Author Archive: KidMin

First Look Week of December 2, 2019

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The very first Christmas looked a lot different than the one we
will experience over the next few weeks. It was a string of God
planned events that would come together to create a wonderfilled
story that would be told again and again and again.
God sent His Son to earth in the form of a human baby who grew to
be a man like no other. Ultimately, He gave His life for us.
This month, we celebrate the beautiful gift of Jesus. We want preschoolers to say again and again that, ‘God gave us Jesus.’
We want it to live deep within their hearts so they grow to
trust that God loves them with a love so great that He gave
them His one and only Son, Jesus, to be their friend forever.

May we all pause under our own starry, starry night this year
and remember the wonder of what we are celebrating:

God gave us Jesus.

Our Bible Story for weeones on December 1, 2019 was from the book of LUKE 1:26-33, 38, 46-49 –
God sends an angel to tell Mary she will have a baby boy and His name will be Jesus.

REMEMBER THIS:
“God has given a son to us.”
ISAIAH 9:6, NCV

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
How do we know God loves us?
God gave us Jesus.

BASIC TRUTH:
GOD LOVES ME.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
MORNING TIME
When you go into your child’s room this month, say, “Good morning! Who can tell me why this is the best time of the year?” Tickle your child. “It’s Christmas—the time when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!”

Week of December 2, 2019

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Our Bible story for December 1 for 252 Kids Elementary was from the books of ISAIAH 9:6-7, ISAIAH 53:8, MICAH 5:2 –
Jesus Is Promised.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
You can have joy because God keeps His promises.

REMEMBER THIS:
“Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord.
I will say it again. Be joyful!”
PHILIPPIANS 4:4, NIrV

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
MORNING TIME
Write the definition of joy in a place where your whole family will see it every morning: “Finding a way to be happy, even when things don’t go your way.” Start as many mornings as you can by reading it aloud in whatever voice or accent you want. Make it fun and make it joyful!

LIFE APP-
JOY:
FINDING A WAY TO BE HAPPY, EVEN WHEN THINGS DON’T GO YOUR WAY.

Week of November 25, 2019

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Our Bible story for 252 Kids on Sunday November 24 was from the book of DANIEL 6 –
Daniel Is Thrown Into a Den of Lions.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Honor God by giving Him credit.

REMEMBER THIS:
“Love one another deeply.
Honor others more than yourselves.”
ROMANS 12:10, NIrV

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
DRIVE TIME
Ask your child to think of ways to put others first while on your drive. Letting someone go ahead of you in the drive through, letting someone out in a line of cars before you go, etc.

LIFE APP-
HONOR:
LETTING SOMEONE KNOW YOU SEE HOW VALUABLE THEY REALLY ARE.

First Look Week of November 25, 2019

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Our Bible Story for weeones on Sunday November 24 was from the book of LUKE 17:11-19 –
Jesus heals ten lepers and one comes back to say thank you.

REMEMBER THIS:
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.”
Psalm 111:1, ESV

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
Who can you thank for everything?
I can thank God for everything.

BASIC TRUTH:
GOD MADE ME.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
BATH TIME
Add plastic toy food and animals to bath time. As they are floating in the water, tell your child to close their eyes and pick one of the toys. When they open their eyes, ask them to name the toy and then say together, “Thank You, God, for [toy].”

First Look Week of November 18, 2019

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Our Bible story for weeones on Sunday was from EXODUS 16 –
God provides food for the Israelites while they are in a desert.

REMEMBER THIS:
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.”
Psalm 111:1, ESV

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
Who can you thank for everything?
I can thank God for everything.

BASIC TRUTH:
GOD MADE ME.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
CUDDLE TIME
Cuddle with your child this month and pray, “Dear God, thank You for everything. Thank You for our family. Thank You for our friends. Thank You for the food we get to eat. Thank You for our warm, comfy beds. Please help us remember to tell You thank You for everything. You are so good to us! We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Week of November 18, 2019

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Our Bible story for Sunday was from the book of 2 SAMUEL 9:1-13 –
David and Mephibosheth.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Honor others by keeping your promises.

REMEMBER THIS:
“Love one another deeply.
Honor others more than yourselves.”
ROMANS 12:10, NIrV

DO THIS TO CONTINUE CONVERSATION:
BED TIME
Has someone ever given you a chance to try something? How did it feel? King Saul showed David honor when he let him challenge Goliath. We can show the people in our lives they are valuable to us, and to God, when we give them a chance. Brainstorm the names of a few people you know who may be waiting for you to give them a chance. Pray that God would show you when and how to give them that chance.

LIFE APP:
HONOR:
LETTING SOMEONE KNOW YOU SEE HOW VALUABLE THEY REALLY ARE.

First Look Week of November 11, 2019

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Our weeones hear the Bible story from the book of 1 SAMUEL 18:1-4 –
David and Jonathan become best friends.

REMEMBER THIS:
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.”
Psalm 111:1, ESV

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
Who can you thank for everything?
I can thank God for everything.

BASIC TRUTH:
GOD MADE ME.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
DRIVE TIME
Brainstorm together a list of five things you are thankful for that you may see as you drive (trees, animals, people, fire truck, etc.). Tell your child you will use the list to play a game in the car. Read the list a few times as you drive as a reminder of what you are looking for. Mark the items off as you find them, and thank God for them.

Week of November 11, 2019

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Our Bible Story for 252 Kids on Sunday was from the book of 1 SAMUEL 18:1-11; 19:1-7; 20:1-42 –
David and Jonathan.

SAY THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
Honor others by putting them first.

REMEMBER THIS:
“Love one another deeply.
Honor others more than yourselves.”
ROMANS 12:10, NIrV

DO THIS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:
MEAL TIME
Q&A for Kids: I am most likely to get chosen for . . .
Q&A for Parents: Share about a time when you received an award or felt honored by someone or something.

LIFE APP-
HONOR:
LETTING SOMEONE KNOW YOU SEE HOW VALUABLE THEY REALLY ARE.

Mistakes You Might Be Making When It Comes to Understanding Kids

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I wanted to share this post from Orange Leaders with my SGLs because it’s a good reminder to us.

Don’t let these assumptions limit or reduce your impact on your few:

Don’t assume kids have the same perspective as you! Remember you are who you are because your life experiences have shaped you and your perspective!

Do you ever find yourself in conflict with a kid because they see things differently than you? Maybe you have trouble understanding your toddler’s nonsensical meltdown or your teenager’s immature decision. Is it possible that you’re looking at life through your own lens and expecting kids–with their underdeveloped lenses—to see what you see?

Don’t assume that you know what it’s like to be a kid because you were a kid! Things have changed. Elementary age kids’have access to all types of information and opportunities for learning that some of us are only just now discovering as adults’.

Here are safe assumptions:
1. Kids are going to act like kids. Yes they are going to make the wrong choice. Yes they are going to act crazy and annoying. That doesn’t make it okay. It’s still important to set expectations. But don’t freak out when a kid acts like a kid.
2. Kids are living today!

That means their world looks very different from the one you grew up in. Thankfully, we have a secret and we are going to share it with you. Come close. Okay, here it is . . . you are living today too!
You can study social media, check out the latest hit movies, books and music, and generally work to understand what it might be like to grow up in the golden age of smartphones and all-the-time internet access.
This is the best news of all, really. You once were a kid. Check. You live today. Check. You have the wisdom of an adult. Check. Your powers combined pack a pretty strong punch.

First Look Week of November 4, 2019

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“Can you say thank you?” How many times will a child be asked that question in their preschool years? We ask them again and again because we want to help them learn to be thankful. This month is all about saying thank you. In fact, we are going to be bubbling over with thankfulness with our Bubble Factory theme.

Throughout the month, preschoolers will learn to be thankful for their family, friends, and food. And, they’ll learn that saying, “Thank you” is just as important as being thankful.

Imagine the preschoolers in your church learning to tell God thank you – for EVERYTHING – all while having fun with their small group leaders and friends. Imagine them growing up giving thanks to the Lord with their WHOLE heart.

Our Bible Story for weeones on Sunday November 3 was from the book of RUTH 1-2 –
Boaz helps provide food for Ruth and Naomi.

REMEMBER THIS:
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.”
Psalm 111:1, ESV

SAY THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
Who can you thank for everything?
I can thank God for everything.

BASIC TRUTH:
GOD MADE ME.

DO THIS TO REMIND YOUR CHILD OF SUNDAY’S STORY:
MORNING TIME
When you go into your child’s room this month, say, “Time to wake up! At the count of three, let’s tell God thank You for today. Here we go! One, two three! Thank You for today, God!”