August 13

This Week's Ministry Focus is Alpha Ministries

Toddler

• God Gave Children
• God loves families.
• Genesis 4:1, 2, 25, 26
• Gen. 1:27

PreK/ K

• Jephthah Sincerely Believed God
• God wants us to serve Him with all our hearts.
• Judges 11:1 – 33
• 1 Sam 12:20

2^nd-3^rd SS

• Micah’s Religious Feeling
• God wants us to worship and serve Him according to the truth.
• Judges 17
• John 4:23

4^th–5^th SS

• Serve God Sincerely
• God requires sincerity in our service for Him.
• Judges 10:1 – 12:7

1^st–5^th  CC

• Writing on the Wall
• God hates pride but honors humility.
• Daniel 5
• Ezra 3:11

In class, we talked about the

August 6

This week's Ministry Focus is Alpha Ministries

Check back on Sunday for Theology Matters notes on the Church for families to use during family devotional times.

Toddler

• God Forgave Adam and Eve
• God forgives us for our sin.
• Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-24
• 1 John 1:9

PreK/ K

• Gideon Trusted God
• God deserves the glory for all we do.
• Judgers 7, 8:10-12
• Ps. 28:7

2^nd-3^rd SS

• Samson’s Final Victory
• God expects us to humbly submit to His truth.
• Judges 16
• Prov. 4:26, 27

4^th–5^th SS

• Serve God Selflessly
• God rewards us for serving him selflessly.
• Judges 9

1^st–5^th  CC.

• Daniel & His Friends Face Trouble
• God helps us be devoted to Him even when it’s hard.
• Daniel 1 – 3
• Ezra 3:11

In this week's class, we connected 3 words with each of the chapters covered.

• Chapter 1 - Integrity - Being who you say you are and this is shown by honoring God when no one is looking.
• Chapter 2 - Wisdom - Factual knowledge, situational insight (we talked about what this means).
• Chapter 3 - Courage - Trusting God fully in any situation and this is shown by OBEDIENCE even when others and my own desires say otherwise.  It is NOT a lack of fear.

July 30

This week's missionaries are the Mayo's

THEOLOGY MATTERS question is "What is salvation?"

The Bible focus is going to be John 3:1-15.

An illustration we are going to use is different water glasses.

In the midst of different situations, you may think of yourself as a glass-half-full (positive/optimistic) or a glass-half-empty (negative/pessimistic) type of person.

Children of God need to approach life with two full glasses in mind.  
The first full glass is filled with God's wrath.  Each of us are born sinners.  Because of this, we sin.  Our sin nature and sin actions bring the full wrath of God on each of us.
However, Jesus died on the cross so that the sins of those who repent of their sin and trust in Jesus have their sin taken away.  If that was the end of salvation, God's wrath removed, that would be great.  But salvation is so much more.  Picture salvation as the removal of God's wrath and the being filled to overflowing with Christ's righteousness.  What an amazing gift!    Source Unknown

Take opportunities throughout the day to celebrate Jesus Christ and the salvation we have in him. 

Toddler Children's Church

• God Gave Adam Work
• God has work for us to do.
• Genesis 2:15 – 20
• 1 Thess 4:11

PreK/ K

• Gideon Tested God
• God patiently helps us trust him
• Judges 6
• Ps. 28:7

1^st–5^th  CC

• Josiah to the Fall of Judah
• God warns us of sin with patience and compassion.
• 2 Chron 34:1 – 36:21
• 2 Chron 36:15,16

july 23

This Week's Missionaries are the Mayo

Theology Matters Combined Sunday School Class

"Who is Jesus?"

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt/Prayer Guide

Toddler Children's Church Lesson:

• God Made all of creation
• God made everything perfect.
• Genesis 1:31 – 2:3
• Gen 2:1

PreK/ K Children's Church Lesson:

• Deborah Courageously Followed God
• God gives us the courage to obey him.
• Judges 4:1-16
• Ps. 31:24

1^st–5^th  Children's Church Lesson:

• Kings Joash and Hezekiah
• God honors those who obey Him.
• 2 Chron 23; 24; 29-32
• 2 Chron 36:15,16

July 16

This Sunday (July 16) is a KIDZ in Church Sunday for the 1st through 5th graders.
A kid's note sheet will be available Sunday morning (HINT:  read Psalm 42 and think about key words or how you might draw/sketch some of the images from the psalm)

KIDZ in church tips are available at tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/p/kidz-in-service.html.
Helpful tip for tomorrow:  Read Psalm 42 with your child.

The Sunday School "Theology Matters" Lesson for the children and adults is "What is Sin?" and the sermon is "An Old Hope" from Psalm 42. 

Last week we addressed the question, "Who is Man?"

With the parents and kids, we talked about the relationships between God & man, man & man, and man & creation.

Part of the answer to the "What is Sin?" question this week is the brokenness of EACH of these relationships, as evidenced from Genesis 3 through today.

And this is a BIG PROBLEM.  

To help families with children prepare for Sunday, here are a couple of questions to talk to your children about and passages of scriptures to read with your children.

Passages to Read

• Genesis 3
• Psalm 42
• Romans 8

Questions:

• What is sin? (nature and behavior)
• Why is true, Biblical, eternal hope so important? (because sin is a bigger problem than we understand it to be)
• Where should our hope be and why?

Additional talking points.

One way to think about sin using the diagram above is to put anything else (me, others, the rest of creation) in the place of God.  We may not say it but are we living like me, others, or the rest of creation are more important than God?

From Before You Share Your Faith:
Sin is such a big problem because it is
more about relationship than behavior 

more vertical than horizontal  (see Psalm 51:3-4)

The jumping illustration with River was to show that there is a "catastrophic chasm" between us and God.

Toddler's Children's Church

• God Made People
• God made man & woman to be together.
• Gen 1:26-31; 2:7-15, 18-25
• Gen 1:27

PreK/ K

• Israel Fought along with God
• God answers our prayers.
• Josh. 10:1-15
• Ps. 66:19

July 9

This Week's Missionary Family is the Nielsen family.

COMBINED SUNDAY SCHOOL

Toddlers through 5th grade

THEOLOGY MATTERS Family Info

Who is Man?

Basic questions

• Who is man?
• Who is man in relationship to God?  Because of this, how should we live?
• Who is man in relationship to others?  Because of this, how should we treat others?
• Who is man in relationship to the rest of creation?  Because of this, how should we treat creation?

CHILDREN'S CHURCH

Toddlers

• God Made Animals
• God made wonderful animals.
• Genesis 1:24, 25
• John 1:3

PreK/ K

• Israel Forgot to Pray
• God wants us to pray to Him.
• Josh. 9
• 1 Thess. 5:17

2^nd-3^rd SS

• Jephthah Led Israel Sincerely
• God wants us to serve Him sincerely.
• Judges 10:6 – 11:40
• Josh 24:14

4^th–5^th SS

• Serve God Faithfully
• God gives us all we need to complete His will for our lives.
• Josh 23; 24

1^st–5^th  CC

• The Fall of Israel
• God takes rebellion against Him seriously.
• 2 Kings 17
• 2 Chron 36:15,16

May 11

This post includes:

1.  This Week's Missionaries
2.  THEOLOGY MATTERS for Kids ideas
3.  Sunday Morning Info

1.  This week's Missionaries are the Pools.

2.  THEOLOGY MATTERS for Kids

What is the Bible?

A very basic, very important lesson you can begin teaching even the youngest kids is "The Bible is God's Word."   

The picture that was sent on Sunday and below has statements and symbols showing what the Bible does.  

• Cover the words and show the symbol or draw the symbol 

• Ask “What is the symbol?” and “What does it say about the Bible?”

Each lesson in the children’s classes is from the Bible.  Read the Bible passage from your child’s lesson

 It is important to remind your family

what the Bible is (Repeat the "The Bible is God's Word" while showing your Bible; do activities with blindfolds, dark rooms, and flashlights - seeing clear

why it is important (Remind your child the importance of knowing God and we learn more and more about him from the Bible - blurry pictures or incomplete puzzle; Review 1 Timothy 3:16, 17)

how to study (popsicle sticks with the books of the Bible to learn the order;  the book Bible Reading with Your Kids is very helpful)

REMEMBER in July kids and parents are together during class.

Parents of 1st through 5th graders, today's lesson on Elijah was tweaked to reflect the various prayer needs in our church today.  The passage and other info are at the end of this post.  The BIG IDEA was "God wants us to rely on Him."  We specifically took time to talk about relying on God by praying Biblical prayers.

Check back tomorrow for a post on praying the Bible with your kids.  

A great way to connect with your children and children in your neighborhood is by bringing them and inviting them to Vacation Bible School. 

  

 

3.  Sunday Morning Lessons

Toddler

• God Made Sky & Land
• God created land for us to live on.
• Genesis 1:6-10
• Genesis 2:4

PreK/ K

• Israel Stepped Out in Faith
• God helps us as we obey him.
• Josh. 3, 4
• Josh 1:9

2^nd-3^rd SS

• God Prodded Israel
• God is always faithful because He is sovereign over all.
• Judges 3:7 – 31
• Psalm 119:90

4^th–5^th SS

• Serve God Powerfully
• God unleashes His power as we serve Him by faith.
• Josh 5:13 – 6:27

1^st–5^th  CC

• Elijah on Mount Carmel
• God wants us to rely on Him
• 1 Kings 18:1 – 19:18
• 1 Kings 18:37-39

June 4

Missionary – The Phillips

THEOLOGY MATTERS for Kids:

BIG QUESTION:  Why is it important to learn more about God and His Word?

Bible Passage to Think About:  Psalm 78:4b-7 -  As your parents, we want you trust and hope in God.  Studying the Bible, praying, and worshipping with others builds our hope and yours.

Some conversation starters:  

• Ask 
• "What are some important things to remember?"  You can make it specific.  "What are some important things to remember in our house, in a game or sport, at school?"  
•  "Why are those things important?"
• "Why is it important the know God and the truths about him?"  Before asking this question, you can do the ABC activity.  The two articles below give some good reasons for children to study theology.
• "God is..." ABC's.  As a family, use each letter of the alphabet to talk about who God is.  Write them down where you can see them and be reminded of God.  Depending on the age and ability of the children, talk about how certain attributes should impact the way we live.  
• Ask your children, what they have been learning about God and what they know about God.  Don't just ask this question this week. Ask this question after church each Sunday.  Too often, the only question kids are asked after church is "Did you have fun?"  What is that teaching them about the church and the study of God and the Bible?

Some articles:

• Why Kids Can and Should Learn Theology
• Why Children Should Study Systematic Theology

Toddler

• God Made Day & Night
• God created light for us to see.
• Genesis 1:1-5
• Gen 2:4

PreK/ K

• Israel Found a Friend
• God is true and worthy of our faith.
• Joshua 1, 2
• Josh 2:11

2^nd-3^rd SS

• Israel’s Report Card
• God is always faithful even when we fail to live by faith.
• Judges 1:1 – 3:6
• Psalm 33:4

4^th–5^th SS

• Serve God Expectantly
• God wants us to serve Him expectantly because He is awesome
• Joshua 1-4

1^st–5^th  CC

• God Cares for Elijah
• God is the all-powerful giver of life.
• 1 Kings 16:28-17:24
• 1 King 18:37-39