application
What did you learn from today's story? (Listen to their answers and pray that the Holy Spirit will help you respond appropriately.) John 3:16 shows us that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. He thinks you are special enough to be saved so that you may live in heaven with Him. Isn't grace wonderful? Let's say, "Thank You, Jesus."

Activity
Draw a picture of Adam and Eve before they sinned. Draw another picture showing how you think the angels felt after Adam and Eve sinned.

Assignment
Read John 3:16. Write it down, putting your name in place of the word "world." Then replace the words, "whosoever believeth in him" with your name. Show the new verse to the members of your family.

SUNDAY
Enough for Me, You, and Everybody Else

The abundance of grace for all of us
Romans 5:17; Ephesians 4:7

Motivational Device
Provide a tray with small sandwiches or crackers. Have the children and teachers stand in a line, with the teachers at the end, to receive the treat. Share the sandwiches and crackers generously at the beginning, so that as you get nearer to the end of the line you will have fewer and fewer, and those at the end (teachers) may not get any at all.

Story
(Ask those who got few sandwiches/crackers or none at all how they felt.)

Have you been to a wedding? Did you like it? A while back Jeremy went to his cousin Cindy's wedding. She wore a beautiful gown, and Jeremy's mom said it was very elegant. Who cares about a bride's gown? That's girl stuff, thought Jeremy. But he had to admit the groom looked handsome.

The wedding ceremony seemed to Jeremy to take several years. The choir sang, Uncle Ron played his violin, and the preacher spoke for a long time. Meanwhile Jeremy's stomach ached. Mother had been so busy helping with wedding preparations that she didn't have time to fix his lunch. "Here's an apple and some juice, Jeremy," she said. "It will keep you until the reception." Then they hurried to the wedding.

Lots of people attended the reception. Jeremy watched the servers pile up plates of delicious food. He could hardly wait for his turn. Finally a woman passed him a plate. Jeremy couldn't believe his eyes--one half of a baked potato and two carrot sticks! Jeremy felt the tears coming fast. Just then Mother came along. "Mother, look at my plate! What happened to all that good food on other people's plates?" he asked. Jeremy felt sorry for himself. This was not what he'd call a good day.

"Oh, Jeremy," Mother said. "I'm so sorry. The food ran out. Really, son, this is all we can give you." (Ask the kids if they ever had a similar experience. Allow them to say how they felt at that time.)

My Bible tells me God's grace never runs out. Let's read Romans 5:17. Did you notice the word "abundance" in that text? That word means "a whole lot, much more than enough." There's even a lot of grace for naughty people. Please read Romans 5:20. Paul, the apostle, says, "Yet where sin was powerful, God's kindness was even more powerful" [CEV]. Jesus has so much love that it will not run out. Jesus gives His love and grace to the millions and billions of people in the whole world at the same time. We don't have to be cute, pretty, rich, popular, strong, or good. He has enough for all!

Application
What did you learn from this story? (Time for answers.)You don't have to be at the front of the line to get a large share of God's grace. His grace reaches you anywhere you are. Wouldn't you like to say, "Jesus, I am thankful and happy for all this grace?"

Activity
Invite each child to tell what they would like to have a lot of. How much would each one be willing to give up in order to get what they wanted? Ask them, "Is that the same way Jesus felt? What can you learn from His choices?"

Assignment
Based on what it is you want a lot of, is there something in your life that you would like Jesus to change? Think about this and talk to Jesus about His grace, asking Him to make you more like Him.

MONDAY
You're Sorry; That's OK

God's forgiveness and our need to forgive
Matthew 6:14, 15

Motivational Device
Set up a pretend store. Have a few items (radio, book, doll, truck, and any other items that a child would want to buy) with price tags on them. Give a few children some play money or bits of paper with a monetary value written on them. Be sure that the money they receive is not enough to purchase the items.They will have to go to a banker (one of the leaders supplied with play money) to borrow money. Give them a card with the word "debtor" on it.

Story
Have you ever been in debt? That means you borrowed money and had to pay it back. People who borrow money are called "debtors." (Invite children to share their experiences of indebtedness. They may be real or imaginary. However, listen to them and make appropriate comments.) It isn't fun to have debts to pay; but whenever we borrow anything--money, toys, or anything else--we should give it back as quickly as we can.

Junie and Michelle were turning the rope for Tammy to skip. Suddenly Michelle's end of the rope slipped from her hand, flew through the air with a whirl, and landed on Tammy's left cheek. "Aahouch!" screamed Tammy, holding her cheek as she spun around and dropped into a heap on the playground. Blood and tears trickled down her fingers.

Junie and Michelle ran to Tammy's side. "Oh, we are so sorry," they cried. "Tammy, we are really sorry."

Tammy's mom rushed her to the hospital, where Dr. Lee washed and dressed the cut. Dr. Lee assured Tammy that she was going to be all right.

The next day at school Michelle and Junie kept thinking about Tammy. The girls had heard that Tammy's cheek would be scarred. "Now she is really going to hate us for this." Suddenly they saw Tammy.

"Hi, Junie. Hi, Michelle," she called.

"Oh, Tammy," they said, "it's so good to see you. We are very sorry you got hurt. Please don't hate us for this."

"Of course not," chuckled Tammy. "I don't hate you. I know you're sorry, and it's OK."

Jesus told an interesting story one day. Let us read it in Matthew 18:23-35. (Ask the girls to read the verses that are odd numbers, and the boys, the verses that are even numbers.)

So that servant who owed the king millions of dollars was glad that the king "forgave him the debt" [verse 27]. This meant that he would not have to sell his furniture and his family or go to jail. That was what happened to people who could not pay their debts in those days.

Soon after that, along came a man who owed the servant only a few thousand dollars--a lot less than he had owed the king. Guess what our forgiven servant did! He grabbed the other man by the throat and demanded the money. Was that nice? When the king heard of this, he put that horrible servant in jail.

In the Lord's Prayer we ask God to forgive us just as we forgive others [Matthew 6:12]. Jesus does. He did that when He was dying on the cross. Someone please read Luke 23:34. Satan wants us to think that when we do bad things, Jesus won't forgive us. No, no. But when we tell Jesus we are sorry, He says, "That's OK. I forgive you and still love you. That's why I died for you." We call His forgiveness grace. When our friends say they're sorry they hurt us, what should we say? Even if they don't say they're sorry, we can ask Jesus to help us to forgive them.

Application
(Have a backpack full of stones for volunteers to wear.) When we don't forgive others or ourselves, it is like carrying around a backpack full of heavy stones. The "stones" of hurt, anger, and hate make us unhappy. When we believe that Jesus has forgiven us, we no longer carry these heavy stones. We can forgive ourselves when we do wrong, because Jesus' grace is there for us. Bow your head and quietly ask Jesus to help you forgive others, and yourself, too.

Activity
Draw some stones on your paper, and on each one write something you would like Jesus to forgive. Now cut out those stones and throw them in the waste basket. You are now free because of God's grace.

Assignment
Ask for forgiveness from anyone you have hurt at home or at school. Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask Jesus to help you do that, too.

TUESDAY
All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go

The new birth and Christ's righteousness
Zechariah 3:3, 4

Motivational Device
Hang some attractive clothes of various sizes in the meeting room. As you point to them, have the children tell you where they think it might be appropriate to wear them--to a party, school, or church?

Story
Many little girls like to play "dress-up." They put on their mothers' dresses, high-heeled shoes, and hats, and sometimes even borrow their handbags and sunglasses. What about you? What do you like to put on?

Boys are often too busy to dress up for no reason. But a boy might quickly offer to pretend to drive his sister to wherever she wants to go. It is too bad, though, that our dressed-up little girl has no place to go.

Stores carry a variety of clothes--from suits to faded, frayed jeans. There are all kinds of clothes these days. The Bible talks about clothes. We read about the first clothes in Genesis 3:7. After Adam and Eve sinned, they made themselves aprons of fig leaves. How would you like to wear one of those? Then do you remember the coat of many colors that Jacob gave to his son Joseph? (Have the boys read Genesis 37:3, 4.) The hardworking woman in the book of Proverbs made beautiful clothes too. (Girls will read Proverbs 31:19, 21, 22.) Jesus had such a beautiful robe that at His crucifixion, the soldiers wanted it. You can read about it in Luke 23:34.

Boys and girls who belong to Jesus want to look good. What do you do to look good? (Encourage answers.) We take our daily baths, brush our teeth, comb our hair, and put on clean clothes. Not only does that make us feel good, but people like to be near us when we are clean, tidy, and nice-smelling. Clothes can make us look either better or worse. When Dad or Grandpa changes from old garden coveralls and muddy boots into smart-looking jeans and a cool shirt, we think, "H'mmm, how handsome."

Jesus promises us a nice new look not only on the outside but also on the inside. He will give us a new heart. That means He will help us think pure thoughts and do good things. He will make us all new again. Some people who don't like the shape of their noses or think their eyes are too puffy or their lips too small have plastic surgeons give them makeovers. They have their faces changed. It's different with Jesus. He does not do just a makeover; He gives us a new birth! We can become new boys and girls by accepting Jesus' love, because He died for us.

Someone please read 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" [NIV]. We don't have to wear dirty old rags. We get dressed up in a new outfit that Jesus puts on us. The new clothes are called the robe of righteousness, because they cover us with Jesus' goodness. What's more exciting is that Jesus chooses not to remember our sins. That's grace. He will not say, "There's Marianne. She likes to tell lies." Or "Justin stole money from his mom's purse twice last month." Oh no, Jesus forgives, forgets, and saves. That's Jesus' grace again, all because of His love and His death on the cross. So in our new clothes and new bodies we will be welcomed in heaven one day and be with Jesus. We'll be all dressed up with somewhere wonderful to go.

Application
Someone please read Zechariah 3:4. "See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes" [TLB]. When you see clothes you would like to have, think about the clothes Jesus is giving you. Remember that the grace of Jesus makes us look and feel better than anything we can buy in a store. Thank Jesus for making you a new person.

Activity
Draw a picture of children not wearing Jesus' "fine new clothes." Draw a second picture showing boys and girls wearing the robe of Jesus' righteousness. (Hint: the behavior shown will indicate whether they are wearing Jesus' robe or not.)

Assignment
Tell someone near you about the "fine new clothes" Jesus offers us. Think about how these fine new clothes would change boys and girls. Put on some really old clothes and look at yourself in the mirror. Then change into some better clothes and look again. Write down how you looked or felt in each set of clothes. Write down what you think Jesus' robe of righteousness can do for you.

WEDNESDAY
Some Did, Some Didn't

Bible stories of people who did and didn't accept salvation
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8

Motivational Device
Put some numbered gifts on a table. Let each child pick a number from a bag. Give each one the gift that has his/her number on it.

Story
I like to watch people when they receive gifts. Some shake the parcel; others squeeze it. Some rip the package open, while others carefully unwrap it. What do you do when you get a present? (Wait for answers.) Most people like receiving gifts. Have you ever received a gift you didn't like? (Have children share how they dealt with getting a gift they didn't like. Try to keep their accounts brief.)

Will someone please read Luke 23:39-43. Some people turn away from Jesus, but the smart ones accept His love and grace. The thief who accepted Jesus was smart. He saw Jesus dying and realized that Jesus was dying because He loved people. The thief became sorry for all the bad things he had done and said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Let's read Jesus' reply in verse 43. Jesus seemed to be waiting for the thief to accept His special gift of grace.

King Agrippa was not so smart though. Authorities put the apostle Paul in jail because he preached about Jesus. That's why Paul had to go to court and talk to the judge, who was King Agrippa. (Ask if they know what a court and a judge are.) King Agrippa listened to Paul's story. When he heard how Jesus died to save everyone, and about the grace of Jesus, the king thought about accepting the love of Jesus too. He said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" [NKJV]. Poor King Agrippa. Can you believe he "almost" accepted Jesus? It is not smart to "almost" accept Jesus. We must really take His grace. That's the way to a happy life in heaven.

Now, what kind of people would refuse the gift of Jesus' love? Maybe Satan has lied to them, and they stopped to listen. Satan tells young people, "You are too young. That stuff is for the old and weak." Then he tells the older folk, "You are too old and have been bad for too long." The Bible says that Satan wants to keep you out of heaven. Don't fall for his lies.

Application
Who needs to accept Jesus' grace? (Encourage answers.) Everyone does, and don't let anyone get you to put off this decision. Accept Jesus' love and His grace now. Let's repeat together Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8. Bow your head and say quietly, "Jesus, please help me accept Your gift of grace. I really love You. Thanks for Your gift."

Activity
Draw/make two gift boxes. On one box write "Jesus' gift to me--GRACE." On the other write, "My gift to Jesus--[then write YOUR name]."

Assignment
Take your gift boxes home and place them where you can see them often.

THURSDAY
Thank You; Have Some Too

Accepting God's grace and sharing His blessings.
Ephesians 4:7; 6:24.

Motivational Device
Stand at the door with a bag of surprises. Invite each child to take two and share with a friend at the meeting. Ask them to tell you how they felt about being able to share something special with a friend.

Story
The other day, while little 3-year- old Wayne was eating an ice-cream cone, he saw a little girl come into the store. "Mommy, Mommy, she doesn't have any ice cream. Give her some, Mommy," begged Wayne.

In Ephesians 4:7 we read that God has given each of us grace. We thank Him for this grace, but now we want to share what we have. Can we share grace? (Ask for any ideas.) The grace of Jesus brings us many blessings, and we can share the blessings. One of the blessings that comes from grace is joy. Joy is a good feeling that is deep down inside us. When we have joy, it doesn't last for only a short time; it can be in our hearts day after day.

The Bible tells us about joy. Someone please read what David says in Psalm 16:11, "In thy presence is fulness of joy." That means that when we love Jesus and keep company with Him, we have joy.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full," says Jesus [John 15:11]. So Jesus likes us to be happy, fun-loving Christians. Do you know that some people are afraid to become Christians, because they think they will not have any more fun? Big mistake! Of course, the fun that Christians have does not come from using drugs and alcohol, watching bad things, or saying bad words. Those things get us into trouble. When we love Jesus, He shows us how to have a good time being happy and making others happy too.

The best way to share our blessings is to let others know about the wonderful love of Jesus. We may not be able to preach a sermon or show them texts in the Bible, but we teach them about Jesus by the nice things we do. Can you think of something to do that will help others learn about Jesus? (Encourage responses.) What about obeying our parents right away? We can help at home without whining or pouting. Are you kind to elderly people, poor people, and those who are disabled? What are some ways in which we can help them?

When our friends and neighbors see us doing nice things and when they see our happy faces, they will want to be around us and get to know Jesus too. Knowing Jesus means loving Him and enjoying His blessings. That is a wonderful secret we want to share with others. So if you have been enjoying the blessings of knowing and loving Jesus, whom do you want to share the secret with?

Application
What did you learn from the story today? (Encourage answers. Be accepting of all responses.) By telling Jesus every day that we love Him and by doing what He wants us to do, we can have "joy, joy, joy, joy, down in our hearts." Then others will catch that joy. That's what sharing Jesus is all about. Try it.

Activity
Divide into small groups and have each child role-play something they can do to share their blessings with others.

Assignment
Remembering Jesus and His grace, sing a song or two during the day to help you keep that feeling of joy. Then remember to smile often and share Jesus' love with others.

FRIDAY
In God's House

What's church all about?
Psalms 122:1; 46:10

Motivational Device
Give a card to each child with a word such as "reverence," "praise," "thankfulness," "prayer," or "love" on it. These will be their offering. Collect the offering while the children sing during activity time.

Story
Sometimes people come to our house. What do you do when you expect visitors? (Wait for answers.) There are other times when we go to someone else's house. What are some things we don't do when we go to other people's houses? If a president, king, queen, prime minister, or governor of your country invited you to their house, what would you do? Would you sit, stand, and speak in a way that would be OK in such a place? Do any of you live in a palace or mansion, or have you ever visited one?

Church is God's house, and He meets us there with armloads of blessings! We go to church to worship God with other people. By singing and praying, we say, "Lord, we love You and thank You for making us." Jesus loves it when we worship Him. Do you like your friends to come to your house? Tell us some of the things you and your friends do when they visit. (Wait for answers.) Suppose when your friends came to visit, they said, "We really didn't want to come, because we don't like your house." Then they stuck gum on your chairs and scrawled a big red crayon mark on your couch. How would you feel? Wouldn't that be terrible?

When we come to God's house, what can we do to show Him we're glad to be there? (Get answers.) We show our respect and love when we walk softly, and we whisper if we have to talk to someone. Because we need to listen to what God has to tell us and let other people hear too, we sit quietly in church. Will someone please read Psalm 46:10? By reading our Bibles, singing songs, and listening to the preacher, we learn about Jesus and His grace. Because He knows how important this is for us, God says, "I command you to respect . . . the place where I am worshiped" [Lev. 19:30, CEV]. This is called "reverence."

Praying is like talking with our friends. We tell Jesus we love Him and thank Him for His blessings. We also tell Him we're sorry for the times we've been naughty, and ask Him to forgive us. We pray for other people, too. We always pray when we come to church.

We like to meet our friends at church. Although we can't play with them in church, we can let them know we are glad to see them. Some people prefer to stay at home instead of going to God's house. That's like telling a friend we don't want to visit their house. The Bible advises us to not "neglect our meeting together, as some people do" [Heb.10:25, NLT]. It's wonderful to go to God's house. He is the King of the universe, and He wants us to visit Him with His other friends.

Application
What did you learn from today's story? From now on, would you like to go to God's house? Ask Jesus to help you. Say, "Dear Jesus, please help me to love Your house a lot more. Amen."

Activity
Draw a picture of a church with happy people. Then sing with enthusiasm some of your favorite songs. Take up the offering of cards the children have been holding, showing their gifts of praise, worship, and songs to God.

Assignment
Invite a friend to come to church with you. Plan some way for the children to participate in the church service, so it will be more interesting to them than just sitting and listening.

SECOND SABBATH
I Love You, Jesus

Celebrating God's grace and loving Jesus in return
1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:19

Motivational Device
Hang a picture of Jesus on the wall and put a plain large sheet of newsprint or construction paper just below the picture. Prepare for the children to make hearts out of paper during activity time. Teachers will need a supply of pins.

Story
"Oh, what am I going to do with all this love?"smiled Mother, with tears in her eyes. Jenny and Jimmy, her 11-year-old twins, and 3-year-old Jana had planned a big surprise for Mother. No, it was not her birthday. It wasn't even Mothers' Day. They just picked a day to show her how much they loved her. The children fixed a tray with a delicious breakfast and three beautiful red long-stemmed roses--one from each of them. "Ta-dah!" they shouted excitedly. Then they placed on her lap a big red heart made of tissue paper with frilly white lace all around the edges and said, "We love you, Mom!"

Love makes us do nice things for people. What is something nice you have done for someone you love? (Get answers.) What else are you planning to do to show your love?

This world faced trouble after Adam and Eve sinned, so Jesus came to live with us. Just imagine! He came as a little baby and grew up here on earth. Would you leave a beautiful home in Paradise to come to this world with all its sadness, sickness, and death? (Share with the children stories of people you know who left one country to go to another where things were better, not worse.) Would you plan to die for people who don't like you? Would you just let them kill you? Jesus shows us love like that, and it's hard for us to understand. Rough soldiers dragged Him up a hill. They beat Him. Then they crucified Him! The good news is that He didn't remain dead. Three days later God, His Father, called Him from the grave. Will someone please read Mark 16:2-6? This is why we too can go to heaven. All because of His grace, His great gifts of love and kindness.

So what are we going to do with all this love? Love Him in return. When Jesus becomes our close friend, our greatest joy will come from living, playing, and working with Him. Boys and girls who love Jesus will share with others what He is like. Then everyone will know how much He loves them.

Application
What did you learn from today's story? (Encourage responses.) As you think of all that Jesus has done, you can say, "My Jesus, I have seen Your great love for me. I love You, too. Please help me to be the person You want me to be. Amen."

Activity
Take the heart you have made and stick it under the picture of Jesus. This is your way of saying, "I love You, Jesus." (Have children take their hearts to place on the paper under the picture of Jesus, then lead them in singing a favorite song that tells about love for Jesus.)

Assignment
Take a few minutes every day to think of Jesus' love and grace, and tell Him, "Thank You."

_________________________
Gloria Lindsey Trotman is the women's and children's ministries director of the Caribbean Union Conference. She has been serving the church for more than 30 years in education and counseling. She is married to Jansen Trotman, president of the Caribbean Union Conference. Together they are actively engaged in family ministry.