Preschool (2yrs to PreK)

I Can Say Thank You

Don’t you love it when your child says ‘Thank You’ to you?  We love it even more when we hear that sweet unprompted statement expressed to someone else.  There is something heart warming about a sincere declaration of gratefulness.

This week we explore the story in Luke 17:11-19 when Jesus healed the 10 Lepers.  All were healed, yet only one returned to say Thank You.

We want to teach our preschoolers the Bottom Line that “I can talk to Jesus”.  And often when we talked to Him, thankfulness is a great place to begin the conversation.  Simply & sincerely saying, ‘Thank You’, for what He has done and how He’s provided.

This week, Create a Rhythm, by identifying opportunities to say ‘Thank You’ to Jesus.  When the opportunity presents itself, stop for a minute and talk to Him.  Let Him know you see what He did and you are thankful.  This simple step teaches your preschooler to be more like the one leper who returned and expressed gratefulness for what Jesus did for him.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God.”

 

Colossians 4:2, NCV

 

Elementary (K-3rd grade)

Our Bible story this week tells when God met Moses at the burning bush. (Exodus 3:1-12, Exodus 5–11,14,16,19) God revealed to Moses who He was and helped Moses begin to understand how amazing He is. Moses gained the determination he needed to lead God’s people out of slavery because he trusted our powerful God.

God is amazing, incredible, mysterious, wonderful—awesome! And He loves us! So when He asks us to do something, we can know He will give us the strength to see it through and be with us through the journey. Our Bottom Line is:

Be the one who does what God says because He’s AWE-some.

Our memory verse this month is: “Let us keep on running the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1b, NIrV) We probably won’t have to fight a Pharaoh or part a sea, but whatever obstacles we face—even if we get tired, confused, lonely or scared—we can keep on going because God will give us what we need to do what He says.

This week, Imagine the End, by focusing your efforts on the issues that will make a lasting impact.  Just as Moses faced a daunting task, each of us faces overwhelming circumstances we are tempted to avoid.  No matter how tempted you might be, your determination is a testimony to your child.  It’s a story they tells them just how much your willing to push through, trust God and endure.  The question for you is… when all is said and done, and you look back on this circumstance… what story do you want to tell?

Just like Moses, let your story be one of Determination, demonstrating for your child what it looks like to trust God for the outcome despite what you see.

Club 45 (4th & 5th grade)

Repentance & Renewal

We’re 3 weeks into our Best Year Ever series and this week we focus on teaching your preteen repentance and to experience renewal in their walk with Christ.  We’ll unpack 1 John 1:8-9; 2 Peter 3:18; & Colossians 3:5-17.

The first week of the series we talked about the need to REFLECT ON WHAT GOD HAS DONE.  Remembering is a gift that God gives us and when we rmember His blessing we are motivated to live for Him.  The second week, we discussed the nened to RELEASE GUILT & BITTERNESS.  If we hold onto guilt or bitterness it harms us and there is freedom when we release those things and ask God for forgiveness.

This final week we are talking about when we REFLECT & RELEASE, God RENEWS us.  It’s a habit we create.  Kind of like the instructions on a shampoo bottle:  Lather, Rinse, Repeat.  It’s not a one-time event.  It’s a regular occurrence that draws our focus back to God.  REFLECT, RELEASE, RENEW.

Teaching our preteens to REFLECT on God’s gift to us (Jesus) and RELEASE the guilt caused by sin, they will experience God’s RENEWAL.  A process we want to repeat over and over again.

This week, Make It Personal, by incorporating this process into your own relationship with Christ.  REFLECT on what Christ has done in your life in the past 24 hours, then RELEASE the guilt brought about by sin and receive His RENEWAL in your life.  Then repeat.