During a “normal” week, we have three distinct events for our kids. Have you ever wondered what the difference between Sunday School, KidsGathering/PreK-Gathering, and Kids on Mission is?
Well, as you can see in the picture above, the main distinction is about how we help kids engage with Scripture. In Sunday School, we want them to work IN the Bible. We want them to open the book themselves, read it themselves, and talk about it. Think of this as Bible study training. This is our smallest group gathering.
In KidsGathering/PreK-Gathering, we want them to sit UNDER the authority of the Word. We want them to hear the Bible taught and explained in a way that deepens understanding while calling them to worship and obedience. This is our largest group gathering.
In Kids on Mission, we want our kids to be equipped to live WITH the Scriptures. We want to help them see how God’s Word can change their lives at home and at school. Additionally, we desire that they see how the gospel—the core of the Bible—changes people around the world. This is our medium sized gathering.
So, we have three regular events, but they aren’t redundant. Each part fits together to give kids a more fully developed understanding and skill-set regarding the Christian life.
In the home, parents are also able to lead their kids IN, UNDER, and WITH the Word. When you get your kids opening the Bible (or a kids’ Bible-book), you are helping them get IN it. When you teach them what the Bible says, you are helping them live UNDER it. And when you help them apply it to their lives when they are confused, struggling, disobeying, or questioning, you are helping them go WITH it.
To make these great events happen, we need additional help. If you are someone who would be willing to serve once a month, on Sundays, during the Gathering, please click this link and sign up here. It will take you about 15 minutes. You can see our passion and vision, our safety and systems, and the role that you could play.
Parent Partnership: Wednesday (2/22/23) and Sunday (2/26/23)
Everything a parent/volunteer team-member needs to know about this week is below. You’ll find the Scripture passages, the specific pages in our children’s Bible, the teaching video, and some questions to use at home. We use The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and RightNowMedia for teaching and Planning Center Services for scheduling.
On Wednesday, we will NOT have KidsOnMission this week because of FS1 intercession. Next week (3/1) is FamiliesOnMission: a special event for the whole family.
On Sunday, there are exciting things happening! At 9am, our kids get into the Word in Sunday School. Our kids are under the Word during the Gathering:
Preschoolers will continue moving through the The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible. We are looking at Story 9: Miriam Watches a Basket (Ex 1:1-2:10).
Elementary students will dig into Philippians 1:7-11. Here is the teaching video and lesson.
Questions for Families to Discuss (before/after Sunday):
God protects his people and takes care of them. Does that mean that Christians never go through hard things?
God took care of Moses (in the Old Testament) and Paul (in the New Testament) even though Moses was separated from his family and Paul was put in jail. Why is it hard to trust God sometimes when we go through tough times?
God perfectly loves Jesus, but Jesus still died on the cross. God perfectly loves all of his people, but we still go through hard times too. Does seeing how Jesus perfectly trusted the Father help you trust the Father too? Why or why not?
Family Prayer Prompt: Lord, we thank you that you are on our side. We thank you for your protection and care. Help us to trust you even when things are hard. Make us brave to follow you even in tough times. And help us to always have joy because you are our God and we are your people.