The Parable of the Good Shepherd (July 20th)

Season of the Church Year: Great Green Growing Season/ Common Time (Liturgical Color: green) 
Story in Scripture: Psalm 23  

This parable, written by David, outlines for us beautiful imagery of the way that God truly loves us. With the children, the story is told in a hands-on, visual way, with the Good Shepherd leading the way to clear clean waters and also through dark places (represented by large black felt shapes). It is very powerful to talk with children about the Good Shepherd’s dedication to every last sheep. During our story telling today, the teacher eluded to a counting of each sheep. When one is found to be missing, the teacher moves the Good Shepherd back through it all, including the dark places, to find the missing or lost sheep. One of the most insightful responses I’ve ever heard from a child was this: After the story was complete and a connection was made between Jesus and the Good Shepherd, a student once exclaimed, “What? That good shepherd was actually Jesus the whole time!!?!?!? Wow!” This story is a fantastic way to bring the glory of God’s care for us into focus for the little ones. With the older children, this story provides an excellent beginning to a conversation about spiritual disciplines (connecting to the structure and boundary of the sheep fold), as well as the guidance of Jesus in their lives- even through places that are dark and confusing- Jesus goes first to lead us through to the other side! 

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 

I wonder how many sheep really could live in this place? 
I wonder if you have ever had to go through places of danger? 
I wonder how the sheep feel when they are with the Good Shepherd? 
I wonder how the Good Shepherd feels about the sheep? 

Prayer:


“Dear Jesus, thank you so much for being our Good Shepherd. You care for us, you guide us, and you protect us. Help me to follow you and stay near your side, no matter if I am in times that are easy or hard. I am so grateful that you are in my life. Amen.”

Worship Sunday (July 13th)

Season of the Church Year: Easter Season (Liturgical Color: White)

Story in Scripture: Psalm 95:6  

This Sunday, your child participated in a musical and art-centered worship time with their classmates and teachers. Throughout the past few weeks, we have been learning a lot about the Bible, the ways of God, and the promise of Jesus' salvation. Today, we spent time worshipping, praying, creating, and considering how they might create a sanctuary in their heart so as to fully 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." 

Noah & the Flood (July 6th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (Liturgical Color: 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, destruction, 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 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 II, or The Fall (June 29th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (Liturgical Color: green)
Story in Scripture: Genesis 2:4- 2:24

This week, your child continued their learning about creation with a discussion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This story touches on the root of so many of the day-to-day sins that are prevalent in all of our lives. The temptation to be in control and to make choices based on the suggestion or influence of the evil one is a constant struggle for all humans. Learning to trust in God’s sovereignty and provision is a lesson that is learned anew each day. One of the most important elements of our discussion today was about what to do when we “fall.” Just like Adam and Eve, we sin and make mistakes. What can and should we do to reach out to and reconcile with others and with God? God is patient and compassionate, but he is also just. He wants the best for us and always wants to encourage us to do better and to make things right. Secondly, another focus of our conversation today was about the salvation of Christ and the need for his sacrifice to bring forgiveness to a “fallen” world and a sinful people like ourselves. I encourage you to talk frankly with your child about both of these points as you discuss the story of creation and the “Falling Apart.” Children in elementary school can form life-long habits of recognizing sin, repenting, and reconciling their actions moving forward. The story of Adam and Eve is a perfect springboard for that conversation. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 

I wonder what the most important part of this story is? 
I wonder how it felt for Adam and Eve when they noticed the differences? 
I wonder how God felt when Adam and Eve ate from the tree after he told them not to? 
I wonder which part of this story is about you? 
I wonder what this story can tell us about God? 

Prayer: 

“Dear Father, thank you for your creation! Thank you for loving us, even when we do things that we shouldn’t. We are so glad that you are with us and that you care for us so that we can learn from our mistakes, ask forgiveness, and do better. Amen.” 

Creation (June 22nd)

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

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? 

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.” 

Pentecost (June 15th)

Season of the Church Year: Pentecost (Liturgical Color: Red)

Story in Scripture: Acts 2

This week, we learned the story of Pentecost. Children learned about the mystery of the Holy Spirit, coming to indwell the disciples and those that follow Christ. We will focus quite a bit on the miracle of language and communication about God. The disciples were able to speak in the various languages of the people there that day- this is very exciting to imagine! I recommend that you talk with your child about the various ways that God will equip them to share the gospel- sometimes in unexpected ways, but always with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 

I wonder what it felt like to receive the Holy Spirit on Pentecost? 
I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt as they told the amazing things about God? 
I wonder what it was like for the people from all different places to hear the amazing words in their very own language? 

Prayer: 

“Dear Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please be with me when I talk to others about Jesus and your love. Go along with me as I serve others to help them in whatever way I can. Help me to share about you in a way that others will understand so that they can know you too. I love you and I know that you are with me, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” 

Ascension (June 8th)

Season of the Church Year: Easter Season (Liturgical color: white)
Story in Scripture: Luke 24:44-53; John 14-17; Acts 1:1-11

This week, we learned the story of Jesus’ ascension. This is a particularly mysterious story with many various perspectives and interpretations throughout history. The primary theme we will return to in our lesson is the concept that Jesus was changed in an incredible way and that he was present with his friends before returning to the Father. Also, we will speak a lot about his promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. I recommend that you encourage your child to embrace their questions and pray specifically to God for understanding and clarity. 

You may also pray the Lord’s Prayer, with specific attention on “Your Kingdom come…”  

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 

I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt when Jesus went away?
I wonder if they kept looking for Jesus?
I wonder how they knew Jesus was still with them?

Prayer: 

“Dear Father, thank you for saving me through the death of your son. Please help me to understand your kingdom and to look forward to the day when it will come to complete the beauty of your creation. Thank you for the stories of the Bible that help me to learn about Jesus and his friends. Amen.”

Worship Sunday (June 1st)

Season of the Church Year: Easter Season (Liturgical Color: White)

Story in Scripture: Psalm 95:6  

This Sunday, your child participated in a musical and art-centered worship time with their classmates and teachers. Throughout the past few weeks, we have been learning a lot about the Bible, the ways of God, and the promise of Jesus' salvation. Today, we spent time worshipping, praying, creating, and considering how they might create a sanctuary in their heart so as to fully 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."