But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18: 16

Trinity Kids provides spiritual guidance, education, & community for children from infancy through 5th grade. For Preschool through 5th grade, the “contemplative model”; of children’s ministry is used to provide the framework for learning about the stories of the Bible, with a focus back to the gospel & salvation of Jesus Christ. Lessons and discussions are hands-on, reflective, and open-ended. Please contact Julia Guy (julia@trinityanglicanmission.org) with any questions or to learn more about Godly Play and the contemplative model.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Story of Jacob (July 31st)


Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Genesis 12:24- 25:11
In our learning this week about Jacob, drew a connection between he and his father Isaac, Sarah and Abraham’s first-born son. This helps to weave the story of God’s Great Family. We learned about his twin brother Esau and their struggle with wanting to be first. Our storytelling lays out the trick that Rebekah and Jacob play on Isaac so that he thinks he is giving his blessing to Esau, though it is only Jacob in disguise. To protect Jacob from the consequences of this trick, he is sent out to find a wife, but he is tricked too. The long and complicated story of God’s Family reminds us of our human folly and God’s sovereignty. The story concludes with Jacob’s dream about wrestling God and thus being re-named “Israel”. The 12 Tribes of Israel, then are drawn from his 12 sons. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?
I wonder what part is the most important?
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?
I wonder what the story of Jacob and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:
“Dear Lord, help me to learn about you through the story of Jacob. Help me to understand that, no matter what I try to do to trick others or sneak around, you are always there to know the truth and to help me to follow your path instead. I pray that you will teach me wisdom and trust. Thank you for the stories of the Great Family. I love you and am so thankful that you are in charge. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will study Moses (Exodus 1: 8- 17:7), Sarah (Genesis 12- 23), and Abraham (Genesis 12:24- 25:11). 

Please note: The 4th- 5th grade class learned about Jacob on July 24th and the Preschool class will not have a lesson about Jacob at the this time, but will learn about him later in the year. 

Story of Sarai (July 24th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Genesis 12- 23 & 1 Peter 3:6
This week, we learned about the life of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, father of the Great Family. Much of Sarah’s story centers around her relationship with her husband as they await God’s promise of a family. It’s a bit tricky to explain to children, but we tell the story of Hagar (whom we call a “helper”) and the birth of Ishmael. The fulfillment of God’s promise in the birth of Isaac is celebrated and the sad conflict between Sarah and Hagar is told directly, leaving time for the children to reflect on how each person involved might have felt. Our storytelling about Sarah concludes with the time in which she awaits the return of Abraham and Isaac from the mountain on which Abraham followed God’s call to sacrifice his son, but was redeemed by the word from an angel.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?
I wonder what part is the most important?
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?
I wonder what the story of Sarah and her family might be teaching you?

Prayer:
“Dear Lord, thank you for the story of Sarah. I pray that you will help me to understand how this story teaches me something about my life. Walk beside me each day and help me to be patient and trust that you will fulfill the promises that you have made. Help me to wait on you, instead of always trying to fix things myself. Amen.”

Looking forward:
In the weeks to come, we will study Moses (Exodus 1: 8- 17:7), Abraham (Genesis 12:24- 25:11), and Jacob (Genesis 25:19- 33:20). 


Please note: The 4th- 5th grade class will learn this same story on July 31st and the Preschool/ Kindergarten class will learn about Sarai on August 7th.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Story of Moses (July 17th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Exodus 1: 8- 17:7, John 1: 1-17
Many children have some idea about who Moses was, but may not understand the details of his life. This week, we learned about God’s call for him and the adventurous events that took place when he entered into God’s story. To summarize, we discussed: (1) how Baby Moses was found and cared for by the daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh, (2) his killing of an Egyptian soldier in defense of a Jewish slave (and how he ran away), (3) his reluctant acceptance of his role as a speaker for God’s people, (4) Pharaoh’s eventual release of the Jewish slaves, (5) the Exodus into the desert, (5) the revelation of the 10 Commandments and the admonishment because of the golden calf, (6) Moses’ death before reaching the Promise Land. It is a very lengthy story!

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?
I wonder what part is the most important?
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?
I wonder what the story of Moses and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:
“Father, thank you for Moses. We can learn so much from his adventurous life. I pray that you would help me to listen to your plan for my life and go with me through all my adventures, even if I am scared or nervous. I know that you are always with me. Help me to be the kind of person that can bring joy to you and who can show the world how powerful and wonderful you are. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will study Abraham (Genesis 12:24- 25:11), Sarah (Genesis 12- 23), and Jacob (Genesis 25:19- 33:20).

Please note: The 1st- 3rd grade class learned about Moses on July 10th. The preschool/ kindergarten class will not be learning about Moses at this time, but you can find many great resources online to teach them about Moses at home. 

Story of Abraham (July 10th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Genesis 12:24- 25:11
This week, we learned about the life of Abram- who became Abraham, the father of the Great Family. This is one of the first lessons of the season focused on the Old Testament “Sacred Stories.” Our attention to Abram’s story begins when God sends he and Sarah in to a new land. We spend considerable time discussing God’s promise fulfilled through the birth of Isaac, and Abraham’s difficult word from God to sacrifice his son (although of course, an angel of the Lord stops him and goes on to say, “God says, ‘I will make you the father of a great family… as many as the grains of the sand in the desert and the stars of the sky. And I will make of you a great blessing, because you obeyed me and trusted what I told you to do.’”

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)
Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?
I wonder what part is the most important?
I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?
I wonder what the story of Abraham and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:
“Dear Lord, thank you for the story of Abraham. I pray that I would be as obedient to your calling as he was. I also pray that I would wait very patiently for your promises. I know that sometimes I want things to happen quickly, but I know that you will care for me and give me all the things that I need when I need them. I love you and I thank you for all the wonderful blessings that I get to enjoy each day. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will study Moses (Exodus 1: 8- 17:7), Sarah (Genesis 12- 23), and Jacob (Genesis 25:19- 33:20).

Please note: The preschool/ kindergarten class
will be learning about Abraham on July 31st. The 1st- 3rd grade 
class will be learning about Abraham on July 17th. 

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Yay for Vacation Bible School!!


We had a fantastic week of learning, worshiping, serving, playing, and growing as we learned about the Parables of Jesus. Thank you SO much to all the volunteers who spent their time and energy to make the week absolutely wonderful. More reflections and photos coming soon!! Best, 
~Julia :) 

Parable of the Great Banquet (July 3rd)


Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Luke 14: 15-24
This week, we learned (or re-learned) the Parable of the Great Banquet. The children observed as so many different people were invited to a gorgeous banquet full of delicious food. When each would-be guest came up with more “important” things to do, the master sent his servant to bring in anyone he could find- widows, the poor, the blind, the sick- to enjoy the feast. Again, as with other parables, we shared that this one is like a door… even though it is meant for entering into, sometimes it feels like it is locked. We can return to it again later and perhaps it will be open to us. This metaphor is meant to help the children realize that, although parables are meant to help us better understand God’s story and the Kingdom of Heaven, it is often difficult to truly grasp the meaning- but that’s okay. We can return to these stories again and again throughout our entire lives.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder how it felt to be invited to this great feast?
I wonder why these people came and the others wouldn’t?
I wonder how the master feels about the guests?
I wonder how the guests feel about the master?

Prayer:
“Father, I pray that I would join you at the beautiful feast that you have prepared. Please help me to make you the most important thing in my life. I don’t want to get distracted by other things that seem more important, but it is tough sometimes. Thank you for loving me and helping me to grow closer to you in love. Amen.”

Looking forward:
Next week, we will learn about the Story of Moses, found in Exodus 1: 8- 17:7, John 1: 1-17.

Please note: The Preschool/ Kindergarten class will 
be learning about this story on July 17th & 24th. 

Parable of the Good Samaritan (June 26th)


Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Luke 10: 25-37

This week, we learned (or re-learned) the Parable of the Good Samaritan. When we discuss parables with the children, we often equate them with a door… even though it is meant for entering into, sometimes it feels like it is locked. We can return to it again later and perhaps it will be open to us. This metaphor is meant to help the children realize that, although parables are meant to help us better understand God’s story and the Kingdom of Heaven, it is often difficult to truly grasp the meaning- but that’s okay. We can return to these stories again and again throughout our entire lives. The parable of the Good Samaritan is the same way. Our discussion in class focused on the idea that God calls us to love and serve ALL others, regardless of their background or what we think we have in common with them.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder who was a good neighbor to the robber?
I wonder how a Samaritan could be a neighbor?
Many people thought that Samaritans were not good. They were often looked
down upon and left out. How did the Samaritan show God’s love to the man?

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to understand your parables. Enter into my heart and mind so that I can be the kind of person that you have made me to be. I want to serve and love my neighbors- whoever they may be. Thank you for going alongside me as I try to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I love you and am so thankful for the stories that Jesus shared. Amen.”

Looking forward:
Next week, we will learn about the Parable of the Great Banquet, told in Luke 14: 15-24 

Please note: The Preschool/ Kindergarten class will be 
learning this story on July 3rd & 10th. 

Baptism (June 19th)


Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)
Story in Scripture: Acts 2:38- 39 & Matthew 28: 18-20

This week, we learned about Baptism. Each child was given the opportunity to either remember or look forward to the day of their own baptism, while considering the words of Jesus in the Bible. In the classroom, the phrasing we used was “receiving your light,” when discussing the sacrament of baptism. By lighting the Christ candle, and then igniting individual candles from his flame, the children were able to see that the light continues to grow, not diminish as it is shared. This metaphor is used again in future lessons.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder what it was like on the day you received your light?...
I wonder what it was like on the day you received your light? … or I wonder what it will be like on the day of your baptism?

Prayer:
“Dear Father, thank you for providing me with a way to receive the light of your love. I am so thankful for my baptism into your family/ I look forward thankfully to the day in which I will be baptized into your family. Thank you for loving me and for blessing me in so many wonderful ways. Amen.”

Looking forward:
Next week, we will learn about the Parable of the Good Samaritan, told in Luke 10: 25-37.

Please note: The Preschool/ Kindergarten class will be 
doing this same lesson on June 26th as well.