Paul

An awesome character trait about Paul is that he did what God wanted no matter what people thought of him for it. That is what we wanted the kids to learn this week in KC - that even when people don't feel that it is good or important, if God does, that is all that matters! We began with a great time of worship and prayer. The kids always jump right in to give their prayer requests - written down and orally - and also to tell of answers to prayer.





We enlisted some of the kids to help out with a simple skit retelling the story of the good Samaritan to reinforce the character trait Paul was demonstrating.

Brock was the man who was beaten by theives (just for pretend!):



Caleb was the priest who came by and ignored the injured man:



Jiliane was the Levite who was too busy to be bothered:



Jaycie was the good Samaritan who put the man on her "donkey" and took care of him. It was unplanned but worked out perfect that she was Brock's sister and brothers and sisters would not normally be ready to help each other, but she did what was right no matter what anyone else did!



Next, we separated into small groups for some focused lessons. Brother Mark used a potato head to teach his lesson. If we listen to what other people say, even if it is not what God would want, we end up as messed up as a potato head with a foot for an ear and a mouth for an eye! The kids really seemed to catch on that that would not be good and that it is better to obey God and have things turn out the right way. They got to make their own potato head pictures to take home with a reminder that it is better to obey God than man.





Sister Dawn talked about caring too much about what our friends think. We have parents and teachers to help lead and guide us, but our friends can often tell us the wrong thing. She led the children in praying with and for each other to be set free from worrying about what our friends think and standing up for what is right.





Sister Tammy used pudding to reinforce the truth. She had a box of pudding to make for a treat for the kids, but didn't really think that it was important to follow the directions on the side of the box and just did it any way that sounded good. Instead of 2 c. of cold milk, she just used about 1/2 c. of warm water that was nearby and easy to get to. Then, it said to stir quickly for 2 minutes and she was too tired, so she just did about 30 seconds. (lots of sweet children offered to help when she was too tired!) Needless to say, the pudding was not very yummy looking! She compared that to living for God without following His instructions for us - those found in the Bible - and how yucky our lives would be if we don't follow those guidelines. The kids still got to have some pudding made the correct way!





Riley and Christina before church:


Jared before service:


Jeremiah and Dylan:


Thank you for sharing your children with us!

Happy New Year!

2009 is here and it is the perfect time for new beginnings and fresh start - even for kids! We began with brainstorming things that we do that we really don't like to do or don't want to do anymore - things that Jesus probably wouldn't want us to do. They were so honest and we were amazed at some of the things they brought up - realizing that they are not concentrating in school, needing to stop mocking others, needing to obey their parents better, needing to be more honest, not eating too much sugar... - they were really thinking!

After we brainstormed, each child was given a blank piece of paper. They were encouraged to close their eyes and think of the thing they wanted to try to stop doing this year and then we prayed together, asking Jesus to forgive us of those things and to help us to stop doing them.







After we prayed, they brought their blank cards forward and placed them at the foot of the cross. We rejoiced that as of right then, when we repented, Jesus forgave us and it was as if we never did those things before! We are clean now!

Next, we helped them brainstorm good habits that they wanted to developed this year. We compared starting new habits to seeds. When you plant a seed, you need certain things to help it grow - you have to prepare the soil and get rid of the weeds. We just did that by giving things to Jesus! You need water and sun - we get those from spending time with Jesus and he washes us and shines His light on us. We want to plant good seeds so that good things will grow in our lives.

Then, they were given seed shaped papers with the verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" written on one side. They were encouraged to put some good things that they want to do this year on the other side and then to place that by their bed or in their Bible, so that they could see it and remember to continue to ask Jesus help them to be their best for Him.

We pray that they will continue to want to live for Jesus and allow Him to work in their lives this year while their good seeds begin to take root and grow! 2009 can be our best year ever!