August

August 12^th

GP I: Church Year

GP II: Holy Family

GP III: Books of the Bible

August 19^th

GP I: Holy family

GP II: Church Year

GP III: Creation

August 26^th

GP I: Creation

GP II: Creation

GP III: The Fall

September

September 2^nd

GP I: The Fall

GP II: The Fall

GP III: The Flood

September 9^th

GP I: The Flood

GP II: The Flood

GP III: The Great Family

September 16^th

GP I: The Great Family

GP II: The Great Family

GP III: The Exodus

September 23^rd

GP I: The Story of Abraham

GP II: The Story of Jacob

GP III: The Story of Moses

September 30^th

GP I: The Exodus

GP II: The Story of Joseph

GP III: The Ark and the Tent

October

October 7^th

GP I: The Story of Moses

GP II: The Exodus

GP III: The Ark and Temple

October 14^th

GP I: The Ten Best Ways

GP II: The Story of Moses

GP III: Jonah

October 21^st

GP I: The Ark and the Tent

GP II: The Ten Best Ways

GP III: The Story of Elijah

October 28^th

GP I: The Story of Samuel

GP II: The Ark and Tent

GP III: The Story of Daniel

November

November 4^th

GP I: The Story of Ruth

GP II: Ark and Temple

GP III: The Story of Isaiah

November 11^th

GP I: The Story of David

GP II: The Story of Daniel

GP III: The Story of Jeremiah

November 18^th

GP I: The Ark and the Temple

GP II: The Story of Jeremiah

GP III: The Story of Ezekiel

November 25^th

GP I: Prophets

GP II: Story of Isaiah

GP III: The Exile and Return

December

December 2– All: Advent I

December 9^{th –} All: Advent II

December 16^{th –} All: Advent III

December 23^{rd –} All: Advent IV

December 30^{th –} All: Work Day

Godly Play I: Adventures of Paul

Summary: Last week children learned about the conversion of Paul.  This week they will learn about Paul’s missionary journeys with Barnabas and Silas. You can find the accounts in Acts 13-16.

I Wonder… : why some people thought the Good News was scary? what it feels like to ‘hear the good news and let it change you’? how someone can know and love Jesus if they never met him before he died on the cross?

Additional Followup: Sing songs like Paul and Silas did in prison! Take out a map and see where all Paul went on his missionary journeys. Pray for our church supported missionaries as they seek to take the Good News to the world.

Memory Verse: For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. Psalm 16:10

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all!

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 17

 

Question 18

Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished? No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the life to come.

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:5-6

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder what you feel when you hear that God will not allow sin to go unpunished?

2. I wonder how God punishes sin?

3. I wonder what is an idol?

Godly Play I: Paul’s Conversion

Summary: This is the story of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. You can find it in Acts 9.

I Wonder… : why Saul was so angry with the followers of Jesus? what it feels like to change? what you think about Paul? where else you have heard about three days?

Memory Verse: Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being^[a] rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.Psalm 16:9

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the 10 weeks of summer. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all!

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 15

Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose? That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20

Question 16

What is sin? Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder who sins?
2. I wonder how we live a “life worthy of our Savior”?
3. I wonder what happens when we sin?

 

 

Godly Play I: Stories of Peter

Summary: Today’s is an exciting story as your child will learn about the rapid growth of the church. It is taken from Acts 9:31-12:18 and gives multiple accounts of Peter’s work to spread the Gospel. Equipped by Holy Spirit and commissioned as an apostle, Peter was able to perform miraculous healings, escape from prison and even tell a Roman centurion the truth about Jesus.

I Wonder… : what it feels like to be healed? what it is like to see an angel? what it means to hear the story and let it change you? if this story is still a part of Jesus?

Follow up Ideas: Get out a map! Find where the church started to spread. Where do others Christians live now? How do people hear the Good News of Jesus?

Memory Verse: I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all!

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 13

 

Question 14

Did God create us unable to keep his law? No, but because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, we are all born in sin and guilt, unable to keep God’s law.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Romans 5:12

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder what it means to keep God’s law perfectly?

2. I wonder if anyone you know tries to keep God’s law perfectly?

3. I wonder why God gave us the law?

GP I: Jesus Heals Lazarus

Summary: Today’s story comes from Luke 10 and John 11. It is a miracle story in which Jesus resurrects his friend, Lazarus. This story draws attention to the gift of life that Jesus gives…regardless of time. Jesus is never too late. This story also draws attention to Jesus’ grief. He, too, was sad to see his friend face death even though he knew Lazarus would have life again. What a mysterious Scripture this is! I WONDER what is it telling us?

I Wonder… : why Jesus waited so long to heal Lazarus? why Jesus was crying? what it would be like to be dead and come back to life? what you think is most amazing about this story?

Memory Verse: I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all!

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 11

 

Question 12

What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments? Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone.

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder what it means to covet?

2. I wonder what it is like when someone hates his/ her neighbor?

3. I wonder why God keeps telling us to love others?

4. Review the 10 Commandments using Will’s hand signals this week! Can you remember them all?

GP I: The Transfiguration

Summary: Today story takes us to Mark 9 where your children will hear about the Transfiguration and the healing of a boy possessed by a demon (the story just says that the boy was sick–not to deny the reality, but to present what a 3-year-old can understand).

I Wonder… : if Jesus just looked different on the mountain or if he really was different? why the disciples were afraid? how they knew those other two were Moses and Elijah? if this story reminds you of others? why Jesus’ disciples could not heal the boy?

Memory Verse: The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm 16:6

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all!

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 9

 

Question 10

What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments? Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in worship of God. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and mother.

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 9:3

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder how we honor God’s name?

2. I wonder what is an idol?

3. I wonder why we honor our mother and father?

4. Review the 10 Commandments using Will’s hand signals this week! Can you remember them all?

Godly Play I: Jesus and Jarius’s Daughter

Summary: Today your children will hear two stories in one: the healing of a beloved daughter and the healing of an outcast woman. You can find this passage in Mark 5:21-43.

I Wonder… : how Jarius felt when Jesus stopped to talk to the sick woman? how Jesus knew when he said he felt “power go out” of him? how it feels to be healed by Jesus? what you think is the best thing about this story?

For Parents: This passage is an example of a Markan Sandwich (basically a story within a story that helps us understand the passage’s main emphasis). When you come across this literary device, look for similarities and differences, then ask what that might have to do with the passage’s significance. Here are two questions to get you started for this passage: How old is the daughter? How long has the woman been sick?

Something to note is that in this series of stories, the enemy of God (Satan) is a figure. He is in the corner of the board “watching and waiting” for a time to “get” Jesus. He looks like a red dragon/ human hybrid. The kids often want to talk about him and why he hates Jesus. Storytellers always reassure children that in the end, Jesus is the one who locks the enemy away and that Jesus is never afraid of the enemy.

Memory Verse: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. Psalm 16:5

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all!

 

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 7

 

Question 8

What is the Law of God stated in the Ten Commandments? You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet.

You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder what are other gods?

2. I wonder how we love the Lord with our whole hearts, souls, minds and strength?

3. I wonder why God says to love our neighbors? I wonder who are our neighbors?

4. Review the 10 Commandments using Will’s hand signals this week! Can you remember them all?

Godly Play I: Jesus and the Paralyzed Man

Summary: Today your children will hear about the healing of a paralytic man by Jesus. This story is found in Luke 5:17-26.

I Wonder… : what the man’s friends hoped for when they lowered him down to Jesus? what Jesus thought when the roof started to come off?! what the enemy is waiting and watching for? what Jesus was showing the people when he healed the paralyzed man?

Additional Follow-up: Talk about what paralyzed means. That’s a big word for little kids! I wonder what it is like to not be able to move? Write a letter to someone who is sick or take them a flower. Pray for someone who is ill.

Something to point out is that in this series of stories, the enemy of God (Satan) is a figure. He is in the corner of the board “watching and waiting” for a time to “get” Jesus. He looks like a red dragon character. The kids often want to talk about him and why he hates Jesus. Storytellers always reassure children that in the end, Jesus is the one who locks the enemy away and that Jesus is never afraid of the enemy.

Memory Verse: The sorrows of those who run after^[c] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.* Psalm 16: 4

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll add in one verse a week to cover them all! This one is a little hard to explain. It is still important and worth memorizing. If something pops up that is hard to explain, please contact me.

 

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 3

What else did God Create? God created all things by his powerful Word, and all his creation was very good; everything flourished under his loving rule.

 

Question 4

How can we glorify God? We glorify God by enjoying him, loving him, trusting him, and by obeying his will, commands, and law.

 

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder how God felt and thought when he saw all he had made?

2. I wonder what it means to enjoy God?

3. I wonder how we are able to keep God’s will, command, and law?

Godly Play I: Marriage at Cana

Summary: Today’s lesson is from John 2:1-12. It’s the recording of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding banquet. Children will hear the words that what Jesus provides is “enough and more than enough.”

I Wonder… : what is so special about a wedding? if you have ever been to one? why it was not good to run out of wine? what it was like when Jesus told them to fill up the jars with water when they needed wine?

Additional Follow-up: For little kids– talk about weddings. What happens at weddings? Show pictures of your’s or another family member’s wedding. If you want to pull in older siblings, do some research about Jewish weddings during the ministry of Jesus to see how they differ from the ones we are familiar with.   Parents, I wonder why John records Jesus’ first miracle at the Cana wedding?

Memory Verse: As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3*

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. We’ll learn one verse a week. You can do it! Say it each morning at breakfast and each evening at bed time. Say it together, take turns saying it. Get the Psalm II CD and learn it via song! I wonder if this Psalm had anything to do with the Marriage at Cana?

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 3

How many persons are there in God? There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

 

Question 4

How and why did God create us? God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.

 

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder how God is three, but one?

2. I wonder what it means to be made in God’s image?

3. I wonder what it means to live to God’s glory? How do we do that?

Godly Play I: Simeon

Summary: This summer we will use bible stories from the life of Christ. This week’s lesson picks up after Christ’s birth when his parents take him to the temple to offer firstborn sacrifices. There they encounter an elderly man, Simeon, who has been waiting for the Light of the World to, as the story words it, “grow and shine and fill the world and bring light to the people who were poor and sick and lonely and scared.”

I Wonder… : why Simeon believed the Light of the World was coming? why he kept on looking for Christ after years of nothing happening? how he knew baby Jesus was the Light of the World?

Memory Verse: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” Psalm 16:1-2*

*We are learning all of Psalm 16 over the next 10 weeks. Typically, we’ll learn one verse a week, but since there are 11 verses, this week we have 1 & 2! You can do it! Say it each morning at breakfast and each evening at bed time. Say it together, take turns saying it. Get the Psalm II CD and learn it via song! I wonder if this Psalm had anything to do with Simeon?

Godly Play II and III: New City Catechism

Question 1

What is our only hope in life and death? That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7–8

Question 2

What is God? God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. . . . But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:8–10, 15

Mealtime Conversation Questions

1. I wonder what it means to be eternal?

2. I wonder if you have heard stories from the Bible about God creating? What about sustaining? Which stories are those?

3. I wonder what it means to belong to Christ?