Image of the Invisible God (John 16/17)

 5th Grade, Devotional, Elementary, Family  Comments Off
Apr 302012
 

Each week this semester, we will post part of our new Crossing Kids Family Devotional: “The Image of the Invisible God.”  This devotional is designed to help families read through the book of John in 21 weeks and correlates with our elementary Sunday morning curriculum that also focuses on the same book of the Bible.  You can also pick up a copy along with the sticker page at the Crossing Kids Welcome Center or download a printable version.

The best solution payday loans

Each week, your family will read one chapter, discuss a few questions, and discover what the Bible has to say about who Jesus is. One unique feature of this Gospel is that John uses word pictures to help us understand the nature and character of Jesus. As you work through this devotional, you will have the opportunity to keep track of these images in the “Making it Stick” portion.  Consider trying this before, during, or after a meal or right before bed on a designated night.

John 1
John 2
John 3
John 4 
John 5
John 6
John 7
John 8
John 9
John 10
John 11
John 12
John 13 
John 14
John 15

Crossing Kids: Sunday, April 29, 2012

 5th Grade, Elementary, Little Ones, Preschool, Sunday Morning  No Responses »
Apr 292012
 

Little Ones

Monthly Topic: “R” is for Rescuer

Big Idea: Jesus rescued us so we can have life forever.

Memory Verse: “The Lord will rescue me…” – 2 Timothy 4:18

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection | Luke 23: 26-43, 24

Monthly Song

“Hosanna Rock” from  I Count on You

Lesson summary

This we will learn the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Kids will learn that Jesus came to take our punishment for our sins and die for us so that we can one day be with God again.  They will learn that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, He is the greatest Rescuer we could ever ask for.  Children will also learn that Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later and showed everyone that He truly is the Son of Man.

Preschool

Monthly Topic: “R” is for Rescuer

Big Idea: Jesus rescued us so we can have life forever.

Memory Verse: “The Lord will rescue me…and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.” – 2 Timothy 4:18

Bible Story Focus: The Lord’s Supper | Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20

Monthly Songs 

“You Alone Can Rescue” by Matt Redman

“Hosanna Rock” from I Count on You CD

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 were the special parts of the Last Supper?

The bread and the wine.

I wonder…What do we call this meal now?

We call it communion.

I wonder…why do we take communion?

We take communion to remember that Jesus died for us on the cross.

Kindergarten – 4th Grade

Rotation Topic:  Appearances of Jesus

Dates:  April 29  – May 27

Key Concept:  Understanding the Gospel message means understanding Jesus’ work in our lives now and how he illustrated that work during the 40 days He appeared to his disciples and others before He returned to Heaven.

Objectives

After participating in the workshop unit on the Appearances of Jesus, children should be able to:

Know and explain the Gospel.

Identify how Jesus changed the lives of those to whom He appeared, and how He works in people’s lives still today.

Recognize Jesus’ work in our own lives.

Unit Overview

From the end of John to the beginning of Acts, we see the first “un-appearance” of Jesus when the disciples and others went to the tomb expecting to find Jesus’ body but instead found an empty tomb.  This “un-appearance” or “dis-appearance” caused great concern.  Yet it was because of this first discovery that Jesus, whom they verified was dead, was now gone.  As we study the following “appearances” of Jesus, it is significant to understand how unexpected these appearances were.  What do we learn of Jesus from these experiences and what do we learn of our future with Him as we study this section of the Bible and of history?

Scripture

John 20-21 and Acts 1

Memory Verse

John 20: 29 “…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Fallen Condition Focus/Heart Issue

Jesus’ appearance on the scene is indicative of the fallen condition of our hearts.  The promised savior came, appeared as a baby, grew into an adult, and through his death, resurrection, and 40 days of actual appearances all point to the need we have for a rescuer and the provision of God’s love.

God-Centered/Grace-Oriented Focus

The gospel message points to God and blankets our fallen condition with His love offered through grace.

Faith Response (application)

As Jesus appeared to the early church members, he still shows himself at work in our hearts today.  We can know Jesus and claim his promises.

5th Grade

Grapple Question:  Is It OK if Nobody Gets Hurt?

Dig Into the Bible:  Psalm 32:1-5; Romans 5:12; Galatians 6:7-10; Ephesians 4:3

Preteens generally deal with the feelings of guilt and shame that come as a consequence of sin in one of two ways. Either they suppress and deny those feelings, or they become overwhelmed by them. Suppressor/deniers are the ones who will claim that their actions have not hurt anyone, least of all themselves. Kids who are overwhelmed by their feelings need to be led to repentance and assurance of the complete forgiveness of their sins. Talk with your preteen this week about the consequences of sin and God’s amazing forgiveness.

Save Me From Becoming Culturally Obsolete! (or Music Parents Should Be Listening To)

 Art, Music, Parents  No Responses »
Apr 292012
 

Why should parents, like you and me, keep up with current music?  Why should we care what is on the radio or what our kids are listening to? With all the talk recently of the power of music, as Dave Cover wrote about on ESI, I thought it apropos to share the post I wrote few months ago on my blog. Thank you to the Crossing staff and members who helped me collect these recommendations!

I distinctly remember in 6th grade blaring my pink jam box with the likes of New Kids on the Block, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson (“Miss Jackson if you’re nasty”), and Tiffany. I could never understand why my parents didn’t know or like my music or listen to much music at all. To my requests to listen to the radio (loudly) in the car, I remember them saying they “just needed quiet”. Keep in mind they had four kids, of which I was the oldest.

Now, I get it. I get why parents of little kids lose touch with pop culture and trends as we get older. I get why we “just need quiet”. Blaring music on top of crying, whiny, screaming or just chatty little kids turns the amp “up to 11″ (in the words of Nigel from This is Spinal Tap.) On top of that, I find it hard to listen to my music with the kids around. I don’t know about you, but I’m not really comfortable with my 5-year-old hearing or singing the profanity in the chorus of my favorite Mumford and Sons song. At the appropriate stage, we’ll have conversations about lyrics like that but not just yet (hmm…maybe Kindergarten next year will change that).

That being said, I don’t want to lose touch with truly excellent music or with the music that is influencing our world. Here’s why:

1 – We’re made in the image of God–the Creator, who the Bible says enjoys his creation and calls it “good”. Therefore, part of what it means to be human is to create and enjoy creative expression (in this instance we’re talking about music). I find it fascinating that there is no culture that does not sing. It’s part of who we are.

2 – To make an impact in the world and my kids’ lives, I’ve got to understand and be able to engage with our culture.

So in my desperation, I recently sent an email to some of my trusted music-loving and far-cooler-than-me friends. “Save me from becoming culturally obsolete!” I pleaded. “What music or musical artists from the last two years should I be listening to?” Here are the varied recommendations I received and will be checking out. Continue reading »

Image of the Invisible God (John 15)

 5th Grade, Devotional, Elementary, Family  Comments Off
Apr 252012
 

Each week this semester, we will post part of our new Crossing Kids Family Devotional: “The Image of the Invisible God.”  This devotional is designed to help families read through the book of John in 21 weeks and correlates with our elementary Sunday morning curriculum that also focuses on the same book of the Bible.  You can also pick up a copy along with the sticker page at the Crossing Kids Welcome Center or download a printable version.

Each week, your family will read one chapter, discuss a few questions, and discover what the Bible has to say about who Jesus is. One unique feature of this Gospel is that John uses word pictures to help us understand the nature and character of Jesus. As you work through this devotional, you will have the opportunity to keep track of these images in the “Making it Stick” portion.  Consider trying this before, during, or after a meal or right before bed on a designated night.

John 1
John 2
John 3
John 4 
John 5
John 6
John 7
John 8
John 9
John 10
John 11
John 12
John 13 
John 14

Crossing Kids: Sunday, April 22, 2012

 5th Grade, Elementary, Family, Little Ones, Music, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning, Volunteers  No Responses »
Apr 222012
 

Little Ones

Monthly Topic: “R” is for Rescuer

Big Idea: Jesus rescued us so we can have life forever.

Memory Verse: “The Lord will rescue me…” – 2 Timothy 4:18

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection | Luke 23: 26-43, 24

Monthly Song

“Hosanna Rock” from  I Count on You

Lesson summary

This we will learn the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Kids will learn that Jesus came to take our punishment for our sins and die for us so that we can one day be with God again.  They will learn that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, He is the greatest Rescuer we could ever ask for.  Children will also learn that Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later and showed everyone that He truly is the Son of Man.

Preschool

Monthly Topic: “R” is for Rescuer

Big Idea: Jesus rescued us so we can have life forever.

Memory Verse: “The Lord will rescue me…and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.” – 2 Timothy 4:18

Bible Story Focus: Jesus Goes to Heaven | Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-11

Monthly Songs 

“You Alone Can Rescue” by Matt Redman

“Hosanna Rock” from I Count on You CD

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…where did Jesus go after He died?

He went to heaven to be with God.

I wonder…how can we live with Jesus forever in Heaven?

We can live with Jesus forever by believing in Him.

I wonder…what would it be like to live with Jesus forever in Heaven?

Have your kids tell you or draw a picture of what they think living with Jesus forever would be like.

Kindergarten – 4th Grade

Rotation Topic:  Jesus Raises Lazarus

Dates: March 18-April 22

Key Concept:  A relationship with Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life both spiritually and physically.

Scripture:  John 11:1-44

Memory Verse:  John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if he dies.”

Monthly Songs

“Happy Day”- recorded by Tim Hughes

“I Will Trust Him” by The Crossing Music

“God is Alive” recorded by Amber Sky Records

Unit Overview:  The miracle in John 11 of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is rich with theological significance for our lives.  It gives us a picture of what happens spiritually in our own dead hearts when Jesus calls us to life, as well as, foreshadows Jesus’ and his friends’ own physical resurrections one day.  Not only that, but we get a peek behind the curtain of how our Sovereign God uses even pain and suffering in our lives for his glory and our good.  Children will gain an understanding of these exciting truths and be encouraged to believe in Jesus personally as “the resurrection and the life” in this unit.

5th Grade

Grapple Question: Is It OK if Nobody Gets Hurt?

Kids Learn: Sin Hurts Me; It Hurts You; It Hurts God

Dig Into the Bible: Psalm 32:1-5; Romans 5:12; Galatians 6:7-10; Ephesians 4:30

Preteens generally deal with the feelings of guilt and shame that come as a consequence of sin in one of two ways. Either they suppress and deny those feelings, or they become overwhelmed by them. Suppressor/deniers are the ones who will claim that their actions have not hurt anyone, least of all themselves. Kids who are overwhelmed by their feelings need to be led to repentance and assurance of the complete forgiveness of their sins. Talk with your preteen this week about the consequences of sin and God’s amazing forgiveness.

Update and Pictures from Pistis School in Kenya

 Elementary, Parents, Preschool  No Responses »
Apr 212012
 

Our Crossing Kids offering each week is dedicated to our partnership school Pistis in Nairobi, Kenya. You can read more about our partnership here. Below is some information, a few pictures and a letter we received this week.

New space

You may remember that we were asking everyone to pray that we would be able to purchase a 40-foot steel container, which in Kenya are often converted into buildings used as shops, houses, classrooms…Our container that you helped us to purchase has arrived! We are working to prepare the ground for it, fix it up, and start using it.

When the new term starts, every single seat in the classrooms will be occupied! This means that we want to build cubbies for the kids in another of the classrooms very soon, so there is room to expand. Some of our boys are getting very big and are starting high school. It will be good to allow them their own space. Right now, we have two learning centers. The Doves include the 1st through 3rd graders. The 4th through 8th graders are together in the Eagles. We are hoping to divide the kids into smaller age ranges–1st and 2nd together, 3rd through 6th together, and then 7th and up together.

Music Lessons

Music classes started in January. The kids are really enjoying one-on-one lessons in keyboard or guitar. We’re also praying for a guitar for the school and a drum set. Having the container will give us the space to turn one of the classrooms into a music room.

Most Recent Letter from Pistis (dated April 19, 2012):

Dear Crossing Kids, and those who love them:

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, can I say once more how grateful all of us at Pistis are for the loving-kindness of The Crossing Kids?!

We started the term this week, and there has been such a flurry of activity, thanks in large part to your generosity.

As you can see in the pictures, construction is nearing completion on 5 new toilets–adult-sized, since some of our big kids are teenagers now.

AND a new learning center for the 11 oldest kids is finishing up this week–that’s the white room with all the newly-built “offices” that look like individual learning cubbies.

AND, a covered, enclosed outdoor area is also nearly finished, where the kids can eat, play when it’s raining (phew–just in time for rainy season).

AND, thanks to your generous gift to the Byerly family, there is a new piano, and 6 children are now taking piano lessons (others are studying guitar).

AND, the electricity was re-wired, with new lights that work (a very much-needed improvement)!

AND the rooms are all much easier to use, since the extra supplies and things have been moved out to the new container that you helped us buy.

It is just thrilling to see all that Mrs Njuguna and her team have been able to accomplish in just a few short weeks. None of this would have been possible without your help. Please do pass along our very warmest and heart-felt thanks to all the kids and their parents. We love you. We pray for you weekly. We ask the Lord to bless you bountifully.

Blessings, peace and love,

Christi Byerly, on behalf of Pistis school

The Heart: A Well-Spring of Deep Water

 5th Grade, Elementary, Parents, Reflection, Volunteers, Work  Comments Off
Apr 192012
 

Sometimes I find myself concerned that I lack the right level of wisdom or understanding when it comes to knowing how to say the right thing.  Teaching in a public school, I felt this tension to an even greater degree when children responded in ways that failed to align with what any class or textbook shared.  More often than not, I found myself focusing so much on what I should say that the better alternative–just to listen–failed to be an option.  Far too often, my mouth got in the way of the more appropriate response.  So many times I got it wrong, perhaps that’s why I can so distinctly remember the hand full of times that in my own flawed way, I got it right.

D.J. (pseudonym) was a student known by all for many of the wrong reasons.  Academic and social struggles often manifested themselves in explosive outbursts.  Spending each day attempting to motivate him to do anything other than pull his hood over his head and sleep, often led to less than desirable outcomes.

One Friday, my fifth grade class and I walked downstairs to read with some first graders.  As I scanned the room, I noticed the six year-old D.J. was paired up with in tears.  Fed up and frustrated, I walked across the room fully prepared to lose it.  In my eyes it was one thing to defy authority or other ten year-olds, but quite another to wound a younger child, especially after the detailed conversation we had just had about being a role model.  I clenched my fists and marched D.J. out to the hallway.  I opened my mouth prepared to do nothing but lecture, but by only the grace of God, something else came out that even surprised me.

“Why did you do that?”

His response was even more shocking.  I expected a shoulder shrug.  A defiant come-back.  An eye-roll.  A curse-word.  Instead what I got were tears from the self-proclaimed tough guy taller than me.

“You said that we were role models.  You said that they looked up to us and wanted to be like us.  I don’t want anybody to grow up to be like me.”

Questions don’t always lead to such outcomes.  One response over the other doesn’t always yield a glimpse into someone else’s heart.  For whatever reason, in that moment, I got to see the why behind the behavior.  I got to see the brokenness behind all those hurtful responses; I got to see the insecurity so often covered over by swagger.  In his mind, a moment of hurt protected someone else from a lifetime of heartache.  As you can imagine, listening to his response changed my own.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be the last to ever pretend that I always or even usually handled situations like this with the same degree of grace.  As a sinner teaching sinners, my own selfishness often did and still does get in the way.  That moment with D.J., however, still serves as an imperfect, yet powerful picture of what Tedd Tripp talks about in his book Shepherding a Child’s Heart.

“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…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.”

Not as a cruel taskmaster, but as one who truly loves.  Apart from God’s grace, this calling is far too lofty for any of us to attain.  It’s a calling this side of heaven, we’ll always perform imperfectly.  Yet, it’s a calling worth praying for and pursuing whether you’re a parent, a Sunday morning volunteer, a teacher by trade, or a person serving in any type of authority.

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
    but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:5

 

Teaching Children the Gift of Work

 Parents, Reflection, Work  No Responses »
Apr 172012
 

My brother recently sent me a link to a list of 8 Things Every Kid Should Experience.  The list includes:

1. Being Part of a Team

2. Camping

3. Chores

4. Snow

5. Farm Life

6. A Lemonade Stand

7. Flying a Kite

8. Bowling

I think I experienced all of these as a child growing up.  I have some fond memories and some not so fond memories. Our family vacations and reunions were usually spent camping all over the Midwest.  My whole family was in a weekly bowling league. I played on several different sports teams and enjoyed the camaraderie that comes with them. But I think one memory I will never forget is doing the dishes every day to pay off a ski trip I wanted to take in high school. Then somehow after my payment was complete, dishes became my “official” job in the family.

One thing I realized as I was reading this list is that three experiences on the list actually involve “work” (chores, farm life and lemonade stand). Work is one thing we teach our children about every day. We teach them either by what we say or by what we don’t say. We give them a picture of “work” by what we complain about or are excited about. Our work ethic comes across to our children in not only our words but our actions. I’ve been thinking a lot about “work” this past month as we prepare for the upcoming Faith at Work seminar.

Elizabeth Elliot writes in The Gift of Work from her devotional book “Keep a Quiet Heart”

“The principal cause of boredom is the hatred of work. People are trained from childhood to hate it. Parents often feel guilty about making children do anything but the merest gestures toward work. Perhaps the children are required to make their beds and in a feeble and half-hearted fashion, tidy up their rooms once a month or so. But take full responsibility to clear the table, load the dishwasher, scrub the pots, wipe the counters? How many have the courage to ask this of a ten-year-old?… Children quickly pick up the parents’ negative attitudes toward work and think of it as something more sedulously to be avoided.”

I find that I struggle with this very thing as a parent.  How much is too much to ask of my children. I’m busy and they are busy so what should I expect of them around the house? If I had only expected more when they were younger, it would be easier now that they are older. Did my parents expect too much from me? Or is it more about the attitude than the actual expectations.  Do I have negative words about cleaning the house or doing the dishes? Do I see the value in what needs to be done and for who it is being done?

My heart has been convicted by these verses this week.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

May we strive to give our children the “gift of work” as again Elizabeth Elliot writes:

“Wouldn’t it make an astounding difference, not only in the quality of work we do (in office, schoolroom, factory, kitchen, or backyard), but also in our satisfaction, even our joy, if we recognized God’s gracious gift in every single task, from making a bed or bathing a baby to drawing a blueprint or selling a computer? If our children saw us doing “heartily as unto the Lord” all the work we do, they would learn true happiness.”

 

 

Image of the Invisible God (John 14)

 5th Grade, Devotional, Elementary  Comments Off
Apr 162012
 

Each week this semester, we will post part of our new Crossing Kids Family Devotional: “The Image of the Invisible God.”  This devotional is designed to help families read through the book of John in 21 weeks and correlates with our elementary Sunday morning curriculum that also focuses on the same book of the Bible.  You can also pick up a copy along with the sticker page at the Crossing Kids Welcome Center or download a printable version.

Each week, your family will read one chapter, discuss a few questions, and discover what the Bible has to say about who Jesus is. One unique feature of this Gospel is that John uses word pictures to help us understand the nature and character of Jesus. As you work through this devotional, you will have the opportunity to keep track of these images in the “Making it Stick” portion.  Consider trying this before, during, or after a meal or right before bed on a designated night.

John 1
John 2
John 3
John 4 
John 5
John 6
John 7
John 8
John 9
John 10
John 11
John 12
John 13 

Crossing Kids: Sunday, April 15, 2012

 5th Grade, Elementary, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning  Comments Off
Apr 152012
 

Little Ones

Monthly Topic: “R” is for Rescuer

Big Idea: Jesus rescued us so we can have life forever.

Memory Verse: “The Lord will rescue me…” – 2 Timothy 4:18

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection | Luke 23: 26-43, 24

Monthly Song

“Hosanna Rock” from  I Count on You

Lesson summary

This we will learn the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Kids will learn that Jesus came to take our punishment for our sins and die for us so that we can one day be with God again.  They will learn that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, He is the greatest Rescuer we could ever ask for.  Children will also learn that Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later and showed everyone that He truly is the Son of Man.

Preschool

Monthly Topic: “R” is for Rescuer

Big Idea: Jesus rescued us so we can have life forever.

Memory Verse: “The Lord will rescue me…and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.” – 2 Timothy 4:18

Bible Story Focus: Jesus Appears to His Disciples | Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29

Monthly Songs 

“You Alone Can Rescue” by Matt Redman

“Hosanna Rock” from I Count on You CD

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 does it mean to have faith?

To have faith means to be able to believe in things that we can’t see.

I wonder…why didn’t Thomas believe that Jesus rose from the dead?

Thomas didn’t believe because he hadn’t seen Jesus.

I wonder…how do we know that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead?

We know that Jesus died and rose from the dead because the Bible tells us so.

Kindergarten – 4th Grade

Rotation Topic:  Jesus Raises Lazarus

Dates: March 18-April 22

Key Concept:  A relationship with Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life both spiritually and physically.

Scripture:  John 11:1-44

Memory Verse:  John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if he dies.”

Monthly Songs

“Happy Day”- recorded by Tim Hughes

“I Will Trust Him” by The Crossing Music

“God is Alive” recorded by Amber Sky Records

Unit Overview:  The miracle in John 11 of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is rich with theological significance for our lives.  It gives us a picture of what happens spiritually in our own dead hearts when Jesus calls us to life, as well as, foreshadows Jesus’ and his friends’ own physical resurrections one day.  Not only that, but we get a peek behind the curtain of how our Sovereign God uses even pain and suffering in our lives for his glory and our good.  Children will gain an understanding of these exciting truths and be encouraged to believe in Jesus personally as “the resurrection and the life” in this unit.

5th Grade

Grapple Question:  Is It OK if I Don’t Get Caught?

Kids Learn:  Integrity—Who I Am When No One’s Looking

Dig Into the Bible:  Acts 5:1-11; 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 1 John 2:3-6

“Do as I say, not as I do.” How many times have you wanted to say that to your child when caught in an awkward action? Your kids probably learn more from how you live than from what you try to teach them with your words, so be careful to set an example of integrity for them. Be careful that your speech and your actions are consistent with each other and that both consistently teach the values you want your kids to learn. Even if you think no one’s looking, your kids are—and they’re deciding how they’ll act when no one’s looking based on your actions.

 

 

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