Books of the Bible, New Testament (Nov. 17th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Colossians 1:17, Psalm 23 (as an OT/ NT connecting text) 

This week, we continued our learning centered around the Books of the Bible, focusing on the New Testament. Although it’s clearly impossible to learn everything there is to know about the Bible in two weeks, we spent considerable time unpacking the basics. We spoke briefly about the different groups of writings: Gospels, History, Paul’s Letters to Churches, Paul’s Letters to Friends, and General Letters. We spent most of our time, however, reviewing the life of Jesus and the way in which his teachings and sacrifice through his death and resurrection made way for us to be forgiven and reconciled with our Creator God. We created a “Wordless Book” which is meant to assist each child in telling the story of Jesus through color cues (an explanatory paper will also come home to help you practice and further explain the story to your child). Although we had good discussion and were able to address some questions, we reminded them that scholars will spend a life-time delving into the Bible… so they have plenty of time to learn and grow in their knowledge. These lessons are really just meant to be an overview- a jumping off point. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder why we read the Bible? 
I wonder how God used the Gospel writers to teach us- so many years later- about Jesus?
I wonder how God showed his people that he loves them, as told in the New Testament?
I wonder how the letters in the New Testament teach us how to be Christians? 

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for your story. Thank you for the books of the New Testament and for the way that they help us to understand Jesus’ salvation. Help us to understand how we should live and work with one another to bring Glory to you. Amen.” 

Books of the Bible, Old Testament (Nov. 10th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Colossians 1:17, Psalm 23 (as an OT/ NT connecting text) 

This week, we began a new body of learning centered on the Books of the Bible. Although it’s clearly impossible to learn everything there is to know about the Old Testament in a single week, we spent considerable time unpacking the basics. We divided up the Old Testament books into Law, History, Poetry, and Prophecy. We also thought through some of the events in the Old Testament and did our best to find common themes, similarities in the way God’s people responded to events, and to discern the heart of God in how he guided and helped his people throughout. Although we had good discussion and were able to address some questions, we reminded them that scholars will spend a life-time delving into the Old Testament… so they have plenty of time to learn and grow in their knowledge. These lessons are really just meant to be an overview- a jumping off point. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder why we read the Bible? 

I wonder how God helped the people of God get ready for Jesus?  

I wonder how God showed his people that he loves them, as told in the Old Testament? 

I wonder how the Old Testament helps us to better understand Jesus? 

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for your story. Thank you for the ways that you have walked with us… taught us… guided us throughout history. Thank you for the prophets and for their promise of the good to come. Thank you for the poems of the Old Testament and for the way they illustrate our sadness, frustration, and joy. Also, thank you for the Law. Help us to understand how we should live and work with one another to bring Glory to you. Amen.” 

Worship Sunday (Nov. 3rd)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time "Great Green Growing Season" (Liturgical Color: Green) 

Story in Scripture: Psalm 95: 6 

This Sunday, your child participated in musical worship with their classmates and teachers. Throughout the last few weeks, they have been learning a lot about the Bible, the ways of God, and the promise of Jesus' salvation. Today, they spent time worshipping, praying, and considering how they might create a sanctuary in their heart so as to fully worship worship and adore God. As with other activities, we approach this time of worship by focusing not only on transferring "head" or cognitive knowledge of God and the Bible, but invite children to interact with both. We have chosen this way because we believe it invites them to become active participants in their spiritual growth. In our children's worship setting, we want to educate children in Lord Jesus Christ, more so than simply teaching about him and his word. Sharing God's word through storytelling, art response, and musical worship not only engages their mind, but also goes straight to the heart and draws them in. It keeps God's truths in context and allows the children to roam and explore the richness of his word. By storytelling and responsive worship, we invite them to connect with the characters and themes of the Bible- which in turn teaches them about themselves. Maybe this is the reason Jesus chose to teach this way too. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 

I wonder what it means to worship? 

I wonder why God wants us to make a sanctuary in our own hearts to spend time with him? 

I wonder how you like to worship? 

I wonder how Jesus worshipped God in his own life? 

I wonder how I might worship like Jesus? 

Prayer: 

"Father, thank you for the opportunity to worship you. You are so wonderful and I am thankful every day for all the blessings around me. Help me to remember to worship you with my words, in my responses, and in my actions. I adore you and worship you. You are the one true Creator God. I love you. Amen."