trinityKids Community Night, August 17th!

Please join us for a… trinitykids Community Movie Night! Friday, August 17th 6:30- 8:30 pm Come watch 'Babe' and have fun with other kids! We will be playing Farm Animal Games, too! ☺ (Pizza will be sold for $1 a slice.) Friends are welcome! Please sign up so we can be sure to have enough for all to enjoy. Thanks! View the Facebook invitation here: http://www.facebook.com/events/397288300327648/ (Kindergarten- 5th grade students only)

The Story of Abraham (July 29)

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). 

Noah & the Ark (July 22)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Genesis 6:9- 9:29

Many children know the story of Noah and the Ark from their early childhood. Nursery rooms, day care centers, infant pajamas- all remind us of this incredible story and the way in which God drew close to Noah and challenged the moral norms of the day. The lesson today focused primarily in the way in which Noah was in communion with God. Noah and his family loved the Lord and listened to his direction in their lives. Even though he was undoubtably surprised by the direction that God sent him! Secondly, the discussion today also focused on the way in which Noah and his family were brought to a realization of hope and new life as the flood waters began to recede. Although it is easy to attend only to the variety of animals on board.... this story is more accurately a story of separation, inspiration, distruction, patience, redemption, and, at last, new life. The children will also be enjoying a beautifully illustrated book called Noah’s Ark, by Peter Spier, which aids in an engaged discussion of the reality of the story.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how it felt to be in the Ark with all the rain? 

I wonder what it was like to be surrounded by so much water?

I wonder how it felt to be washed clean and new and to start over again?

I wonder how God felt about the animals and the people in the Ark?

I wonder how it felt as they made a special place to talk to God, to say their thanks to God?

I wonder how they felt when they saw the rainbow and understood the promise?

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for the story of Noah. Help me to understand the ways that you direct my life. I want to do the things that please you and I know that you want the best for me. Come near to me the way you came near to Noah. Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, and all the ways that I enjoy your blessings every day. Amen.”

Creation (July 1)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Genesis 1:1- 2:3  

This week, your child learned about and discussed the Creation story. This beautiful story reminds us of the amazing power that God has to move, energize, empower, and inspire the world around us. As the chlidren contemplate each incredible part of creation.... the light.... the darkness separated from the light... water... dry land... plants and growing things... the sun, moon, and stars... the animals of the seas, lakes, and rivers... the birds that fly... and finally the animals that move about on the earth.... everything is filled with the beauty and magnificence of God! During the lesson, your child’s teacher will also encourage them to consider the importance of what God did last: he rested! There are so many important facets of this lesson to open up conversation about the ways in which God leads us. We are an incredible creation of God. He made us. He loves and cherishes us. All of the natural world- trees, flowers, horses, beetles, ponds, even mosquitos (!) are part of God’s amazing story. And he models for us how to enjoy these things through a special thing called sabbath- even God rested to enjoy what he had made.

**We also read a fantastic book by Luci Shaw called The Genesis of it All. 

I encourage you to read it at home as well. It's just wonderful.**

www.lucishaw.com

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder which part of the Creation story you think is most interesting?

I wonder what special place you would go to remember God’s gifts of Creation?

Today you will have the chance to make your own cards that remind you of the Creation story.

Prayer:

“Wonderful God, thank you for your creation! Thank you for making the light… the moon… the water and dry land… the animals and plants… and even me and my family. You are so powerful and I am glad that you made me. Help me to enjoy your creation and treat it with love. Amen.” 

Parable of the Great Banquet (June 17th)

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.”