Value lessons are the most important thing we teach all season. Although this is a baseball league and teaching the game of baseball and playing games is a fun and important part of what we do, the value lessons provide the opportunity to touch our players and make an eternal difference in their lives. This year, we have organized our value lessons around the word victory. Each letter in the word is an acrostic for that weeks lesson. Victory or Defeat Imitate God Cozy Comfort Tell your friends Obey Your Parents Reward for You You are Special The value lessons contained in this package are excerpted from The One Year Book of Devotions for Preschoolers by Crystal Bowman. It is expected that you will take 5-10 minute during your weekly practice during the weeks of the season to cover these lessons. At this age, we are more interested on teaching some short life lessons and less on gospel presentation and response. They should be introduced to the concept of Jesus and His redemptive death, but do not expect them to understand at this point. Typically, we see children respond to the gospel starting around age 7. If you have a player that seems to be ready for the gospel, go ahead and share with them and follow-up with me so we can get the appropriate people involved. If you have any questions or difficulty with these lessons, please feel free to contact me at jblackwell@baseball101.com or (214) 505-7714. Thanks for all you do. Jeff Blackwell Commissioner PSO Baseball
Victory or Defeat Week 1 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him Romans 8:28 Run, run, run! yells Jack as loudly as he can. Jack wants his team to win the baseball game. But what if they don t win? Will things be Okay? Of course they will. It s always great to win. But losing doesn t take away all the fun. Sometimes losing a game can be good. It makes the team work harder and get better. If we love Jesus, He makes good things happen even when we lose. In all that happens, help me to see the good things you have waiting for me.
Imitate God Week 2 You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like Him. Ephesians 5:1 John sees his shadow and tries to look like a bird. DO you ever flap your arms and pretend you are a bird flying in the air? Do you ever crawl on your hands and knees and roar like a hungry lion? Do you ever try to act like your mom or dad? The Bible tells us to be just like God. Since God loves everyone, we can be like God by doing kind, loving things for others. God, this is what I want to do; I want to be a lot like you.
Cozy Comfort Week 3 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13 Alice likes to take care of her stuffed animals. She tucks them in bed and comforts them. Does someone tuck you in your bed at night? That feels good, doesn t it? The bible says that God will take care of you just like a mother takes care of her children. That s because God is like a parent who loves you very much! You are my Father in heaven above. Thank you for your comfort and your love.
Tell Your Friends Week 4 I will tell you what God has done for me Psalm 66:16 Max is talking to a friend. What do you think they are talking about? What kinds of things do you and your fiends talk about? It s fun to talk about people and toys and pets. But you can also talk about Jesus. If you love Jesus, God wants you to tell others that he takes care of you and gives you everything you need. Tell your friends they need to know! Help me, Jesus, to tell me friends about your love that never ends.
Obey Your Parents Week 5 Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. This is the right thing to do. Ephesians 6:1 Jack s parents told him not to touch the cookie jar. But he did, and it broke. Maybe your parents have rules like: Don t touch the stove. Don t cross the street. No cookies before dinner. Your parents make rules because they love you and they know what is best for you. They want to protect you and keep you healthy and safe. God wants you to obey your parents. When you do, you are also obeying God. Help me, Jesus, to obey and do what s right all through the day.
Reward for You Week 6 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do. Ephesians 6:8 Steve won a trophy for being the best catcher on his baseball team. Have you ever won a prize for something you have done? People like winning prizes. Did you know that God has prizes for people who love and obey Him? God s prizes are called rewards. Someday when we go to heaven, God will reward us for all the good things we have done. Help me to love and obey you, dear Lord, so I will receive my heavenly reward.
You Are Special Week 7 He even counts every hair on your head! Matthew 10:30 You are special and God knows everything about you. Do you think you can count all the hairs on your head? Of course not! It s impossible to count the hairs on your head. But it is not impossible for God. The Bible says that God knows everything about you from your head to your toes. He even knows how many hairs you have on your head! Dear God, I am amazed at what you know. You know all about me, from head to toe.