Welcome!
We’re so excited that you stopped over to see what’s happening in kids ministry! Each week we’ll have all information and links you need to stay up-to-date right here in one convenient place.
We have options for you to work through the lesson with your family or set your kids up to watch one of our virtual lessons.
What we’re studying this month
LEVEL UP: A 4-WEEK SERIES ON EASTER
Video games are something today’s kids are familiar with. . . maybe even too familiar! Games are played on every platform from game consoles to handheld devices/phones, and there are a ton of different games to choose from. But the constant across this diverse gaming universe is that every game has levels of increasing difficulty. When a player “levels up,” they are usually met with more challenges but also with more rewards. Through this series, we are challenging kids to “level up” their faith by examining the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection. Even though they might be facing difficulties and adversity of their own, kids will find the greatest rewards in their faith when they fix their eyes on Jesus. Because Jesus trusted God, Jesus beat death! When we doubt and have questions about God, Jesus helps me believe, and even during those times, Jesus is always with me.
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How to Study at Home
Get your Child a snack
Read the Bible Story to your child and/or
Click on the link to the YouTube Playlist for that week and watch the videos. Lessons each week brought to you by our Children’s Director Melissa. “in-person” lessons complete with worship music, videos, games, memory work, and more.
Review Memory work and Pray with your kids when they are done
If you have time or the desire - choose one of the follow-up activities to help the kids engage with the lesson
Weekly Lesson Plan -
INSTRUCTIONS: Look up the story in your Bible. See if your kids can guess the Big Idea.
THE BIBLE: Doubting Thomas: John 20:19-20, 24-29; (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1)
BIG IDEA: Jesus helps me believe
Last week, we learned about the women going to the tomb and learning Jesus beat death! Jesus was no longer in the tomb because Jesus was alive. Let's look at the Bible and I'll read what happened next.
INSTRUCTIONS: Read John 20:19-20.
The disciples were so excited to see Jesus! But not everyone was there. One of the disciples was missing — Thomas. Let's keep reading.
INSTRUCTIONS: Read John 20:24-29.
Thomas didn't believe what his friends were saying. He didn't believe Jesus beat death. So, Jesus helped Thomas. Jesus appeared to all the disciples in the same room a second time! And this time, Thomas was with them. And when Thomas saw the marks where Jesus had been nailed to the cross, and when he touched them, he believed. Jesus helped Thomas believe!
Jesus loves us so much, Jesus will help us believe!
Additional SCRIPTURE| 2 Corinthians 5:7
INSTRUCTIONS: If possible, have everyone open up their Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5:7. Have one of the kids read the verse out loud to the group.
Who can tell me in your own words what you think this verse means?
Being able to see is very important. But the thing is, we don't need to see to believe in Jesus! We don't physically see Jesus today. But we believe in Jesus because we have faith. Faith is believing in something even though we can't physically see it.
PRAYER
Toddler Tips: A toddler needs may have trouble understanding the concept of prayer because they cannot see God. Echo Prayer is a good strategy to encourage and teach kids how to talk to God. The teacher or parent speaks aloud a short segment of the prayer, and the children echo back the same sentence or phrase.
Jesus, thank You for reminding us that even when we doubt or have questions, that doesn't change how much You love each of us. Thank You for surrounding us with others who pray for us and encourage us. Help us to grow our faith and believe in You.