Jesus is Risen! Along the Road to Emmaus (April 22nd)

Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)

Story in Scripture: Luke 24: 1-35

Please note: This story is being taught for a second time because so many students missed it last week. It is such an important part of the Easter story and a great story to reflect on during this time of celebration. Remember, these summaries can always be found on the trinityKids blog (www.trinitykidsministry.blogspot.com).

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.”

Looking Ahead:

We will be learning about Jesus’ Great Commission to the disciples. The story can be found in the book of Matthew, 28: 16-20.

Jesus is Risen! Mary Magdelene at the Tomb (April 15th)

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.”

Looking Ahead:

We will be learning about Jesus’ appearance to his friends on the road to Emmaus next week. This story is told in the book of Luke, chapter 24: 1-35.

Jesus' Last Supper (April 1st)

Season of the Church Year: Lent VI (purple)

Story in Scripture: Matthew 26: 26-28

Our lesson last week centered around the story of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The people were so excited about Jesus’s arrival. They had heard that he would be King, but they still didn’t know what kind of King he would be. They shouted and said, “Hosanna in the Highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” This week, we discussed the meal that Jesus shared with the disciples before he died. This yearly Passover meal was always special, but this time Jesus prepared his friends for what was about to happen. Also, Jesus tried to help them understand the sacrifice that he was going to make. He broke the bread in a new way- he broke the bread and said, “Take. Eat. This is my body, broken for you.” He also took the wine and said, “Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, which is shed for you.” These words surprised many of the disciples and are stil difficult for us to understand today, even though we have all of Christian history to help us. The teachers went on to explain that shortly after this meal, people who didn’t like Jesus took him. They wouldn’t let him go. Later they nailed him to a cross to kill him…. Jesus died. It was terribly sad and awful.  Happily, the teachers explained that we will see that three days later, God did an amazing thing. God made Jesus alive again. We’ll get to talk all about that on Easter! Perhaps one of the most memorable aspects of this story, for children, is the connection to the communion table (and our weekly “feast” of fruit!). Every time Christians eat the bread and drink from the cup at Communion, they remember Jesus, and that he died for us, but God made him alive again. I encourage you to prepare your child for the darkness of Maundy Thursday (when we recall this final Passover meal), Good Friday (when we acknowledge Jesus’ death), and Holy Saturday (in which we await Easter morning, thinking carefully about the time that Jesus’ disciples -and the whole of creation- waited for Jesus’ Resurrection). It is a really special time.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how it felt to be around this table and hear Jesus say,

     “Take. Eat. This is my body broken for you.”

I wonder how the disciples felt when they were eating the bread and drinking the wine?

I wonder how they felt when Jesus died?

I wonder how they felt when they heard that God made Jesus alive again?

I wonder if you have ever been close to a table like this?

Prayer:

“Father, as we prepare for Easter, help us to follow Jesus’ example for loving others and glorifying you. Even though he knew things were going to be scary and painful, he knew that the most important thing was to show peace and love. Be with us as we think about Jesus’ sacrifice for our forgiveness. Amen.”

VBS 2012

trinitykids Vacation Bible School!

Monday- Friday

June 25-  June 29

Children entering Kindergarten- grade 2: 9:00 am- 12:00 noon daily

Children entering grades 3- 5:

9:00 am- 3:00 pm daily.

Youth in grades 6 - 8 may participate as Junior Counselors.

Saturday will be a celebration picnic & field trip: 9:00 am- 2:00 pm for all children & their families 

Sign ups will begin in late May

We will be studying the Fruits of the Spirit through story-telling, singing, play, creation, & service.  

Jesus the King (March 25th)

Season of the Church Year: Lent V (purple)

Story in Scripture: John 12: 12-13

It’s hard to believe that Easter is right around the corner! Today the children learned the story of Jesus’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. It is truly incredble to consider the rollercoaster of emotions that must have taken place in the hearts of the disciples as they saw Jesus glorified and then so quickly turned against by the people. This is an importnat opportunity to discuss with your children how Jesus is a different kind of king than the people expected. He is also a different kind of king than those that we often think of today. Even the way in which Jesus entered Jerusalem is an illustration of this: he rode on a simple, borrowed donkey. Imagine if a Monarch today were to travel in such a way?! As the teachers share this story with the children, it is always a great discussion in which children often remark, “Yay! They all finally figured out how special Jesus is!” It can be confusing to learn that the tables turn so quickly. Celebrating the personhood of Jesus on Palm Sunday gives us a glimpse into the Easter Season. Even though this story continues into the days of strife and betrayal that precede Jesus’ death, we know that Resurrection is coming! We know that the palm leaves laid before our King are just a foretaste of the ways that we can honor him in the days to come. Throughout the story, we return again and again to the phrase, “Hosanna in the Highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Hosanna means “Save us, we pray!” I encourage you to begin preparing your child for Good Friday and the darkness of Holy Saturdaay as we look forward with anticipation to the joy of Easter morning. Let us all say, “Hosanna!”

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how Jesus felt when the crowd wanted him to be their king?

I wonder why Jesus the King rode on a donkey instead of a horse?

I wonder why the people put palm branches down on the road too?

I wonder what the other people of Jerusalem thought then Jesus arrived?

I wonder what kind of king Jesus would be?

I wonder what it would be like to live in Jesus’ kingdom?

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for Jesus. Even though he is not the kind of king that the people expected, we know that he has come to rule our lives and hearts every day. Help us to share about the good news of Jesus and to think carefully about the Easter story. Hosanna! Amen.” 

Parable of the Good Shepherd (March 18th)

Season of the Church Year: Lent IV (purple)

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: We are making our way through Lent and it’s amazing to think that Good Friday and Easter are right around the corner! Next week, we will be sharing the story of Palm Sunday (even though it doesn’t fall until the following Sunday), found in Matthew 21: 1-11. 

Jesus in the Temple Court (March 11th)

Season of the Church Year: Lent (purple) 

Story in Scripture: John 2: 13-22

This week, we discussed a story that frequently leads to more questions than answers for adults and children alike. In sharing the story of Jesus’ reaction to the Temple being treated as a “marketplace,” we explored the ways that we use the gifts of God. Whether these gifts are our home, our body, our family, or our church.... how we treat them shows how we care about them. This story provides an excellent opportunity to discuss with your child where blessings originate. They may have some interesting insights about what belongs to God. Do our family, home, friends, health, possessions belong to God? How can we show respect for them? When discussing Jesus’s actions, we explained that Jesus was not sinning in his emotion. He was doing God’s work to help the people understand. Sometimes God uses shocking moments in our lives to bring our attention to something important. Finally, here is an excerpt from what the teacher may have said during the lesson:

“Then Jesus said something that was confusing for most people there. He said, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”’ The people argued and wondered what he meant. They knew the Temple had taken a long time to build. How could it be built again in only 3 days?? Hmmmm… but we understand that Jesus was talking about HIMSELF. He was a special Temple of God. When he died before Easter, there were three days, then he was made alive again.” This is such a wonderful opportunity to begin conversing with your child about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Please let me know if you need any guidance or resources to help.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder what it was like for the people at the Temple who saw Jesus knock these things over?

I wonder what Jesus’ friends were thinking?

I wonder how Jesus felt when he saw the people treating God’s Temple like that?

I wonder what the sellers thought after they realized who Jesus was?

I wonder if there are certain ways that we should behave in our church, which is like a Temple?

When something is God’s, we must treat it with respect and care. Can you think of anything that belongs to God?

I wonder how we should treat the things that belong to God?

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for this story of Jesus and what he did in the Temple court. It is strange to think of Jesus so upset, but we know that he truly cares about what we do and how we treat sacred things. Help us to think about the ways that we use the blessings in our lives. Help us to always use them to show how wonderful YOU are. Amen.”