People in our lives

To encourage children to think about all the people who help them in their daily lives.

by The Revd Sophie Jelley

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To encourage children to think about all the people who help them in their daily lives.

Preparation and materials

• You will need some plain sticky labels and a marker pen.

Assembly

1. Ask, is anyone is feeling helpful this morning? Has anyone already done something helpful for another person this morning? Ask what they have done – include teachers. Point out that there are lots of people who help us in our lives every day. We are going to think for a few moments about who those people are.
2. Ask a series of questions relevant to your school context. You could use some of the following. Try to get different answers from the children – not all ‘Mum’!
   
   Every time a new answer is given, choose a volunteer to stand at the front (preferably the person who answered the question), write their answer on a label and stick it on them. You should end up with a row of people facing the audience showing the names of the people who help us. (You will need to be sensitive, as some children will not have a conventional family home life.)
   
   You are all wearing school uniform, which looks nice and clean – who washed it for you?
   Your uniform looks very neat – who ironed it for you?
   Who brought you to school today?
   Did anyone have anything delivered to their house this morning – the post, the milk?
   Does anyone play sport at the weekends? Who helps you? Coach, instructor, teacher, friend?
   Who goes shopping sometimes – who helps you in the shops?
   Has anyone ever been very poorly? Did anyone special help you?
   Think of the different people who help you at school – dinner ladies, lunchtime supervisors, teachers, caretakers?
3. The Bible and other books of faith often remind us that we should care not just about ourselves, but also about other people. Here’s one example from a letter in the Bible: ‘Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others’ (Philippians 2.4).
   
   Most of us are very lucky to have so many people who help us in our lives. Let’s try not to forget that, but be thankful for them all.

Time for reflection

Reflection

Hold up your hand and make a fist.

Put your fingers up one by one.

As you put each finger up, remember someone who helps you.

Prayer

Dear God,

For mums and dads and brothers and sisters,

We say thank you.

For friends, cousins, grandparents and relations,

We say thank you.

For teachers, dinner staff, caretakers and teaching assistants,

We say thank you.

For those who deliver our post and milk,

We say thank you.

For firefighters, police, doctors and nurses,

We say thank you.

Amen.

Song/music

‘Thank you, Lord, for this new day’ (Come and Praise, 32)