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.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Jesus is Risen! The Road to Emmaus (May 5th)


Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)
Story in Scripture: Luke 24: 1-35 

As we continue through 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 the disciples along the road to Emmaus. Just like in the story of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdelene at the tomb, his disciples do not realize that it is their Savior until the right time. Luke explains that they walked along the road with a stranger, who shared great wisdom with them about Jesus’ death. They reflect later that their hearts burned with passion to hear is words. Yet they didn’t realize who it really was. As they invite the stranger to dine with them, his true identity is revealed as he breaks the bread. What a surprise!! Although we didn’t go into great detail about this in our classroom discussion, I encourage you to talk with your child about the ways that God reveals himself to us through the personhood of Jesus and through the love of our friends and family. Frequently, we may feel that we are alone in our struggles (as perhaps the disciples were feeling), yet God meets us and walks alnog with us, even when we don’t realize that he is there.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt when Jesus died before Easter?
I wonder how they knew Jesus was alive? Or how they knew the person sitting at the table was Jesus?
I wonder what it felt like to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread?
I wonder if you have ever been close to bread like this?
I wonder how it feels to know Jesus is alive?
I wonder what it was like to tell others that Jesus was alive?
I wonder how we can celebrate that Jesus is risen? 

Prayer:
“Father, I love you and am so glad that you are here with us during all our struggles and in the dark times. Help us to love one another and to remember that you walk along the “road” beside us, even when we are confused. Amen.”


A note about the Summer of Service


Dear Families and Friends,

This summer, 4th grade students (those who have just completed their 4th grade school year) will be participating in a Summer of Service. At any of the regular services, students will have the opportunity to serve in various ways within our church community. We hope that this experience will enable them to put in to practice their study of Spiritual Disciplines, including the Discipline of Service. Secondly, the time and energy that they give will be invaluable to the ministries with which they serve.

They may choose to serve by assisting Trinity Kids volunteers in the Nursery, Walkers, or Toddlers rooms. They may also serve with the Audio/ Visual team in the sanctuary or by assisting in the Café (with coffee, communion preparation, etc.). Please take a moment to speak with your child about what area they would be most interested in serving. The Summer of Service will begin the first week of June and will continue throughout the month of July. Each Sunday, students will need to check in with an Administrator (or myself or Christine Cown) to let us know which area they are planning to serve in that day.

Please do not hesitate to reach out for clarification about this Summer of Service or with questions or concerns about anything at all.

Thanks so much for your partnership as we seek to provide a Christ-centered environment for your wonderful children.

All our best,

Julia Guy and Christine Cown
trinity C H I L D R E N ' S P A S T O R
2270 Defoor Hills Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
tel: 404 803 4206