Preschool (2 years to PreK)

Our focus in January is on the Miracles of Jesus.  Why?  Because Jesus can do things we can’t!  There are so many accounts in scripture of the amazing things Jesus did.  And God used these as a way to demonstrate His love and power.  Two things we want your preschooler to understand.

A key question to ask your preschooler this weekend…

“Who Can Do Anything?”

Jesus Can Do Anything!

This week, Create a Rhythm by tapping into the power of quality moments together.  Practice this month’s Memory Verse together.  Don’t be afraid to do the motions!  These help you remember the verse even months after you learned it!

“With God all things are possible”
Matthew 19:26, NIV

With God
(point both fingers straight up in the air, arms extended up)

all things
(extend both arms out to make a T shape, palms upward)

are possible
(bring elbows in close to body, make fists with hands)

Matthew 19:26
(open hands like a book)

Also, check out this video for a look into why we are focusing on the Miracles of Jesus in the month of January.

Elementary (K to 3^rd grade)

Self-Control is choosing to do what you should do, not what you want to do.

Solomon was smart. When he was young, he asked God to make him wise—so he could know what was best and right. What he learned is recorded in the book of Proverbs. This week, the biblical principle we’re looking at is how it’s better to be patient than to fight (Proverbs 16:32).  We have to use self-control instead of losing our temper.

It’s hard to be patient when there’s something we really want right now. That’s why self-control is choosing to do what you should do, not what you want to do. All month we’re talking about listening to God’s wisdom so we can make the best choice for the future, instead of just reacting based on how we feel in the moment.

This week’s Bottom Line is pause before you lose your temper. Our monthly verse James 1:19 talks about how we should be slow to anger. Imagine how your relationships with the people around you could change if you were able to press pause, think, and pray before you reacted in anger.

Make it Personal by allowing your kids to see how you strive to grow so they can understand how to confront their own limitations and pursue character and faith.  What are your trigger points?  What things might cause you to lose your temper?  How can you pause before you lose your temper demonstrating self-control for your kids?

Check out this video for more about WHY we are focusing on Self-Control this month.

Club 45 (4^th & 5^th grade)

Is your pre-teen Plugged-In to Christ?

That’s question we’ll explore with your 4^th or 5^th grader this week.  You see, Christianity is about a relationship with Christ, not about following the rules.  Yet it’s too easy to fall into a pattern of just following rules.  You’ve got to know WHY.

This week we explore John 10:10; Matthew 23:27; Galatians 5:22 to find out more about living a life PLUGGED IN to the power of Christ.  You see, God has a plan for each of our lives.  And we’ll never know it fully until we plug in and know Christ.

This week, Imagine the End by focusing your energy and effort on the issues that will make a lasting impact.  Describe the kind of relationship you want your child to have with Christ 5 years from today.  Write it out on a piece of paper.  Read over that description and reflect, “How can I demonstrate this for my child today?”