The Good Shepherd & the Lost Sheep (September 11th)

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

Looking forward: Next week, we will enjoy a time for musical worship and reflection. After that, we will be entering into a season of learning about Jesus’ early ministry, beginning with the calling of the twelve disciples (Mark 3: 7-19). 

Please note: This lesson will be taught to the 4th- 5th grade students on September 18th and to the 1st- 3rd grade students later in the year. 

Jesus Feeds 5,000 People (September 4th)

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

Story in Scripture: Mark 6: 30-44

As we enter deeper into the Great Green Growing Season, we will be delving into scripture that illustrates the ministry of Jesus. We focused this week on the story of the Feeding of the 5,000. This miracle was not only a testament to the power of Jesus, but also an illustration of the disciples’ trust in their Savior. Children often marvel at this story because it is so hands-on. To imagine 5 loaves and 2 fishes… amazingly able to feed a nearly innumerable crowd of men, women, and children. I recommend talking with your child about God’s unexpected provisions. Perhaps there is a story from your own life that will lend itself to this conversation. This story truly provides a tangible example of how amazing God is and how much he wants to care for the needs of his people.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how the disciples are feeling about what just happened?

I wonder how the crowd feels?

I wonder why the crowd thinks Jesus is the Christ?

I wonder why the people want to make Jesus their king?

I wonder what kind of king Jesus would be?

I wonder why Jesus slipped away?

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, help me to be ready to see you do amazing things in my life. Even when I think I don’t have enough to give, please show me all the wonderful things that YOU can do. I trust you and I know that your story is the best story for my life. Thank you for feeding me, just like you fed those 5,000 people. Amen.”

Looking forward: Next week, we will be learning about the Parable of the Farmer and the Growing Seed. Prepare with your child by reading the scripture and reflecting back on the importance of parables. Mark 3: 7-19

Please note: This lesson was taught to the 4th- 5th grade students on August 21st and will be taught to the Prek- kindergarten class later in the year. 

Being with God/ Orientation to the Worship Space (August 21st)

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

Story in Scripture: Psalm 5: 7

This Sunday’s lesson centered around the experience of being in a Sanctuary. Children discussed the importance of entering reverently and peacefully into the classroom (sometimes called the Worship Space). Their teacher helped them to visualize and give words to the various expectations we have for their behavior in the classroom. The primary directives that they will return to throughout this conversation are that, in the Sanctuary, we (1) Walk peacefully, (2) Talk softly, (3) Move slowly (there’s no reason to hurry!), and (4) Give our friends time and space to be with God. Their teacher will also discuss with them the use of reminders, should they need them. The overall purpose of this lesson is to prepare the children to engage in worship corporately and independently on Sundays. Teachers will revisit these concepts frequently throughout the year.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how we can show God that we are ready to worship?

I wonder how God knows that we are listening to him?

Many people choose to worship God through story-telling, singing, making art work, and reading. What are your favorite ways to worship God? Why? 

Prayer:

“Father, help me to enter into a time of worship with you peacefully. I want to spend time with you, but it’s hard to slow down when things are so busy. Please meet me every day to share our love together and to teach me about your story. Amen.”

Looking forward: Next week, we will be enjoying a musical worship day in which children will sing songs and celebrate the return to the “regular” schedule. 

Parent Day- October 23rd!

Save the Date!

We will be enjoying a Parent’s Day with trinityKids! Join us to experience a Godly Play lesson and to learn more about what your children experience on Sunday mornings. We will also be discussing the theories behind Godly Play, how we have adapted these theories to meet our needs at Trinity, our classroom management style, and the ways that we ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all children. We will also discuss and brainstorm other ways that your children can get involved in the trinityKids community. 
You can find more on the Facebook group, or just ask Julia about it.

Limited childcare will be provided, be sure to sign up right away!

Please feel free to invite other parents of trinityKids

     children! All are welcome, but do be sure to RSVP. Thanks!

Orientation to the Classroom Sanctuary

Beginning on August 14^th, Godly Play students will participate in several lessons that orient them to their time in the classroom sanctuary. These lessons may seem tedious to older children or to those who have been in the Godly Play environment for several years, but they are a vital re-centering of everyone’s expectations for the classroom sanctuary. These lessons focus on four ways to prepare ourselves to be with God (I’ve also included in italics the ways in which we explain these expectations):

*In the classroom sanctuary, we talk softly. This is a place to spend time talking and listening to God. We don’t want to interrupt someone else’s worship, so we use quiet words and peaceful language.

*In the classroom sanctuary, we walk peacefully. There is no reason to rush in this place. We can walk slowly and take our time. Outside, we can run and jump; here, we focus on other things.

*In the classroom sanctuary, we worship thoughtfully. This is a special time to spend thinking about God. We can remember the stories from the Bible, make artwork that helps us to better understand, and we can sing and listen to music to worship. We only have a short time in the classroom sanctuary, so we think carefully about how to spend it. 

*In the classroom sanctuary, we feast together and pray. Jesus shared special meals with his friends and the grownups share a special meal together too in the “big church.” God has blessed us with so many beautiful fruits to enjoy; we get to share them together and pray as a family of believers.

In continuation of this lesson, teachers will refer back to these simple expectations again and again. Each Sunday, during “Circle Time” (the first few moments of their time together each week), the teacher reminds them that they are in a special place…. a place unlike their living room, school classroom, playground, backyard…. it is a special place meant for spending time with God… the classroom sanctuary.

I encourage you to discuss these topics with your child at home, especially on Sundays before they arrive at church. Developing a deeper and more consistent understanding of the sacredness of the sanctuary will enable them to build a healthy perspective on worship as they grow. 

trinityKids Community Night

Please join us for a…

trinitykids Community Night! 

Friday, August 5th 

6:30- 8:30 pm

Come watch classic Looney Tunes cartoons with us! 

We will be enjoying Saturday morning-style cartoons in our pajamas and will even have a cereal buffet after dinner! 

Wear your favorite pj's & bring a pillow to relax on! :) 

(Pizza will be sold for $1 a slice.)

Friends are welcome!

Please sign up in the Gathering Room or through the Facebook invitation so we can be sure to have enough for all to enjoy. Thanks! 

(Kindergarten- 5th grade students only)

Story of Ruth (August 7th)

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

Story in Scripture: Ruth 1: 6-17

As we explored the story of Ruth on Sunday, we connected God’s story between the generations that preceded her and those that will come after. Ruth is King David’s Great Grandmother! This story focuses attention on the nomadic events of Ruth’s life with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband. She chooses to stay with Naomi, rather than return to her own people. Later, when they are gathering grain, Boaz sees Ruth and they eventually wed. A few generations later, David was born to Ruth’s grandson Jesse. It is quite engaging for children to realize that Ruth was Jesus’ ancestor. During the lesson, we ask the children to wonder about whether Ruth knew how special her marriage with Boaz would prove to be.

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 Ruth and her family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, protect me from getting grouchy when things don’t happen the way I expect them to. Help me to think about your story and the ways that you are in control. I want things to happen the way you want them to happen. Thank you for all the ways that you care for my family and I everyday. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will be studying the appropriate ways that we enter into the sanctuary each Sunday. Later we will begin to learn about the early days of Jesus’ ministry and the miracles that he first performed.