eTssg

Hello Parentz Express-

This Sunday is brought to you be the letter "T" and the number 10. As in - we are going to be talking about why God asks us to give 10% of our resources to Him as a tithe. We will be exploring what He means by our "firstfruits", how He asks us to set this apart for Him, and why we would want to follow this command.

Verse:
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Discussion Q’s:
1. What do you think the verse means?
2. What does God mean by "firstfruits"?
3. Are there any examples of others giving their firstfruits in the Bible?

Express Bucks

Two weeks ago the grade schoolers and I created a new word, although I have no dilussions about it ever making it into Webster's text of words and their meanings, your children and I have already learned, used and defined this new word and maybe you have even heard it used around your home (incidently your child may or may not have been speaking in tongues the other day). What is the new word Pastor Rob?

Etssg
[eht-ssssguh] -verb
1. Earning, tithing, saving, spending and giving.
2. the management of revenues; the conduct or transaction of money matters generally, especially those affecting the individual, as in the fields of banking and investment.

I realized after this past Sunday that I should probably clarify what exactly we're doing, the opportunity your children have, and how you can reinforce what they are being taught this month. This passed Sunday's lesson was all about exploring the "E" in etssg. Otherwise known as earn, and I gave your children the chance to practice this verb. In our Funday Sunday event we discussed different ways we can earn money and what God says about how we should earn money. We then had an opportunity to earn some ourselves, Express Bucks that is.

For the rest of this series I will be offering an Express Buck to everyone that brings their Bible, memorizes the week's verse (this past Sunday's was 2 Thess. 3:10), brings a friend, and/or finds the Sword Drill verse in under a minute.

We will also be talking about what the Bible says about tithing and I will match $1 US to every $5 Express Bucks put in the offering for Ugandan Water Project. How, why, and when to save and spend, and what the difference between tithing and giving is.

Also, towards the end of the month we will be opening up our "Community Chest" store so that your children have a chance to spend what they earned.

Bringing It Home 2/13

Hello Parentz Express-
This morning we are going to be continuing our series Monopoly Express. We will be looking at 5 different ways we can honor God with our money including earning, tithing, saving, spending and giving. We will also be looking through several verses in the Bible related to our topic and by splitting into teams, will see who can come up with the best skit to go along with their verse.

Verse:
Philippians 4:19 "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

Discussion Questions:
1. What does ETSSG stand for? (earning, tithing, saving, spending, giving)
2. Read the memory verse together, what is this saying to us?
3. Why is it important for you to honor God with your money?

What Children Have to Say On the Matter

Thoughts of Randomocity
"I'm glad I'm finally eight. This is the oldest I've ever been in my entire life!" -- 8 year old
"I have a rock in my nose." -- 2 year old son, greeting his mother after preschool, a full hour after recess was over.
"Well, sometimes I say something mean to my brother, but I feel really good inside. Does that mean I'm a hypocrite?" -- 7 year old girl, after a Sunday School teacher explained that a hypocrite was someone who says one thing but feels something else.
"Daddy, did your hair slip?" -- 3 year old son, to his bald but long bearded father
"Tell me when you're asleep, ok?" -- 7 year old son, overheard talking to his 5 year old brother.
"They didn't see it -- it was all cut off!" -- 2 year old son, when his mother was asked how his grandparents liked his new haircut
"Are you kidding me?! They go together like balogna and cheese! No, wait. More like mayonnaise and bread." -- 9 year old girl, when asked if her brother and cousin hang out a lot.
"Don't kid me, Mom, I know they're my feet." -- 3 year old son, when his mother told him his shoes were on the wrong feet
"I wish someone we knew would die so we could leave them flowers." -- 6 year old girl, upon seeing flowers in a cemetery.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some email." -- 4 year old girl, misquoting the Lord's Prayer

On Love
"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." -- Glenn, age 7
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." -- Mae, age 9
"Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." -- Tom, age 5
"It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -- Kenny, age 7
"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." -- Ava, age 8
"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." -- Regina, age 10


On Science
"One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500 feet in one second."
"When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions."
"South America has cold summers and hot winters, but somehow they still manage."
"There are 26 vitamins in all, but some of the letters are yet to be discovered. Finding them all means living forever."
"Lime is a green-tasting rock."
"Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know we know they're there."
"I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing."
"The wind is like the air, only pushier."
"A blizzard is when it snows sideways."
"A hurricane is a breeze of a bigly size."
"A monsoon is a French gentleman."
"Thunder is a rich source of loudness."

Bringing It Home 2/6

Hello Parentz Express-

Monopoly Express
For the next six weeks we are going to be talking about what the Bible teaches us about saving, tithing, spending, giving, and some other ideas on basic money management.

Verse:
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

Discussion Qs:

1. What do you typically spend your money on?
2. If you could save up some money what would you do with it?
3. How much are we suppose to tithe? (10%)
4. What is one way to help us spend wisely? (stop and think about what you are going to purchase)
5. What does it mean to save?

No Kidz Quest

Hey Parentz Express-
Remember that there is NO Kidz Quest this Sunday.

GO PACKERS!
(please email responses to the previous statement to: notarealemailaddress@sosorry.com)

Consistency Matters More Than Anything - by Sam Luce

I remember the first time I thought “The way those parents are raising their kids will never work, their kids are going to turn out to be hellions.” I thought this because I didn’t have kids and read loads of parenting books that all offered the perfect recipe to raise great kids. The front of the book always has a kid screaming and back always has a mom and a dad with 5 well groomed kids, a picture perfect family. As I continued to read those books and watch the kids I thought would never turn out to love Jesus become passionate followers and then see kids who came from great homes walk away from their faith, I need to go back to the drawing board. What made the difference? Click here to continue reading.