Object: A dictionary.

Lesson: Jesus' constant presence; faith; discipleship.

"I've brought a big book with me today. Does anyone know what it is?" Eager hands shoot up as the older children recognize the volume. I nod to one of them.

"It's a dictionary!" he announces.

"Yes, it's a dictionary," I respond. "What does one find in a dictionary?"

"Words!" many of the children reply in concert.

"Yes, WORDS!" I agree, with emphasis on words. "I love words," I continue. "I was thinking about a particular word this week, the word 'alone.' Have any of you ever been alone?" The hand of every child is raised, some more slowly than others, as they think back to times when they have been alone. "I think most of us have been alone at some time or another," I continue. "Well, the neat thing about a …