Learning Objectives for the Kids:

• Tabitha devoted her life to helping others.  She cared that the hungry had food to eat and that everyone had clothes to wear.

• Tabitha was very popular but this wasn’t because she was rich or pretty or had the best things.  Tabitha was popular because she truly cared about other people and worked hard to help them.

• Tabitha’s example was so important that Peter even brought her back to life so that her example could continue and spread.

• Tabitha didn’t change the whole world; she helped people right where she lived and that is just as important.  Lots of people helping right where they are can change the world.

• Jesus showed us that the people we should focus on are the most in need and that the people we should be like are those who use what they have to help others.  If we all took that message to heart, we would have heaven on earth.  In this way we are all blessed more than can be measured!

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Background on Tabitha:                                 Acts 9:36-42

     Tabitha lived in Joppa, a port city in ancient Israel.  This was the time just after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.  Israel was still under Roman rule and so Tabitha was also called Dorcas in the common language of the empire and the region, Greek.  Tabitha was renowned for her charity and devotion to serving others.  She may have been very wealthy or she may have been poor but what we know for certain is that wealth only mattered to Tabitha in as much as it could be shared to relieve those in need.

     Tabitha died.  She grew ill and passed away.  The apostle Peter was nearby and heard of Tabitha’s death from many who loved her.  They brought Peter to her body.  Peter brought Tabitha back to life.  Together they walked out among the people and many turned to belief in Jesus. 

     Obviously Tabitha was a special person.  Peter must have encountered many funerals and many friends and family in mourning but, as far as we know, he only ever brought back Tabitha.  But that’s not what makes her special.  Tabitha was so beloved that her admirers and friends sought out the miracle worker Peter to undo death and bring her back to them.  But that’s still not what makes her special.  Tabitha served others.  That’s what makes her special. 

     She wasn’t a miracle worker.  She wasn’t a queen like Esther, an apostle like Mary, or a warrior prophet like Deborah.  She was simply someone who served.  In fact the Bible does not tell us whether Tabitha believed in or even knew of Jesus or whether she was ever baptized.  We can safely assume that she did believe in Jesus, yet the mere fact that she was charitable is enough indication from Holy Scripture for us to know that Tabitha was a truly special follower of Jesus. 

Key Beatitude:                         

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3 NRSV)

Being poor in spirit does not necessarily mean that someone is poor by worldly standards.  In other words, being poor in spirit is not the same as being the opposite of wealthy.  Indeed, this beatitude pushes us to understand wealth as something beyond money or possessions.  We are talking about spirit.  What kind of spirit did Tabitha have?  Whether she was rich or poor, her spirit was charitable.  Perhaps being poor in spirit means that you give so much of yourself to others that you have little left.  Perhaps being poor in spirit means that life circumstances—hardship or persecution—have so diminished your spirit that you feel empty or without worth.  Both were Tabitha’s sort of people.  Both sort of people were her friends and companions.  In the Lutheran church we use a word called accompaniment.  The basic idea is that you embody a willingness to live alongside others who you sometimes serve, sometimes serve with, and sometimes are served by.  You never consider yourself greater than the person beside you.  You cultivate a spirit that is poor in boasting and rich in empathy.  That sounds a whole lot like Tabitha.      

Special Prayers:  As you learn about Tabitha, you’re invited to choose a prayer to repeat throughout the day.  The goal is to memorize the simple prayer so that it is there for you and your kids whenever you might need it in life, just like God.  You can choose between the more challenging prayer poem and the rhyming kid’s poem:

Tabitha Kid’s Prayer:

Help others to love what is best in me, 
not my riches but the gifts I share.
I promise to be someone who cares.  
I know your gifts have set me free. 
Amen.

Tabitha Prayer Poem:

I am sewn to you Holy Spirit.  
Where I am frayed, you fringe me with faith.  
Where I am torn, you tie me to yourself.
Where I am worn through, you weave me wholly into you.
Amen.