FAMILY PLUS Children's - August 27

Hey everyone!

I hope you have had an incredible week! I can't believe it's about to be September already...all the more reason to seize every moment!

Here are the details for this week:

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13

Life Application: I can tell people about Jesus

Memory Verse: John 20:21 “...As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

Prayer for the Nations: Italy Another great video on Italy!

I have a good friend who has a passion for telling people about Jesus. If you asked him, "why?" He would tell you that his mentor, a fatherly figure, would take him out and share the gospel with people right in front of him. He would always tell a story about a time they were at Home Depot and his mentor began a conversation with a man with the intent of showing and sharing God's love. It made a HUGE impression on him!

Your challenge this week is to try to model this for your children.

Let me explain a little further...I know this may scare you and intimidate you, but it depends on how you're thinking about it. I'm not asking you to do anything Christ isn't wanting to prepare you for. You can approach this challenge in many ways. If telling people about Christ intimidates you, then take a small step toward a person for the purpose of sharing the gospel another time. That small step could be to serve someone, take someone out to eat, etc. The reason you do this is for the glory of God, and most importantly so it won't scare your children when they get an opportunity. This would be a Family Plus moment that would last with your kids for a long time.Again, I understand that it can be scary to do this. But is it even more scary to never let your kids see you trying?

Jared Norris
Children's Minister
The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - August 19

Hey everyone!

We just finished a great week talking about our worries. We saw some great things come from this week's teaching. It amazes me how much our kids do worry about things in life.

Here are this coming week's details:

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27 - The Rich Man

Life Application: I can follow God’s plan for my life.

Memory Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Prayer for the Nations: Israel

Have you ever worked along side your child to build or make something? I know some of you are crafty and do that stuff all the time. Whatever the case, this challenge is easy and hopefully eye opening for your kids.

Find something to do that has instructions or a plan... (craft project, game, legos, etc.)

It doesn't matter what the project is as long as there are instructions.

Follow the instructions of your task. In the middle of this task ask your child, "why are there instructions with the game, craft, etc?"

Then you can say something like the following:

In order to play the game right, build the craft right, or build the right thing from the legos we have to follow a plan. God has a plan for you! You could be a fireman, doctor, or God might ask you to serve him another way. How do you think God would want you to serve Him?

I pray that this will lead to some great discussion for you and your family!

Jared Norris
Children's Minister
The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - August 5

Hey everyone!

I hope school is going well for each of you and your families. I'm excited to get back into our regular Sunday/Wednesday structure at church! What this means is that this is the last F+ email that some of you will be receiving from me because your children are going to be moving on. I'm grateful to have gotten to know your 5th graders! They are going to go on to do some incredible things for the glory of God.

We are beginning a new series that focuses on your children and their ability to realize what kind of impact they can make in the world. We kick it off this Sunday and will continue that through the month of August. Here are this weeks details:

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2; 6:5-13 (notice how Jesus says. "when you pray"...aka he expects us to pray)
Life Application: I can pray to God
Memory Verse: Psalm 54:2 “Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea.”
Prayer for the Nations: India

With so many transitions happening in your kid's life, this may be a good time to stop and pray individually with each of your kids. By doing this, you will be able to model how one can pray to God, and you will be encouraging your kids at the same time. This is exactly what Jesus did in Matthew 5-6. You will be leading your kids by following Christ's example! Go for it with a boldness only given by the Spirit!