Life and Times: A Different Life

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will listen to a description of how one person’s life is different from all others because of his special purpose.

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)

Share the following: Prince William, son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana of England, “was raised and trained to be a royal from the first moment of his birth.” (p. 60) While Diana wanted her sons to be allowed to grow up to be normal, Prince Charles focused on preparing him for the duties he would fulfill as the future King of England. Diana encouraged play dates with other children while the boys were young, team sports, learning to cook for themselves, and understanding the lives of the people in England. She even took William and his brother Harry to visit hospitals, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters to help them understand what people were going through.

William’s future role as king played a deciding factor in where he went to school, which functions he attended, and whom he would marry. Biographer Joann Price wrote, “William had a predetermined role    . . . and learned quickly that duty was paramount, and his obligations and responsibilities were instilled in him by his parents and by the Royal Family throughout his early life.” (p. 87) William is a unique blend of his parents’ best qualities. From Charles’ influence, he takes his royal responsibilities seriously. From Diana, he gained a sense of humor and an understanding of the commoner’s life. [Adapted from Price; see bibliography for complete information.]

Say: From birth, Prince William was set apart from all the other children in the United Kingdom. Because he will one day become King, he has always lived differently than others. Today we will consider ways followers of God are set apart from those who choose not to follow Him.