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Growing and Changing - Babies

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AGE: Infants and Juniors

THEME: Growing and Changing - Babies

SUGGESTED INTRODUCTION:
Encourage a child who has recently had a new baby in the family to share what preparations were made for the new arrival. How did people feel about the new baby? How did (s)he feel?

Gather children's thoughts about what babies need. Do babies everywhere have and need the same things? If possible show pictures of homes from a variety of cultures to prompt their ideas (African mud huts, Innuit igloos etc.).

Read from Luke 2 about the birth of baby Jesus. Jesus was an extra special baby, God's son, born so that mankind would be forgiven for all its wrong doings. What did this special baby have - the latest swing seat, all terrain pushchair and designer outfit? Jesus was born in a stable, his bed a simple manger, no co-ordinating Peter Rabbit nursery for him! But what Jesus did have was the most important thing that any baby needs - love.

PRAYER:
Lord, we thank you for new babies everywhere and for the excitement and happiness they bring to their families. We pray that all babies are born into loving, safe, happy homes and families. Amen.

FURTHER IDEAS TO DEVELOP IN WORSHIP OR THROUGH THE WEEK:
  • Read about Hannah from 1 Samuel 1 and 2. She wanted a baby and asked God to help her. She felt that the baby she had was a gift from God and promised that in return she would let her child work for God when he was older. It was her way of thanking God for her special gift of a child. Do we do anything to thank God for babies? Encourage children to share grateful thoughts or write simple thank you prayers, individually or in groups, for babies in their families, babies of pets, or babies in general.

  • Find out what children know about baptism. When a child is baptised its parents are promising to bring their child up knowing about God. Because parents know this will make God happy it is a way of thanking him for their new child.

  • Why are babies special? What can/can't they do? If children have babies at home encourage them to share how old they are and what they can do at that age. Use examples to illustrate how quickly babies change. Babies enter the world helpless, but quickly start being able to do things on their own, even then however they continue to need love and care. Use role play opportunities to explore how to care for babies of different ages.

SONGS:
'He's got the whole world in His hands', No. 19, The Complete Come and Praise, BBC.
'Kum Ba Yah', No. 68, The Complete Come and Praise, BBC.

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Copyright © Culham Institute 2000-2012