Kids
Kids @ Creekside
Purpose - to partner with parents to guide kids on the lifelong journey of Christian Formation and to become Spiritual Champions*!
*Spiritual Champions are individuals who:
- embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior
- accept the Bible as truth and as the guide for their life and seek to live in obedience to its principles
- search for ways to continually deepen their relationship with God
- possess a Biblical worldview that shapes their decision making
- believe that there are moral absolutes that are relevant to their lives
- believe that they are created by God with gifts to serve Him
- acknowledge the continual spiritual war between God and Satan that battles for influence on their lives
- believe that their lives should reflect the character of God
In the context of current North American life, spiritual champions lead a revolutionary existence. Their life perspectives are uncommon, their relationships are unique, and their emphasis on the centrality of their faith in God is stunning. Without a doubt, their lives are the product of unusual but intentional preparation. (Revolutionary Parenting; page xvi)
Unusual but Intentional Preparation
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
With this command in mind, we are flip-flopping how things have been traditionally done in churches for the last fifty years. It has become clear that the majority of the teaching, guiding and walking-the-talk happens in the home by the parents. They are the ones with the most one-on-one time with their children, the deeper relationships with their children and therefore they are the biggest influence on their children! Here is what that all means:
Parents receive materials and resources to teach (impress upon) their children the lessons at home (see age categories below). This does not take a huge amount of time ... 5-10 minutes a day. We hope that this grows into a treasured and anticipated time for parents as well as children. Then, on Sunday mornings time in 'the pod' will be spent in review of these lessons through crafts, games, skits and other activities.
the pod
OK. We meet in a school and the wing in which the kids gather is called a pod - it is an open area with a number of classrooms branching off…so we just endearingly call it 'the pod'!Babies and Toddlers (birth to age 2) are lovingly nurtured during the whole service in our Nursery.
The Two's and Three's are joyfully cared for during the entire service with age appropriate activities including Bible stories, art, imaginative play and more. We use Gospel Light's Movers & Shakers curriculum. Parents receive Family Fun Times papers and a CD of music and songs. Provided for you is the scripture from which the story is taken, a shortened interactive way to tell the story and activities and suggestions to help bring the lesson to life. We are suggesting that parents take the lead on teaching the lesson and Sundays will be spent reviewing and enhancing the Bible lesson.
Kids, ages 4 though those in 5th grade will worship with their families and their bigger church family until they are released to age-grouped classes:
Fours, Fives and Kindergarten kids are using Gospel Light's Movers & Shakers curriculum. Parents receive Family Fun Time take home papers and a CD of music and songs. Provided for you is the scripture from which the story is taken, a shortened interactive way to tell the story and activities and suggestions to help bring the lesson to life. We are suggesting that parents take the lead on teaching the lesson and Sundays will be spent reviewing and enhancing the Bible lesson.
1st through 5th Grade kids' focus this year is "HIStory", the story of Jesus! Kids will be following the life of Jesus from the prophecy of His birth to His death and resurrection. Kids will be learning through drama, puppets, games, science experiments and other creative methods.
| Hand |
 |
Serve God selflessly |
| Head |
 |
Know God intimately |
| Heart |
 |
Love God passionately |
