I've been thinking about 2 Corinthians 9:7, when Paul said, "for God loveth a cheerful giver." I am teaching some 6/7 year olds on Sunday about this topic, which resonates so strongly with me, especially for this age, where they start to do harder chores (than just putting their toys away), and when they are still learning to find joy in plain old, boring chores. I also see this being a great focus for a Primary Chorister activity, especially for a Primary Program song review.
We often talk about giving and charity in a separate context as cheerfully having a good attitude as we do life's boring chores, and I think they are closely related.
"Give Said the Little Stream" is a great way to talk about this lesson, whether taught at home in the family setting, by choristers on Sunday, or in small classes, like the one that I will be teaching.
Some thoughts on different ways to incorporate the song (which, by the way, was one of President Thomas S. Monson's favorite songs):
1. First of all, consider either singing "Give Said the Little Stream" together or watching this video that puts visuals with the song together.
> Whenever I sing this song with kids, I have them get up and spin or stand up and sit down whenever they sing the words "give" or words that start with "s" for bigger kids that know their letters.
2. Second, talk about what this song means:
> What are streams like? Are they still and quiet, or do they seem to dance and quietly go on their way? (the stream is "cheerful" ... and "God loveth a cheerful giver")
> How do streams bless the ground around it? (talk about the plants that grow, the animals that drink from it, etc.)
3. Ask the class to share examples of how we can give cheerfully
> You can make this into a fun activity by having children build something as they volunteer ideas. For example, it took me about a minute to cut out this flower in front of a meadow and stream. (The stream is feeding the flower.) Each child can put a petal on the flower as they share an example of one they can give cheerfully, or they can draw a petal that has something written on it already, and either have an opportunity to read it (with some help depending on the age) or elaborate on it.
> Older children can decorate and write instructions on petals to take home, so that they can build their own flower at home as they think about how they can cheerfully give. You can print out some examples or questions to give them ideas for what to write on the pedals:
- What chore does Mom or Dad have you do that you don't enjoy that you can do cheerfully this week?
- Can you say a prayer in the morning and have a prayer in your heart about having an opportunity to cheerfully give service?
> Choristers can put one song they are reviewing on each petal, briefly talk about what this song teaches, and talk about how as they are sharing their testimony through music during the Primary Program, they are giving as the stream gives. They can do this cheerfully with joy in their hearts about being missionaries preaching the gospel from their children's choir.
You can read more on my thoughts about what it means to be a cheerful giver here.
We often talk about giving and charity in a separate context as cheerfully having a good attitude as we do life's boring chores, and I think they are closely related.
"Give Said the Little Stream" is a great way to talk about this lesson, whether taught at home in the family setting, by choristers on Sunday, or in small classes, like the one that I will be teaching.
Some thoughts on different ways to incorporate the song (which, by the way, was one of President Thomas S. Monson's favorite songs):
1. First of all, consider either singing "Give Said the Little Stream" together or watching this video that puts visuals with the song together.
> Whenever I sing this song with kids, I have them get up and spin or stand up and sit down whenever they sing the words "give" or words that start with "s" for bigger kids that know their letters.
2. Second, talk about what this song means:
> What are streams like? Are they still and quiet, or do they seem to dance and quietly go on their way? (the stream is "cheerful" ... and "God loveth a cheerful giver")
> How do streams bless the ground around it? (talk about the plants that grow, the animals that drink from it, etc.)
3. Ask the class to share examples of how we can give cheerfully
> You can make this into a fun activity by having children build something as they volunteer ideas. For example, it took me about a minute to cut out this flower in front of a meadow and stream. (The stream is feeding the flower.) Each child can put a petal on the flower as they share an example of one they can give cheerfully, or they can draw a petal that has something written on it already, and either have an opportunity to read it (with some help depending on the age) or elaborate on it.
> Older children can decorate and write instructions on petals to take home, so that they can build their own flower at home as they think about how they can cheerfully give. You can print out some examples or questions to give them ideas for what to write on the pedals:
- What chore does Mom or Dad have you do that you don't enjoy that you can do cheerfully this week?
- Can you say a prayer in the morning and have a prayer in your heart about having an opportunity to cheerfully give service?
> Choristers can put one song they are reviewing on each petal, briefly talk about what this song teaches, and talk about how as they are sharing their testimony through music during the Primary Program, they are giving as the stream gives. They can do this cheerfully with joy in their hearts about being missionaries preaching the gospel from their children's choir.
You can read more on my thoughts about what it means to be a cheerful giver here.
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