Money Matters teaches children about the concept of money, the importance of generosity, and how God intends for us to use money as an expression of love for others. Over the course of the four sessions, children will learn through biblical examples how to be responsible custodians of money and how they can use their resources to be a part of God’s plan.
In the introductory session, participants will discover the origins and purpose of money and how it has developed through the ages. In Session 1 they will come to an understanding that wants and needs are very different things—and explore the importance of being content with what they have. In Session 2 they will learn that generosity is giving to others from what we have so that we can be a blessing and be blessed. In Session 3 they will recognize that intentional giving—also know as tithing—can take many forms, not just monetary. In Session 4 they will discover that when we are engaged in giving, even our small contributions can do great things.
Each session contains suggestions for children’s literature to incorporate that correspond with the central topics. These are reinforced through games, arts-and-crafts projects, and other hands-on learning experiences including “The Open-Hand Activity,” in which participants will experience the physical tension that greed and fear produce, along with the relaxed feeling that generosity produces. Scriptural references are used throughout this study to further enhance the participants’ understanding of money through the lens of our Christian faith.
The author, Denise Synder, holds a bachelor’s degree in special education, a master’s in elementary education, and certification as a preschool teacher in Delaware. She urges leaders of this study to recognize that children do not learn in the same manner or timeframe and come from varied backgrounds and cultures. She encourages leaders to adapt the materials and means of expression recommended in this study to suit the needs of their group.
In addition to her career in childhood education, Synder has served in many capacities within The United Methodist Church and in United Methodist Women at the local, district, and conference levels. She currently serves in the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference as the Dover District lay leader and as associate conference lay leader. She was elected president of United Methodist Women’s Northeastern Jurisdiction for the 2016–20 term.