Street Smart: Obedience

Stop! Have you given much thought to the fact that obedience, which is trusting those who lead you by doing what you're asked to do, is one of those "different" virtues? God is God; He is the ultimate Authority. No one outranks Him. So He doesn't obey anyone, right? However, Jesus obeyed His Father (John 9:4), and it's certainly a proper response from us toward God. In fact, "this is love for God: to obey his commands" (1 John 5:3, NIV). What a premium God places on obedience! He would rather have our obedience than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). 

But, oh my, what a difficult time we have obeying! And that difficulty is not limited to childhood. (How many traffic laws have YOU broken, for instance, in your driving career?) So of course the Bible is full of examples of people obeying (and disobeying) God and the consequences thereof! Remember Jonah? Could there be many more vivid examples of what happens when we obey God? Or the fact that there are consequences when we don't? It's a good thing God is patient and forgiving and the God of second chances. 

So this month we're focusing on the who and the why and the how of obedience. Not because God is waiting to zap us when we cross the line (like a traffic cop lying in wait with his radar gun), but because He cares for us. He wants a relationship with us and for us to have a part in His big plan, so He wants to help us avoid breakdowns, dead ends, and even the minor potholes along the way.

Copied from 252 Basics Leader's notes, May 2009

To find out more about 252 Basics, visit their website.

A Family Fun Event!!

Join us for an event for the whole family as CrossWay Christian Church hosts a pre-release screening of the newest Veggie Tales DVD, 

Abe and the Amazing Promise!

Bring the whole family on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 2:30PM to be the first to see this fun new show that teaches kids about the value of patience! We'll watch the show, have some snacks, and play some games. There will even be some give-aways! It will be a fun (and *FREE*) way to spend an afternoon together with the whole family! If you've never seen Veggie Tales before, well, you're in for a treat! Even the adults will love it! If you are a big Veggie Tales fan, don't forget to wear your favorite Veggie Tales T-shirt or hat!

Bring your neighbors, friends, and family!  Everyone is welcome!!! (Please note that all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian as there is no childcare provided.)

If you need directions to CrossWay Christian Church, click here.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please call or e-mail Jenna Hardy at 594-0123 x209 or jhardy@crosswaycc.org. 

We hope to see you there!!!

Gratitude: Week 1

The "Bottom Line" for this week was: Take time to just say thank you. 

We learned about how Jesus healed 10 Leapers, but only one came back to thank Jesus. Jesus wondered why, if he had healed 10 men, only one had come back to thank him. 

So, who do we need to thank? As a family, make a list of a few people who deserve a "Thanks A Lot" from you, and have your child(ren) help write thank you notes to those people. Can't think of anyone? Start with the mailman, the garbage man, or anyone else who serves your neighborhood in some way. What about your child's teacher or coach? I'm sure you could come up with a great list around the dinner table of all the people that serve your family in one way or another! 

As a parent, let your child(ren) see you expressing your thanks to people this month- seeing gratitude in action is the best way for your child to learn how to truly be grateful and how to express that to others! 

Take time this month as a family to just say "thank you"!

Determination: Week 2

Our virtue for the month of October is Determination: deciding it is worth it to finish what you started. During the first week of the month, we talked about the suffering of Paul and how we should keep doing what we should do even if it is hard.

This week, the "Bottom Line" (the one thing we want kids to walk away understanding) is that we should keep doing what God says even when others don't. This is a hard one, especially for kids, but it is SO key. Doesn't this really cut to the core of what we want for our kids to have: the conviction and determination to do what is right even when everyone else is not (including the times when it is their FREINDS who are not). This is when it is important for what we talk about at church to be echoed at home. It is when we as parents really need to initiate good conversations with our kids about times where we failed in this area and regret it OR a time when we succeeded in this area, and God used it in a powerful way either in your own life or in the lives of others. Talking about this sort of thing with your kids BEFORE they are in a situation where they need to show determination to do what God says when others are not is the best time. That way, when they are in the situation, they can know that you are behind them 100%- that may be the extra bit of confidence they need to do what is right when it seems risky.

Our Biblical example of the "Bottom Line" this week was Noah. Can you even imagine the determination it must have taken for Noah just to physically complete the ark- nevermind that everyone must have thought he was crazy?

As parents, we should also model this behavior. We need to show the same determination to do what is right even when others don't. Unfortunately, it never gets any easier. Just remember that actions speak louder than words. If we tell our kids how important it is to do what God says even when others don't, then we need to be SURE to do the same thing. AND, when a story crops up in the news or in the neighborhood that illustrates this point, we need to point it out. Make heroes out of everyday people who do what is right in the face of difficult circumstances.

Include this week's bottom line as you are praying with your kids this week (and throughout this month). Ask God to give us all the determination to do what is right even when others are not.

Gaining Knowledge

So, this month in our elementary ministry, we learned about Knowledge: discovering something new so that you can be better at whatever you do. We focused on 4 particular "big ideas":

• Since God knows everything, it is important to know what God says.
• Knowing what God says helps us to make the wise choice.
• When I make the wise choice, it helps others do what God says.
• Knowing what God says helps me know how to get closer to God.

We talked quite a bit about how we can get to know God. The kids really knew all the best ways to get to know God: read the Bible, spend time talking to God in prayer, come to church, sing priases to Him, etc..... However, many kids do not have a regular habit of doing many of these things.

As parents, we can help them with that in several ways. First of all, we can model the behavior: make time for worshipping God, talking to Him in prayer, and spending time in Scripture on a daily basis so that we are growing on our knowledge of God. Secondly, pray with and for your kids. Ask them who or what they want you to pray about for them, and then let them hear you talking to God on their behalf! You can also find an age appropriate Bible or devotional book for your child, and spend time reading it to them or with them daily. A great time for this is right before bed or at the dinner table. You know, even "big kids" love to be read to. You'd be surprised how eager your child might be to read the Bible if it also means getting a chance to spend some quality time one-on-one with mom or dad. You can use the God Time cards that are sent home each week with your kids as a starting point for teaching your kids to spend time getting to know God. Or use the fridge dorr cards that also come home with your kids to go over the Bible story and the key point that was taught in children's ministry on Sunday.

Another seemingly small thing you can do that yeilds incredible results is to spend time each month learning the memory verse together as a family. Don't just make it something your child does, but commit as a family that by the end of the month everyone will know the verse. Say it as a family before dinner, say it again when you are tucking your child into bed, challenge your kids to try it while driving in the car, post it on index cards on bathroom mirrors- whatever technique you find that works for your family. And, while you are at it, try to help your child apply that scripture throughout the month! Helping our kids hide God's word in their hearts is so important, because when we aren't with them, God is. He can bring a verse to their mind just when they need it during their day.

The thing to remember is that you do not have to be a Bible expert or have graduated from seminary to teach your kids about God. All you need is a heart for your kids to get to know God and grow to follow Him. You might even be surprised at how much YOU will learn and grow as a result of trying to help your children grow and learn.

Do you have a great way that you help your child(ren) grow in the knowledge of God? Please leave a comment- we would LOVE to hear your ideas!

Where can I get......?

This week a parent asked me, "Where can I get a CD of the songs my kids sing in children's worship?" 

That's a great question! The answer is several different places:

• You can check out the previous post about the deliberate kids CD by Phil Joel. We will be learning most of these songs over the next few months, so this is a GREAT CD to add you your collection.
• You can check out Christian Book Distributors. They have the best price for the CDs that have the music we use. Unfortunately though, all of the songs aren't on any one CD. But, if you search for "Shout Praises Kids CD", you will find all of the various Shout Praises Kids Worship CDs which are all quite good.
• If you are an iTunes user, this is the best place if you are looking for just the songs we sing on Sunday mornings. You can download only the songs that are on our playlist.

So, what songs are on our playlist? Here are the ones that are on the DVD we are currently using:

• Every Move I Make
• Open the Eyes of My Heart
• I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
• Forever (this is a particular favorite of ours) 
• Trading My Sorrows (another favorite)
• Shout to the Lord
• So Good to Me
• You're Worthy of My Praise
• I Give You my Heart

I hope this helps as you strive to worship the Lord together as a family!

Deliberate Kids

In children's ministry every week a highlight for us is worship time. This fall, we are learning several new worship songs from a CD called "deliberate kids" by Phil Joel. The music is fun, current, and loaded with Biblical truth. In keeping with this month's virtue of knowledge, this CD is GREAT because it packs in quite a bit of Biblical knowledge in the most singable (and, therefore, memorable) way.

If you are looking for some great kids music to listen to in the car that will allow you to worship God together as a family, may I whole-heartedly recommend this "deliberate kids" CD by Phil Joel. You can listen to samples of the music and find out what deliberate kids is all about by clicking here!