“You can not serve two masters,” I tell Jdaniel when he questions why something he is doing or has seen is bad or just not good.
We have started going over scripture memory verses with JDaniel at meal times using a verse packet called Foundation Verses from Desiring God Ministries and “No one can serve two masters” from Matthew 6:24a was one of the first ones.
He has been told that it means you can’t do what God wants and what you want if they are two vary different things.
As a three year old with tons of his own ideas, he understands that he doesn’t always get his own way. He would love to master of all things, but he really wants to please God too.
We have reminded him that it isn’t his way or our way. It is God’s way we are all trying to follow. He has been reminded that Mom and Dad still struggle with this too.
He seemed to be understanding what we were saying, but we weren’t sure.
Then something happened that made it crystal clear for him. We got three boxes of cereal in the mail with Star Wars characters on them. If you put the boxes together they made a panoramic scene.
JDaniel had no idea who they were or what they were from, but he was fascinated by the robots in the picture.
I tried telling him a little about each of the characters and we watched some short clips on Youtube that weren’t violent. They mostly concentrated on R2D2 and C-3PO. He loved watching them.
Then he started asking about Darth Vader. He has a large picture on the third box. Who was he? Was he bad? Why does he look like a robot?
“Well, Darth Vader was a man who had to make a choice,” I told him.
“He had to chose who to follow and he chose the wrong master,” I continued.
“So, he was bad?” JDaniel asked.
“Yes, he was bad and he didn’t turn away from bad things when he could have (Yes, I know he did in the end.),” I replied.
“Not good,” JDaniel replied back.
“Really not good,” I answered back.
We haven’t really gotten to all the Darth Vader does in the movies series. My husband did show him one of the scenes where Darth Vader is fighting with a light saber. We have chatted more about making good choices and following through with doing the right thing.
I am going to be hosting a giveaway that includes the three cereal boxes with the Star Wars scenes and a $25 Walmart gift card this Sunday. I hope you will stop by and enter it. You never know what conversations the boxes could stir up at your house.
This post is linked to Mrs. Matlock’s Alphabe Thursday.
I love the way you’re teaching him about good and bad. I’m going to take your lead on this one. Thanks!
Yes at that age, that’s a hard concept to follow. Well at any age, really. It’s great to start young!
I love that you used his curiosity about Star Wars to instill this lesson about good and bad. This is a post my husband would love. It goes to show that life is full of teachable moments that we have to embarace.
I love how simple things stir up those deep conversations with the little guys. And this is a conversation he will remember!
I think he is starting to get it!
How perfectly timed that you were doing that giveaway so that it could help illustrate your point!
Life lessons, take them where you find them.
Great job Mom!
I really liked this. The verse, the fact that you’re teaching him scripture, and that you’re doing it in a “real” way. Hooray for Star Wars!
Ah, very good teaching, Mama!
I love this, too. These moments can really make a big impression on children.
I just noticed your blog has a weekly theme. How cool is that?
What a great teaching opportunity you made that!
That can be a hard thing to teach, but I love that you’re doing it in a creative for JDaniel. He seems like such a good-natured little guy. 🙂
Amazing isn’t it, what makes kids finally put the picture together. In your case literary.
What a wise way to teach your son this message.
I love to read about good parenting in action.
=)
We haven’t had an interest in Star Wars here yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time.
This Is awesome! I love that you are teaching it in such a creative manner!
I love how you are teaching your son.Wonderful.
Darth Vader as a lesson- love it!
it’s so cool how little things can be used as such huge lessons for us, ways to teach us all about Scripture and to really bring it home. i enjoy the way you write, by the way. : )
Beautiful post! It is amazing how the simplest items can bring about a teachable moment.
Erika
Artful Rising
You are certainly a smart and devoted mom! You hit on something with which he could connect. He will remember that!!!
Where did you get those boxes. My boys would DIE for them. Well, my friend would actually die for them, but my boys would love them. We like Star Wars in our house. 4 boys….Even my daughter has decided that girls can like Star Wars too.
What a great way to teach the eternal lesson.
It’s great that you use everyday opportunities to teach your son such valuable lessons.
Great life lessons – great ‘Y’ post!
Happy Alphabe-Thursday!
Have a great weekend too,
XOXO LOLA:)
Alphabe-Thursday
It’s those little conversations that make all the difference! Great lesson (for all of us)…
Oh but I am a huge fan of Darth…just included him on my grandson’s birthday cake…he was a bubble-head..chasing Bugs Bunny….but did he catch him….!
trusted adults are helpful in educating kids about important manners,
well done.
🙂
That is such a great conversation to have with JDaniel. It’s great that you’re teaching him early about good and bad. It’s not an easy topic to explain to a 3 year old. I’m glad that you found a great example to use to help him better understand the lesson 🙂
Wonderful chance to talk about right and wrong!
Isn’t it great to be there at the moment when such a lesson is so natural? Well done!
From Mom Loop – What a great idea I’ve passed this onto my husband – he can do the lessons on bad and good via star wars any day (he’s a huge fan we even walked back down the aisle to a piece from star Wars!)
You are a natural teacher. I love this conversation and your give and take through the process.
It is things like this that make me admire you so much!
Thanks for sharing this insight with us for Alphabe-Thursday’s letter ‘Y’.
A+