One of the best received activities in the Values in Action! Program is to create a Personal Time Line. Using an adding machine roll of paper write the numbers 1through 80 leaving about an inch between each number writing with black ink. Place a red line on 20,40,60,80 to show a person’s life in four quarters. Present the following concepts to your children:

As Kids See Times in Life

1. Measured in 1/2 years in early part of life. Can’t wait for the next birthday.

2. Limited perceptions on impact of events. 20/20 vision.

3. World view centers around self and family and extends to peers and others as growth occurs.

4. Kids see the present as the only time.

5. Looking ahead it’s difficult to see things will pass. Most things are a long ways away.

6. Lack comprehension of cause and effect in events and in relationships.

7. Small amount of time compared to the full amount of time we are alive (less than 1/4 of our lives we live as kids.)

8. Activity driven .

As Adults See Times in Life:

1. Measured in decades or wished for birthdays, i.e. 39 would prefer to cancel birthdays,

run out of ink at age 60.

2. Broader and wiser perceptions based on experiences.

3.World view focused on family, city, community and world and includes purpose.

4. Adults see time as valuable and never enough.

5. Looking back things happened rather quickly.

6. Adults know that time heals many of life’s hurts and disappointments.

7. Over 3/4 of our lives we live as adults.

8. Purpose driven.

Spiritual Perspective

As God Sees Times in Our Life:

1. One day is as 1,000 years.

2. God is the beginning and the end, the Alpha & Omega. He transcends our time.

3. World View: He created world and forces and choices that shape it today!

4. God asks that we redeem the time.

5. God is patient- for over 2,000 years he waits. He will never force us into heaven.

6. God is the author and the finisher of our faith.

7. Our life is but a vapor that appears for awhile then vanishes away!

8. He has a purpose for each life so that each life counts!

– Gene Bedley