Growing in Honor
Honor: Treating others with respect and dignity.’
3 ways to grow in honor:
1. I will see myself and others as created by God with value and importance
2. I will care for people no matter where they are from and appreciate differences
3. I will take care of the people and the world around me
Philippians 2:3 – 4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others
above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of
the others.
Take time to talk – Questions for parents to ask their children:
1. What did you work hard on today? How did it make you feel to finish something that was hard?
2. What made you laugh today?
3. How did you help someone before you were asked to do it?”
4. If one of your friends could be the teacher for the day, who would you want it to be? Why?
5. How are you different from a classmate? (Follow-up with, ‘Isn’t it wonderful that God created each one
of you different!)
6. How did you help take care of your classroom (or playground) today?
7. What do you think we could do in our neighborhood to take care of God’s world?
8. Who is an adult you know that is quick to help others?
See small steps of growth and rejoice. Speak a blessing over your child. This may sound like….
1. “You are a one-of-a-kind precious child, created by God. I love you so much.”
2. “I am so proud of you for looking for ways to take care of others, no matter where they are from. That
shows me how you are growing in honoring others.”
3. “You were made with a special purpose. God knows each day He has planned for you.”
4. “You show _______ honor when you ___________. I am so proud of you.”
Examples:
a. “You show your mom honor when you say “Yes ma’am”. I am so proud of you.”
b. “You should your dad honor when you obey with a smile, all the way, right away. I am so proud
of you.”
c. “You show your friends honor when you invite new friends to play with you. I am so proud of
you.”
d. “You show your teacher honor when you listen before you speak. I am so proud of you.”
Enjoy time together!
● Read together.
o Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
o Because I Love You by Max Lucado
o The Day God Made You by Rory Feek
o Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
o When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
o Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
o Elmer by David McKee
o The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane Derolf
o The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
o The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood
o What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
o Giraffes Can’t Dance by GIles Andreae
o Mason’s Greatest Gems by Chelsea Lee Smith
o The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
o The Moffats by Eleanor Estes
o The Bark of the Bog Owl: The Wilderking Trilogy, Book 1 by Jonathan Rogers
o Wonder by RJ Palacio
o Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
● Play together.
o Egg toss
o This activity needs to be done in an outdoor area or on a washable surface, as it can get
messy.
o Begin by passing a raw egg back and forth between two people or around in a circle. Keep
backing up and increasing the distance of the toss. The egg may or may not break. Use this
game as an opportunity to talk about how we must treat others with respect.
o Explain that people are fragile like the egg. Treating others with gentleness and care
demonstrates respect.
o Brainstorm together what words they could use with one another that would build others
up.
o Works of Art
o Take part of a morning or afternoon to stop by a local art gallery or museum
o Spend time looking at all of the different styles of paintings there are. Point out how each
one is unique. Have your children pick out a favorite artist and ask why they like the style of
that artist’s work.
o On the drive home, explain that we are all “works of art,” fashioned uniquely by God.
o When you get home, create works of art. Get out the paper, paint, crayons, markers and
together sit and draw.
o Hang up your finished works. Take turns for each one to say something they admire about
others’ work.
o Ask your children how they felt when you appreciated the beauty of their art. Tell them it
makes God happy when we treat His artwork (other people) with respect and care.
(Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 43:7, Psalm 139:14).
o Make a birdfeeder and talk about caring for God’s creation. Here are just a couple examples
o Cookie-Cutter Bird Feeder
o Orange Skin Birdfeeder
● Serve together
o Take a walk through your neighborhood with a bag and pick up trash. Talk about how thankful you
are that together you can take care of the world around you.
o Challenge one another when at the grocery store to see who can find a way to help someone in the
store. (Open a door? Pick up something that fell? Return a cart?)
o Wash your car together. Then ask a neighbor if you could wash their car.
o Cook a batch of cookies and take them to a neighbor. Add a note that reminds them that they are
special and you are glad that they live in your neighborhood.
