Little Ones »

Crossing Kids: Sunday, May 19, 2013

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

May 192013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Jesus uses His followers to tell others about His love.

The best solution payday loans

Memory Verse: “Go make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19

Bible Story Focus: Paul and Silas in jail

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear the story of Paul and Silas in jail. They will learn that Paul and Silas trusted God when they were in prison and because of this, God rescued them. God wanted Paul and Silas to share His love with others, including the jailer that became a follower of Jesus.

Songs

“Wherever, Whatever” from I Count on You CD

“My God is So Big” from One Big Gulp

Pre-School

Monthly Image: Trumpet

Big Idea: Jesus uses His followers to tell others about His love.

Memory Verse: “Go make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19

Bible Story Focus: Paul Discovers a Statue | Acts 17:16-34

Lesson Overview:

Paul tells the people of Athens of the Forever King. In this lesson, kids will hear of Paul’s travels to Athens, a city that worshipped statues and made Paul very sad. Kids will hear of Paul’s courage to stand up in front of a large counsel of people and tell them about the Forever King. Kids will hear that many people became believers that day. Jesus wants us to share Jesus with others; He uses His people to bring others close to Him.

Songs

“Shout” from Little Praise Party

“We Can Praise Jesus” from I Count on You CD

Activities
At all services, children will be “finding Paul” and helping put him on the map where he traveled in the lesson for the week. At the 8:00 and 11:00 kids will be making megaphones with the memory verse to remind themselves to proclaim the good news of Jesus, just like Paul did. At 9:30 children will be making “Tell It” bracelets they can wear to tell others about Jesus, just like Paul did.

Kindergarten-4th Grade

Unit: Judges

Unit Key Passage: Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. Judges 2:18

Unit Christ Connection: God used the judges to deliver His people from their enemies; Christ delivers people from the greatest enemy, Satan.

Bible Passage: Judges 6-8

Big Picture Question: How should we respond to God’s calling? We should obey God and trust Him to help us.

Follow Up Questions:

• What did the Angel of the LORD as Gideon to do? (Destroy the idols of his father and build an altar to God instead—Judges 6:25-26)

• What material did Gideon ask God to use to prove He would be with them against the Midianites? (Fleece—Judges 6:36-40)

5th Grade

Grapple Question: Why Aren’t Other Religions OK?

Kids Learn: Jesus Is the Only Way

Dig Into the Bible: Matthew 7:13-23; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 John 5:1-12

With hundreds of different religions in the world (not to mention all the different denominations and beliefs there are even among Christians!), sometimes we forget the main foundation of our faith: Having a relationship with Jesus is the only way to salvation.

It’s important to know about other religions so we can discuss our beliefs intelligently. With your preteen, write down five questions you have about other religions. Then together type “compare religions” into an Internet search engine, and find a site that answers some of the questions you have.

Crossing Kids: Sunday, May 5, 2013

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

May 062013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Jesus uses His followers to tell others about His love.

Memory Verse: “Go make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19

Bible Story Focus: Paul and Silas in jail

Lesson Overview:

Songs

“Wherever, Whatever” from I Count on You CD

“My God is So Big” from One Big Gulp

Preschool

Monthly Image: Trumpet

Big Idea: Jesus uses His followers to tell others about His love.

Memory Verse: “Go make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19

Bible Story Focus: Saul/Paul and Barnabas Go Out | Acts 13-14

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will take a close look at the travels of Paul and Barnabas to Cypress and then to Pisidian Antioch to share with others about Jesus. Kids will hear Paul’s message to the people of Pisidian explaining how Jesus came through the line of David (Acts 13:22-23). They will learn that the Forever King, even after His resurrection can still change lives.

Songs

“Shout” from Little Praise Party

“We Can Praise Jesus” from I Count on You CD

Kindergarten-4th Grade

Rotation Topic: Forever Home with Our Forever King

Key Concept: Those who trust in Jesus as their Forever King will one day live with Him in their Forever Home.

Objectives: After participating in the workshop unit on Revelation 21, children will understand:

- God always keeps his promises: God kept his big promise to David to send a Forever King (2 Sam 7) when He sent Jesus as our Savior. Therefore, we can trust God’s promise of our Forever Home (2 Sam 7; Rev 21:5, John 14:1-3) for those who trust in Him, too.

- We will be happiest when we live forever with Jesus: The greatest thing about our Forever Home is that we will finally be with our Forever King. We will be truly satisfied then. (Rev 21:3-4, 6-7; Psalm 27:4)

- When Jesus returns, our world will be made new:When we are in our Forever Home with our Forever King, everything that is broken in our world will be fixed— no sin, no tears, no death, no sadness, no sickness, no pain, etc. (Rev. 21:1, 4-5)

- Our Forever Home is better than we can ever imagine: We only have a small glimpse of what heaven will be like; it is more amazing than we can ever imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9; Rev. 21:10-27; Psalm 27:4)

- Heaven is for those who trust in Jesus as their Forever King. We cannot earn our way into heaven by “being good.” We must trust that Jesus paid for our sins by dying on the cross for us. He is the one who saves us!

Memory Verse:

Psalm 27:4 (NIrV):

⁴ I’m asking the Lord for only one thing.
Here is what I want.
I want to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
I want to look at the beauty of the Lord.
I want to worship him in his temple.

Unit Overview: God’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:11-16 was indestructible. Sin, death, and time didn’t stop it. God sent our Forever King to us as a man named Jesus, our Savior. But, the promise doesn’t stop there. King Jesus will come again in all this glory and bring his kingdom forever when he returns (Revelation 21). Children will learn in this unit how God will keep his big promise to David and us ultimately when we are with our Forever King in our Forever Home. They will also learn that we will be happiest and all things made right when we are with him forever in heaven. That is what we are made for and can look forward to!

Workshop Descriptions

Workshop #1: Something Beautiful

We will explore the idea of what the “new heaven and new earth” will be like and why we can look forward to it, like King David did. To do this, we will:

· play a game called “Trash Game”

· read and discuss Something Beautiful

· discuss Revelation 21 in small groups

· have children decorate a bookmark that has our memory verse on it

Workshop #2: Who Will Be Your King?

Children will learn that our Forever Home is for those who make Jesus their King. We will explore this idea by:

· Sharing a gospel diagram called “Who Will Be Your King?”

· Playing a game called “Lay Down Your Crown”

· Reviewing the “Who Will Be Your King?” presentation through a small group activity

· Sending kids home with a booklet called “Who Will Be Your King?”

Workshop #3: Create a “Forever Home” Castle

We will ask and try to answer the question “Why is heaven better than where we are?” To do this, we will:

· Review our memory verse.

· Read and discuss Revelation 21 in small groups.

· Each child will create a Forever Home castle that describes what heaven will be like.

Workshop 4: Forever Home Celebration

We will celebrate our Forever King and his promise of a Forever Home. To do this, we will:

· Review our memory verse and motions

· Watch “A Dream of Heaven” video from The Jesus Storybook Bible

· Have a banquet together at tables while listening toHome and discussing questions about heaven.

· Play a party game with balloons

Workshop #5: Forever King Timeline

Children will discover how God’s promise to David to send a king who will reign forever on his throne is fulfilled in the birth of and ultimately in the return of Jesus. To do this, we will:

· Review the memory verse and do motions.

· Play a game called “Birthday Line-Up” that helps kids learn what a timeline is.

· Discuss how the three main parts of the Forever King Story we have talked about this year fit into The Big God Story timeline on the wall (the promise to King David 2 Samuel 7, the birth of Jesus in Luke 2, and the return of Jesus in Revelation 21).

· Review the big Forever King story and have kids create their own timeline in small groups.

Music:

Big House - Audio Adrenaline

Home - Forever/Home CD

A Place for You - Forever Home CD

5th Grade

Grapple Question:

Why Is Church So Long?

Kids Learn: Church Practices

Dig Into the Bible: Psalm 100:1-3; Luke 22:19-20; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Timothy 2:8, 4:13

Do your kids complain about how much time you spend at church each week? Do this object lesson as a family to remind everyone of the importance of spending time with God each week.

Measure and cut a rope or string to make it 168 inches long (that’s how many hours are in a week). Then attach a 1-inch piece of masking tape to the string (one hour is the aver- age length of a church service). Stretch the string out so your family can see it. Then read Psalm 150 as a family. Spending time at church is just one small opportunity to worship God. Talk about how you could spend the other 167 hours a week praising him!

Crossing Kids: Sunday, April 21, 2013

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

Apr 212013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Our Forever King changes us.

Memory Verse: We are being changed to be more like Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Bible Story Focus: Paul’s Conversion

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear the conversion of Paul, understanding that Jesus changes us. Paul hated Christians until Jesus changed his heart, then he wanted to tell everyone about Jesus.

Songs:

I Like To - One, Big Gulp CD
I Wanna Be Like Jesus - Reach Up High

Preschool

Monthly Image: Scepter

Big Idea: Jesus, our Forever King, changes us to be more like Him.

Memory Verse: “We are being changed to become more like Him.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Bible Story Focus: Paul’s Conversion, part two | Acts 9:10-19

I Wonder Questions

I wonder… Who did Jesus ask to go see Saul?

* Jesus asked Saul to see Ananias.

I wonder… What happened when Ananias touched Saul?

* Scales fell off his eyes and he could see again.

I wonder… Did Saul hurt Ananias?

*No, Jesus changed him and he was baptized and loved Jesus instead.

Songs

You Alone Can Rescue - Matt Redman

Good, Good Friend - I Count On You CD

Activities
This week children at 8:00 and 11:00 children will see the transformation of tarnished pennies and connect it to Paul’s transformation by Jesus. They will also create blind drawings to remind them of Paul’s blindness in his conversion. At 9:30, children will get to see carnations transformed by food coloring and will make light switch covers to remind themselves of Jesus’ changing power.

Kindergarten-4th Grade

Rotation Topic: Forever Home with Our Forever King

Key Concept: Those who trust in Jesus as their Forever King will one day live with Him in their Forever Home.

Objectives: After participating in the workshop unit on Revelation 21, children will understand:

Memory Verse:

Psalm 27:4 (NIrV):

Workshop Descriptions

Workshop #1: Something Beautiful

We will explore the idea of what the “new heaven and new earth” will be like and why we can look forward to it, like King David did. To do this, we will:

· play a game called “Trash Game”

· read and discuss Something Beautiful

· discuss Revelation 21 in small groups

· have children decorate a bookmark that has our memory verse on it

Workshop #2: Who Will Be Your King?

Children will learn that our Forever Home is for those who make Jesus their King. We will explore this idea by:

· Sharing a gospel diagram called “Who Will Be Your King?”

· Playing a game called “Lay Down Your Crown”

· Reviewing the “Who Will Be Your King?” presentation through a small group activity

· Sending kids home with a booklet called “Who Will Be Your King?”

Workshop #3: Create a “Forever Home” Castle

We will ask and try to answer the question “Why is heaven better than where we are?” To do this, we will:

· Review our memory verse.

· Read and discuss Revelation 21 in small groups.

· Each child will create a Forever Home castle that describes what heaven will be like.

Workshop 4: Forever Home Celebration

We will celebrate our Forever King and his promise of a Forever Home. To do this, we will:

· Review our memory verse and motions

· Watch “A Dream of Heaven” video from The Jesus Storybook Bible

· Have a banquet together at tables while listening toHome and discussing questions about heaven.

· Play a party game with balloons

Workshop #5: Forever King Timeline

Children will discover how God’s promise to David to send a king who will reign forever on his throne is fulfilled in the birth of and ultimately in the return of Jesus. To do this, we will:

· Review the memory verse and do motions.

· Play a game called “Birthday Line-Up” that helps kids learn what a timeline is.

· Review the big Forever King story and have kids create their own timeline in small groups.

Music:

Big House - Audio Adrenaline

Home - Forever/Home CD

A Place for You - Forever Home CD

5th Grade

Grapple Question: Why Are There So Many Churches?? Kids Learn: The Church Is the Body of Christ

Dig Into the Bible: John 17:20-23; Romans 16:16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 12:12-31

Many people focus on the differences between churches. But the real message Jesus gave us is that we are all one church. First Corinthians 1:10 says, “Live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

Talk to your family about ways to work together with people from other churches. May- be you will think of a few families in your neighborhood who go to different churches and invite them to your home for dinner. Remember that as Christians we need to work together as the body of Christ.

Crossing Kids: Sunday, April 14, 2013

5th Grade, Elementary, Family, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning 1 Response »

Apr 142013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Our Forever King changes us.

Memory Verse: We are being changed to be more like Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Bible Story Focus: Paul’s Conversion

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear the conversion of Paul, understanding that Jesus changes us. Paul hated Christians until Jesus changed his heart, then he wanted to tell everyone about Jesus.

Songs:

I Like To - One, Big Gulp CD
I Wanna Be Like Jesus - Reach Up High

Preschool

Monthly Image: Scepter

Big Idea: Jesus, our Forever King, changes us to be more like Him.

Memory Verse: “We are being changed to become more like Him.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Bible Story Focus: Paul’s Conversion, part one | Acts 9:1-9

I Wonder Questions

I wonder… Who was Saul being mean to?

* Christians – people who believe in Jesus

I wonder… Who spoke to Saul outside of Damascus?

* Jesus did

I wonder… What happened to Saul after Jesus told him to go to Damascus?

*He became blind, and did not eat or drink for three days

Songs

You Alone Can Rescue - Matt Redman

Good, Good Friend - I Count On You CD

Activities
This week our activities are a bit messy! At 8:00 and 11:00 we’ll be playing pin the tail on the donkey to talk about how Paul was blinded during his conversion and making slime while we talk about how God changes us just like he changed Paul. At 9:30 we’ll be playing a mystery object game to talk about how Paul was blinded by Jesus and then we’ll be doing a color changing game to talk about how God changes us just like he changed Paul.Kindergarten-4th Grade

Rotation Topic: Forever Home with Our Forever King

Key Concept: Those who trust in Jesus as their Forever King will one day live with Him in their Forever Home.

Objectives: After participating in the workshop unit on Revelation 21, children will understand:

Memory Verse:

Psalm 27:4 (NIrV):

Unit Overview: God’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:11-16 was indestructible. Sin, death, and time didn’t stop it. God sent our Forever King to us as a man named Jesus, our Savior. But, the promise doesn’t stop there. King Jesus will come again in all this glory and bring his kingdom forever when he returns (Revelation 21). Children will learn in this unit how God will keep his big promise to David and us ultimately when we are with our Forever King in our Forever Home. They will also learn that we will be happiest and all things made right when we are with him forever in heaven. That is what we are made for and can look forward to!

Workshop Descriptions

Workshop #1: Something Beautiful

We will explore the idea of what the “new heaven and new earth” will be like and why we can look forward to it, like King David did. To do this, we will:

· play a game called “Trash Game”

· read and discuss Something Beautiful

· discuss Revelation 21 in small groups

· have children decorate a bookmark that has our memory verse on it

Workshop #2: Who Will Be Your King?

Children will learn that our Forever Home is for those who make Jesus their King. We will explore this idea by:

· Sharing a gospel diagram called “Who Will Be Your King?”

· Playing a game called “Lay Down Your Crown”

· Reviewing the “Who Will Be Your King?” presentation through a small group activity

· Sending kids home with a booklet called “Who Will Be Your King?”

Workshop #3: Create a “Forever Home” Castle

We will ask and try to answer the question “Why is heaven better than where we are?” To do this, we will:

· Review our memory verse.

· Read and discuss Revelation 21 in small groups.

· Each child will create a Forever Home castle that describes what heaven will be like.

Workshop 4: Forever Home Celebration

We will celebrate our Forever King and his promise of a Forever Home. To do this, we will:

· Review our memory verse and motions

· Watch “A Dream of Heaven” video from The Jesus Storybook Bible

· Have a banquet together at tables while listening toHome and discussing questions about heaven.

· Play a party game with balloons

Workshop #5: Forever King Timeline

Children will discover how God’s promise to David to send a king who will reign forever on his throne is fulfilled in the birth of and ultimately in the return of Jesus. To do this, we will:

· Review the memory verse and do motions.

· Play a game called “Birthday Line-Up” that helps kids learn what a timeline is.

· Review the big Forever King story and have kids create their own timeline in small groups.

Music:

Big House - Audio Adrenaline

Home - Forever/Home CD

A Place for You - Forever Home CD

5th Grade

Grapple Question: Why Do I Have to Go?

Kids Learn: Encountering God in Community

Dig Into the Bible: Luke 4:14-16; Colossians 1:18-20; Hebrews 10:23-25

Have you ever had this happen to you on a Sunday morning? As you’re struggling to get the kids up and out of the house, your preteen asks the inevitable question: “Why do we even have to go to church?” And you respond with your most respectful and understanding tone of voice, “Because I said so!”

Think about why it’s important to you that your kids go to church. Is it because you want them to hang out with their friends, so your neighbors will see you going to church as a family, or because you hope your kids will listen to their Sunday school teachers even if they won’t listen to you? Or is it because you realize that some of the most powerful life-changing moments happen in the midst of other Christians, while listening to a friend share about a tough situation, for example, or worshipping in a large group? Find a quiet time (not on your way out the door to church!) to talk to your preteen about the importance of experiencing God in community. It’s all about growing in relationship with God and others.

Crossing Kids: Easter Sunday 2013

5th Grade, Easter, Elementary, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Sunday Morning No Responses »

Mar 312013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Jesus is Alive!

Monthly Symbol: Cross

Memory Verse: “Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8b

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ death and Resurrection

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear of Jesus’ death on a cross and resurrection from the dead. They will learn that Jesus died for those He loves and raised again so that we too may have life with God.

Preschool

Monthly Image: Cross

Big Idea: Jesus is Alive! Our Forever King died and rose from the dead.

Memory Verse: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection | Matthew 27:31-28:10

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear of Jesus’ death on a cross and resurrection from the dead. They will learn that Jesus died for those He loves and raised again so that we too may have life with God. Jesus now sits on a throne in Heaven, as our Forever King, where we will one day be with Him, worshipping Him for eternity.

Songs: “Good, Good Friend” and “You Alone Can Rescue”Activities At 8:00 and 11:00 preschoolers will be opening Easter eggs to find the empty contents, just like the tomb. They’ll also be making sticker scenes of the empty tomb. At 9:30, children will be doing scratch off tomb scenes and cross sticker scenes.

I Wonder Questions

I wonder…how did Jesus die?

*Crucifixion/ On the Cross.

I wonder…how many days was it until Jesus was resurrected?

*Three

I wonder…Who was the first to see Jesus?

*Mary Magdalene.

Elementary

Memory Verse: But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Key Concept: Christ died to save sinners like you and me.

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 26

Ways to Follow Up: Use our Family Easter devotional to guide your family in a time of preparation or read the Gospel accounts of Holy Week together as a family.

Easy Way to Help the Homeless with Your Kids {Guest Post}

Elementary, Family, Little Ones, Parents, Preschool, Uncategorized 2 Responses »

Mar 232013

I don’t know about you, but I never quite know what to do when I see a homeless person at an intersection. I usually avert my eyes and feel slightly guilty (and partly skeptical) if I’m honest. That’s why I love this post by my friend, Polly. And, I can’t wait to do this simple project with my kids.

The following guest post is by Polly…

I once had coffee with a homeless man.

It wasn’t planned or anything. It just happened when he sat uncomfortably close to me at a Starbucks in Chicago. Here I was sitting in Starbucks with my caramel mocha, Bible open having a quiet time, belly full from breakfast and blatantly ignoring the homeless man right next to me. After a mental battle of how to respond to his invasion of my bubble, I figured Jesus wouldn’t ignore this man so I shouldn’t either. I looked up, asked him his name, and started talking to him.

Two hours later we parted ways. I left that conversation with an entirely new perspective of the homeless. This was years ago but two things have really stuck with me:

1) One of the hardest things about being homeless and on the streets is not being acknowledged. As someone in need, it is worse when people simply ignore you and pretend you don’t exist rather than simply being blatantly rejected. He told me he’d rather someone make eye contact and reject his request for money or food than to simply pretend he doesn’t exist.

2) When I asked him what were the most helpful things someone could GIVE him he told me: 1) A night in a hotel. It gives a person a chance to shower, shave, sleep in a bed, and feel like a human. 2) Water and socks. Water made sense to me but socks? When I asked him to explain he told me how a lot of his time is spent walking. If he doesn’t have socks or they are worn down too thin, he would get blisters quickly. Not good for a person dependent on walking with no first aid kit.

Fast forward five years.

I am driving my warm minivan away from the mall on a very cold evening. I pull up to a stoplight and find myself practically face to face with a cold man standing on the corner with a sad sign asking for food. My mind is driven back to my morning with my homeless friend, and I am struck at what little I have actually done since that conversation.

I’m fully aware that I can’t fix the problem of homelessness, but I shouldn’t allow the feeling of helplessness to keep me from doing something, anything for the people I come in contact with.

This is where the idea hits me: what if I were to always keep a bag of goodies in my car specifically ready to hand out to homeless?

So, instead of just thinking about the idea and talking about it, I DID it.

I went to the dollar store and $30 later, I had enough stuff to make six goodie bags for the homeless. You can be sure the bag includes socks and water too

Here is what I stashed this round of bags with:

helping the homeless items

A bottle of water
A pair of socks
Trail Mix
A toothbrush
Toothpaste
Ibuprofen
Kleenex

I made up six bags of these items and put three in my car and three in my husband’s car. One is currently underneath my seat so I can easily grab it while driving. The other two are in the back of my car so I can easily re-stash when necessary.

If you have kids, this could be an awesome way to teach about caring for the poor and thinking about what their needs may be. It would also be fun to involve them in stuffing the bags and giving them away. My daughter is too young for this right now, but I hope we are still giving our On-the-Go bags away when she’s old enough to comprehend what we are doing.

I’ve had these bags in my car for a few weeks now and had the opportunity to give one away the other day. I hope and pray it helped him in some way. If anything it communicated, “I see you. I care for you,” which according to my Starbucks friend, is one of the best things we can do for the homeless.

Family Easter Celebration 2013

5th Grade, Devotional, Easter, Elementary, Event, Family, Lent, Little Ones, Music, Parents, Preschool, Uncategorized No Responses »

Mar 222013

Last Monday evening, hundreds of Crossing Kids and their families gathered to prepare for Easter and worship our Savior with Jason Houser from Seeds Family Worship. As you can tell, young and old had a great time singing and dancing in the auditorium.

After our time of praise and worship, families moved to classrooms where they created their own Resurrection Gardens to help them prepare for Easter at home.

If you weren’t able to join us, be sure to pick up an extra copy of the garden materials along with our Family Easter devotional and free Seeds of Easter CD near the Crossing Kids registration area on Sunday.

Strategies for Separation Anxiety

Little Ones, Parents, Preschool No Responses »

Mar 212013

It happens every day in Crossing Kids: a mama or dad hands a kiddo over our door and they sob inconsolably. I’m not a parent yet, but I know this is a tricky and trying situation for any family facing it. So today, at the recommendation of some mama friends, I thought I’d pass on some ideas for handling separation anxiety. So, here are 5 tips for dropping off little ones in Crossing Kids:

1. Be Consistent

*We all know kids thrive on routine. One of the best indicators as to whether a kid will struggle is if they aren’t used to church. Even the most easygoing toddler gets thrown off when life isn’t like they expect it to be. So if at all possible, come to church every week. Even better: come to the same service. They’ll be used to the time and, even more importantly, the volunteers. Once Crossing Kids becomes a regular part of their routine, they’ll be more likely to settle in quickly.

2. Give the Volunteer Every Tip They Can Get

*If your child has a lovey, passie, or special pair of PJs in their bag, let their volunteer know. Sometimes a comforting item can make all the difference. We’ve had kids who wear their backpack the whole hour or refuse to take off their knight’s helmet. Totally fine with us! It’s much easier for us if we know what to try. Other hints include telling us if Lula loves snack or singing or if she really only calms down when facing out. Does she like to settle down on her own or will a stroller ride with a volunteer do the trick? Letting your volunteers know will make everyone more at ease.

3. Set a Specific Time to Call

*Each child and each family is different. Some parents are ok with children crying it out for a service and others only want to give a small window of time. We’ll take your cues on this one, so if you want to make sure you get called at a specific time, give a time at drop off. For instance, if you want Ben to have ten minutes to try to settle down and you drop him off at 9:26, tell that volunteer to check at 9:36 and call if he’s still crying. The majority of the time, Ben is perfectly settled at 9:27. But if he isn’t, giving a specific time to the volunteers will take the guesswork out of contacting you. And please remember to keep your phone out so if we do call, you see it right away.

4. Walk Away

*Sometimes it’s harder for mom than it is for their kiddo. Many times. So even though it would be ideal to stay and watch and make sure he calms down and plays the game with everyone else, it’s not the best idea. Often, your child won’t settle if they know you’re watching. You’re only one door away from grabbing them back and they know it! So walk away instead and give a time to call. Or if you really want to check, let the supervising intern or staff member know you want to check on Sophie. They can make sure they’re not looking and you can pop your head around to see. It’s possible for your child to settle down and get all fired up again if they see you, so even though it’s tough, refrain yourself from standing right outside the door while your child works to calm down.

5. Know It’s Normal

*We know it’s not normal for you to see your kid cry as you walk away. But as volunteers in the classroom, it’s pretty normal to us. Like I said earlier, a day doesn’t go by that there isn’t at least one kiddo who puts on the sad face and lets those tears roll. Even if your child has been happy-go-lucky in their classroom for weeks (or years) it’s totally normal for a child to suddenly decide this “letting go of mama” thing isn’t so great after all. Sometimes getting back into the groove takes a week, sometimes a month. And sometimes kids go through season-long phases. In fact some kids roll through the settling-in process in each of their classrooms in early childhood, all the way up to fives. We’ve seen it all. So don’t worry about the volunteers. We want to take care of your child and we want you to be able to enjoy church. And if it’s necessary, we’ll call.

Sometimes, even after all of this, the only thing that works is time. It’s ok if that’s the case with your kiddo. We pray for your kids and specifically for those kids who struggle at drop off. I would encourage you to pray with your child about it, too. I served in the walkers room for years and I now see some three, four, and five year olds thriving that Mom and I really had to work through in the walkers room. Know that your child will eventually get used to things in Crossing Kids and will build the trust necessary to have a blast and learn about Jesus. One of my favorite things to witness is that first week when a kid who’s struggled and cried each day at drop off finally smiles and waves at mom and hops into class. So give it your best shot. We love your kids and look forward to partnering with you to help your kids get to know and love Jesus.

Crossing Kids: Sunday, March 17, 2013

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

Mar 172013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Jesus is Alive!

Monthly Symbol: Cross

Memory Verse: “Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8b

Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ death and Resurrection

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear of Jesus’ death on a cross and resurrection from the dead. They will learn that Jesus died for those He loves and raised again so that we too may have life with God.

Preschool

Monthly Image: Cross

Big Idea: Jesus is Alive! Our Forever King diead and rose from the dead.

Memory Verse: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Bible Story Focus: The Last Supper | Luke 22:1-23

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear of Jesus eating the last meal with His disciples. Kids will learn that we take communion as way to recognize what Jesus did for us by His death on a cross. Kids will learn that Jesus will reign in Heaven, as our Forever King.

Songs: “Good, Good Friend” and “You Alone Can Rescue”

Activities Our preschoolers will be playing a ring toss game with wine goblets and making crosses on hills at 8:00 and 11:00. At 9:30, children will be making stained glass windows to hang in the classroom and will be making a watercolor cross painting with the memory verse to take home.

I Wonder Questions

I wonder…who led the disciples to the place where they celebrated Passover?

*A man carrying a jar of water.

I wonder…what meal did Jesus share with his friends?

*The Last Supper.

I wonder…why do we take communion?
*To remember that Jesus died on the cross for us.

Kindergarten-4th Grade

Title of Unit: Prayer: Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace

Dates: February 17-March 17

Key Concept of Unit: We can have a relationship with God through prayer.

Unit Overview: David was a great sinner who understood he had a great Savior. The God David writes about in the Psalms is both personal and all powerful. He approached Him with honesty in every season of life—those filled with joy, those filled with pain, those filled with sin, those filled with blessing, and every where in between. By examining the Psalms, children will get a glimpse of what it means to approach their Forever King boldly through prayer.

Memory Verse for Unit: So let us boldly approach the throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:16

Objectives for Unit:

After participating in this unit, children will understand:

· Because of Jesus, we can have a relationship with God through prayer. We don’t have to be afraid to approach our Forever King. Instead, we can do so boldly.

· Jesus wants us to come to Him honestly in prayer. We don’t have to “fix ourselves” before we can come to Him. Instead, we can come to Him broken, messy, weary and needy.

· Our Forever King is both personal and all-powerful.

Workshop Descriptions

Family Dinner: In his book The Praying Life, Paul Miller writes, “When Jesus describes the intimacy he wants with us, he talks about joining us for dinner. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). A praying life feels like our family mealtimes because prayer is all about relationship.” In this workshop, children will participate in a family dinner and a set of prayer stations that allow them to experience this idea.

Messy: Children will create a mess using various objects and attempt to clean it up with a filthy rag to symbolize how our righteous acts are unable to cover over our sin. They will read Psalm 51 to see how David came to God with his sin and take some time to respond.

Memory Verse: Children will learn that through Jesus, we can approach God’s throne of grace confidently. After studying several passages about prayer, children will create scepters to remind them of this truth found in our memory verse.

Music: Students will learn that part of prayer is praising God for who He is and what He’s done. Children will listen and illustrate the song “The Lord Is” before selecting a Psalm to sing, dance, and/or act out as a way of praising God.

Thanksgiving Tree: Children will create a class “Thanksgiving Tree” as a way to praise and thank God for His past grace.

Ways to Follow Up:

· Listen to The Lord Is by: Sovereign Grace

· Spend time praying together as a family. You can pray aloud, through writing in a journal, using note cards, or even creating a tree of thanksgiving listing the many things you’re thankful for.

· Read Psalms together or p. 130-135 in The Jesus Storybook Bible.

· Practice the memory verse together.

· As parents, read The Praying Life by: Paul Miller. It will encourage you as you spend time with the Lord and pray for your children together.

Music

The Lord Is- by Sovereign Grace Music Psalms

Call to Me - by Seeds of Courage from Seeds Family Worship

Rise and Sing - JUMP CD

5th Grade

Grapple Question:

Is Being Liked What Matters?

Kids Learn:

Focusing on God’s Opinion

Dig Into the Bible:

Psalm 139:17-18; Matthew 10:29-32; John 5:16-18, 36-44; 2 Corinthians 10:12-18; Galatians 1:10

Fitting in—wanting to have the right clothes, watch the right movies, and hang out with the right people—is growing increasingly important to your preteen. And the media your child sees (magazines, TV shows, commercials, and movies) just reinforces this message of the need to be liked and accepted.

Take a minute with your son or daughter to thumb through some magazines targeted at preteens and teens (companies are starting to target these age groups together). Check out Teen People, Teen Vogue, J-14, or other magazines your preteen might subscribe to or be interested in. Count how many references to popularity or fitting in you can find. Then read Romans 12:2 together. Remind your child that fitting in with God’s plan is more important than being liked.

Crossing Kids: Sunday, March 10

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

Mar 102013

Little Ones

Big Idea: Jesus is Alive!

Monthly Symbol: Cross

Memory Verse: “Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8b

Bible Story Focus: The Triumphant Entry | Matthew 21:1-11

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, kids will hear of when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. They will learn that the people were asking for a special kind of King, but they didn’t understand that Jesus was a King that would die for them on a cross. Kids will hear that the same people that cheered for Him as He entered the city are the same people that crucified Him a week later.

Preschool

Monthly Image: Cross

Big Idea: Jesus is Alive! Our Forever King died and rose from the dead.

Memory Verse: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Bible Story Focus: Jesus washed His disciples feet | John 13:1-17

Songs: “Good, Good Friend” and “You Alone Can Rescue”

Activities:

8:00 and 11:00– musical foot washing (like musical chairs) and water sticker sheet

9:30– foot matching game and making a foot poster to remind us of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet

I Wonder Questions:

I wonder…what did Jesus do for His disciples?

*He washed their feet.

I wonder…why didn’t Peter want Jesus to wash his feet?

*He thought the job was too dirty for the Forever King.

I wonder…how has Jesus served you?

*He died on the cross for us.

Kindergarten-4th Grade

Title of Unit: Prayer: Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace

Dates: February 17-March 17

Key Concept of Unit: We can have a relationship with God through prayer.

Memory Verse for Unit: So let us boldly approach the throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:16

Objectives for Unit:

After participating in this unit, children will understand:

· Because of Jesus, we can have a relationship with God through prayer. We don’t have to be afraid to approach our Forever King. Instead, we can do so boldly.

· Jesus wants us to come to Him honestly in prayer. We don’t have to “fix ourselves” before we can come to Him. Instead, we can come to Him broken, messy, weary and needy.

· Our Forever King is both personal and all-powerful.

Workshop Descriptions

Thanksgiving Tree: Children will create a class “Thanksgiving Tree” as a way to praise and thank God for His past grace.

Ways to Follow Up:

· Listen to The Lord Is by: Sovereign Grace

· Spend time praying together as a family. You can pray aloud, through writing in a journal, using note cards, or even creating a tree of thanksgiving listing the many things you’re thankful for.

· Read Psalms together or p. 130-135 in The Jesus Storybook Bible.

· Practice the memory verse together.

· As parents, read The Praying Life by: Paul Miller. It will encourage you as you spend time with the Lord and pray for your children together.

Music

The Lord Is- by Sovereign Grace Music Psalms

Call to Me - by Seeds of Courage from Seeds Family Worship

Rise and Sing - JUMP CD

5th Grade

Grapple Question: If I’m Forgiven, What’s the Big Deal About Sin?

Kids Learn: Confessing Sin and Pursuing God

Dig Into the Bible: Psalm 32; 51; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:12-15

There are some sins that don’t seem to be a big deal—a little white lie here, a small ma- nipulation of the facts there. It doesn’t really hurt anyone, right?

But even one little sin can affect our relationships with God and others. Tell your son or daughter about a time something turned out to be a bigger deal than you expected— maybe you fudged a little on your résumé and your boss found out, or maybe you told a friend you liked her awful new shirt and she ended up buying you the same one for your birthday. Remind your child that even “little” sins can have an impact.

Older Entries