Godly Play I: Practice

Verse: I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going. Psalm 139: 5 (The Message)

Summary: We are taking the slow route to help our 3-4-year-olds learn the Godly Play session elements. Today we will review the last three weeks, have a guided work time and feast. There’s no set lesson, but you can use the wondering questions to help them review.

Wondering: I wonder where God is? I wonder what the three persons of God are? I wonder what part of the year you like best? I wonder which is most important?

Family Follow Up: At the beginning of every class, we talk about how God is everywhere… even in the room with us as we are together at church. Then we light three candles (similar to the ones downstairs in our worship service) and say something like this, “God is everywhere! We light these candles to help us stop and remember that He is even with us now. Our God is three-in-one. That is a wonderful mystery. We know him as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.”

This week we are offering the option to make a church calendar. You can talk to them about the colors on the calendar or even make another one at home.

Godly Play II: The Flood

Verse: He is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:6

Summary: This lesson comes from Genesis 6:5-9:16. It is about God’s covenant with mankind to preserve the world so that people can continue spreading out into the earth. It is a reminder that God is the one who sustains our world (and renews it, ultimately in Christ). As one author wrote, “Every change of season and every sunrise and sunset is proof positive that the Lord never breaks his promises.” He is faithful.

Wondering: I wonder what it was like to be on an ark for so long? I wonder what Noah’s ark looked like? I wonder what God meant when He promised to never destroy the earth again? I wonder where all of that water went?

Family Follow-up: Read Psalm 104 together. Talk about ways you see God’s faithfulness through nature.

Godly Play III: Knowing Jesus in a New Way

Verse: Blessed are those who have not yet seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29b

Summary: Today we continue in our new story set that walks us through the days between Jesus’ resurrection to Pentecost. It’s called Knowing Jesus in a New Way. The lesson will briefly review the last two weeks then focus on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples and to doubting Thomas. You can find the accounts in John 20:19-29 and Luke 24:35-49.

Wondering: I wonder why the disciples were hiding in a locked room? I wonder how Jesus just appeared to them? I wonder why Thomas doubted? I wonder what it is like to not see, but believe?

Family Follow-up: Talk about doubt. Talk about things you believe when you can’t see them. Share ways you are helped in your own doubt. How does meeting with other believers help us?

 

 

Godly Play I: Circle of the Church Year

Verse: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Summary: This lesson sets the context for the whole year. Each year, the Church moves through a circle of memory and expectation to open themselves to the presence of God. In the Godly Play classroom, we pay attention to this circle of movement each week to help orient our focus firstly to the Lord, rather than all of the things we have on our calendars. The calendar is meant for rest and reflection.

Wondering: I wonder which color you like best? I wonder what happens during green? I wonder which color is the most important time? I wonder why we tell Church time?

Family Follow Up: Each week as you enter the sanctuary and get ready for the service, make it a habit to identify the color cloth on our Communion Table. Have your child remind you what those colors mean again.

Godly Play II: Falling Apart

Verse: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Summary: This is the story of how everything fell apart in the garden. Your children will hear about how Adam and Eve sinned, realized that everything was different because of sin and were banished from Eden. You can also find this account in Genesis 2:4-3:24.

Wondering: I wonder what it was like to be in the wonderful garden? I wonder what Adam and Eve thought about the serpent? I wonder what Adam and Eve felt when they hid from God? I wonder what Adam and Eve thought would bring them back to a new garden?

Family Follow-up: For Family: Read this story from the bible together. Consider together: What is sin? What are impacts of sin? This is a big concept for concrete thinking K-1st graders so you might have to give some examples.

Godly Play III: Knowing Jesus in a New Way

Verse: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 1 John 1:2

Summary: Today we are continuing in our new story set that walks us through the days between Jesus’ resurrection to Pentecost. It’s called Knowing Jesus in a New Way. Today’s focus reviews last week’s story of the women at the empty tomb and continues with Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus.

Wondering: I wonder what the men meant when they said their hearts burned within them? I wonder why they did not recognize Jesus right away?

Family Follow-up: This story is from Luke 24:13-35. Practice looking this passage up with your children.

Godly Play I: Holy Family

Verse: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15

Summary: This story draws attention to the focal story of our room- the Holy Family. It is literally in the middle of our focal shelves and seen behind the story teller each week as a new story is told. Christ’s incarnation changes everything for us. He is the story all of the other stories are about. In today’s lesson, we will name those present at His birth and talk briefly about His death and resurrection.

Wondering: I wonder which part of the story you like best? I wonder which is most important? I wonder what this story has to do with you?

Family Followup: Draw a picture of today’s story. Have your child tell you about each participant in the picture. What do they notice about each one?

Godly Play II: Creation

Verse: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Summary: This is the account of how all things were made. With this lesson we begin to trace the presence of God in the story of His people. It is taken from Genesis 1:1- 2:3.

Wondering: I wonder which part of the story you like best? I wonder which part of creation God is most proud of? I wonder what are some things you are thankful for in creation?

Family Followup: As we encounter this story, we find ourselves wondering! What can we know of the Creator by His creation? Go for a nature walk with your child and note what all He has made. Pray, giving thanks for the gifts God has given us in His created world.

Godly Play III: Knowing Jesus in a New Way

Verse: He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Matthew 28:6a

Summary: Today we are beginning a series that typically comes after Easter. It is a new story set that will be in our rotation in Spring of 2019, so I wanted to be sure our 3rd graders got to hear it. This story walks us through the days between Jesus’ resurrection to Pentecost. It’s called Knowing Jesus in a New Way. Today’s focus is on the empty tomb and Jesus’ appearance to Mary.

Wondering: I wonder what Mary thought when she realized the person she thought was a gardener was really Jesus? I wonder why she did not recognize him right away? I wonder what Jesus meant when he told Mary that she could not hold him?

Family Followup: You can find these accounts in Mark 16, Matthew 28, Luke 24 and John 20. If you want to read a different passage each day of the week, you can mark down the information each passage gives. Wonder together why God chose to tell us this information.

Godly Play I: Introduction to Godly Play

Verse: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Summary: Since our 3-4-year-olds are new to Godly Play, we are starting slowly! Tonight we will practice “getting ready” and learn what our work can be. We will also have our weekly feast.

Wondering: I wonder what you liked about Godly Play? I wonder what you did not like? I wonder what these stories are?

Family Followup: Memorize the short Psalm above as a family!

Godly Play II: Circle of the Church Year

Verse: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Summary: This lesson sets the context for the whole year. Each year, the Church moves through a circle of memory and expectation to open their awareness to the presence of God in every day and in every season. In the Godly Play classroom, we pay attention to this circle of movement each week to help orient our focus firstly to the Lord, rather than all of the things we have on our calendars. The calendar is meant for rest and reflection.

  Our Calendars  

Wondering: I wonder which color you like best? I wonder what happens during green? I wonder which color is the most important time? I wonder why we tell Church time?

Family Followup: Make a calendar at home! HERE and HERE are some examples. Each week as you enter the sanctuary at church and get ready for the service, make it a part of your rhythm to identify the color cloth on our Communion Table. Have your child remind you what those colors mean again.

Godly Play III: Books of the Bible

Verse: All Scripture is God-breathed and useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Summary: This lesson is an overview of the books of the Bible. The storyteller will describe how the books are ordered and encourage children to learn them so they can know how to look up passages and stories in God’s Word.

Wondering: I wonder which book you like best? I wonder what all of these books are about? I wonder if we left out one, if we’d have everything we need? I wonder what God wants us to get from these books?

Family Followup: How about some books of the bible memorization? If it helps, break down the sections (e.g., memorize the major prophets this week, next week, the minors!). If you need help look HERE or HERE. There are also MANY songs out there to help you with memorization. Some are very cheesy. I thought THIS ONE was pretty good. It has a happy ukulele.

This is the last week of our summer schedule. Next week, there will be nursery for Beulah Land, but K-3rd grades will remain in the service. Our Music, Art and Faith Festival will immediately follow the service next week—pizza party included!

Beulah Land: Summer Around the Campfire

Over the summer we are using the book, Long Story Short, to review some Old Testament stories. This book is designed for families with children of various ages to use as a devotional. On the first day of the week, it explores a passage, then builds on this passage through the rest of the week. We hope this makes an easy bridge from church to home as you continue to engage your children in a discussion about the Bible. We will also have a memory verse each week!

Summary: This week, we will talk about the rebuilding of the city wall in Jerusalem. You can find this account in Nehemiah and starting on page 527 in Long Story Short. We will also eat a version of real s’mores during our Scripture memorization time since it’s our last week of summers around the campfire.

I wonder…: what made Nehemiah sad about the city walls? what made the king allow Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem? who else would go through the city gates into the city of Jerusalem?

Memory Verse: Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Psalm 24:9

Godly Play I & II: Catechism I

Today we move into our summer rhythm of learning Catechism questions and answers! A few things to know about Catechism:

• Children will remain in the same Godly Play classes, but instead of having a Godly Play lesson each week, they will learn a set of questions and answers.
• Older kids will learn more Q&A sets than the younger kids.
• These classes are taught by our elders in order for them to have an additional opportunity to shepherd our RMC kids, as well as to give our RMC Kids Team a summer sabbatical. RMC Kids Volunteers will help with some doorkeeping roles.
• The children will bring home a worksheet to help with further study. Please feel free to review it along with the questions at home!
• To learn more about why we teach Catechism, look HERE.
  

Catechism Questions This Week

Godly Play I: Review of 40-46 and “Bonus”

• 40: Can anyone go to heaven with this sinful nature? No. Our hearts must be changed before we can believe in Jesus and go to heaven.
• 41: What is this change of heart called? The new birth, or regeneration.
• 42: Who can change a sinner’s heart? The Holy Spirit alone.
• 43: Can anyone be saved through the covenant of life? No. No one can be saved through the covenant of life.
• 44: Why can’t anyone be saved through the covenant of life? Because all have broken it and are condemned by it.
• 45: How did you break the covenant of life? Adam represented all people, and so I fell with Adam in his first sin.
• 46: How, then, can you be saved? By the Lord Jesus Christ, through the covenant of grace.
• “Bonus” 58: What must you do to be saved? I must repent of my sin and believe in Christ as my Savior.

Godly Play II:

• 147: Will all the bodies of the dead be raised again? Yes. At the last day, some will be raised to everlasting life and others to everlasting death.
• 148: What will God do to unbelievers at the last day? He will judge them, and condemn them to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire with Satan and his angels.
• 149: What will God do for believers at the last day? He will give them a home with him in the new heaven and the new earth.
• 150: What will the new heaven and the new earth be like? A glorious and happy place, where the saved will be with Jesus forever.

Beulah Land: Summer Around the Campfire

Over the summer we are using the book, Long Story Short, to review some Old Testament stories. This book is designed for families with children of various ages to use as a devotional. On the first day of the week, it explores a passage, then builds on this passage through the rest of the week. We hope this makes an easy bridge from church to home as you continue to engage your children in a discussion about the Bible. We will also have a memory verse each week!

Summary: This week, we will talk about the completion of the temple restoration. You can find this account in Ezra 5-7 and starting on page 520 in Long Story Short.

I wonder…: what make King Darius support the Jews? what made the Jews decide to sacrifice over 700 animals? if you know of another sacrifice in Scripture?

Memory Verse: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Godly Play I & II: Catechism I

Today we move into our summer rhythm of learning Catechism questions and answers! A few things to know about Catechism:

• Children will remain in the same Godly Play classes, but instead of having a Godly Play lesson each week, they will learn a set of questions and answers.
• Older kids will learn more Q&A sets than the younger kids.
• These classes are taught by our elders in order for them to have an additional opportunity to shepherd our RMC kids, as well as to give our RMC Kids Team a summer sabbatical. RMC Kids Volunteers will help with some doorkeeping roles.
• The children will bring home a worksheet to help with further study. Please feel free to review it along with the questions at home!
• To learn more about why we teach Catechism, look HERE.
  

Catechism Questions This Week

Godly Play I:

• 46: How, then, can you be saved? By the Lord Jesus Christ, through the covenant of grace.
• “Bonus” 58: What must you do to be saved? I must repent of my sin and believe in Christ as my Savior.

Godly Play II:

• 144: What happens to believers when they die? Our bodies will return to the dust and our souls will go to be with the Lord forever.
• 145: What happens to unbelievers when they die? Their bodies will return to dust also, but their souls will go to hell.
• 146: What is hell? Hell is an awful place, where unbelievers are separated from God to suffer for their sins.

Beulah Land: Summer Around the Campfire

Over the summer we are using the book, Long Story Short, to review some Old Testament stories. This book is designed for families with children of various ages to use as a devotional. On the first day of the week, it explores a passage, then builds on this passage through the rest of the week. We hope this makes an easy bridge from church to home as you continue to engage your children in a discussion about the Bible. We will also have a memory verse each week!

Summary: This week, we begin talking about the return from exile and rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. You can find this account in Ezra 1-4 and starting on page 513 in Long Story Short.

I wonder…: what make King Cyrus allow God’s people to go back? why some people were sad? what Haggai meant when he said there would be a bigger and more beautiful temple?

Memory Verse: I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:7

Godly Play I & II: Catechism I

Today we move into our summer rhythm of learning Catechism questions and answers! A few things to know about Catechism:

• Children will remain in the same Godly Play classes, but instead of having a Godly Play lesson each week, they will learn a set of questions and answers.
• Older kids will learn more Q&A sets than the younger kids.
• These classes are taught by our elders in order for them to have an additional opportunity to shepherd our RMC kids, as well as to give our RMC Kids Team a summer sabbatical. RMC Kids Volunteers will help with some doorkeeping roles.
• The children will bring home a worksheet to help with further study. Please feel free to review it along with the questions at home!
• To learn more about why we teach Catechism, look HERE.
  

Catechism Questions This Week

Godly Play I:

• 43: Can anyone be saved through the covenant of life? No. No one can be saved through the covenant of life.
• 44: Why can’t anyone be saved through the covenant of life? Because all have broken it and are condemned by it.
• 45: How did you break the covenant of life? Adam represented all people, and so I fell with Adam in his first sin.

Godly Play II:

• 141: Did Christ remain in the grave after his crucifixion? No. He rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death.
• 142: Where is Christ now? In heaven, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us.
• 143: Will the Lord Jesus come again? Yes! He will return to judge the world on the last day.