Some Big Things to Remember!

There are a couple of things coming up that teachers and parents need to be aware!

I wanted to let you know them first.

Truth to remember...

We have the great privilege and responsibility of teaching God's word to children who either desperately need To be saved by Jesus Christ or have been saved by Jesus Christ and desperately need to grow closer and closer to Him.  

Building...

We just finished our first month in the new building.  After this second group of children's church workers have a couple of weeks in their new rooms, we will begin evaluating the rooms and procedures.

Classes...

Every age group...

If you didn't see the note that was in every mailbox last, there was an  interesting statistic I shared.   

The number of children almost doubles from first to second service.  (65 to 120)

The number of volunteers decreases by three (27 to 24)
Please be praying about and thinking about how you can help with this.

For 4th and 5th graders...

Starting January 5th, children's church will only be for kids up to 3rd grade.  Fourth and fifth graders will be part of the children's church time if their parents are serving during the worship service OR they have been invited to help with parts of the wp children's church time.

Others age groups...

We are evaluating class sizes to see where classes can be combined.  No final decisions have been made but any feedback you may have would be appreciated.  Email feedback to children@emmanuelbaptist.com

Other Passages

Acts 2:42 – 47;  
Talk about what the church did in these verses/

Ephesians 3:20, 21
Ask "how does the church glorify God  

Ephesians 5:25 – 32  
Husbands are to love wives just like Jesus loves the church.
How did/does Jesus love the church?

What is the church?

For a pdf of these note click HERE

This lesson is NOT part of the Generations of Grace curriculum.  
Some coloring pages to use:
http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/paul-and-the-church-coloring-page/
http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/paul-preaching/
http://twistynoodle.com/church-coloring-page/

Date:  12.29

Title:  What is the church?

Our Church’s mission:  To Glorify God by Making Disciples who Love God, Live out the Word, Love Others

Lesson Goal:    Students will understand the purpose of the church.

Bible Truths:  God created the local church to make His name know throughout the world.

The local church is not a building or location.  It is people.

Passage:  Matthew 28:18—20; 

More Passages:  Acts 2:42 – 47;  Ephesians 3:20, 21;  Ephesians 5:25 – 32  (more information on how to use these passages will be at ekidzresources.blogspot.com on Monday 12,23)

Principle:  God has designed the church to encourage and help people live life God’s way.

Teaching Tips:  

1. This lesson is a kick off lesson to Pastor Duke’s sermon series next month about the church
2. Think about how to share why you love church in general and specifically.
3. Go through some or all the three parts of the church’s mission.  Love God (the worship service), Live out the world (Bible teaching time) and Love others (Soul Care, Biblical Counseling 

Praise:  O Church Arise

Prompt:  Ask your child these questions:

·   What is the purpose of the church

·   Why should we go to church?  (to worship God; to grow; to help others grow)

Practice:  Help your child apply these truths in the following ways:

·  By seeking opportunities to encourage others to follow and grow in Christ.

Memory verse:             

2 year olds through kindergarten: 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a)

1^st through 5^th grade: 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matt. 28:18, 19)

Missionary:  The Tottens with Baseball Chapel

Ministry:  Children’s Ministry (UPWARD)

Activity:  Check ekidzministry.blogspot.com

Application:  

  Thank God for the church and specifically Emmanuel Baptist Church.

  Understand specific ways Christians can be involved in their church.

Some Activities to point to the Truth:

1.   Draw pictures or show pictures of various church building.   There will be copies at ekidzresources.blogspot.com on Tuesday.

2.   Walk through the church, with a bulletin in hand, to learn about the worship service; singing songs we hear in church frequently.

3.   Get some extra copies of the church bulletin.

4.   Dominoes activity:  http://ministry-to-children.com/object-lesson-kids-sharing-gospel/

You could use building blocks for this activity with the younger children.

Some general truths to remember when teaching the kids:

·     God has uniquely designed children to know him and make him known. They have the simple faith God requires, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and God-given spiritual gifts. (Matthew 21:15-16; Mark 10:15; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11)

·     At the moment of salvation, children become contributing members of the body of Christ and should be given opportunities to serve. (1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Timothy 4:12)

·     Children can participate in the Great Commission work God has planned for them as powerful advocates, prayer warriors, and change agents for their peers around the world. (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:10)

·     Children are the leaders of tomorrow.  Discipling and equipping them to embrace their God-given purpose shapes the future direction of families, communities, and nations. (Joshua 2:10-11; Psalm 78:6; Psalm 145:4)

Sample Lesson Idea for 9:00 Bible Teaching Hour classes:

1.   Welcome children and pray for God's guidance as you learn together. Ask them, "Why do people go to church? Why do you come to church?" Allow 5 minutes for discussion

2.   Read together Hebrews 10:24, 25. Point out that the Bible encourages us to meet together. Ask them, "Do you meet with other people when you come to church? Why do you think God wants us to meet together in a group like this?" Allow for a brief discussion.

3.   Read together Psalm 35:18. What is the writer of the psalm doing? Who is he with?

4.   Read Psalm 27: 4, 5. Does the writer of the psalm like going to church? What does God do for him? Why do you think that going to the house of the Lord makes him so full of joy?

5.   Tell the kids that worship in ancient Israel, when King David wrote this psalm, had many similarities to our worship services today. They met together in a group in the Temple. They praised God with singing and musical instruments.  They read from the scriptures, just as we do today, and they brought offerings to God, like our offering that we put in the offering plates.

6.   Give each student a church bulletin. Tell them we are all going for a walk, but we need to be quiet and stay together so we won't disturb other classes. Lead the class into the church sanctuary (which hopefully is empty at this time), and sit down in the front row (or choir loft, or whatever vantage point you think is best for seeing the front of the church). Go through the bulletin and ask the kids if they can describe/explain each part of the service: Call to worship, opening prayer, prayer of confession, intercessory prayers, offering, the sermon, hymns and special songs - these are all aspects of mainline Protestant worship the kids see every week but may not pay much attention to. Ask if they have any questions about the worship service. NOTE: If your pastor is on hand, this is a great opportunity to invite him/her to answer questions from the class.

7.   Give each student a copy of the Lord's Prayer. Read through it for them, and talk about the highlights of the prayer: hallowing God's name (remembering that God's name is holy); asking God to give us our daily bread, forgiving our sins as we forgive others, leading us not into temptation, delivering us from evil (what does delivering mean? What is evil?). Conclude this portion of the lesson by praying the Lord's Prayer all together, reading from your cards.

8.   Return to your classroom. Ask if anyone has questions. A fun activity you can use at this time is the finger play "This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people!"

9.   Memory verse: use the remaining few minutes to review Matthew 28. Tell them you are very glad they came to church this morning.  Now they need to grow and be disciples and make disciples. Conclude with a circle prayer (each student gives one sentence of thanks and praise to God).

Possible Christmas review activities

Here are some suggestions for review lessons.  You could use one or several ideas.Taken from www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/five-things-to-teach-your-children-this-christmas

1. The Story of Redemption using lessons we have covered.

Talk about the fall and God’s promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15.
Talk about his promise to Abraham that he reaffirms throughout the Old Testament.
Talk about Moses and the “one greater than Moses” who would come.
Talk about the Judges and how they were temporary solutions to a much bigger problem - SIN.

All of these stories are ones we have talked about.
Talk about how God saved people throughout the Old Testament and how Jesus saves.

2. Humility of Christ

Christmastime provides a great opportunity to teach our children about what it means to be greatest in the kingdom (Matthew 20:26–28). His parents, his place of birth, his hometown, and his very act of taking on human flesh were all demonstrations of humility.
Read through Philippians 2:1–11 and show your children the humility of Christ.

From Christmas to the Cross.

3. God Works Through Weakness

The Israelites were afraid to enter the promised land because they were thinking too much of themselves and not enough about God.

Joshua was scared but Moses and God reminded him over and over again that it was about God.

Mary was a simple, poor girl from an insignificant town.

God’s glory is displayed when he works through our weaknesses.

This is seen most dramatically in Jesus’s death on the cross in our place and his resurrection on the third day, securing our victory over sin and death.

From Christmas to the Cross.

4. God Keeps His Promises

We can begin with the promise of a Savior after the fall and go throughout the Old Testament, looking at God’s promise to redeem his people, culminating in the fulfilled promise in Christ.

5. The Names of Christ

Messiah, Lamb of God, Immanuel (Emmanuel)Alpha and Omega,Prince of Peace. 

Teaching children the names of Jesus and what they mean helps them know more about Jesus, his character, and what he has done. We made a chain link out of paper with a different name printed out on each one.

Another way to learn the names might be to create a Christmas ornament for each one and hang them on a Christmas tree each time you study a name.

Teacher/Worker FAQs (frequently asked questions):

There is a paper copy of these questions in your classrooms and in the Sunday School office.

Where are basic supplies?

-        There are basic supplies stocked in your drawers and cabinets.  If you need any additional supplies, check in the new Resource Room located in the south hall of the EKIDZ wing.

Do we have a roster?

-        YES!  Two copies of the roster are hanging in the far left cupboard in your room.   Please keep it there so all workers will have access to it.

How do I know if a child has an allergy?

-        The word “allergy” is printed on their name tag.  To find out the specific allergy, refer to the roster (located in the far left cupboard).  Allergies are highlighted in yellow.

Where is our offering bag and what do I do with it after we take the offering?

-        The offering bag is also located in the same far left cabinet as the roster.  Return it there after you collect the offering. 

How do I make copies?

-        There is a copier located in the EKIDZ wing!   It is in the Resource Room located in the south hall of the wing.  You will need to use the copier code 10025 to operate the machine.

How do I hang things on the wall?

-        ONLY sticky tack is to be used on the walls.  There is at least on package of sticky tack located in one of your drawers.  NOT tape, tacks, staples or anything OTHER THAN STICKY TACK.

Where is the sticky tack?

-        Sticky tack is located in one of your drawers.

Did I hear right?!   The blackboard paint is magnetic?!

-        YES!  You heard right!   A supply of magnets is available in one of the drawers in your room.  Use it to attach to flannelgraph or other teaching aids you wish to hang up.

Which hall will the children be entering from?

-        Birth through Kindergarten ages are being directed to go down the north hallway.  Coat racks are available in their rooms.

-        1^st – 5^th grade is being directed down the south hallway and should hang their coats up in that hall.

Why do we have a phone in our room? 

-        Phones are located in every room in case of an emergency.  If you need to call out, you first need to dial 9, then the number, then press the “Dial” key located at the top left.

How do I page a parent?

-        If you are located in a nursery with the paging transmitter, use the transmitter to page the appropriate number.

-        If you do not have a transmitter in your room (Twos & Threes), call the nursery and ask them to page the parent for you.  Dial 181 OR 182 (no 9 in front of it) and press the “Dial” key at the top left.  This will dial one of the nurseries that has the transmitter.  Someone should answer, give the appropriate pager number and ask them to page it.

Continued……

How do I play music?

-        You can do this right on the TV!  Turn on the TV via the Insignia remote (located on the dvd shelf).  Place CD in DVD player.  On the TV remote, hit input then select “Component/AV”.  Then hit Play on the DVD player (or use Sony remote).  That’s it!

Can I use my computer with the TV?

-        Yes, that is the plan.  However, as of the printing of this sheet, only limited tvs have cables available for this capability.  All TVs will eventually have VGA and HDMI cables available for computer connection.

Why are there TVs in the nurseries?

-        In time, video of the service will be available on these TVs.  It is currently being worked on.  The TVs can also be used for playing music for the children. (see how to play music above)