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
BLAST OFF: A SERIES ON SPIRITUAL HABITS
If you’re a grown-up and you’ve been following Jesus for a while, you’ve probably figured out a few ways to grow spiritually. The kids you’re parenting or leading, on the other hand, aren’t grown-ups, so they might need a little help from you to figure out how, exactly, to grow spiritually. So what should spiritual growth look like for a kid? We like to think about it in terms of four spiritual habits. To help a kid grow spiritually, teach them to spend time with God, spend time with others, use their gifts, and share their story.
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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: Peter and John Share the Gospel: Acts 4:1-20; I John 3:18
BIG IDEA: We can share God’s story.
INSTRUCTIONS: Look up the story in your Bible and read it to your preschoolers.
Peter and John were just two regular, ordinary people, but when they met Jesus, their lives changed forever. They couldn't stop telling others about who Jesus was and what Jesus had done for them.
Have you ever heard news that was so great that you couldn't wait to tell someone about it?
Have you ever seen something so amazing that you just had to tell someone about what you'd seen?
That's how Peter and John felt! They had seen the amazing things Jesus had done, and wanted everyone to know about it. So Peter and John traveled from city to city, telling people about Jesus and performing miracles with God's power.
Even when powerful people tried to make Peter and John stop talking about Jesus, they wouldn't. Instead, they said, "We can't help it! We have to talk about what we've seen God do!"
Additional SCRIPTURE| I John 3:18
INSTRUCTIONS: Read I John 3:18
We've talked a lot about our words today, but our words aren't the only way we can share God's story with others. Our words are important, but so are our actions.
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the passage together.
People wanted to hear what Peter and John had to say because their actions backed up their words. They were brave! They performed miracles! They cared for people! They showed the love of Jesus not just with their words, but with their actions too.
OBJECT LESSON | The Power of God's Spirit
But why were Peter and John so brave? Why did they continue telling people God's story, even after they got in trouble and were told to be quiet? They were brave because God had given them a special gift.
INSTRUCTIONS: For this object lesson, you'll need an un-inflated balloon. Hold it up and ask, "What do you think will happen to this balloon if I let it go?" Of course the balloon will fall to the ground — demonstrate that, but then pick it up again. This time, inflate the balloon but don't tie it. Just hold it tight. Ask, "What do you think will happen if I let it go now?" Let the balloon go and watch it fly across the room.
What was the difference between the first and second times I let the balloon go?
The only difference was the air inside the balloon! The first balloon dropped because it had no air inside it, but the second balloon flew because it was filled with something powerful.
When Peter and John traveled from city to city, sharing the good news of Jesus, and performing miraculous healings, they weren't doing those things by their own strength or power alone. They were like the second balloon, filled up with air — but the air was God's Spirit, giving them power, strength, joy, and hope.
How did they get God's Spirit inside of them? Easy! They had a relationship with God through Jesus, so God's Spirit filled them up, just like it can fill up you and me. God's Spirit gives us the courage to share God's story!
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.
Dear God, thank you that Jesus loves us and forgives us. Help us to share our story about You with others.
Is there anything I can pray for you about or thank God for?