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.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Jesus Appears to the Disciples & Asks Peter to Follow Him (April 28th)

Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)
Story in Scripture: John 21: 1-13

After Jesus’s death and resurrection, his disciples waited anxiously and wondered what would become of them. But they gathered together and were hopeful. One afternoon, they were fishing and found that their efforts were unsuccessful. All night, they tossed their nets into the sea and brought them out empty. In the morning light, a man appears on the shore and suggests that they put their nets down on the other side of the boat- at which point the nets fill to the breaking point and the disciples realize that the man is Jesus. Peter jumps in to the water and rushes to Jesus’ side and the others bring in the hefty net of fish. Later, Peter and Jesus spend time alone and Peter has the opportunity to reconcile with Jesus since his betrayal on the night of Jesus’ death. Three times, Peter denied Jesus that night. On the shore that day, three times, he tells Jesus that he loves him. In class today, your child’s teacher helped them to consider what is must have been like for Peter in those days as he thought about what he had done. We’ve all had the sinking feeling that we have made a wrong move, or sinned in a way we never thought we would. Our discussion this morning helped the students to think about what they can do to reconcile with God- to acknowledge their sin, pray for forgiveness, and make better choices in the future. Peter’s experience is our experience. We all sin. We all mess up. But God loves and forgives us, just as Jesus loves and forgave Peter.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder why the men decided to go fishing?
I wonder what they were talking about while they were fishing?
I wonder how they feel, fishing all night and catching nothing?
I wonder how the person on the beach knows where the fish are?
I wonder how the disciples know that the person on the beach is really Jesus?
I wonder what Jesus and the disciples said to each other while they were eating?
I wonder what the disciples will do, know that they have talked to Jesus again?
I wonder how Peter felt, being with Jesus and talking to him?
I wonder how Peter feels when Jesus asks him, “Do you love me?”
I wonder how Peter feels about Jesus now?
I wonder what will happen when he follows Jesus?

Prayer:
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Jesus and his friends. Thank you for Peter and the way that he was forgiven and reminded that you love him. Help me to come to you, no matter what I may have done or what mistakes I might have made. I am so glad that you love me no matter what! Amen.”






Jesus is Risen! Mary at the Tomb (April 14th)


Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)
Story in Scripture: John 20: 1-18
As we enter in to the Easter season, it is so wonderful to consider all the different ways that Jesus reconciled with his disciples. They were so distraught, confused, and afraid. Jesus knew that each of them needed to be met in a unique way to reassure them of God’s promise in their lives. Over the next few weeks, we will learn about Jesus’ appearance to his friends and followers at the tomb, along the road to Emmaus, and in the Upper Room. We will also learn about the ways that Jesus helped his disciples (particularly Peter) to understand their own actions and choices on his last days. Today’s lesson focused on Jesus’ revelation to Mary at the tomb. It is significant that Mary and her friends were brave enough to venture out in Jerusalem, but they were devoted to caring for Jesus. What a strange experience it must have been for them to approach the tomb and see it open! Mary was surely beside herself to think that someone had taken his body away. Then Jesus appears and speaks to her. The children are frequently intriguied that Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus at first, thinking he is a gardener. Then... he says her name. Oh, what a wonderful illustration for us!! As soon as she hears her name from her Savior’s lips, she realizes that it is him. Jesus truly knows us and this story reminds us that we must listen for him and be receptive when he speaks. This story is also important in context. Mary returns to the other disicples and so becomes the first to share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. She is an example for us all as we share about God’s love to those that we meet.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now wonder what it was like to be going to Jesus’ tomb that Sunday morning?
I wonder how Mary felt when Jesus died?
I wonder what it feels like when someone or something that you love dies or goes away?
I wonder how Mary felt when Jesus’ body was not in the tomb?
I wonder what it was like to hear, “Jesus is alive! Jesus is risen, indeed!” ?
I wonder how Mary knew this person was Jesus?
I wonder how Mary felt when Jesus called her by name?
I wonder what it felt like to tell others that Jesus was risen?
I wonder how we can know that Jesus is alive?

Prayer:
“Dear God, we are so thankful that you brought Jesus through death and made him alive again! We are so thankful for the resurrection and all the hope that it brings. Help us to think about and celebrate your blessings each morning, afternoon, and night. We love you and are grateful that you love us enough to send your Son to die for our forgiveness. Amen.”

Monday, April 1, 2013

Resurrection Sunday Eggs (Mar. 31st)


Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)
Story in Scripture: Gospels focused on Jesus’ death and resurrection (see below)
Today we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ and the beginning on the Easter Season with “Resurrection Eggs.” This activity provides tactile objects that help to illustrate the story of Jesus’ ministry, trial, death, and resurrection. Children will be able to re-tell the story in a new way and make connections to other lessons that we have had throughout the year. These are the objects in the egg (each child will bring one home), with a small scriptural explanation for each.

(1)   a leaf: Mark 11:8-10 “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
(2)   a dime: Matthew 26:14-15 “Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.”
(3)  piece of bread: Matthew 26:17-19 “On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.”
(4)   a small piece of wash cloth: John 13:4-5 “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
(5)   a picture of a communion cup: Matthew 26:39 “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this b>cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
(6)  a small strip of leather: Matthew 27: 2, 26 “They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.” (26) “Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
(7)   piece of a thorny plant: Matthew 27:29 “and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.”
(8)  a picture of the cross: John 17:18-19 “Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
(9)   a die: Matthew 27:35 “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
10) a small piece of linen cloth: Matthew 27:59 “Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
11) a stone: Matthew 27:66 “So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”
12) after removing all the objects, the egg is empty: Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder which of these seems the most important to you?
I wonder how it feels to know the whole story about Jesus?
I wonder who you might share these objects with? How will you tell them the story of the Resurrection Egg?

Prayer:
“Dear God, thank you the death and resurrection of Jesus! Hallelujah! I am so grateful for my salvation and the chance to be reconnected with you, no matter what. Help me to share with others just how wonderful and amazing you are! Amen.”