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Does Sunday School Really Matter?

Does Sunday School Really Matter?

Is Bible Class really all that important? For us, bible class is about bible study, a deep dive into God’s message.  Have you ever noticed that the more time you spend in scripture, the easier it is to behave like a Christian? It becomes second nature. Ever noticed that you gain a better understanding of who God is and find that those tough questions aren’t as tough to answer anymore? Bible classes help get us to these understandings.

For my elementary children, the goal is to teach them the biblical accounts, or stories, so they develop a better understanding of who God is, His character and His plan for us. After elementary, we want to stress the principles from these stories and later see that these stories teach us how to live. The bible holds the answers to life’s tough stuff, and let’s face it, these days, our kids are dealing with a lot of tough stuff from cyberbulling and social media fame to sexual identity and suicide! Bible class is one area where the church can partner with parents to help build this solid foundation in Christ. 

So, is bible class really important? Absolutely! There is nothing, and I mean nothing more important that our souls, than our children’s souls. If nothing is more important, than we should be taking every opportunity available to build our spiritual walks, our relationship with God. Sure sleep, sports and education matter, but they have their place. Always stay focused on what is truly important.

I will leave you with a few words from the wisest of all…

Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” (NIV) 

2 Timothy 3:14-17, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NIV) 

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Prayer Cards for Kids

Prayer Cards for Kids

Prayer cards for kids are a simple way to engage kids, to get them thinking about what they are praying for.

Even for many adults, prayer does not come naturally and when adults do pray, it is often an afterthought. We know that we cannot have a real relationship with someone we do not communicate with. Meaningful relationships are a two-way street. As children’s ministry leaders and parents, we need to help impress this into our kids hearts and minds. How does God talk to us? He speaks through His word and through prayer. The Holy Spirit lives in us, guiding us. And how do we talk to God? All kids seem to get this one right. Through prayer!

We want our children to understand that yes, we should set aside time to specifically meditate and talk to God. We also want them to know that they can be talking to God all day long. They can share their joys and triumphs and their fears and troubles. God is there for us in all of life.

This past week I had our kindergarten through fifth graders make a prayer hand book to take home and look over everyday when taking time to pray. It’s so simple! All they needed was a piece of paper, colored pencils and scissors. I used construction paper so kids could pick their color. Steps:

  1. Fold paper in half
  2. Place hand up against the fold and trace
  3. Cut out hand
  4. Write on front “Dear God”
  5. Open and write or draw pictures of things they are thankful for on one side and things they need help with on the other.

The idea is to get kids thinking about God in their lives. What has God blessed them with. What can God help them with? Do they really believe God can help them? This little craft isn’t the end all, be all; but, it is one way to reinforce prayer.

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Serve by Encouraging Our Missionaries

Serve by Encouraging Our Missionaries

Teach Sunday School children to serve God by encouraging our missionaries. Download and print foldable cards for kids to color and personalize then mail to missionaries.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Mark 16:15

Have you ever gone into a class full of children and asked the question, “What is a missionary?”  How many kids new the answer and how many had no idea? Earlier this year I asked this very question and very few new about missionaries. What an incredible opportunity I was given to share with kindergarten through fifth graders the amazing sacrifices people make to share the word of God with others. Then, they got to serve God by encouraging our missionaries.

We have done a card-making activity several times this year and the missionaries have absolutely loved and appreciated receiving cards from our K-5th grade children. I let kids choose colored paper to fold and draw pictures for missionaries. I listed several options of things they could write inside the cards. This week are doing something a little different for our missionaries in Jamaica. (Can you imagine being a missionary in Jamaica?) I decided to design six options with the words already typed out. Kids get to color the letters, add some pictures inside and my older kids can write more personalized notes inside too. It keeps it simple, legible and still teaching the kids to serve by encouraging others who serve God. Here’s a link to download the printable cards I’m using if you are interested. Just print and fold! Printable Cards for Missionaries

Our small groups are now looking at “adopting” a missionary to stay in regular contact with. My small group is full of children so we will try some other ideas in the future, but for now, we will keep the cards coming. If you don’t have a missionary to support and would like some names, send me an email. Our congregations works with quite a few that would love the encouragement!

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