Crossing Kids: Sunday, October 30, 2011

 5th Grade, Elementary, Family, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning, Volunteers  No Responses »
Oct 302011
 

Little Ones

Basic Truth: God Made Me

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Key Question: Who made good things?

Bottom Line: God made good things.

Memory Verse: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31, NIV

Bible Story: God Made the World, Genesis 1: 20 – 2:23

Monthly Song: “God Made Everything” from One Big Gulp!

Bible Story Summary

God made fish and birds, God made animals, and God made people.  God provides good things for us and we can celebrate his goodness!

 

Preschool

Basic Truth: God loves me.

Key Question: Who is always with you?

Bottom Line: God is always with you.

Memory Verse: “God Is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NLT

Bible Story Focus: God takes care of me.

Baby Moses• Exodus 1:21

Monthly Songs: “God Loves You and Me” from One Big Gulp & “Dance” from TRU Worship

Teachable Moment: Play Time

The thought of God always being with us when we can’t see Him is hard for a preschool child to understand. Introduce this truth to your child by taking a favorite stuffed animal wherever you go for a day, a week, or even a month. Throughout the day tell your child that God is with her wherever she goes kind of like her stuffed animal. When the time comes to put the stuffed animal back in the toy box, tell him you had fun, but God is the only one who can ALWAYS be with us.

Dinner Table Discussion

Discuss the following questions as a family during dinner this week.  They’re meant to prompt further conversation about what was experienced on Sunday morning.

I wonder questions?

I wonder…what did Pharaoh want to do to the little boys?

I wonder…what did Moses’ mother put him in to keep him safe?

I wonder…where did Miriam put Moses when he was safe in the basket?

I wonder…who found Moses in the water and took care of him?

I wonder…God took care of baby Moses and kept him safe.  Who helps keep you safe every day?

 

K-4 8:00 and 9:30

Rotation Topic:  Abraham and Isaac—God Provides a Lamb  (Genesis 22)

Key Concept:  God always keeps His promises and we can trust him. He gave His only Son to provide for our greatest need—forgiveness of sin.

Objectives
:  Children will learn:

The Bible is not a collection of different stories, but one ultimate story of God rescuing His people from sin.

Jesus was the ultimate “only son” loved by his father who submits to being bound and laid upon a wooden altar; the ultimate Lamb that God Himself provides as a sacrifice for our sin.

▪                 The Bible is not a collection of different stories, but one ultimate story of God rescuing His people from sin.

▪                Jesus was the ultimate “only son” loved by his father who submits to being bound and laid upon a wooden altar; the ultimate Lamb that God Himself provides as a sacrifice for our sin.

▪                Just as God knows that Abraham loves Him because he does not withhold his only son, we know that God loves us because he sacrificed his only son in our place.

▪                God always keeps His promises.

▪                We can trust God even when our circumstances are difficult.

Memory Verse:  The Lord always keeps his promises; 
he is gracious in all he does. Psalm 145:13b

Unit Overview
In this unit, children will learn how the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah points to the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for our sin.  Children will study the image of the Lamb as it appears throughout the Bible.  Just as God provided the lamb in Isaac’s place, they’ll learn that God provided Jesus to die in our place.  Children will learn that because God sacrificed His one and only Son, we can trust Him even when things are difficult because He loves us.

 

 

5th Grade and 4th Grade 11:00

Grapple Question:

What Would Jesus Play on His iPod?

Kids Learn:

God’s Guidelines for Making Good Music Choices

Dig Into the Bible:

1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:16-17

What would Jesus play on his iPod? Would he listen only to Christian music? Would it all be jazz, rock ’n’ roll, or heavy metal? Bring an empty chair into a conversation with your preteen about music. If Jesus were sitting in that chair, what would he add to the discussion? How would your preteen explain his or her choices to Jesus? If your child has an iPod, go online together to buy a new song for it. What does your preteen look for in music? Which bands are favorites? What types of lyrics do these bands sing? Trade playlists, and explain your choices. Reminisce about songs that were your favorites when you were a preteen. You might be surprised at how much you have in common!

 

K-3 11:00

Scripture: Exodus 16-17  (Ten Ways to Be Perfect)

Big Idea:  No matter how hard we try, we can never be perfect.

Follow-Up Activity:  Read “Ten Ways to Be Perfect” in The Jesus Storybook Bible p. 100-107.  Discuss the following questions together:

How did God provide for the Israelites?   (Manna and Quail, Water from a rock and other unusual places, safety, etc…)

How did the Israelites respond?  (They complained and quarreled—fought, they didn’t trust God, they thought they could do a better job of taking care of themselves.)

What did God give the Israelites to help them know him better on the Mountain?  (The 10 Commandments—rules/laws on how life works best that)

The Israelites promised to keep these commandments.  Did it work out o.k.? (No!  They couldn’t keep their promise.  They couldn’t be perfect.  No matter how hard they tried, they could never keep God’s rules all the time, but God knew they couldn’t and wanted them to know it too.)

Do we keep God’s rules all the time?  (No!  Just like the Israelites we can’t be perfect.  Even when we try really hard, we’ll always fall short.)

It’s a Creation Celebration

 Devotional, Family, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning  No Responses »
Oct 272011
 

For the past 8 weeks, preschool has been vigorously plowing through the Creation Story.  The main focus has been that God makes good things and these past four weeks, that God made us…and we are His most special creation!  The set began with lots of black sheets covering it and as we learned about each day of Creation, we got to take down a sheet and reveal more and more.  It was so fun to revist all the things God had already made each week but to also discover the mystery behind what He was making next.

This past week, we finished this unit by discovering what God did on Day 7…He rested.  This turned out to be more of an aerobics lesson than anything as we spent lots of energy dancing, singing, and making our bodies tired…so that we too would feel the need to rest, just as God did.  But, now our small friends have discovered all the days of Creation and were able to reveal it all!

As we wrap up our Creation unit and move on to the adventurous stories of God using Moses to rescue the Israellites, I encourage your family to spend some time this week thinking about the things in your life that you love and most of all the people you love.  Acknowledge together that God made those things and those important people in our lives and spend some time in prayer thanking our great God for making the whole world and everything in it!

Night Crossing for Kids: Wednesday, October 26, 2011

 Night Crossing for Kids  Comments Off
Oct 262011
 

This fall, preschool through 3rd grade will “Taste and See” that the Lord is good.  We will study the images of bread and water as they appear in both the Old and New Testaments.  Through storytelling, crafts, games, worship, and more, children will learn that Jesus is the bread of life and the living water who provides for our greatest need—forgiveness of sin.

Memory Verse:  Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Psalm 34:8a

Little Ones (Walkers-2s)

For the next four weeks, Walkers-Two year-olds will hear the story of Jesus Calming the Storm.  Tonight, we read it together out of the Beginner’s Bible

You can follow up by rereading it together and asking:

How did the disciples feel during the storm?
What did Jesus do?

Pre-School-3rd Grade

This week, we studied the story of Noah.  We learned that just as God protected Noah and his family through the ark, the cross and Jesus’ death and resurrection protect all those who trust in him as their Savior.

You can follow up together by rereading the story in The Jesus Storybook Bible p. 38-47 and asking:

Who remembers why God sent a flood to cover the earth? 

How did God protect Noah and his family? 

How to Make the Big Idea “Stick”

 Family, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning, Volunteers  No Responses »
Oct 252011
 

As Emily mentioned in yesterday’s post, on Sunday afternoon Crossing Kids hosted a mid-semester training for our volunteers. I coordinated a break out session with two Columbia Public School teachers on Early Childhood Classroom Managment. One of our focuses was how to engage children, ages 1-5, during a Bible story lesson. We want every kid to leave on Sunday mornings with the main point of the lesson “stuck” in their mind. In short, our awesome teaching teams take the big truths of the Gospel and explain them in simple, age-appropriate ways for kids in Early Childhood. We call this the Big Idea for the morning.

Our Preschool lessons are new each week, but our Little Ones lessons stay the same all month long. At the beginning of the month we email Little Ones volunteers and parents with the Big Idea, memory verse, songs, and some activities for the month. Before each Sunday, we email Preschool volunteers and parents the Big Idea, memory verse, songs, and discussion questions for the week. We hope that by making everyone aware of the Big Idea, it will be communicated in different ways throughout the week and month. Below are some other great ways to make the Big Idea stick in kids minds in the classroom and at home. Try one or two out this week and let us know what you think!

 

Big Idea Example:  We can count on God.  2 Samuel 5:1-5, Psalm 37B

1.  Play with a purpose:  As you play with the children, find ways to bring up the lesson focus.  In order to accomplish this you will need to do two things:

a) Actively play with the kids

b) Know the Big Idea each week

Example: Build a castle with blocks and talk to kids about what it means to be a king.

 

2.  Circle Time:  Get the kids together for five minutes prior to the lesson to help them transition from play to actively listening.  This is a good time to introduce new kids, share prayer requests, and get the kids talking.

Example Question:  What was one thing you did this past week?

 

3.  “I wonder” question:  This is a question the teacher might ask at the end of the lesson that helps the kids remember and process what they just heard.  Sometimes this question is open-ended and other times it will have a specific answer.  Kids can answer this question during snack time.

Example Question:  I wonder…who is your King?

 

4.  Intentional Shepherding:  This is the time following the lesson in which we discuss the lesson while the kids are doing the learning activity that reinforces the Big Idea.  The learning activities are purposeful.  They are ways for the child to experience what they just heard.  This may be accomplished through a craft, a game, or discussion questions.

Example:  Make and decorate a crown like King David would have worn.

The Wellspring of Life…

 5th Grade, Elementary, Volunteers  No Responses »
Oct 242011
 

Yesterday afternoon, over 100 Crossing Kids volunteers gathered for a variety of break out sessions that ranged from engaging the heart of a child in worship to trouble shooting our new database.  During this time, I had the opportunity to listen to and talk with many members of our elementary team on the topic of Classroom Management and Discipline.  We didn’t come up with “5 Easy Steps” or a formula to solve all the world’s woes.  Instead, we spent time talking about the heart–the “Wellspring of Life.”  Management and children who behave perfectly weren’t the ultimate goal.  A desire for our teaching (both spoken and unspoken) to be grace-centered and focused on the Gospel in both the ideal and less than ideal circumstances was.

Here are a few highlights in case you weren’t able to join us.

The “Why” Before the “What” and “How”

“What would things look like if Satan really took control of a city?  Over half a century ago, Presbyterian minister Donald Grey Barnhouse offered his own scenario in his weekly sermon that was also broadcast nationwide on CBS radio.  Barnhouse speculated that if Satan took over Philadelphia (the city where Barnhouse pastured), all of the bars would be closed, pornography banished, and pristine streets would be filled with tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other.  There would be no swearing.  The children would say, “Yes, sir” and “No ma’am,” and the churches would be full every Sunday…where Christ was not preached.”

~Michael Horton, Christless Christianity~

From Shepherding a Child’s Heart by: Tedd Tripp

When we miss the heart we miss…

  • Subtle Idols
  • The Gospel
  • The Glory of God

“God is concerned about the heart—the well-spring of life (Proverbs 4:23).  Parents (*teachers) tend to focus on the externals of behavior rather than the internal overflow of the heart.  We tend to worry more about the “what” of behavior than the “why”.  Accordingly, most of us spend an enormous amount of energy in controlling and constraining behavior.  To the degree and extent to which our focus is on behavior, we miss the heart.”

“The church borrowed the old “you listen to me, kid, or I’ll cuff you” method of raising children.  It seemed to work.  children seemed to obey.  They were externally submissive.  This method fails us now because our culture no longer responds to authority as it did a generation ago.  We lament the passing of this way of rearing children because we miss its simplicity.  I fear, however, we have overlooked its unbiblical methods and goals…Let me overview a biblical vision…it involves being a kind of authority, shepherding your children to understand themselves in God’s world, and keeping the Gospel in clear view so children can internalize the good news and someday live in mutuality with you as people under God.”

What is my role as someone in “authority?”
“Jesus is an example of this.  The One who commands you, the One who possesses all authority, came as a servant.  He is a ruler who serves; he is also a servant who rules…You must exercise authority, not as a cruel taskmaster, but as one who truly loves.”

The “What” and “How”

  • One way to “love” and to “serve” the children we shepherd is to be proactive, thoughtful, and intentional about the environment we create.
  • Sometimes we can anticipate hindrances for them, but also hindrances for us.
  • We are all sinners serving sinners and out of an overflow of our hearts, our mouths speak.

Practical Proactive Tips

Getting their Attention

  • Clapping
  • Turning off Lights
  • Show me your listening eyes, ears etc…
  • “If you can hear my voice say ________,” etc…

Transitions

  • Not Everybody All At Once—“If your birthday is in ___________,” “If you’re wearing _________________,” etc…
  • Agenda/ Sequence of Events—Let children know what you’re planning to do, if/when you’re having snack, order of events, etc…  This is especially helpful for students with Autism or other special needs.
  • Time Frame—“In a minute, but not yet.,” Counting Backward, Song, Giving a Time Constraint with Reminders (In 3 minutes, in 1 minute, etc…)

Developmental Appropriateness

  • Kindergartners and 5th Graders are both alike and different

Proximity

  • Sit near child, move closer, etc…

Movement

  • Recognize and honor need for movement
  • Change things up
  • Limit Pocket Time

Transitioning/Distributing Materials

  • Centralized Location?
  • Pass Out Ahead of Time?
  • “Leading into temptation…”  (If I sit this in front of them, are they going to play with it instead of listening to directions, and will that drive me nuts?)

Multi-step Directions

  • Break into smaller chunks
  • Have children repeat
  • Model/Show Example

Take the Time to Listen, Laugh, and Have Fun

  • Individual conversations/relationships
  • Morning Meeting

What happens when “proactive” doesn’t work?

  • Check our hearts first.
  • Go back to the why: Go back to the heart.
  • Remember that when we miss the heart, we miss subtle idols, the Gospel, and God’s glory.
  • Have an individual conversation.
  • Ask Questions (See chart.)
  • Pray for/with child.
  • Communicate with families.

“We are always to do our best, striving to be obedient and to love, nurture, and discipline them.  But we are to do it with faith in the Lord’s ability to transform hearts, not in our ability to be consistent or faithful.  Seeking to be faithfully obedient parents is our responsibility; granting faith to our children is his.  Freedom to love and enjoy our children flows out of the knowledge that God saves them in spite of our best efforts, not because of them.  Salvation is of the Lord.”

Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson, Give them Grace


Crossing Kids, Sunday, October 23, 2011

 5th Grade, Elementary, Little Ones, Preschool, Sunday Morning  No Responses »
Oct 232011
 

Little Ones

Basic Truth: God made me.

Key Question: Who made good things?  

Bottom Line: God made good things.

Memory Verse: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31, NIV

Bible Story: God Made the World, Genesis 1: 20 – 2:23

Monthly Song: “God Made Everything” from One Big Gulp!

Bible Story Summary:  God made fish and birds, God made animals, and God made people.  God provides good things for us and we can celebrate his goodness!

Preschool

Basic Truth: God made me.

Key Question: Who made good things?

Bottom Line: God made good things.

Memory Verse: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31, NIV

Bible Story Focus: God made everything we could ever need.

The Garden• Genesis 2:8-15

Monthly Songs: “God Made Me Shine” from One Big Gulp & “Child of God” from TRU Worship

Teachable Moments

The Bible says that God loves us so much that He will give us everything we need. This week, build a fort in the living room and pretend with your preschooler that it is your new house.
Ask him to help you find things you would need if you were going to live in the fort. During your search, lead your preschooler to understand that our needs are only food, water, clothing,
and shelter. Toys and books are wants, not needs. Enjoy a snack in the fort and then pray to thank God for giving us everything we need.

Dinner Table Discussion
Discuss the following questions as a family during dinner this week.  They’re meant to prompt further conversation about what was experienced on Sunday morning.

I wonder…who planted everything that grew in the first garden?

I wonder… who lived in the garden and took care of it?

I wonder… what grew in the first garden?

I wonder…what are some things that grow in gardens near your home?

K-4th 8:00 and 9:30

Rotation Topic:  Abraham and Isaac—God Provides a Lamb  (Genesis 22)

Key Concept:  God always keeps His promises and we can trust him. He gave His only Son to provide for our greatest need—forgiveness of sin.

Objectives
:  Children will learn:

The Bible is not a collection of different stories, but one ultimate story of God rescuing His people from sin.

Jesus was the ultimate “only son” loved by his father who submits to being bound and laid upon a wooden altar; the ultimate Lamb that God Himself provides as a sacrifice for our sin.

  •  The Bible is not a collection of different stories, but one ultimate story of God rescuing His people from sin.
  • Jesus was the ultimate “only son” loved by his father who submits to being bound and laid upon a wooden altar; the ultimate Lamb that God Himself provides as a sacrifice for our sin.
  • Just as God knows that Abraham loves Him because he does not withhold his only son, we know that God loves us because he sacrificed his only son in our place.
  • God always keeps His promises.
  • We can trust God even when our circumstances are difficult.

Memory Verse:  The Lord always keeps his promises; 
he is gracious in all he does. Psalm 145:13b

Unit Overview
In this unit, children will learn how the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah points to the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for our sin.  Children will study the image of the Lamb as it appears throughout the Bible.  Just as God provided the lamb in Isaac’s place, they’ll learn that God provided Jesus to die in our place.  Children will learn that because God sacrificed His one and only Son, we can trust Him even when things are difficult because He loves us.

 

K-3rd 11:00

Scripture: Exodus 14-15 (God Makes a Way)

Big Idea:  God rescues us and sets us free.

Follow-Up Activity:  Read “God Makes a Way” in The Jesus Storybook Bible p. 92-99.  Discuss the following questions together:

In this story, Pharaoh thought that he was in control.  Who was actually in control? (God)

How did God “make a way” for the Israelites when their situation seemed impossible?  (He parted the Red Sea and they walked across on dry ground.)

How did the Israelites respond?  (They danced, sang, and praised God!)

Today we learned that God made a way for the Israelites.  They faced something that seemed impossible, yet God remained faithful and kept His promise to His people.

 

5th Grade and 11:00 4th Grade

Grapple Question:  Why can’t I watch whatever I want to?

Dig Into the Bible:  Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8

We’re so much like computers, aren’t we? What we put in determines what comes out, and nothing can come out that hasn’t been put in. God allows us to choose what enters our minds, and we show our choices through what comes out of our mouths.

Preteens like to make their own choices—and see how far they can push the envelope. This is a perfect time to challenge their decision making. Ask them to help determine the parameters for movie viewing. Involve them in open dialogue about why the movie industry provides labels, and then look seriously at what God has to say about what to watch. Kids at this age can make good choices if we give them the correct tools, but they still need your guidance.


New Volunteer Feedback

 Volunteers  Comments Off
Oct 222011
 

This fall, Crossing Kids had over 200 new volunteers join our team. I’ve had the privilege of following up with these new volunteers this fall to see how things are going so far. I wondered what their first impression of the ministry was and how they were seeing God at work. I asked the new volunteers what their favorite part of volunteering is. Here are some of the responses I received.

“Crossing Kids is an amazing ministry for the children and I’m so blessed to be a part of it. The program far exceeds what I had expected I was signing myself up for.  I love coming on Sunday mornings and getting a chance to learn with the children about the amazing love God has for us.”

 “My favorite part of volunteering is interacting with the kids and being surprised at how much they know.”

 “My favorite part about volunteering so far would be meeting more people that attend the Crossing and meeting more beautiful children.”

 “ My favorite part of volunteering has been getting to see how much the kids already know about God and the Bible. I feel like the workshop team members are doing a fantastic job of teaching the kids and making it interesting so they can retain it.”

 “The lesson time is really good. The kids recognize the change in atmosphere … and it is so fun to see them respond to this concentrated time.  This is also giving us great ideas for how we can teach our granddaughter about God!”

 “I enjoy helping make the parents morning a little less hectic. I feel like the team is doing a good job of assisting the families.”

 “My favorite part has been getting to know the children.  I love having a few minutes before we get started to just talk with the kids and hear about their lives. Oftentimes it is easy to get so caught up in everything that we need to accomplish that it is nice to take time to just learn about each child.”

 “ I love the interaction with the kids.  There are so many opportunities to connect with these kiddos right from the beginning of our time with them. They love to have adults play with them and they are so creative in their play. I am amazed at some of their levels of comfort in saying a prayer over snack.”

 As I read these comments, I was reminded that God is at work in our ministry. What makes Crossing Kids great is not just the volunteers, the staff team, the curriculum, the organization, the music, or the activities. What makes Crossing Kids great is that God is at work in the hearts of kids, parents, and volunteers. I am so glad He brought these wonderful new volunteers to our team and that they are enjoying serving. Glory to God!

Spiritual Business in the Little Ones Classrooms

 Little Ones, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Oct 222011
 

Did you know there is important kingdom work to be done in the infants, crawlers, and toddler classes in our church every single Sunday?

Many years ago when I was preparing a training meeting for our Little Ones volunteers, I ran across a motivating talk addressing nursery workers.  In it Sally Michael, the Minister for Parenting and Children’s Discipleship at Bethlehem Baptist Church (John Piper’s church), explained the spiritual business of “Nursery” workers (what we call Little Ones volunteers) at her church in this way:

Everyone who works with children and youth is part of a team of Faith Nurturers—whose job it is to bring them from spiritual infancy to well being on their way to spiritual maturity. We start in the Nursery ministry of the church, promoting a vision that we are Faith Nurturers. And cultivate the attitude that we are doing spiritual business here and not babysitting…There is important business to accomplish in the Nursery. There is Kingdom work to be done. 

So all of our Nursery workers are encouraged to spend time praying for every single baby that comes into our Nursery every single Sunday morning, because that is the business of God, that is the business of a Faith Nurturer. As they rock babies, and change diapers, and wind up swings, they are praying…They are nurturing the faith of the next generation, they are spreading a vision, they are pleading with the God of the universe to make Himself real to those babies…

All of our teaching, all of our modeling, all of our relating to children will have no affect on their hearts if God does not call them to Himself. It will all fall on deaf ears and hard hearts, unless God does a redeeming work in them.  If we spend Nursery hours pleading for their souls, what might God be pleased to do in their lives?

There is more to your spiritual work in the Little Ones classrooms than just praying, as Molly Cover’s “Beyond Bubbles and Bouncers for Babies” post pointed out. However, praying may be the part we forget or minimize the most on a busy Sunday morning with crying babies all around.

I wrote a post recently about a teacher I had in junior high who used to pray for me, although I never knew that until years later. God worked significantly in my life following my high school years.  He “opened my ears and eyes” and “softened my heart” so I could hear and respond to the Gospel, maybe in part because of that teacher’s prayers.  Perhaps God will do the same in the lives of Crossing kids because of yours.

As a mom of three young children, I can hardly think of something more moving than to know someone spent a moment praying over one of them. I speak on behalf of the parents at The Crossing when I say, THANK YOU to those who plead with the God of the Universe to make Himself real to our babies.  Keep up the important kingdom work!

Father Abraham had Many Sons…

 Elementary, Sunday Morning  No Responses »
Oct 202011
 

This fall, elementary Crossing Kids have taken a look at how the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis points to an even greater sacrifice and an even greater Father and Son.  As we’ve written lessons and prepared to teach using a variety of mediums, we’ve found it helpful to revisit past sermons on the passages we’re sharing with children.  You don’t have to know me well to know that I love words.  As I’ve listened, I’ve jotted down excerpts I’ve found particularly important or poignant.  I’ve reframed these borrowed lines into found poetry below. Perhaps they’ll encourage you as you follow up with the children in your home or students in your classroom these next four weeks.

Found poetry from Keith Simon’s sermon on Genesis 16. You can listen to it by clicking here.

“Waiting”

A spiritual urban legend
authored by Aesop:
“God helps those
who help themselves.”

No one likes to wait.

Like Sarai
we say,
“The Lord has kept
this good thing
from me
and now
I’m mad
at God.”

So we
stop sitting
and
start doing.

Shaped more by the culture
than the Promise.
It’s
normal and expected
but is it
pleasing to God?

No one likes to wait.

We want His resources
but not His timing.
we want His hand,
but not His calendar.

It’s not about
just waiting
until we get
what we want,
but a process of
shaping.

Even if it never happens,
confidently
painfully
patiently
clinging.

Submitting.

No plan B.

No Hagar solution.

He promises Himself.
He teaches humility
because
“I can’t make this happen.”

For God alone
my soul waits
in silence.

Not consumed
by what
we’re waiting for,
but the God
who makes
and keeps
His Promises.

Not focused on
what we want,
but His character.

Do not conform,
but be transformed.

 

Found poetry from Dave Cover’s sermon “God Will See to It” on Genesis 22.You can listen to it by clicking here.

Our greatest need
opposed to
our perception.

All Abraham’s hope
for inheritance
is hinged
on Isaac.

When God gives us
a gift of grace…
Before—we know our hands are empty.
After—we feel our hands are full.

Clutched and clenching.
We don’t feel empty.
We don’t see our need.

Will we take
His hand
or
grasp the gift?

Will we see
tests vertically
not just horizontally?
Sure that the outcome
will not be
the end.

Isaac:
Submitting to faith
in his father’s love
and God’s will.

Abraham:
Not withholding.
Lifting up eyes.

A picture of the
Seed of Promise.
Foreshadowing
God’s provision
of our greatest need–
substitutionary atonement.

An outcome
that would not be the end.
Submitting to faith
in His Father’s love.

Not withholding.

Love so amazing,
so divine.
Demands my soul.
My life.
My all.

True & Better from Peter Artemenko on Vimeo.

Night Crossing for Kids: October 19, 2011

 Night Crossing for Kids  No Responses »
Oct 192011
 

This fall, preschool through 3rd grade will “Taste and See” that the Lord is good.  We will study the images of bread and water as they appear in both the Old and New Testaments.  Through storytelling, crafts, games, worship, and more, children will learn that Jesus is the bread of life and the living water who provides for our greatest need—forgiveness of sin.

Memory Verse:  Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Psalm 34:8a

Little Ones (Walkers-2s)

This week, Walkers-Two year-olds will hear the story of Jesus Feeding the 5,000.  Tonight, we read it together out of the My Awesome God Bible.  You can follow up by rereading it together, acting it out, and/or asking:

How did Jesus feed all of the hungry people?

Pre-School-3rd Grade

This week, we studied the story of The Last Supper.  We learned that Jesus is the Bread of Life that satisfies our greatest need—forgiveness of sin.  You can follow up together by rereading the story in The Jesus Storybook Bible p. 286-293 and asking:

Why do you think this story was called, “The Servant King?”
How did Jesus show His love to His disciples?
How does Jesus show His love to us?

 

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