Bringing It Home 1/2/2011

Hello Parentz Express
Below is a brief summary, main verses  and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

What's the Deal with Fasting?
We have such a great opportunity this month that we can seize to train our children and empower them with away to authentically encounter God the rest of their lives. I'm talking about our upcoming series on fasting. This Sunday I am going to be talking with your kids about what it means to fast, why Jesus fasted, and why He asks us to fast too. As well as give them some creative ways to join in on what the whole EGC body will be focusing on the next several weeks.

Verses:
Matthew 6:16-18 (The Message)
"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.

Jonah 3:1-10
... A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth... "Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink... Let everyone call urgently on God."

Discussion Q's:
1. What sort of battles do you need to prepare for?
2. What is one thing you are going to pray for during our fast? It can be for something or someone.
3. What do you think is the hardest part about fasting?

Creative Fasting for the Whole Family

Parents,
As we get closer to our Fast Forward series in the new year, I encourage you to start thinking about how you can use this opportunity to teach your kids about what it means to fast, how to fast with wisdom and for the right reasons, why Jesus fasted and why He asks us to follow His example. I think that because we so closely associate fasting with food, we forget that there are many creative ways we can get our kids involved in what we're doing and teach them why it is so important.

If you follow this link you will find a great article you can use, and even read with your kids about the 'whats', 'whys', and 'hows' of fasting. It also includes some creative ways for your kids to fast such as; fasting sweets, TV, video games, or fasting from 6pm-7am. Also, on the last page of the article you will find some great Bible studies you can read through with your kids.

Remember to teach them the importance of praying during the time they would have spent on what they're fasting. Last year I wrote out on my wall about 6 different areas I wanted to see God work and move in my life for the year so that it was constantly before me and reminding me to pray.

So pull the family together and Fast Forward...

For more resources on fasting, check out our website: elimgospel.net/fast-forward

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope you all have a wonderful Chrsitmas this year!

Here are my 2 favorite Christmas videos for the year:
The Christmas Story
North Point's iBand

Plan It - Wing It

Apparently the theme of my blogs this month has been to encourage you to take time to focus, plan out and savor the moments of life you are experiencing right now. I'm sure that at some point or another you have thought or told someone how you feel moments of your life going by very quickly. And even though we are constantly being controlled by the aspects of life that demand our attention right now, we seldom pause to actually enjoy those moments or plan to make those moments a more positive experience for ourselves and our children.

I have come across an idea that we can put people into two different categories according to this dilemma. Most of us are either a "plan it" person, or a "wing it" person. What I have noticed about myself is that my natural tendencies are to "wing it" because I enjoy the amount of energy it takes to make these moments happen (very little energy). But I far more appreciate the outcome of planning (more energy but very positive and memorable experiences).

So, what are you? A plan it person, or a wing it person. I would like to give you some homework and hopefully challenge you in your tendencies. If you are a wing it person, like me, try sitting down for a moment and thinking about the upcoming festivities for this Christmas and New Years holidays. What would you like your children to take away from this time with you? What will it look like to achieve this? What sort of activities will be necessary? What sort of attitudes? How, when, and how often will you affirm and love your children? Will you create memories with them or for them? Will you reflect with, pray with, and encourage your family?

If you are a plan it person, have you thought through these previous questions? What will your children experience if things don't go according to plan? (what attitude or response will they see from you?) Are your plans meaningful or beneficial to them? Do you need to plan out some "unplanned" time?

This type of evaluation was a major part of the life of Jesus (Mark 1:35) and has even been widely embraced by the business world. If you would like more on this subject, check an excerpt from Charles E. Hummel's book Tyranny of the Urgent in this post's comments.

Bringing It Home 12/19

Hello Parentz Express
Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

McGregor's Gift Shop-
Christmas is a time where many people spend time with their family. But not everyone has a family we can spend time with. And that can be hard. Maybe you do have a great family already, but how awesome would it be to get to have Jesus in your family? Here’s the good news, when Jesus came to earth He invited us into God’s big family. God invites everyone to become part of His family because of His great love for us. When we make the choice to believe in Jesus and make Him the leader of our lives, we become the sons and daughters of God!

Verse:
1 John 3:1 NLT "See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!"

Catch Phrase:
God’s Gift made us a part of His family!

Discussion Qs:
1. When you hear the word family, what do you think of?
2. Why do you think God wants us to be a part of His family?
3. Are you already in God’s family? How can we become a part of God’s family?
4. How does it make you feel to know that you can be in God’s family?



Material and image from LifeChurch.tv's "McGregor's Gift Shop" series.

Fail Meter

"We all live our lives somewhere between the Lord’s invitation to abundant life and Satan’s attempts to destroy us. Those poles are clearly and concisely captured in John 10:10. Jesus, the One Who died for us, invites us into His abounding life. The devil’s only intention for us is robbery, death, and destruction" -- Ed Chinn

One of the greatest tools the enemy uses is pointing out all the ways we fail as... Christians, husbands, wives, parents, employees ...drivers, or whatever else may be your area of "less than perfection". But when we listen to God and the new identity that He gives us we realize that He is not focused on the ways we fail, but that we are His children. So this Christmas season, for all the things that don't get checked off your list, all the times you get frustrated with your family, for all the missed opportunities, remember the way God sees you.

Give your "fail meter" a break and accept the Lord's invitation to abundant life. Decide what is really important and get rid of the things that are stealing your time and focus. Have fun celebrating this Christmas and focus on what matters, your family and their relationship with you and with God.

Bringing It Home 12/12

Hello Parentz Express
Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

McGregor's Gift Shop-
Presence means someone is with you or beside you. Like if I were going to call roll, if you’re here you would say, “Present!” So when I say God's gift of Jesus gives us His presence, I mean God's Gift of Jesus allows God to be with us all the time! But like any gift, we have to accept it. Not everyone does, but you can! You can choose to accept the gift of Jesus and make Him the leader your life! Jesus is God’s Christmas present to us. God’s Gift gives us His presence.

Verse:
Matthew 1:23 NLT “…She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Catch Phrase:
God’s Gift gives us His Presence!

Discussion Questions:
1. What’s the difference between the word presents and the word presence?
2. What things make it hard for you to believe God is with you all the time?
3. Share a time where you knew God was with you and helping you.
4. How does it make you feel to know God is with you all the time?



Material and image from LifeChurch.tv's "McGregor's Gift Shop" series.

Bringing It Home 12/5

Hello Parentz Express
Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

McGregor's Gift Shop-
Everyone that visits McGregor’s Gift Shop goes home with the perfect gift! This Christmas season, Kidz Express will unwrap the amazing gifts God gave us when He sent Jesus as the very first Christmas present! When someone gives you a present, the best response is to accept it. Receive it thankfully, open it up, and enjoy it. This week we'll be looking at His gift of peace.

Verse:
John 14:27 NLT I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Catch Phrase
God’s Gift gives us peace!

Discussion Questions:
1. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
2. Tell about a time you could have been worried or afraid but you weren’t because you had a peace in your heart because you knew God was with you.
3. What does the word peace mean to you?


Material and images from LifeChurch.tv's "McGregor's Gift Shop" series.

Why Am I Doing This?

How many times in a week do you end up asking yourself this question? If you are anything like me you probably hear this phrase running through your mind daily. Even though in most situations when this question arises it is out of desperation, I am beginning to learn to stop and answer that question for myself.

Perspective and focus I believe are two very undervalued states of mind. We are so often caught up in the rushing current of life and the chaos that accompanies it that we can forget the very reason we set out to accomplish certain goals. However, this Christmas season I challenge you (as if you needed one more thing to do), to pause at different times and remind yourself and your children of the reason why we celebrate Christmas; because a God we forgot, was faithful in remembering us, and took the miraculous and humbling step of coming to the earth in the form of an infant to remind us of His unremarkable love for us.

If you are interested in more check out this article by Angela Klein about an experience she had with her 3 year old daughter and how she regained her perspective - Going to the Stable.

Hoogle Boogle Express Test 11/28

Sunday November 28 -

This Sunday is our Hoogle Boogle Express Test. Hoogle Boogle is a review game that we play at the end of each series to go over what we learned throughout the month. Here are some review questions:

MY LIFE
1. Practice this month’s catch phrase: “When others’ choices give me strife, God will help me with My Life.”
2. Who’s life have we been watching this month? (Jake Mitchell)
3. How can you honor God when faced with a bully? (show them God’s love)
4. What are the three steps to handling a bully? (1. Tell them to stop, 2. walk away, 3. talk to an adult.)
5. What are the 3 steps to handling someone who is angery? (1. talk in a calm voice, 2. walk away, 3. talk to an adult)
6. Complete this sentence from our memory verse in Proverbs 15:1 about dealing with angry people, “A gentle answer turns _______ ______?” (anger away)
7. How can you respond to an unfair person and still honor God? (show them respect)

Bringing It Home 11/21

Good Morning Parentz,
Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

Sunday November 21st-

MyLife.
Almost everyone is guilty of whining, complaining, or tattling at some time or other. But some people seem to do it all the time about everything. Sometimes we can talk to the person about what they are feeling and help them express their frustration in a better way, but some whiners just seem to want to be whiny. This is usually because they are immature and they are unable to handle emotions like frustration, disappointment, disagreement, or change in a healthy way. When someone’s whining or other immature behavior is driving you nuts, a good way to handle it is to pray for them. When you are praying for someone on a regular basis, it’s hard to stay annoyed at them because God starts to change your heart. Sometimes God will help you learn to tune out the whiny, complaining tone and understand the frustration or real problem behind it. The bottom line is, when someone is complaining all the time, they have a problem with ungratefulness. Instead of taking it personally, take it to God. God hears their complaining too. God is the only one who can do something about it.

Verse:
Colossians 1:11 "His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything…"

Discussion Questions:
1. Who is the whiny person you have to deal with most often?
2. Kids are often whiny because they feel frustrated or disappointed and can’t handle it. How can knowing this help you be patient with them?


Material and images based on "My Life" by Lifechurch.tv

Thanksgiving equals... ?

Every year around this time we can guarantee 2 things:
1. We are beginning the process of being bombarded by media and corporate America with the commercialism of the next 2 holidays.
2. Someone in your life, if not you, will comment on the ever increasing intensity of said bombardment.

So in light of reminding our children the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving, here are a few activities from Focus on the Family you can enjoy together...

Give Thanks. Age-specific ways to help your kids experience the meaning behind the celebration on Thanksgiving Day.

Feel free to email me some pictures from your Thanksgiving festivities on Thursday or Friday and I'll put them up Sunday morning at Kidz Express.

Bringing It Home 11/14

Hello Parentz!
Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

Sunday Nov. 14th-

MyLife.
Lots of people have a problem with their temper. But anger isn’t always a problem, it becomes a problem when we choose to take it out on others. James tells us that letting our anger run wild won’t accomplish what God wants for us. The best way to deal with someone whose anger is out of control is with gentleness. When someone has already lost their temper, responding in any other way than with gentleness will probably only make them more upset. When someone is yelling at us or is just mad in general, speaking to them in a calm, quiet voice works best. Reminding them that you care about them and want to help them resolve their problem may help them get control of their anger. Even if it doesn’t, it can help you from having your feelings hurt by their anger and taking it out on someone else. When someone’s mad, that’s not the best time to tell them what they’re doing wrong. For right now, just love them, forgive them, and be gentle with your words and actions. You may have to just not say anything at all to the person and instead take your concerns to God in prayer.

Verse:
Prov. 15:1, "A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger."

Catch Phrase:
When others' choices give me strife, God will help me with MyLife.

Discussion Questions:
   1. Share a time when someone lost their temper with you.
   2. How could you respond with gentleness in each situation?


Material and images based on "My Life" by Lifechurch.tv

A Choice to Choose

Have you ever had a situation where someone else in your life made a poor choice and you had to deal with the aftermath? We have all experienced these unfortunate circumstances and most likely have dealt with it in a negative way. I remember when I was about 11 years old and my older sister and I were watching Saturday morning cartoons and we were each allowed to choose a 30 minute program to watch. When her thirty minutes were up I got up and changed the channel but to my surprise she wasn't ready to relinquish the control. To make a long story short, a fight ensued and I walked away with a bloody, bruised leg and she walked away with a fat lip.  As Gary Smalley states, "You can't always choose your relationships, but you can choose how you will act in those relationships." What can we do to help our children learn how to minimize the physical and emotional pain these types of problems can stir up?

This month we are starting a new series called MyLife. We will be talking about how to handle situations where other people's poor choices affect our lives and what we can do to productively handle the situation while maintaining a godly attitude. It doesn't take me long to think of countless other times when I handled a situation poorly and have seriously damaged relationships because of my inability to confront people in a healthy way and I'm sure you can think of many of your own inappropriate reactions.

So, I challenge you to talk with your children (and even practice this in your own life when the opportunity arises) about what to do when we face bullies, complainers, tempers, and unfair authority figures. Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Pray for the person. The person may not change but your heart will!
2. Walk away.
3. Get support from a caring adult.

Bringing It Home 11/7

Hello Parentz!
Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express.

Sunday Nov. 7th -

My Life
We all know people in our lives that make poor choices. But what do we do when others' wrong choices effect us? This month we will be talking about what we can do when we suffer consequences for the bad choices of others. We will explore the things Jesus said and did to show us how to love those who hurt us.

Verse:
Matthew 5:44, "...Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you."

Catch Phrase:
"When others' choices give me strife, God will help me with My Life."

Discussion Questions:
     1. Share a time when you faced a bully.
     2. How can you use Jesus' strategy of loving your enemies in your next bully situation?



Material and images based on "My Life" by Lifechurch.tv

Hoogle Boogle Express Test 10/31

Sunday October 31st.-

This Sunday is our Hoogle Boogle Express Test. Hoogle Boogle is a review game that we play at the end of each series to go over what we learned throughout the month. Here are some review questions:

1. The first part of our Catch Phrase is: "Our mission is to spread ___ _______ __ _____." (the message of Jesus)
2. What does ABC stand for? (Admit, Believe, Confess)
3. Who were Jonah and Alexis following? (a possible team member, Evangeline)
4. Finish the second part of our Catch Phrase: "Our mission is to spread the message of Jesus, To share Jesus' love through ___ _______." (our example)
5. Share a time when you were a good example to someone else.
6. What do you call a friend who helps you to be more like Jesus? (an accountability partner)
7. Finish the third part of our Catch Phrase: "To show them Jesus' love through ___ _______." (our service)
8. What sort of service project did Evangeline do? (gave food to the homeless)
9. How should our service be different than community service that a lot of people do? (we serve people to show them God's love for them)
10. What is a good way to lead people to Jesus? (share your story of how Jesus changed your life)
11. What is another name for "your story"? (your testimony)

HARVEST PARTY!!!

You can still preregister for the Harvest Party this Sunday morning!

Bringing It Home 10/24

Hello Parentz!
I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply what they learn in Kidz Express. Below is a brief summary, main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we're learning this Sunday.

Sunday Oct. 24th.

GO!
Your Story. We have been learning all month the importance of going and sharing the message of Jesus with the people in our lives, but how exactly do we do this? This week we are going to learn how to write out our testimony in 4 sentences so when people ask about our relationship with Jesus we can be prepared with a quick, simple answer for them.

Verse:
Acts 22:15 "For you are to be His witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard."

Catch Phrase:
Our mission is to spread the message of Jesus
To share Jesus' love through our example
To show them Jesus' love through our service
To lead them to Jesus by telling our story

Discussion Questions:
1. If you have made Jesus the leader of your life, share how you first came to know Jesus?
2. How has your life been different since making Jesus the leader of your life?

Share Your Story

All of this month in Kidz Express we have been talking about going into all of the world to share the message of Jesus. As I have been preparing for this Sunday's lesson I realized what a value it is for us as believers to be ready to share our testimony and to be able to do it in a quick and effective way. But how many of us would be able to say exactly what we want to say if someone were to ask us the why and how questions of what we so wholeheartedly believe? We know that it is a good thing to share our testimony with others, we even find that the Bible tells us to be ready for this to happen, (1 Peter 3:15). But how many of us actually prepare? How many times has someone asked about your faith and you walk away not feeling confident that you  said what you needed to say? 

This week I am going to be challenging our grade school students to write out their testimony so they can "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks them to give the reason for the hope that they have." As their leaders (and parents) I want to challenge you to do the same so we can help them be ready to share their faith. Below are a few great tips in sharing our faith with others that I took from David Staal's Leading Kids to Jesus.

Bill Hybels says about sharing your testimony, "The greatest gift you can give someone is the story of Jesus and how He changes lives- especially yours" He also says there are three things to keep in mind when sharing your faith: make it clear, use the right terminology, and keep it short. To help you write out your testimony follow this 4 sentence outline:

1. BC - What was life like before becoming a Christian
2. Cross - what happened that highlighted your need for Jesus
3. Cross - your conversion
4. AD - life after becoming a Christian

In the comments I will post a couple of example testimonies to give you some ideas of what it looks like. Feel free to post your 4 sentence testimony in the comments as well!

Bringing It Home

Hello Parents!

I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply and practice the lessons they learn in Kidz Express. Below is a brief summary, the main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we are learning this Sunday.

Sunday Oct. 17th-

GO!
Your Service. As followers of Christ we are called to reach out to people around us through acts of service in love. It is through our love for others that the world will experience the love God has for them. And it is through this same love that the world will know that we are His disciples. We can be Jesus' hands in feet by reaching out to the poor and the hurting.

Verse: 
John 13:35, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

Catch Phrase:

Our mission is to spread the message of Jesus

To share Jesus’ love through our example

To show them Jesus’ love through our service

Discussion Questions:

1. What is something you’ve done to serve your community?

2. When you serve others, how can you show them God’s love?

A Change of Perspective

Have you ever had someone point out a situation to you that completely changed your perspective on that situation? Recently while I was spending some time with God I decided to go for a walk to think and pray about some things that were going on in my life. I was walking to a familiar spot near my apartment and the entire time I was walking couldn't stop thinking about how difficult it was to get to this spot and how much time it was taking. But when I got to the top of the hill and looked back over where I had just been I realized that it really wasn't all that far or nearly as uphill as it felt while I was making my way there. At this moment the Lord started speaking to me about how much my perspective can change the way I view difficult situations.

As it turns out a few days later I received some life changing news and it was then that God reminded me of my walk and our conversation. At that moment I had the opportunity to choose my perspective. Many times our mood is determined by what we choose to focus on. I believe this is one of the reasons the Bible says so many times in the New Testament to be thankful, give thanksgiving and rejoice in all circumstances. Bill Johnson writes in his book, Strengthen Yourself in the Lord, "Thanksgiving is the only proper way to receive what God has given us because it honors our relationship with Him by expressing trust in His goodness, even if we don't yet understand what we've received."

Let me just say that being thankful may not change your situation at all, bad news is bad news. However, being thankful changes our perspective and to repeat what Mr. Johnson said, it expresses trust in God's goodness. It is very difficult for us to be thankful in such situations but the reality is God says to us in James 1 to "consider it pure joy" when we face difficult situations. God invites us to choose our perspective and promises us that He is looking out for our good.

So, what are you choosing to focus on?

Bringing It Home

Hello Parents!
As I mentioned in my first post, one of the ways I would like to use this blog is to communicate with you what we are learning in Kidz Express. I hope this can be a meaningful tool for you to help your children apply and practice the lessons they learn in Kidz Express. Below is a brief summary, the main verse, "Catch Phrase" and a few discussion questions you can use to reinforce what we are learning.


Sunday Oct. 10th-

GO!
This month we are learning that as followers of Christ we are called to not just keep our relationship with Jesus to ourselves, but to GO! and share it with those around us.


Verse:
1 Peter 2:21 NIV, "... Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." (with motions!)


Catch Phrase:
"Our mission is to spread the message of Jesus
To share Jesus' love through our example."


Discussion Questions:
1. What is something from your life that’s a good example of God’s love?

2. How can your choices make you a good example for how Jesus wants us to live?

Purpose

I believe that one of the first things people discover about me is that I am very much a people person. Even though I am a borderline extrovert/introvert, I enjoy being around people, building friendships through hanging out, playing games, making others laugh, and I believe as with most people, one of my greatest desires is to be understood by those around me and who know me.

About Me
That being said, I would like to take this chance, as my first blog, to explain a little about myself and the purpose for creating this blog. First, about me, as you can read in my "about" section, I am originally from Montana, (a bit of information I like to share whenever I get the chance), and I came out to New York to attend a Bible College in Lima. I had planned on attending for one year but as with many instances, the way God has ordered my steps was not exactly as I had planned. In the final semester of my senior year, I started praying and asking God what the exact calling was that He had on my life. I had heard so many times that we all have a calling but it dawned on me as I was about to graduate that I hadn't ever discovered my calling. So my first thought was simply to ask. God responded by giving me a picture: He showed me myself standing at a wall and as people came to me I would give them a boost so they could make it over. He gave me this word; that He has created me to be an "equipper" - someone who would give others a boost into their specific calling. Later I came across this verse which I have adopted as "Rob's Verse"

"To equip the saints for the work of ministry" Eph. 4:12.

Or as Eugene Peterson puts it in the Message Bible,

"To train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, full developed within and without, fully alive like Christ."

About the BLOG
As for the purpose of this blog, it's rather simple. My desire is to give the parents of Elim Gospel Church and possibly other parents and children's workers a place where they can be equipped to reach and minister to their own children. My goal is to accomplish this through weekly articles, tips and information on what is happening and being taught in Kidz Express. I would love for this to be one more way parents can connect with their children and take an active role in their spiritual development.

I honestly believe that God has placed at least 2 lights on earth that will point people back to Him, the Family and the Church, and if these two established influences can work together, we will see the next generation experience the Kingdom of God like we have never imagined!