Getting our Bearings, Coordinates and Course Heading for Kids

Deuteronomy 6:5-7



"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."



Bringing our faith, prayer and practice to our children within the church will impact their lives as well as the lives of others. But how we do this has certainly changed over the years. We now have the best technology along with the best teaching strategies based on children's learning styles than we have ever had in the past. Yet, there might be something missing.



Who really should be leading the children spiritually on a daily basis? A new (but probably very old) shift in children's ministry could very well impact the lives of every child and every family touched by a children's ministry based on feeding our children's hungry hearts each day at home with their families. Brian Haynes talks about this in his new book "Shift" where he speaks about bringing families together to spiritually equip this next generation. We could do this with our children in our families today.



"God Sightings" is one way. They can be easily explained by encouraging family members to develop a sense of God's loving presence in our every day lives. Examples may be looking for God's love at a sporting event or simply placing a fun treat and a note on a family member's pillow.





Also, planning time for intentional "Faith Talks" where a time is set aside for weekly conversations based on Scripture. It may be "family devotions" around the fireplace or a walk in the snowy woods, or other creative times...even a trip to Walmart. You can talk about your God Sightings on these journeys and pray and praise God for what He has done.



Through our Sunday evening programs, and studies, I hope to provide scripture and guidelines based on our evening Bible studies that will provide a plan and outline for God Sightings and Faith Talks.



Other events, such as our Fun Fest Survivor Night and Easter Caroling will provide many opportunities to have material for leading weekly Faith Talks with the family.



Our bearings-Scripture, our coordinates-God Sightings, and our Course-Faith Talks with prayer can be possible.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Forgiven Tag

Colossians 3:11-17 (NRSV)
"In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"

One of the favorite games during our children's music ministry time is "Forgiven Tag". Even the little guys who may be a bit reluctant to participate in choir time, will come in anticipation of our "gym time". We always have games that focus on Bibilical concepts and themes that ring throughout our dramas, songs, choirchimes and bells.
"Forgiven Tag" is one such game where one person is "it" and chases others in the group around the room. He/she tags people while running around. When tagged, you must stop and freeze in your spot. The others running around the room can "untag" the frozen person and say, "you are forgiven" and the person is free to run again.
Gather the neighbors, adults and children, and play this game on a pleasant fall evening. It's really a blast.

We are called each day to forgive others.

1. Children, tweens and adults can play the game outside or in a large room or gym.
2. At your dinner table, ask each person if they needed to forgive someone today. You may be surprised at how many respsonses you'll get.
3. Talk about the word "harmony" and sing a song together. If you can sing a simple song like JESUS LOVES ME and add harmony that would be great. If you can't sing harmony, sing any song together or listen to a recording of A family favorite and listen for harmony within the song.

Above all, pray that harmony with love and forgivness will always dwell in your home. Play "Forgiven Tag" each day in your heart.
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