“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9
The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Parents are charged with instructing our children in this command. A few years ago, I did an activity with my oldest to help him see and understand the concept that we often fill our hearts with things that we love more than God. He’s older now and more things are fighting for space in his heart. We talk often about how hard it is to not place toys in that spot made only for God.
“There’s a God-shaped hole in all of us
and the restless soul is searching
There’s a God-shaped hole in all of us
And it’s a void only He can fill”
(from “God-Shaped Hole” by Plumb)
For this activity, I traced the top half of my son onto a large piece of paper. We drew a large hole shape and filled it with words and pictures of things that people put in their heart instead of God. We talked about each idol and why it might be one for some people and not for others. Only God can help us keep second things from becoming first things in our heart.
For a smaller version, these two cutouts of people have words describing idols in the one on the left and the one on the right is what is produced in our heart when God is the center.
Do you have any “teach me Jesus” moments to share this week?
Im a newbie to all of this. Seriously, I have a kids Bible leading me on my journey. I won’t say I grew up as an Atheist because searching for spiritual fulfillment has always been an underlying quest in my life. But, I have been far from God for a long time. I raised my son without God, now I have a daughter who ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO KNOW GOD! Please keep sharing more ideas on how to bring her closer to God!
Thanks for visiting! And kids bibles are great-I’ve learned a lot from them even as a grown-up myself:) Blessings to you!
Good stuff. As a youth pastor, and a father, I see so many connections in every generation - trying to replace God with other “things” as the source or Lord of our lives.
My idols are many, I’m afraid. Something I need to purge just as much as my kids. Thanks for visiting!
What a great object lesson on idolatry.
~ Danika
https://thinkingkids.wordpress.com
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by!
I truly, truly love this idea. How old was your son when you did this? I think my 5 1/2yr old could get a lot from this. Thanks for sharing,
The first time we did it, he was four. We did it again recently, they are now 4 and 7. Your son is definitely old enough.
What a fabulous activity for teaching children! This would’ve been perfect when I first withdrew my oldest from public school! If you want your children to worship and covet things, send them there!