Is your Twirl student afraid of anything? Maybe it’s the dark, big spiders or the sound the wind makes when it hits the tree outside their window just right. Maybe it’s the bad guy in a movie, going into class all by themselves or performing a recital dance in front of an audience for the very first time. No worries, tiny dancers. This month’s memory verse teaches us that we have nothing to worry about!
The Lord bless you and keep you. — Numbers 6:24
This verse begins the Benediction Prayer, thought to be one of the oldest poems in the Bible. Also known as Aaron’s Blessing, this simple statement packs a punch so poignant, despite its age, it’s still used regularly in Roman Catholic, Christian and Jewish worship services. It closes sermons, blesses congregations, concludes baptisms and is even spoken over brides and grooms in wedding ceremonies. So how do we unpack such a mighty prayer with our Twirl students? Let’s break it down…
The Lord bless you...
God has entered a covenant with His people. He tells us in Exodus 6:7: “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” He is our God, and only in a relationship with Him as our Father, are we truly blessed.
...and keep you,
Psalm 17:8 tells us that He will keep us safe in the shadow of His wings. Just as He kept the children of Israel (to whom Aaron originally spoke this prayer), He is our Shepherd, and we will never be lost. He will never leave us. He will always protect us. No matter what.
How do we know? It all comes back to this month’s Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness. God will always keep His promises. He will never stop loving us, and we can love and serve others faithfully because He has perfectly shown us how. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is a confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” No matter what we’re facing, He is there. Sometimes the steps seem too hard to learn and the dance seems too complicated to remember, but even when we feel all alone on a great big stage, He is there. Our Father, loving and protecting us... always. As the full prayer (verses 24-26) says:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
As difficult moments come up with your Twirl student—when the movie gets scary, when recital seems like too much, or when they need a little extra courage on a stormy night—we encourage you to come back and speak these truths together: The Lord bless you and keep you.
Want to take these lessons further? Reinforce His promises with a hands-on activity (maybe over Spring Break, March 22-27)!
Faithfulness Art/Necklaces
Proverbs 3:3 says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Together with your Twirl student, braid some string, string some beads or use whatever you have handy (OR use this as an excellent excuse for a Target or craft store run) to make a tangible reminder of His faithfulness. Feeling scared or unsure? Grab your necklace, say this month’s verse, and remember He is there.
If your Twirl student is still a little young for accessorizing, focus on the second half of the verse. Have your student write or draw pictures to remind them of His faithfulness. Hang their creations on the fridge or in their room, put them in their dance bag or display it wherever you could use a reminder of His protection.