Say Hello!

Kids' Worship

Dec. 15, 2024

Bible Story
Jesus Is Born (Luke 2:1-7)

Monthly Memory Verse:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a few rounds of Christmas Bingo
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a round of “prize balloons” and put the nativity story in order (2nd service only)
  • We responded in worship with an optional nativity word search, Joy ornament, and baby Jesus paper plate craft.

Church to home connection:

Read Luke 2:6-7 Grab a piece of paper and pretend for a second that you are the king of a very large kingdom. What would your throne room, or royal playroom, look like? Draw it on the page. 

Do you have a nativity set at home? If so, hold up the picture you drew next to your nativity. Spot any differences? When Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, they couldn’t find a place stay, so they ended up rooming with animals. And it was there that Jesus, our Savior, was born. The surroundings were so humble that the King of all Kings wasn’t placed in a beautifully carved crib. Instead, this precious gift to the whole world was placed into a feeding box. 

Jesus didn’t come as a king to rule over us. Jesus came as one of us so that He could save us. Set the baby Jesus from your nativity on top of your drawing. Then spend a few minutes thanking God for loving you enough to send Jesus to save you.

Dec. 8, 2024

Bible Story
An Angel Appears to Mary and Joseph (Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25)

Monthly Memory Verse:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We ranked pretend “good news” headlines from best to worst.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a version of duck-duck-goose where the “angel” tapped you on the shoulder with good news.
  • We responded in worship with an optional coloring sheet, word search, and angel clothespin craft.

*Kids at the 10:30 services had a shortened version of these activities so that we could watch the baptism in the main church service.

Dec. 1, 2024

Bible Story
In the Beginning Was the Word (John 1:1-5, 14)

Monthly Memory Verse:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We talked about the liturgical calender and lit the first candle of Advent.
  • We voted on our favorite Christmas songs and created mini musical instruments.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a freeze game with our musical instruments and Christmas music: even though the music stops, God’s plan could not be stopped!
  • We responded in worship by creating a Christmas countdown chain, coloring “God’s greatest gift” picture, or doing an optional word search.

Nov. 24, 2024

Bible Story
Love in Action (1 John 3:16-18)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Every good and perfect gift is from God. (James 1:17a)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played “Mailbox Dash” and helped deliver all the gifts in time
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a “hot or cold” game and helped our friends find Jesus.
  • We responded in worship by making a thank you card, doing a coloring sheet, and a word search. 

Church to home connection:

Read John 15:5 Take a look at a tree outside. If you cut off the branches from that tree, would the leaves keep growing? Nope. To receive all the nutrients and water from the roots and soil that come up through the tree, the branches must be connected to the trunk. Jesus is like the vine, and we are the branches. We cannot “bear fruit” without staying connected to Him. How do we do that? By reading His Word to discover how Jesus treated others! While He was on earth, Jesus never had any wealth, but He still was willing to give everything away, even His life. Jesus showed us how to be generous.

Tree of Generosity Draw a picture of a big tree with lots of branches and leaves. Underneath the tree, write out the words of today’s verse. Pray and thank God for sending Jesus who showed us how to give.

Nov. 17, 2024

Bible Story
God Loves a Cheerful Giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) 

Monthly Memory Verse:
Every good and perfect gift is from God. (James 1:17a)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a “Pass it on” game with a lollipop.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played an “Air Mail” game where we tossed paper into a bucket, then tossed lollipops into a bucket.
  • We responded in worship with an optional “cheerful giver” wallet craft, and watercolor heart craft. 

Church to home connection:

Read Matthew 6:1 – 4 Do you ever do something nice and expect a pat on the back? Do you sometimes choose to be generous hoping that you’ll receive something in return? It’s natural to want other people to notice your generosity. But we must be careful not to “toot our own horns” and make recognition the REASON we choose generosity. God wants us to be generous because God has been generous to us! No one likes a braggy or boastful giver. Generosity is about giving something away to make someone else’s day. It should never be about getting something in return. And guess what? Even if NO one else sees what you do, God always does. God loves it when we choose to be generous and give with the right attitude.

Generosity Ninja - Here’s a little challenge for you! This week, choose one act of generosity every day to do in SECRET. Find ways to give generously without the other person knowing it was you!

Nov. 10, 2024

Bible Story
Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Every good and perfect gift is from God. (James 1:17a)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a pencil grab game.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a hug relay game.
  • We responded in worship with an optional maze, coloring page, and a “mail a hug” craft!

Church to home connection

Read Luke 6:38 - Ever feel like you don’t have that much to give? Or like what you have to offer won’t make a difference? The problem isn’t about what you do or don’t have to give. The problem might be with your thinking, because generosity doesn’t have anything to do with amounts. God cares more about the attitude we have when we give than about how much we give. God promises that our gifts will be multiplied when we choose to give with a cheerful heart.

Pressed-down Baking - Do you like to bake? Ask an adult to help you bake something to share with your friends and family. As you measure out the dry ingredients, like flour and sugar, make sure to press it down into the measuring cup to fill it all the way up. Read today’s verse together and then pray that God will help you give generously knowing that you always have something to give!

Nov. 3, 2024

Bible Story
God gives us good things. (James 1:17)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Every good and perfect gift is from God. (James 1:17a)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a bubble wrap challenge, and talked about how bubble wrap is used to send precious gifts.
  • We looked at a picture to “find the gift.”
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played mail tag.
  • We responded in worship by doing an optional color page, and making a gift box with God’s good gifts inside.


    October 27, 2024

Bible Story
At the End of the Day (Heaven) Revelation 21, 22:1-5

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up.” (Proverbs 17:22, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a game of telephone with one-sentence stories.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a Today/Tomorrow relay race and celebrated what God is doing in the present and what God will do in the future.
  • We responded in worship, by creating a “city of gold,” doing a maze, or creating a new Earth puzzle.

Church to home connection:

Read Psalm 145:7 (“Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.”) This verse is about celebrating the goodness of God and all that God has done. Take turns around the dinner table and share with each other something good God has done for you. Then, LOOK for ways to share God’s goodness with others!

October 20, 2024

Bible Story
Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up.” (Proverbs 17:22, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a “guess that feeling game.”
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a relay race with balloons where we put the parts of the story in order.
  • We responded in worship by choosing from these activities: making a Joy necklace, making a water into wine craft, doing a wordsearch, or a maze.

Church to home connection:

Read Galatians 5:22-23 Today’s verses aren’t about strawberries or bananas! When we trust Jesus as our Savior and His Spirit lives in us, the “fruit” we produce should look like the things listed in this verse, including JOY! Even when things don’t go our way. Real joy, the kind that comes from knowing God, means that even when we have bad days, we remember what Jesus has done for us. We can celebrate, even on the crummiest of days because Jesus came to make a way for us to have a relationship with God, now and forever.

Bananas of Joy - Do you have a banana or two in your kitchen? If so, grab a plastic knife and carve the word“JOY” into the peel along the side. Observe what happens over the course of a few hours. “JOY” should stand out more and more. As you eat your banana, thank God for sending Jesus to give us joy!

October 13, 2024

Bible Story
Feast of Booths (Deuteronomy 16:13-17)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up.”( Proverbs 17:22, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a matching game with holidays and food.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We made a timeline of people celebrating throughout the Bible
  • We responded in worship by creating our own party hat to remind us to make a habit of choosing joy.

Church to home connection:

The Israelites celebrated God every chance they got. Once they were out of the wilderness, they celebrated God, offering thanks for being rescued once again.Draw a picture of something  you can celebrate and thank God for. ASK God to help you remember to celebrate all that God has done for you.

October 6, 2024

Bible Story
The Story of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up.”( Proverbs 17:22, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We had a race to see which group could decorate a person for a party the fastest.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played “Herd the Sheep” with pool noodles and balloons.
  • We responded in worship by creating a “hide and seek” sheep or making our own soft sheep.

Church to home connection:

Hide the Sheep: Draw or print out a picture of a sheep. Hide the picture somewhere in your house. Allow it to be somewhat seen (not in something like a drawer). This week, take turns hiding and finding the sheep with your family. Every time someone finds it, they get to hide it somewhere new to be found. THANK God that Jesus is always looking for you!

September 29, 2024

Bible Story
Jesus Is the Light of the World (John 8:12)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played the “red light / green light” game and talked about the function of light.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a tealight game where we looked at different scenarios and decided when kids were shining their light.
  • We responded in worship with an optional maze, a watercolor craft, and shine your light bracelet!

September 22, 2024

Bible Story
Sharing God’s Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a “comfy” game and identified all the comfortable items.
  • We did a craft and made a handful of senses.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We responded in worship by finishing our craft, doing a maze, or a word search.

Church to Home Connection

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: We’ve been learning that compassion is caring enough to do something about someone else’s needs. You can’t show compassion without CARING about others. Why should we care for others? Because God cares for us! God is the source of all comfort. And because God loves and cares for us, we can show compassion to others.

Fill It Up: Grab two plastic cups from the kitchen. Write your name on one. Set a timer for one minute. Write down the names of people you know on the second cup. Try to cover the cup with as many names as you can before the timer runs out. Fill the cup with your name almost to the brim with water. This cup represents all the love and care God has for you. Now, carefully pour the water from that cup into the second cup. Then read today’s verse out loud as a prayer. Thank God for caring for you so you can care for others.

September 15, 2024

Bible Story
Jesus Heals Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a game called “Glow Stick o’clock” 
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We responded in worship by creating a clock suncatcher to remind us to take the time to show compassion to others.

September 8, 2024 

Bible Story
Jesus Feeds 5,000 (John 6:1-13)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a card game called “Pairs” where we matched items that go together.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We responded in worship by creating a food basket, doing a maze, or finding our Bible verse in a word search.

Church to home connection:
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.) 

Do you like to build things? Maybe you’re a Lego or K-Nex kid. Maybe you love to stack things to build the tallest tower. Today’s verse is talking about a different kind of “building.” To build others up means to encourage, to literally give courage where it is needed. You can encourage by:
œPraying for others
œSpeaking words that are true and helpful
œOffering to help
There are lots of ways you can encourage others that don’t cost anything. You can use what you have (your prayers, your words, and your good deeds) to show compassion! 

Build the Verse:
Grab a set of Jenga blocks or Lego bricks and masking tape. Write out the words of today’s verse on small pieces of tape to attach to the front of each block or brick, then build the verse by stacking up the words in verse order. Don’t forget to include the reference (1 Thessalonians 5:11) at the end.

September 1, 2024

Bible Story
You Are the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-16)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

We played a game called “Guess the word”
We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
We looked for the light of stars in a dark room.
We responded in worship by doing a maze, and by creating a “city on a hill” with paper buildings and tea lights

August 25, 2024

Bible Story
Speck and Plank (Matthew 7:1-5)

Monthly Memory Verse:
"If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone and doesn't find fault." (James 1:5, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a perspective game and guessed the picture under a microscope.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a relay race with a “plank” and “specks”
  • We responded in worship by doing a maze, and by creating an “I am” mirror.

Church to home connection:
 
Read Proverbs 22:3
Lava Pit Walk: Grab several pieces of paper and scatter them across the floor. Now pretend the floor is covered in hot lava. See if you can make it from one side of the room to the other by stepping only on the papers! Did you survive that lava pit walk? You had to pay close attention to where you stepped so you didn’t land in hot lava! Wise people pay attention, too. When they see that they’re heading in the wrong direction, they move to a safe place, just like you jumped to those papers. If you want to be wise, you need to take a long hard look at yourself and the situation. Ask God for help before you jump to the wrong conclusion or make a decision that doesn’t lead you where you want to go.

August 18, 2024

Bible Story
Jesus grows in wisdom (Luke 2:41-52)

Monthly Memory Verse:
"If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone and doesn't find fault." (James 1:5, NIrV)

Ask your kids about these activities:

We played "hide the ring around the string" to demonstrate the concept of searching.
We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
We played a relay race to search for "pearls of wisdom" (various Bible verses).
We responded in worship by doing a maze, and by creating our very own pearl of wisdom in a seashell.

Church to home connection:

Read Proverbs 3:13. When you lose something, what do you do? You search for it! You retrace your steps, look around every corner, and even call on family and friends to help. And when you find it, you feel relieved. You might even celebrate! We all want to make good decisions—the kind of decisions that lead us in the right direction. So where do we look? You’re already on the right track. By opening God’s Word today to read Proverbs 3:13, you’ve found the best source of wisdom around. God has given us wisdom in the Bible to help us know how to best live our lives.

Grab some masking tape and your Bible. Write “Got ?’s” on the masking tape and stick it to the front of your Bible. The next time you have a question that requires wisdom, search God’s Word. If you’re having trouble finding the answer you need, enlist a trusted adult to help you.

Summer Sunday Schedule

June 9: Dolphins – Dolphins are very social animals talking with one another through vocal clicks and non-verbal behaviors.
Kids will learn that when we know Jesus, we should be vocal about it – talking about Jesus with others. Acts 8:26-40,
Philip And The Ethiopian

June 16: Sharks – Some species of shark must swim continually to keep water flowing through their gills, or else they will
die. Kids will learn that we can’t always be rushing around; to stay spiritually alive, we need to stop and spend time
listening to Jesus. Luke 10:38-42, At The Home of Mary and Martha

June 23: Stingrays – With their flat bodies, stingrays are able to hide themselves under the sand as they wait for their next
meal to swim by. Kids will learn that even when all they want to do is run and hide, God is there to take care of them.
1 Kings 19:1-18, Elijah Flees To Horeb

June 30: Whales – As one of the largest animal to ever live on earth, the Blue Whale fills the seas with its majesty. It is
amazing simply for its size. Kids will learn that God is big, and able to do big things to help us. Exodus 14:5-31,
Crossing The Red Sea

July 7: Jellyfish – Having no spine (or any bones at all), the jellyfish flops through the sea. Kids will learn that God doesn’t
want us to flop around when it comes to doing what’s right. Daniel 3:8-30, The Fiery Furnace

July 14: Sea Turtles – When female sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach, they protect them by covering the little ones in
sand and grass. Kids will learn that God takes care of us and protects us. Mark 4:35-41, Jesus Calms the Storm

July 21: Coral Reef – Coral reefs are large underwater ecosystems built by sea creatures to provide a home and safety. It’s
a great big sea kingdom! Kids will learn that Jesus is calling us to become a part of the kingdom that he is creating.
Luke 5:1-11, Calling Of The First Disciples

July 28: Fish – To keep away from danger, certain species of fish swim in schools – there is safety in numbers. Kids will learn
that with God on their side, One is the only number they need to be safe. Daniel 6:6-27, Daniel And The Den of Lions

August 4: Shrimp – Because of their small size, shrimp might not seem that impressive. However, shrimp are plentiful and add
much to the health of the sea. Kids will learn that even though they may be small, God still has a special purpose for
them. 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Samuel Anoints David as King

August 11: Seashells – Seashells that wash up on the beach are a beautiful reminder of the animal life that once lived inside of
it. Kids will learn that the empty grave reminds us that Jesus came back to life, conquering death. John 20:1-18, The
Empty Tomb

May 26, 2026

Bible Story
All I Have to Give The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a coin count relay.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We created a Bible verse memory bank.
  • We responded in worship with a maze.

Church to home connection:

Read 1 Timothy 4:8 Set a timer for one minute. Complete the following tasks, resetting the timer for one minute for each one: Sit ups, Squats, Star jumps, Push ups, Jogging in place. Are you tired? What might happen if you kept doing that routine, day after day, week after week, increasing the time by one minute each week? Would you get stronger? Absolutely!

Today’s verse reminds us that training the body has value but being godly is even better! We’ve been learning all month long that we can grow in our faith (and become Godlier, more like Jesus) when we practice hearing from God, praying to God, talking about God, and living for God. When we live for God, it will make a difference right now and forever. You can ask God for help as you practice living for God every day. Remember, you won’t always do it perfectly, but you will grow stronger and stronger as you practice following God each day

May 19, 2024

Bible Story
Peter Says That Jesus Is the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We sang happy birthday to the church for Pentecost Sunday.
  • We played “20 questions” to see if the kids could guess who we were thinking of.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We responded in worship with a coloring page, and word search, and a prayer bracelet.

May 12, 2024

Bible Story
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a few rounds of “telephone” and talked about how nothing gets lost in translation when we pray.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We made “The Lord’s Prayer” beaded bracelets.
  • We made a special Mother’s Day gift.

May 5, 2024

Bible Story
God’s Word Is a Light (Psalm 119:105)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a four senses game.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We made a “Bible to go” craft.
  • We responded in worship with a Psalm 119 maze, and an optional Psalm 119 lantern craft.

Church to home connection:
Read Psalm 119:105 (“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”) Has the power ever gone out in your house? When it happened, what was the first thing you looked for? A flashlight! Without some sort of light, you’d just be stumbling around in the darkness! God’s Word is just like a light. God’s Word gives us the clearest picture of how we should live. When we read God’s Word, it’s like a light that guides us, showing us where to go and what to do. Without reading it, we are lost. 
Grab a flashlight, head to your room, turn off all the lights, and jump in bed. Pull the covers over your head and read this verse again. Now, think about some situations this week where you weren’t sure what to do. How would reading God’s Word have helped light your path to know where to go or what to do in that situation? Ask God to help you make a commitment to read the Bible and listen to what God has to say.

April 28, 2024

Bible Story
Simeon Waits for the Messiah (Luke 2:25-35)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played 20 questions about waiting scenarios.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played “What time is it Mr. Fox” with a patience twist.
  • We responded in worship with a coloring sheet, a Bible story maze, and word search.

April 21, 2024

Bible Story
Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-35)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a game where we had to remember the items on a tray.
  • We listened to a Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a balancing game with a tin foil calf on our heads.
  • We did a Bible story word search, maze, and coloring page.

April 14, 2024

Bible Story
Esau’s Impatience (Genesis 25:24-34)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We looked at optical illusions and guessed answers to questions.
  • We listened to a Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We tried to drop clothespins into a small-mouthed jar (a game that needs patience!)
  • We responded in worship by creating a water bottle timer, doing a Psalm word search, or coloring a memory verse page.

Church to home connection:

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4 (“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.”) Jesus said the NUMBER ONE thing we can do is love— love God and love others. Today’s verse explains what love looks like. It’s kind. It’s not jealous or braggy or proud. But the first part might actually be the HARDEST. Love is patient. Love doesn’t hurry. . . or yell. . . or push to the front. . . or insist one way is the only way. Love lets others go first. Love waits its turn.
Patience Art- On a piece of paper, write the words “LOVE IS PATIENT” in big block letters. Decorate the page with lots of color so it will really stand out. Post your masterpiece on the fridge or where everyone in your home can see it. When you read it, ask God to help you show love to others by choosing to be patient. Then thank God for always being patient with you.

April 7, 2024 

Bible Story
The Waiting: A Patience Proverb (Proverbs 14:29)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a pipe cleaner relay race where patience was needed to win!
  • We listened to a Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We heard various scenarios and decided if it was better to wait on it or act on it.
  • We responded in worship by decoration a patience rock, doing a Psalm word search, or coloring a memory verse page.

Church to home connection:

Read Ecclesiastes 7:8 (“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”)
No one likes to be told to wait. And no one waits with perfect patience all the time. Waiting until later for what you want now doesn’t come naturally. If you want it right now, well, you want it RIGHT NOW! This verse reminds us that waiting is the better choice because the end of something is better than the beginning. In other words, waiting patiently for something means we can enjoy it more, later on. Like Christmas. Or birthdays. Or vacations. Or a whole list of other things you think you can’t wait for. 
Paper Chain Waiting: Think of an event that’s coming up in the near future. Grab a calendar and figure out how many days there are between today and your big event. Make a paper chain to count down the days. Take a chain off each day leading up to your big event to bring excitement to the waiting for all that future fun!

March 17, 2024 

Bible Story
Abigail Intervenes (1 Samuel 25:1-35)

Monthly Memory Verse:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played “monkey in the middle” with a bean bag
  • We listened to a Bible story and asked wondering questions
  • We did a “making peace” watercolor craft
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible verse magnet, Bible story word search, and Bible story coloring page.

Church to home connection:

Read Matthew 5:9 ("God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.") Grab a handheld mirror or go stand in front of the bathroom mirror. Make the silliest face you can. Now make a serious face. Next, an angry face. Lastly, just smile. As you look at your image reflecting back at you, think on this truth: You are made in the image of God. Maybe you can’t make a mountain appear out of nowhere or hear every prayer prayed at the same time. But you can love and forgive and feel and think like God! You have God’s fingerprints all over you, and when you choose to bring peace to a situation, you reflect God! Just like when you look in a mirror. You show others you belong to God by the way you treat them. We look most like God when we choose peace.

March 10, 2024

Bible Story
Abram and Lot (Genesis 13:5-18)

Monthly Memory Verse:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a “This or That” fairness game.
  • We listened to a Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a “switch sort” race.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible verse magnet, Bible story word search, and Bible story coloring page.

March 3, 2024

Bible Story
Live in Peace with Everyone (Romans 12:18)

Monthly Memory Verse:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a game with tissue paper snakes and static electricity.
  • We listened to a Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We practiced our Bible memory verse with a game.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible verse magnet, Bible story word search, and decorating a snake craft.

February 25, 2024

Bible Story
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a game in pairs where we had to come up with three commonalities and three differences between two pictures.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a backpack toss and brainstormed ways to be kind to people who are different than you.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible verse magnet, and a kindness spinner.

Church to home connection:

Read Proverbs 11:17 (“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”) What happens when you choose kindness? What happens when you choose meanness instead? This verse makes it pretty clear. Kindness leads to good things. Meanness leads to trouble. Time For Kindness - Grab a piece of paper and fold it into four sections. Inside each section, write down the following times of day—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime. Beside each time of day, write down the names of one or two people you usually see during those times. Then draw a picture or write down a way you can show kindness to the people you’ve listed at those times of day.

February 18, 2024

Bible Story
Go the Extra Mile (Matthew 5:41)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a relay race to fill a backpack, and talked about how it wasn’t fair that some people had to carry more.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played “roll a ‘smore” - a relay race game with a twist where you could choose to help the other team!
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible verse magnet, a classroom kindness rainbow, and colored a kindness poster.

Church to home connection:

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4 (Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.) Stop for a Minute - Set a timer for one minute. During that minute, you cannot talk, and you must sit completely still. Did you make it the full minute? Could you make it for five minutes? What about 15 or 20? That would definitely be harder. It would require lots of patience.
When it comes to kindness, patience plays a BIG part. In order to show kindness and love to others, we need to practice patience. We need to let things go, to forgive. We need to stop wanting what others have and choose to be kinder than we have to be. 
Set a timer for one minute again. This time, see how many times you can repeat today’s verse within that minute. You must clearly say every word, including the reference (1 Corinthians 13:4). How many times did you successfully repeat the verse in one minute?

February 11, 2024

Bible Story
Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1 and 2)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a game to fit as many kids on a tarp as possible.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a gathering-wheat relay race.
  • We responded in worship by decorating a Bible verse magnet, a Bible story word search, or a kindness bookmark.

February 4, 2024

Bible Story
The Kindness of Jesus (Matthew 8:1-4, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 9:10-13)

Monthly Memory Verse:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We imitated patterns with glow sticks.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a “guess the leader” game and talked about following Jesus’ example of kindness.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible verse magnet, a paper lantern, and kindness bookmarks.

January 28, 2024

Bible Story
Using words wisely (Ephesians 4:29)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10a NIV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We used toothpaste to illustrate how we can’t “take back” what we say.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We raced to put wise words in a food dish and foolish words in a “litter” box.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible memory verse pendant, Bible story word search, compliment bookmarks and “just because” cards.

Church to home connection ideas:

Read Proverbs 15:1 (“A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger.”) Have you studied tornadoes in school? A tornado, also known as a twister, is a violently rotating column of air that reaches from a storm cloud to the earth’s surface. Your words have power. Gentle words can bring calm to a situation, but like a swirling storm, mean or thoughtless words stir up anger, leaving a big mess behind. When it comes to the words we say, we should be careful to give gentle answers that bring calm instead of unkind, hurtful words that stir up anger.
 Wise Words Art - Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the center. On the left side of the page, draw a calm, peaceful scene. It could be a quiet stream or flower-filled meadow. On the right side, draw a big storm or tornado. Write the first half of today’s verse over your peaceful scene, and the second half over your swirling storm. Hang up your artwork where your family can see it. If someone ask about it, explain that part of responsibility is choosing to use your words wisely.

January 21, 2024

Bible Story
Ant and Sluggard (Proverbs 6:6-8)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10a NIV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played "ant, ant, slug"
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played an ant senses game and talked about how to use our talents to love God and love others.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible memory verse pendant, an ant headband, or a word search.

January 14, 2024

Bible Story
Never Enough: Bigger Barns (Luke 12:13-21)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10a NIV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played right/center/left to see who could end up with the most erasers.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We got into groups and raced to build a pet corral.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible memory verse pendant, and making a pet worm (or snake!) to share.

Church to home connection ideas:

Read 1 Timothy 6:18 (“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”)
Want to know how to be rich? The first step is to understand God’s definition of richness. Rich isn’t about getting. It’s about being responsible with what you have. Being rich is about understanding that EVERYTHING you have comes from God. God wants you to be responsible to take care of what you’ve been given and to share it with others. Sometimes being rich means being willing to give things away. A truly rich person understands that what’s “mine” is really NOT mine. Everything ultimately belongs to God. God is hoping that we’ll choose to be responsible and generous with what God has shared with us. 
Hop To It Your challenge today is to memorize 1 Timothy 6:18. Write each word of the verse on index cards. Make a path out of the index cards in the hallway and practice hopping from one card to the next, repeating the verse until you have it memorized.

January 7, 2024

Bible Story
Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10a NIV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a ten balloon relay race to remind us of the ten commandments.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a game to water a pet dog to lead into a discussion about caring for/loving others.
  • We responded in worship with an optional Bible memory verse pendant, and painting a pet rock.

Church to home connection ideas:

Read Matthew 22:39-40 - When Jesus answered the religious leader’s question about the most important commandment, He didn’t stop with “love God.” He quickly added the second, equally important part: love others. When you think about it, loving God and loving others are like two sides of a coin. You can’t really say you love God and then turn around and be unkind to your brother or the kid that bugs you at school. And you can’t really love your brother or the kid at school without loving God. Why? Because God is love. The only reason you know HOW to love is because God loved you first.  
Coin of Responsibility - Grab a coin and cover it with masking tape. Write “God” on one side and “Others” on the other. Carry that coin in your pocket this week to remind yourself of your most important responsibilities. Ask God to help you take that responsibility seriously—that you would love others each day

December 31, 2023

Bible Story
Wise men follow the star (Matthew 2:1-12)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, NIrV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We played a calendar guessing game with special holidays.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a Christmas story mystery character guessing game.
  • We responded in worship with an optional calendar craft, and an optional glitter celebration clay activity.

Church to home connection ideas:

  • Read Matthew 2:9-10 - The North Star is the brightest star in a group of stars called the Little Dipper. Because the North Star stays in an almost constant position, sailors once used it to guide their ships. Think of it like the first GPS. Thousands of years ago, a group of wise men used a special star in the sky to guide them too. These men followed that star to find a King! When they arrived, they worshipped Jesus and presented Him with royal gifts. Just imagine how excited they must have been to finally find God’s one and only Son! They were filled with JOY! We can find joy too—even when things don’t look or feel super joyful—when we look for God! We can find God in creation, like a sky full of stars. We can read about God in the Bible, and we can talk to God in prayer. Look up at the stars tonight and thank God for sending Jesus—a Savior worth celebrating all year long!

December 17, 2023

Bible Story
Jesus Is Born (Luke 2:1-7)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, NIrV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We used chopsticks to transfer and count Christmas candy and tied it into a discussion about happiness and joy.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played a Christmas travel memory game.
  • We responded in worship with a Bible memory ornament, an optional joy fingerprint craft, an optional Christmas kindness fortune teller

Church to home connection ideas:

Read Luke 2:1-4 

A Skittle Census Grab a bag of Skittles or any toy that has different colored options and separate them into piles by color. Grab a sheet of paper and split it into five pieces. Write down the names of four cities you know, one on each section. On the fifth one, write “Bethlehem.” Assign a color of Skittle to each city, then count the Skittles for each city and write that number on its paper.

 Caesar Augustus, the leader of the Roman empire, ordered a census to count the people in his country. This census meant that Joseph would have to travel back to his hometown of Bethlehem, along with Mary, in order to be counted. The census sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem— where Micah had said that Jesus would be born hundreds of years before His arrival. It was all part of God’s plan to bring hope, peace, and JOY to the whole world. As you enjoy your Skittles, thank God for sending Jesus to bring JOY to your world.

December 10, 2023

Bible Story
Gabriel appears to Mary (Luke 1:26-56)

Monthly Memory Verse:
 “A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, NIrV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We planned our perfect day (Mary had a different plan for her life before the angel appeared to her!)
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played “all knotted up” and answered questions about the Bible story.
  • We responded in worship with a Bible memory ornament, an optional Christmas card, or an optional angel luminary.

Church to home connection ideas:

  • Read Luke 1:37-38. Mary was going about her business when an angel suddenly appeared right in front of her! And this angel named Gabriel had a message. She was going to have a baby who would be the Son of God! God did keep that promise to Mary and to all of us. God sent Jesus, God’s one and only Son. Though Mary was surprised and unsure, she trusted God and the plan God had for her. And we can remember that too. Even when we don’t know how things will work out, we can have peace because God has a plan.
    What’s The Plan? On a piece of paper, write down three things you plan to do this month. Fold it and put it in a spot you can’t see every day. On a separate sheet of paper write down three more things you plan to do or accomplish this month. Place the other sheet somewhere you can see it every day. At the end of the month check back to see which list you completed more. When you keep things in front of you they are easier to remember. When you continue to follow God’s plan for your life, it becomes easier to remember that you can have peace because God has a plan.

December 3, 2023 

Bible Story
Jesus is Promised (Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6-7, 7:14-15)

Monthly Memory Verse:
“A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, NIrV

Ask your kids about these activities:

  • We created our own message with a “mad-lib” type of game.
  • We listened to the Bible story and asked wondering questions.
  • We played “telephone” and passed along God’s good news.
  • We responded in worship with a Bible memory ornament.

Church to home connection ideas:

  • Read Isaiah 9:7a (Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.) 
    When Isaiah spoke about a coming Savior, he talked about the peace the Savior would bring. Once God made this promise, the people began watching and waiting. Some people spent their entire lives studying the words of Isaiah so they would recognize Jesus when He came to earth. And sure enough, God sent Jesus to save us! The Bible is full of God’s promises to us. Some of those promises—like the promise to send Jesus— have already been kept. And God is STILL keeping promises, like the promise to be with us and love us no matter what. We can have HOPE because God is faithful.
    Hunting for Hope: Take a look at the Christmas decorations around your home or that you see next time you’re at the store. Each time you spot the word “HOPE,” stop and thank God for keeping the promise to send Jesus!