Your Life Counts for Kids 2009 Session

"The 'Your Life Counts for Kids' class of '09 was a blast!  For ten weeks we learned how to be good stewards of the time, talent and treasure that God has given each of us.  We read Bible verses, made crafts, looked at newspaper ads and had our own bank and store to put into practice what we talked about in class.  I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching these wonderful 2nd - 5th graders.  I hope the lessons they learned are seeds planted that will flourish.
At the end of the class, I asked them to write their thoughts on a few questions.  Here are their unedited answers.  I'm sure you will enjoy them as much as I did!"
Karen Schubert, Teacher / Cindy Grieve, Helper Extraordinaire
What did I learn in class?
"Was that saving money is very important to save money and put it in the bank you don't have to use your cedit [credit] card" - Lauryn
"I learned that it is important to serve God and people.  When I do it, I feel great!" - Ciera
"I learned that you if you can save your money and not just buy toys you can have up to 200 dollars" - Gaybrielle
"I have learned not to spend our money and we should save our money." - Taylor
"How 2 take care of money and save." - Jada
"I learned that you should always mony in the bank to get more intrest." - Maryah
"I learn we have to save are money and srevee [serve] others and help all way help" - Makayla
"To tithe 10% of my mondy" - Anna
"I learned how to save money and spend money wisely." - Lisa
"I learned all about how to use my money." - Alenda
"how to save my monny wizely" - Austin
"How to maneg money" - Peter
"not to be selfish" - Riley
"I learned all about money, and the Bible." - Julia
"About money and god." - Esi
What did I like best about this class?
"We get to buy stuff from the store." - Peter
"Learning about the disciples in the Bible." - Anna
"It was all fun." - Lisa
"The snacks.  And the writing" - Esi
"What I liked about this class was that I could learn save my money and put it in the bank" - Lauryn
"Meeting others was great, especially seeing people I know." - Ciera
"Alt the fun stuff we did." - Alena
"That we get to lean about God and money." - Gaybrielle
"I liked this class Because the snacks are alsmo [awesome]."  - Taylor
"The oprotunity to give tithes and save correctly" - Jada
"I liked the most is that I got a lot of intrest when I put money ing the bank." - Maryah
"what I like best is sorte [store] and bank" - Makayla
"Store." - Austin
How have I practiced at home or in the store the things that I have learned in YLC4K?
"I have saved a lot of money." - Lisa
"I have been saving my money" - Anna
"I practiced saving" - Lauryn
"Finding low pices [prices]" - Esi
"Saving money but spending some too." - Austin
"by doing it for Jesus" - Riley
"learned not to spend all my money" - Julia
"I am saving my money even though I want stuff." - Alena
"not that much" - Makayla
"I some times practiced my memere vess [memory verse]" - Peter
"Saving money, in the store was tempting but I did it" - Ciera
"By making stores and being a kidprnower [I have no idea what this means]" - Jada
"I practiced by puting money in the bank and buying one back [pack] of gum." - Maryah
"It help me to do math." - Gaybrielle
Moments to Remember...
There were several times in the class that I found myself caught off guard at their questions, observations and comments.  When we discussed the Parable of the Talents, one girl stood up and said adamantly, "God should have given the one talent to the person who had only two instead of the one that has five - then it would've been more even!"  One of the boys observed after reading a passage, "Wow, the Bible is more action-packed than the Lord of the Rings!"  While discussing the supposed merits of a good hard day of honest work, one girl sighed and leaned back in her chair.  "I'm just going to marry rich," she decided.  On the first day of class, one little girl came in late and I was telling her that there were tasks she could do to earn "money" the next week.  "We have HOMEWORK in this class?!?!!?" she asked incredulously.  And when I gave out old Starbucks gift cards as fake credit cards, one disappointed boy said, "Hey, this isn't a credit card, this is good for a free mocha latte!"
Overall the kids were very good at handling their money, understanding the concept of interest in the bank and how debt is smothering - for some it was a harder lesson than others.  I have also seen cheerful giving and serving as well.  Maybe you have seen changes in your child's attitude in being a steward over what God has given them.  Hopefully they are changes that will help govern a lifetime of giving for the Kingdom.