Photo of the Week 1/30

Preschool Class on January 30, 2011

Here are our preschoolers learning about the Bible. Next Sunday is the official national holiday of "thank your preschool volunteers" day! Ok, maybe that's not true... but feel free to thank them anyways!

Bringing It Home 1/30

Hoogle Boogle Express Test
This week is Hoogle Boogle, here are some review questions to go over with your grade schoolers:


1. How did we define fasting this month? (giving up something you really want for a time so you can spend time seeking and praying to God)
2. We talked about Jesus fasting so he could prepare, what was He preparing for? (He was preparing for His ministry)
3. What is one thing you prayed for during our fast? (have everyone share)
4. How is fasting and prayer like planting and watering a seed? (Just as if you didn’t water a seed it wouldn’t grow, fasting needs prayer along with it)
5. We talked about fasting in a certain way, fasting like a __________. (ninja)
6. When you fast, why is it better that people not know that you are fasting? (the Bible tells us not to show off or be prideful with our fasting)
7. Does this mean if someone asks you, you should lie and say you are not? (no, but you can use it to explain who Jesus is)
8. What happens if someone finds out you are fasting? (it’s ok, as long as you’re not prideful about it)
9. Why doesn't God answer every prayer so we can see it? (we can't always be certain, but we know He loves us and that His ways are higher than our own)
10. What should we do if we don't see anything happen when we pray? (keep praying)
11. What should we do if God doesn't answer our prayer? (continue praising and serving him)

Big Rocks - by Reggie Joiner

"The group consisting of mother, father and child is the main educational agency of mankind.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the most sobering truths about parenting is that you are teaching your children something, whether you are being intentional or not. Sure, you may not teach your children everything they need to know about Calculus or Biology. But your children are learning things from you as a parent that they will carry with them for the rest of their life. Click here to continue reading.

Photo of the Week 1/23

We had a great time at Kidz Quest last night as you can see. We talked about how the Word of God is a "lamp to our feet and a light to our path." You can see us playing "Find Your Marbles" here illustrating how just like our teammate became our eyes, God's Word lights our way through situations we face each day.

Bringing It Home 1/23

What If I Don't See Anything Happen When I Pray?

If you asked your mother for a cookie and she said "no", would you ever ask for another cookie the rest of your life? This week we are going to be tackling this tough question: What if God doesn't answer my prayer? One of the more discouraging things in life can be working diligently on something and not seeing any results. So what do we do? We will be looking at the life of the persistent widow who continued to seek justice even when she was consistently turned down. We'll be looking at 1 John 3 and how God feels about us. And discovering the heart attitude that caused three brave young men to say, "But even if he does not [save us from the furnace], we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Verse:
Matt. 18:7, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?"

Discussion Qs:

1. Why doesn't God answer every prayer so we can see it? (we can't always be certain, but we know He loves us and that His ways are higher than our own)
2. What should we do if we don't see anything happen when we pray? (keep praying)
3. What should we do if God doesn't answer our prayer? (continue praising and serving him)

"Cognitive Development" by Cindy Scott

It’s kind of a brainiac title I know, but something I am kind of passionate about. In child development there are several types of parental approaches to help your child’s thought processes grow. One is to impose your values on them by making them believe what you believe and on the converse side of that (and even more devastating) is to not really care at all about their values and let them figure that out on their own.

In the middle is a place where the parents craft powerful questions that help the child to
develop their own belief system that will not be swayed by opposing world views. You
see if a parent imposes their values, the child often goes through a time when they reach
a certain age where they question those beliefs, however if a child chooses to believe
what the parent believes then it becomes their own and is more likely to stand the tests to
come.

So, how can you help your child chose wisely? Ask questions like these:
“So, do you believe in God?” “Why?”
“What do you think you could say to people who don’t believe that is true?”
“Why do you think God gave us choices?”
“How do wise people make choices?”
“What kinds of things do you think you are going to have to choose in your life?”
“What happens if you make a bad choice?”
Etc.

It can be very difficult to start to “release the reigns” so to speak but if you do it at an early age you will find them asking you questions in return about how you make your choices. You can stimulate their thinking about options before those options are even on the table. Have fun thinking of powerful questions and have fun dialoguing with your children!

Photo of the Week 1/16

We had an amazing morning this morning talking about the difference between fasting in pride and fasting in humility - "like a ninja" - and what it looks like when we pray, give and fast without bragging or boasting. I challenged us all to do something nice for someone this week without telling anyone that they did it. So be on the look out for random chores that are done or special treatment from your kids... just don't tell them I told you!

Fasting Like a Ninja

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.

This week we are going to be discussing some of Jesus' instructions to us regarding fasting, prayer, and giving. His main point is "don't make it obvious... by trying to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire you for your fasting... But when you fast, shampoo your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."
So when you fast, go into "ninja" mode, try not to get noticed by others because fasting is about humbling ourselves before God.

Verse:
Matthew 6:16-18 "And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

Discussion Questions:

1. When you fast, why is it better that people not know that you are fasting?
2. Does this mean if someone asks you, you should lie and say you are not?
3. What happens if someone finds out you are fasting?

The Not So Perfect Parent

This week I asked Pastor Wayne Hedlund to share with us on the subject of parenting. Pastor Wayne is the Executive Pastor here at EGC and has served in almost every position at the church. He is the father of four and has been a great mentor and coach to me as the Children's Pastor and in my personal life. 

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak thing of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Guess what? It’s OK for you to not get everything right. This passage is a reminder to us that God is the one who works through our lives to our children, despite our weaknesses, ignorance, and failures. There is no point in placing the weight of all your accumulated mistakes on your shoulders to bare every day. This Scripture gives us the freedom to be lacking in wisdom, to do foolish things, and be the weak vessels that we are. It allows us room to make mistakes and still be parents. We have not become disqualified.

God chose you to be the parents of your children. You have no excuse. He knew you would be weak. He knew you would make mistakes. He knew your kids would grow up and one day remember your mistakes. He knew you wouldn’t always know what to do. He knew you’d blow your top sometimes, that you would occasionally be lazy, or inconsistent, or perhaps even negligent. Certainly you didn’t have it all together when that first child was laid into your arms; and you know you didn’t when the ones after that started following you around the house. But God still called you. He still specifically placed that child into your sphere of influence and responsibility.

Why? So that no one may boast before him. Christ Jesus is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. So when we are weak, all we can do is lean on and rely on Him. We can pray for and ask for His wisdom. In the end, our children are His children. By God’s grace, one day they will boast in what God has done for them much more than they will boast in what we have done for them. So love your kids with everything that’s in you; do your absolute best; read books; go to classes; and ask other parents and mentors what to do. But at the end of the day, let go of your guilt and shame and allow God’s grace to cover over your mistakes. Your kids are going to make it . . . after all, you made it, right?

Wayne

Photo of the Week 1/9

This week we had an amazing service in Kidz Express. We related the idea of fasting and praying to a farmer planting and watering a seed. There is no use in planting if you're not going to water, and in the same way, fasting without prayer. And just as God is the one that makes the plant grow, we must rely on God for the things we pray for.

At the end of our lesson we all wrote down one (or more) things we want to be praying for this month and hung them on the cross to pray for each week until the end of the month.

Bringing It Home 1/9

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?
Matt. 4:1-2 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wildness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry." First of all, can you imagine not eating for almost a month and a half? Jesus definitely didn’t live an easy life, but he knew that Got had a big plan for His life; to be the savior of all. Jesus knew He had to obey his Father even though it was scary tough. Fasting and praying is much like planting and watering a seed. It takes hard work and tender care, but just like all plants, God is the one who makes something happen, we just need to be faithful in the watering/praying...

Verse:
Matt. 4:1-2 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wildness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."

Discussion Qs:
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. How is fasting and prayer like planting and watering a seed?

Kidz Quest Restarts This Sunday

We are starting our winter semester of Kidz Quest this Sunday, January 9th from 6-8pm. Kidz Quest is our Sunday evening program where through, skits, games, scripture memorization, lessons, and small group discussions, your child has the opportunity to get a deeper look at what it means to have a relationship with the Father God. As well as build stronger friendships with their peers who are learning the same values.

Here's a look at our upcoming lesson plans:

Jan. 9 - It's Alive (Heb. 4:12a) Our words can help or harm.
Jan. 16 - It's Sharp and Powerful (Heb. 4:12) God's Word is powerful and active
Jan. 23 - It's A Light (Ps 119:105) The Word of God is a light to our path.
Jan. 30 - Word Up (Ps. 119:11) God's Word is valuable and helps to live!
Feb. 6 - No Kidz Quest, enjoy the Super Bowl!
Feb. 13 - Do It! (James 1:22) Hearing is easier than doing, but obedience is an important ingredient.