Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 17, 18.
Decoration Ideas
Check the following websites for decorating ideas:
https://www.juliabettencourt.com/womens-ministry/theme-helps/back-to-school-event-theme.pdf
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/668362400968241467/
Ice Breaker
Have each woman write on an index card something they would like to learn. The leader collects the cards, shuffles them, and places them on a table. Each person tries to match a woman to a card.
Are You Smarter that a 5th Grader?
Use the following website to come up with questions to play the game, “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” Invite the youth from the corps to play as the opposing team to make it an intergenerational night.
https://www.scarymommy.com/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-questions
https://www.slideshare.net/guest0b8b14/are-you-smarter-than-a-fifth-grader-bible-game
Guest Speaker
Invite someone to teach the women a new skill or craft or to learn new information. Following are some suggestions:
Diversity speaker (Could be from Hmong American Center, Hispanic Association)
Health and Well-Being (Most hospitals have a speaker’s bureau.)
Community Leadership (Alderman, City Council Member, Police or Fire Chief)
Technology and Emerging Trends (Corporations, Cell phone companies)
Higher Education (Community Colleges, Tech Schools)
Martial Arts-Self Defense class
Refreshment Ideas
School inspired ideas can be found at:
Service Ideas
Pack back to school backpacks to giveaway to underprivileged children (could be filled with school supplies or school lunch items)
Volunteer at a grade school to read a book to a classroom.
How Smart Are You?
I have the great privilege of being a grandma to three children, 8, 6 and 3. One of our favorite things to do when we are together is to play games. I pulled out a new game from my closet for my 8-year granddaughter and I to play. It’s called, “Snap Shouts.” The idea of the game is to look at pictures and come up with descriptive words that begin with a letter chosen. I had been given a picture that I had no idea what it was depicting. My granddaughter Eva said, “Grandma, you don’t know what the picture is? It’s from the War of 1812.” Wow! Sometimes it’s even difficult to be smarter than a second grader!
The TV show “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?” first aired in February of 2007 with Jeff Foxworthy as the host. Two people since that time have won a million dollars. Both winners were leaders in higher education.
Learning something new every day is important for our growth. The Goodlife Centre blog talks about how learning something new enriches the quality of our life. They give 10 reasons as to why it’s so important. https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/10-reasons-to-learn-something-new-everyday/
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take a Naturalist course. It was 40 hours of class time, 40 hours of volunteer time and 20 hours of field trips. My volunteer hours were spent at a nature center, where school groups would come and learn new things about creatures and creation. I had the opportunity to teach some classes to K-2 children. It was beneficial for me to take this course and be around others that challenged me to dig deeper and discover new things.
Psalm 139 is a prayer of David. It does not speak about the knowledge we have, but rather God’s knowledge and understanding of who we are. God is omniscient, all-knowing. We get a bird’s eye view through David’s eyes about the intimate and personal nature of God’s involvement in our lives.
It is valuable to have knowledge. It is a priceless attribute to claim, but it pales in comparison to the perfect knowledge of God. Scripture tells us that if we look ahead or behind, God is there, guiding and protecting. He knows everything about us both inside and out. As believers in Christ, He is a reassuring presence in our lives. Scripture continues, reminding us that there isn’t any place we can go or be that the Spirit of God is not present.
It gives me comfort to know that God is with me. When I go through difficult or challenging situations in my life and don’t have the knowledge to deal with what it, the all-knowing God is present and active in every situation no matter the circumstance. There is nothing in this world that God is not aware of. God places great value on our lives and wants an intimate relationship with us by speaking to us personally.
Many of us have experienced difficult, heart wrenching situations in recent years. But we know that God has carried us through them and understands our deepest thoughts and fears.
Here are some reminders to take with you.
- God knows you and loves you.
- God pursues you wherever you go.
- God made you with His love.
- God has a plan for your life.
Questions to Contemplate:
- Is there something in your life that is too big for you to have to handle?
- Reading Psalm 139:1-6, 17-18. Does this scripture give you comfort?
- Is there something that you feel you can give to God because it is too difficult for you to handle on your own.
