An amazing look at the big picture of Christmas as it tells not only the coming of Jesus but God’s big plan to rescue us from our sin by sending a Savior.
Nate’s take: This book is beautifully illustrated and even keeps the storyline in chronological order while avoiding many of the “traditional” pitfalls. Something that we sometimes miss in our every day life is how God is not just taking care of us but has a plan. One great way to be reminded of that is the reason why Christmas had to happen; our sin. This story shows how God took care of us and wants us to be rescued. This book could plant a seed or start a special gospel conversation.
Nate’s keys to success: This book could should be a repeat book as it covers so many big topics. It could also be a great Christmas Eve book for the whole family. It would be great for older kids to read to younger as well. This story is not just one day with a baby but a promise made to Adam and Eve now fulfilled for “Christmas is Coming”!
These six story pages are full of interaction as walk through some of the different aspects of the Christmas story.
Nate’s take: Made perfect for an older child that might want something that is challenging and they could do with a parent or by themselves. It provides a great chronological view of the Christmas story and the stories after. With a “Christ connection” and a paragraph story it makes for an easy to read while you “work” activities book.
Nate’s keys to success: a younger child could easily to just point at things they see as you read the short stories on each page multiple times during the Christmas story. While an old child could he given a dry erase pen and sent to complete each page in a reusable wipe off list.
A rather expressive book that highlights some of the noisier parts of Christmas.
Nate’s take: With it’s dark skinned art and simple phrasing it briefly highlights yet accurately depicts the Christmas story in a LOUD then quiet sing song that would get any preschooler quiet active and giggling while learning about the Christmas story.
Nate’s keys to success: this book is on repeat during the evenings of the Christmas season in our house so be sure to have plenty of space for silly acting out. Plus if you put hand motions to the pages you might find your kid(s) acting it out without you.
9 days before Christmas 10 including Christmas (start Dec 16)
This simpler advent calendar builds a manger scene that you could wrap a manger in your house or just follow along as we see theirs come together.
Nate’s take: A lot of advent calendars take a lot of time. I find this lands perfectly in that range of “you can feel Christmas is right around the corner” and the “hey my kids might like doing this together.”
Nate’s keys to success: using your own nativity could provide a very hands-on impact to this season that could make a manger a meaningful tool of telling the Christmas story. Giving out jobs and rotating them based upon skill level could provide a way for the entire family to get involved.
This is just registration for Kids Ministry. This is not registering you or your family for our Main Worship service. If you plan on your children attending Main Worship please add them to Main Worship registration here.
Upon arrival, after giving your child’s name, you will receive their preprinted check-in tag, along with your security tag for pick up.
If a child is not registered each class will have space on a first-come-first-served basis. Once a class reaches 10 it will be closed to adding more students. This is to comply with the state mandate and keep our workers and families as safe as possible.
Masks are required for anyone above the age of 6, including adults dropping off. This is to comply with the state mandate and keep our workers and families as safe as possible.
Please register each child that will be attending!
Doors will open 15 minutes before the start of each service.
Here is a quick overview of the purposes and elements our Graded (1st-4th grade) service does each week. The order of the elements doesn’t change often helping kids feel the rhythm of the service. That being said we balance the steadiness of our elements with the ever changing method! Sometimes we are running across the room, sometimes we are watching a crazy skit, sometimes we watch one of our leaders get pied in the face. We keep it always changing and desire to create a place where kids can count on us to be here but never what we might do next!
Free Play (arrival to 5 minutes after service starts)
Using the games, coloring table, game tables we will interact with our kids asking about their week and checkin on their overall well being. We should be quick to welcome every child that comes in and work hard to link them to a group in play or start something new.
Countdown/Intro (4 minutes)
Countdown to help clean up and find their seats. Welcome them to Kids Worship and remind them that we are going to have an awesome time today and its great seeing everyone again! Review Previous Weeks should quickly remind them of the monthly theme and the Bible stories that we have covered so far with direct lines on how they connect.
Worship (6 minutes)
Introduce by explaining that one of the key aspects of coming together to learn about God is to tell him how awesome He is. One great way to do that is through song. This is a time for our kids to learn hear great truths, get active and see how to give thanks to God, their creator.
Big Picture Question (1 minute)
This a question we will repeat for the entirety of a unit. It usually is something leading the kids to understand why we are covering this story and why God let bad things happen. This time is to set up and remind them of the unit’s question and ask them to see it through the story/video.
Giant Timeline (1 minute)
A set of posters having all of our stories on them showing the continuity and connection of the story of the Bible. Divided into Units by color with the picture of each story.
Story Video (4 minutes)
Varies in length but directly from curriculum.
Big Picture Answer (3 minutes)
To conclude and hear the kids not only answer the question but share how they see the unit’s big question through the story/video.
Christ Connection (4 minutes)
Every story in the Bible has a purpose and points to the great story of redemption that Christ brought to us. We will fail at what God has called us to do if we do not point every story and every child back to God’s saving grace.
Group Demo (5 minutes)
A visual time to connect the point and application of the story. Usually a stage show of something.
Questions from Kids Video (3 minutes)
A video pointed at the simplicity that we need to keep our answers that may seem complicated but do have a clear answer that we can share. It usually points back to the main take away for the day.
Verse & Pray (3 minutes)
We will quickly review the story and make statements on how it connects to our monthly verse before we lead them in motions that correlate to remembering our verse. We will close this time by either a leader lead prayer or asking a kid to pray. The prayer should consist of thanking God for the awesome opportunity of worshipping and learning more about Him and praying for a great week that will have everyone come back to Kids Worship next week.
Dismiss to smaller groups (2 minutes)
Kids are divided into graded smaller groups creating space to let kids open their bibles, ask questions in a more open setting and be challenged with age-appropriate teaching.
Activity in smaller groups (7-10 minutes)
The Activity is about reviewing the story, and getting active. Sometimes this rotation will require some preparation and perspiration. Often involving a game that takes a key detail from the story to get the kids to review the story in their heads. We should be reinforcing the story by asking questions such as? Now why did we just play that game in Kids Worship? Or what does that game have to do with today’s story? With a powwow at the end letting them answer those questions retell the story all together will reinforce the story and make for a memorable day.
Lesson in smaller groups (7-10 minutes)
The Lesson is all about seeing the motive behind the story. This rotation will require their bibles and they’re thinking caps. Why did it happen? Why did the people do the thing they did or didn’t do? Why would God put this story in the Bible? And finally what should this mean for my life?
Closing Free Play (3 minutes until pick up)
Using the games, coloring table, game tables the kids will close their time with us by reconnecting with friends for a few minutes. Leaders will prepare our take home sheets and prepare to welcome parents as they come down stairs to retrieve their kids. Thanking the parents for bringing them and softly inviting them to come back.
Making Resurrection Rolls with your family this Easter weekend is a simple and yummy way to bring the story of Jesus’s death and resurrection to life. This is a great way to experience hands on storytelling that brings the truth of God’s Word to life for your kids.
STEP 1
To get started, grab your Bible or open the YouVersion app on your phone. You’ll need it to look up scripture together.
STEP 2
Next, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Read the ingredients and gather all of them together so you can get started baking! (RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM)
STEP 3
Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.
Melt the butter in another bowl.
STEP 4
Separate the crescent roll dough into the 8 individual triangles. We suggest using Pillsbury brand if possible. They pinch and stick together better than other brands.
STEP 5
Now here’s where the fun really starts.
Take a marshmallow and talk about its color–white. White is a symbol of purity. Jesus’ death on the cross cleansed us of our sins made us pure in the eyes of God. If you’re using mini marshmallows, have your children arrange them to make a person–like Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
STEP 6
Now, take a single marshmallow and dip it into the melted butter. Then roll the marshmallow in the cinnamon sugar mixture. You can use a toothpick for finger-free dipping.
Discuss how after Jesus had died, His body was anointed with oils and spices as it was prepared for burial. Read John 19:38-40together.
STEP 7
Next, you’ll place the marshmallow(s) on the wide end of the crescent roll triangle.
STEP 8
After all the marshmallows are ready, roll it up tightly, being sure to pinch all the edges tightly together. It is very important that the marshmallow does not leak out of the roll once it starts to bake!
Talk about how Jesus’ body was buried in a tomb and the entrance tightly sealed up with a giant stone so no one could get in or out. Continue reading John 19:41-42.
STEP 9
Once all 8 “tombs” have been tightly sealed, you can brush the tops with any remaining butter and sprinkle on remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
Bake the rolls for about 15 minutes, until they are golden brown.
STEP 10
Are you ready for the best part? Be sure to let your rolls cool for a minute or two so no fingers get burnt. Take a roll and break it open. Guess what, it’s empty!
The marshmallow we put in there is gone! Jesus’ followers were amazed that the tomb was empty on Easter morning because Jesus had risen from the dead. Read Matthew 28:1-8 together.
Before you enjoy your rolls, pray together with your children. Thank God for sending His Son to die for our sins and praise Him for the miracle of Easter morning. Celebrate the fact that Jesus is not dead, but He is alive with God in heaven forever!
8 large marshmallows or about 60 mini marshmallows
3 Tablespoons melted butter or margarine
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375.
Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl.
Melt butter in the microwave.
Separate crescent rolls and lay individual triangles on the workspace.
Dip marshmallow in butter and roll to thoroughly coat.
Roll buttered marshmallow in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Place marshmallow on the wide end of crescent dough and roll toward the narrow point.
Pinch dough together firmly at edges and any around thin spots.
Brush rolls with leftover butter and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar mixture.
Place on a non-greased baking sheet.
Bake 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Share pictures of your Resurrection Rolls on social media. Tag Journey Kids (@jkprattville) Facebook or Instagram and use #JourneyFamilies to interact!
Recipe adapted from here and blog adapted from here
In today’s story we watched as Jesus was baptized by John. John felt unworthy to even tie Jesus’ sandals let alone baptize Him. BUT Jesus did something remark and not so remarkable He looked past the moment and obeyed His Father’s will. He said “it must be this way. It is right.”
Your child is growing, changing every day into a person that will, and should one day leave your house. What will they leave with it the question, not if they are leaving. Thats a funny thing to bring up when discussing baptism but it matters. What is the end look like? Will they be able to share their faith? Will they be a light to shine in the darkness? Baptism is that. Baptism is a symbol, a message to the world. When a person is baptized they are simply saying I stand for Jesus.
Walking with someone in the baptism process, no matter the age, is a special time. A part of baptism is witnesses. For two reasons witnesses were there when Jesus was baptized and are there now when others get baptized.
To celebrate with the choice they have made just as the bible says the angels do!
Simple Steps to make this experience work
Lower Preschoolers
Have a snack available for them as you take communion so that the physical does not confuse them. Goldfish and water always works.
Upper Preschoolers
Having a snack may help them not to feel left out, but resist the temptation to give them the snack or drink using the same actions and process you are modeling as you take communion. Though it might sound as cute as them “mowing the grass with their mower as someone is mowing the lawn,” communion is a private moment for you as a believer to realign with God. Let your child see your calm reverence to the actions being taken.
Not-yet Christians, Graded
Have them spend time drawing or journaling, asking God for usual things such as provision for the sick, needs, hurt, and lonely. Let them know that you are going to be spending time with God for a few moments, and ask them to respect your time so that you can fully engage in this spiritual/emotional moment. Following the service, take the time to pray with your child and answer any questions.
Christians, Graded
Talk through the lesson below beforehand to remind them of the act. Talk about the seriousness of the moment and possibly the importance to you. It’s a time to mark a shared spiritual action. Modeling for your children is so important but engaging in communion with God for your own spiritual walk will not only model best, it will make you a better parent.
Below you will find a link that includes a video explaining what communion is and sharing the simple facts. The video even has a family lesson that you could complete before the service. Both of these resources come from our friends and partners at PursueGOD.org. This resource is a great place to find parenting help and even fun lessons to supplement our weekly content.
We will be taking communion during our online First Wednesday service. For many families, this can be an amazing time to take a moment and talk about the division between Christians and not-yet Christians. I use that “not-yet” term, especially with kids, because I believe every person I meet is redeemable, wanted and loved. God loves/loved “the whole world,”* including your kids! I know our shared desire is to help our kids be included, especially in spiritual things, as we seek to help our kids grow. Taking communion in your home is a safe and nurturing time for them to watch you take communion and see it modeled without the trouble of having to distract them and keep them quiet in a large room around others. Now if your kid is one of those who can be led to entertain themselves in another room, that might be the best option.
Simple Steps to make this experience work
Lower Preschoolers
Have a snack available for them as you take communion so that the physical does not confuse them. Goldfish and water always works.
Upper Preschoolers
Having a snack may help them not to feel left out, but resist the temptation to give them the snack or drink using the same actions and process you are modeling as you take communion. Though it might sound as cute as them “mowing the grass with their mower as someone is mowing the lawn,” communion is a private moment for you as a believer to realign with God. Let your child see your calm reverence to the actions being taken.
Not-yet Christians, Graded
Have them spend time drawing or journaling, asking God for usual things such as provision for the sick, needs, hurt, and lonely. Let them know that you are going to be spending time with God for a few moments, and ask them to respect your time so that you can fully engage in this spiritual/emotional moment. Following the service, take the time to pray with your child and answer any questions.
Christians, Graded
Talk through the lesson below beforehand to remind them of the act. Talk about the seriousness of the moment and possibly the importance to you. It’s a time to mark a shared spiritual action. Modeling for your children is so important but engaging in communion with God for your own spiritual walk will not only model best, it will make you a better parent.
Below you will find a link that includes a video explaining what communion is and sharing the simple facts. The video even has a family lesson that you could complete before the service. Both of these resources come from our friends and partners at PursueGOD.org. This resource is a great place to find parenting help and even fun lessons to supplement our weekly content.
