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Copywork
About This Passage
The preacher is praying at the beginning of the party. These two sentences are one of the most important pieces of writing in the whole book. Notice the word 'complicated.' It is an unusual word to use in a prayer about friendship. Most prayers would say 'wonderful gifts' and stop there. The preacher adds 'complicated,' which honors the truth that loving other people is not always easy. Notice also the word 'task' in the second sentence. The preacher is calling loving each other a JOB — something you do, not just something you feel. Copying this passage teaches a writer how grown-up language can make a simple idea (love your friends) into something serious and specific.
We appreciate the complicated and wonderful gifts you give us in each other. We appreciate the task you put down before us of loving each other the best we can.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell the chapter. The party begins with a prayer and ends with rain. What changed in those few pages?
Discussion Questions
- The preacher's prayer includes the phrase 'the complicated and wonderful gifts you give us in each other.' Why is the word 'complicated' important here? What is the preacher admitting about friendship?
- The preacher calls loving each other a 'task.' This is an unusual word for love. Why does the preacher use a word that sounds like work?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
having many parts that are hard to understand or resolve
Item 2
a specific piece of work assigned to someone
Item 3
a prayer asking God to protect, guide, or give favor to someone
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Critical Thinking
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