What is a kingdom builder?
Knowledge, giving, leadership, … using ourselves, our own unique gifts and talents, for His glory. Our unique qualities weren’t given to us by God to be used selfishly but so that we might reflect His light – so that we can be builders of His Kingdom!
“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” – 1 Corinthians 3:9
We are like princesses and princes because Jesus is the King of Kings. The kindergarteners at ECNE spent the month of November discovering what it means to be a Kingdom builder. Mrs. Esser teaches her students that all of us belong and we each contribute our own God-given gifts and talents. God builds His story like a puzzle, one piece at a time, but we also have our own special pieces. Pushing aside societies focus on Empire building and instead using our influence for furthering His kingdom.
Wrapping up the month of learning with Kingdom Days, there were many beautiful little princesses and princes present in the classroom. The students participated in cooperative activities to reinforce that in God’s story we each must do our own part. Students were brought together and many who don’t normally play together ended up making at least one new friend on this special day.
“This was the best day ever!”
“Can we do this every day?”
“I am glad God chose me to be His child.”
We’ve read about kings and queens in the Bible trying to lead people while attempting to push God out. King Ahab did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him (1 Kings 16:30). He was far from a perfect king. The essential question for these kindergarteners was, How is God our perfect King? The Lord, our God, has absolute dominion over all His realm, all creation. “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” -Psalm 18:30. We know that His plan, His story, is written with our best interests in mind. Through the students learning of the Kings and Queens of the Bible, the stage was set for learning about the one true King who was sent to save us all…Jesus. Jesus is our king when we are Kingdom builders. It is through Him that we all belong and God gives us the courage and the strength to do all things through Him. The students learned to see themselves as His chosen children, unique, yet they can still discover the connections they have here with others.
“Through our learnings, my hope is that each student would see themselves as God sees them: as His own child (a true Princess/Prince – royalty). I pray that they know that He chose them and that each one of them is important in His Kingdom, that God has amazing plans for them, both now and when they grow up.
– Rebekah Esser, Teacher, Kindergarten A & B ECNE
Kingdom dress up day has been a long-standing tradition in Kindergarten for at least 22 years! As the students parade around the school in their royal wear it is so delightful to hear the older students say “I remember this day when I was in Kindergarten! I dressed up as a ….”
