My Wonder Studio

The story “The Tree That Wanted to See the World” highlights the following learning objective: “Understand what it means to be content with who one is: recognize that God has made everyone different, and that there is a unique and specific purpose for the way in which God has created each individual, both physically and characteristically; become familiar with Scripture upon which these principles are based.” (Character Building: Values and Virtues: Contentment-2a)

Look up the following Bible verse with your child:

• You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalms 139:16 NLT)
• Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (Psalms 139:14 NLT)

Discuss the following with your child:

• Relate to your child that God, Who is perfect and cannot make mistakes, is the One Who created each person.
• The beauty of God’s creation: Discuss your child’s favorite animal, climate, country, or natural setting. Just as these creations that we enjoy were crafted by a supreme and loving God, so is each human being created perfectly in God’s eyes.
• What Psalm 139:16 means in regards to how one looks, one’s natural characteristics, the situations one is faced with in life, etc.

The story “Madeline’s Misdemeanor” highlights the following learning objective: “Understand that when one shows compassion to another one is giving another a bridge of acceptance that will help that person overcome something that may be discouraging or holding that person back.” (Compassion-2a)

Look up the following Bible verse with your child:

• When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. (1 Corinthians 9: 22 NLT)

Discuss the following with your child:

• Think about a time when you were going through difficulty. What kinds of encouraging words or actions did you appreciate receiving from others during such times?
• Discuss stories of Bible characters, people from recent or ancient history, or fictional characters who showed compassion in such a way as to help a person suffering come to a better place in their life through their words and actions (e.g., the compassionate bishop who helps Jean Valjean in the novel Les Misérables, etc.).
• What kinds of situations do you think are difficult for those in your peer group? Of those situations, in which do you feel you may be able to do something to help?

The article “Tell Everyone” highlights some of the most significant things Jesus can do for a person who receives Him. After reading it, talk with your child about how you have experienced receiving these gifts from Jesus. Ask your child if he/she can recall any experience with these gifts.

“What Is Communication?” highlights the following learning objective, “Learn of the importance and benefits of good communication, wise speech, and godly interactions; study and memorize scriptures upon which these principles are based.” (CB: Communication and Interaction-1a)

Pick one or two of the following discussion questions to help your child understand the value of the learning objective stated above.

• Can you think of a time when someone said something encouraging to you? What did they say, and how did it make you feel?

For older children:

• Ask the child: What are your words and actions saying to others about the kind of person you are?

After reading “Where Is God?” talk about how God is so big that He lives and exists outside of our human understanding, and yet He is also very personal and there for us all the time.