My Traditions They Are A Changing - FAMILY PLUS Children's

Something happened to us when we got married and started having kids...we were forced to rethink our traditions. 

Our first Christmas together was spent in West TN with Katie's family. The 20 years before that I spent Christmas 400 miles on the other side of the state in East TN with my family. Then we moved to Kentucky and that changed our traditions slightly too. Then we had kids and that changed our traditions again. Traditions are nothing but moments in time, experiences and expectations in your mind. My challenge for you is to change your expectations (and your kid's expectations) of Christmas, change your experience (and your kid's experience), and change those moments to include Christ. This Christmas I will do my best to make Christ the center of my boy's Christmas traditions. Join me!

Merry Christmas! I love you guys!

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Children's Christmas Schedule - FAMILY PLUS

I know you want to make sure you're not missing the opportunities we have for your kids this Christmas at the Glade. Below you will find a list of what's happening. 

Upcoming Events

• December 22nd - Service times are 9:00 & 10:30. Babies - Kindergarten will be meeting for both services in their regular rooms. 1st-5th will enjoy service with their parents.
• December 23rd - Christmas Eve Eve Service at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. All children will attend service with their families. Communion will be distributed.
• December 25th - No Wednesday night activities. Enjoy the time with family and friends. 

Don't forget that tomorrow is the culmination of our Season of Giving at the Glade. Think about how you are going to involve your children. I'm keeping my 3yr old with us to help us give our gift to Christ tomorrow morning. Don't hesitate to let your kids see you give!

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Cock-A-Doodle-Do! - FAMILY PLUS Children's

We're looking at Christ through Peter's eyes over the next few weeks and this week we're looking at one of the most important moments in Peter's life - when Peter ate breakfast with Jesus. At this point you have to understand that Peter was carrying a heavy burden in life because he had denied that he was a Christ follower 3 times at Jesus' death. In fact, church tradition informs us that throughout the rest of Peter's life he would be ridiculed for that decision by others. People would walk by him in the market or on the road a say "cock-a-doodle-do!" just to remind him of this failure. 

In John 21, Jesus restores Peter by asking him 3 times if he loves Him. This was intentional on Jesus' part. Jesus wanted Peter to know he was forgiven for that night that he denied Jesus 3 times. God's love is unconditional in Jesus Christ and that's what we will focus on Sunday morning with your kids.

The details are:

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Memory Verse: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 

Prayer for the Nations: We're praying for Operation Christmas Child boxes being shipped around the world.

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

The Next 6 Weeks - FAMILY PLUS Children's

Yesterday and for the next 5 weeks, we are going to talk about exactly what Jesus birth means. Why is it so important that Jesus be born? This Sunday was all about Hope! Jesus rescues us when we are most in need like He rescued Peter when he failed to walk on the water. Jesus rescues the world from sin by being born as a baby...it was a conscious choice for Christ to leave Heaven. Simply put...this gives us Hope for tomorrow. 

Each week you can expect us to clearly share the gospel with your kids. I say that because my hope is that they'll be asking questions when they are at home. Be ready to listen to their hearts and start praying now for the work of God in their lives.

I want this to be a special time for your kid's growth in God. That's what I'm praying and preparing for.

Yesterday's details...

Scripture: Mt 14:22-33 - Jesus/Peter Walked on Water

Memory Verse: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8

Prayer for the Nations- Costa Rica

Jared Norris
Children's Minister
The Glade Church

Cool Thing From Church Yesterday - FAMILY PLUS Children's

I need to be honest. I try really hard to get these emails to you on Thursday and Friday of each week. This week I wrote my original email, had it proofed, but then forgot to send it. I'M GLAD THAT HAPPENED! I saw something I wouldn't have been able to communicate to you had I not forgotten to send it.

Today in Kidstuf we talked about how God used the good and bad events in Joseph's story to complete God's big plan. Your kids need some further conversation to sure up this truth in their brains/hearts. We got several questions like, "how can God use bad things and make them good?"

Here's where you come in. You can follow this up easily with 2 examples:

1) A story from your own life. This makes it interesting to your kids.

2) Christ's story of death, which leads to life. 

Here are the details from yesterday:

Scripture: Genesis 37; 50:15-21 (Joseph)

Memory Verse:“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Prayer for the Nations: Costa Rica

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Step In It! - FAMILY PLUS Children's

Have you ever had to step in and handle a situation that wasn't going as it should? Usually this happens in 1 of 2 ways...1) Something happened and you immediately had to step in, or 2) Something was mishandled over a long period of time and you had to step in. It's funny because this morning we're going to talk about stepping in and doing something in both kinds of situations. Abigail stepped in immediately in 1 Samuel 25 to save her family, and Christ stepped in to save the world who had been mishandling life since the beginning of time.

The details:
Scripture: 1 Samuel 25
Memory Verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34
Prayer for the Nations: Costa Rica

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

How Loud Are You? - Family Plus Children's

Just this morning Katie and I took the boys and our niece (all 5 yrs and under...whew!) to a local event. At that event, a lady called Carter and our niece over to show them a book she had written that wasn't based on the truth of Scripture. It was a combination of some Scripture and some of her own beliefs. Once Katie realized that and the lady was trying to convince the kids to buy her book, she had to "speak up" for the sake of our kids. She didn't do it in a rude way. She was simply brave enough to stand up for the truth of Scripture and explain to the kids why we didn't share the same beliefs of that lady. After leaving, Katie said, "I feel bad because I didn't want to be seen as rude...(short pause) You know what? I don't feel bad for standing up for what we believe."

Your kids want to hear you "speak up" for them. Just make sure you're speaking up for things that have eternal impact!

This weeks details:

Scripture: Acts 10 - Speaking Up

Memory Verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Prayer for the Nations: Costa Rica

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

My Wrong "Reaction" - Family Plus Children's

Hey everyone!

We all strive to "do the right thing"... at least sometimes we do. Tuesday night at our house was one of those kind of nights. I totally lost my cool with our oldest son, Carter. It was one of those moments where Katie's eyes got big because she didn't expect me to react that way. Before Carter fell asleep I apologized to him and then I crawled in bed and apologized to Katie. I wanted to vomit in that moment as I confessed how I had failed and expressed the kind of relationship I desire to have with both of our boys. 

I should have simply walked away from that moment where I displeased God and given myself the chance to trust Him before engaging Carter. I "reacted" instead of "acting". There was a difference in that moment..."acting" would have shown Christ-like intentionality and purpose..."reacting" showed my flaws and flesh. Instead I had to "act" in the appropriate Christ-like manner after I had failed.

Christ acted upon God's command to die for the sake of mankind that those who believe will be made right with God. In that moment don't be like Lot (Gen 13) or I, walk away from that reaction and trust God to help you act appropriately. This kind of self control will show the love of Christ to your child. 

Scripture:  Genesis 13 (Abram and Lot)

Memory Verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Prayer for the Nations: Greece

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - The Right Thing

Hey Everyone!

This week we will be talking all about "doing the right thing." It's safe to say that we are faced with this choice daily, so how well do you and your children stand up to this choice? Let's face it, neither you, nor I, nor our children stand up to that choice well. If we did, we'd be sinless and we know that's not true (Romans 3:23). This week I want to challenge you to do one simple task. Pray with your kids that they will see and make the right choice...at school, home, and other places. If we are ever going to stand out in this world for Christ, we need His constant help making the right choice. Teach your kids this truth by praying together for help.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24 (David and Saul)

Memory Verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 

Prayer for the Nations: Greece - Allergy Alert - We will be having Pita, Olives, Feta Cheese and Humus as we pray for Greece.

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Values and Priorities

There are certain things that we struggle with in this world. If you're like Katie and I, we constantly have things vying to be the top priority for our family. Should we use our money for this thing or that thing? Should we spend our time doing this or doing that? Ultimately, we answer those questions using our values. Values are things we all have, and if we are not careful we unintentionally set values that we don't want.

Research shows that your kids will value your values. You communicate your values through your actions not your words. 

This week take 10 minutes and write down your families top 5 values, then show it to your spouse or a close friend. Do they agree that you value those 5 things? This is a worthy 10 minutes! This Sunday, your kids are going to be learning that "God is always the best option, and He wants to be the priority in their life." But this lesson will not have any value in your child's eyes unless you're communicating that value in your home.

The details are:

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Memory Verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 

Prayer for the Nations: Greece

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Your Advantage!

Hey Everyone!

This week you, as the parent, have the advantage over your children. You've been hearing and learning all about the point they will be focusing on this week in Kidstuf. We all know "living for Christ can be difficult at times," especially when we are in a changing culture. The temptation is to stop moving and stand and stare. It's like we are frozen and are watching the people around us change. The problem with that is if we are not moving, we are not influencing our children. 

Christ influenced His closest friends by giving them a night and a meal they would never forget. We call it the Lord's Supper. Those friends quickly found out that it wasn't easy to follow Him once Christ left this earth. I know the disciples looked back on that night just as we do in remembrance of the difficulties Christ met on our behalf (see 1 Cor 11:23-26). When life is difficult as a parent, look to this passage andremember that in a changing culture your kids need to see "you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes" (1 Cor 11:26).

The details of this week...

Scripture: Mt 26:17-30; 1 Cor 11:23-26

 Memory Verse: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:10 

Prayer for the Nations: Greece

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Handling Anger

Hey Everyone!

A few weeks ago during our Exile Conference Trevin Wax made a statement that has stuck with me. Trevin said, "It's hard to hate those you pray for." We all have those people who are difficult for us to love or even care about in the smallest of ways. This week Jesus takes a person who fits that profile and instead of shunning him or talking about him, Jesus eats with him. Eating with someone is very personal. Christ took this stand for someone who was unlovable...it was Zacchaeus.

Your 1st-5th graders have already identified people they don't want to be around, and likely put some kind of action in play that reflects that decision. It's likely that action has a negative effect such as, mocking a person, shunning a person, or spreading rumors about that person. I want you to stop for a moment and realize those are exactly the things that happened to Christ before His crucifixion. Now that you've realized that lead your kids to pray specific prayers for those they dislike. "It's hard to hate those you pray for." By doing this you will build a model of how to handle anger/frustration in their future.

This weeks details are...

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus)

Memory Verse: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:10 

Prayer for the Nations: Botswana

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Family Plus Children - What Did You Say?

Hey Everyone!

This Sunday we are going to be talking to your kids about how we should use kind words. I know each of you talk about this in your homes. You may say it a different way to your children like, "use nice words," "be nice to your friends," "I don't think that a princess would use that word," or even most simply by saying your child's name in a stern voice.

We all know the importance of words. Words have the power to make your day incredible or horrible. They can bring good news and bad news. Words effect us emotionally, physically, and spiritually, so it should be something that we take very seriously. Words and word usage are very unique because they are something your child constantly learns from you, whether you want them to or not. Watch your words this week and intentionally remove 3 words/phrases that don't represent Christ well.

This weeks details:

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16 (Speak Kindly to All People)

Memory Verse: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:10 

Prayer for the Nations: Botswana

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

The Week's Info You Need to Know - Family Plus Children's

Hey guys!

We have tons going on this week, so check out the events below to make sure you don't miss anything! You'll want to start this new semester off right!

Sunday, August 4th - Promotion Sunday

Kids have grown up again and will attend their new grade level during 9:15am groups at church.

Sunday, August 4th - Illuminate

Both services! - 9:15am and 10:45am

Kids will have groups at 9:15am then they will be picked up and attend main worship with their parents. There will be no Kidstuf Worship at 10:45am. As a parent you will not want to miss this!

Wednesday, August 11th - Back to School Bash

5:45pm-7:45pm

Children will have a blast rotating between inflatables, an illusionist, and food (includes snow cones, hot dogs, chips, and more). As always, your children will need ot get their security sticker and meet in the regular classrooms to start the evening.

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - A week to remember!

Hey Everyone!

Last week we are finished up our last week of camp for the summer. I was with some incredible leaders and our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in Livingston, TN at camp. It was wonderful! A great way to close out the summer!

I wanted to share with you 1 story and thought about last week. 

I have been a part of or led many, many elementary age camps over the last 10 yrs, and I didn't expect what happened last week on several occassions. During the heat of the day (1pm) we had small group Bible Study with the kids. We focused on God's story and we introduced how they fit in God's story. At the end of the week my heart was that your kids will love God more than before we went. That sounds cliche but the truth is that is a simple yet profound goal for life. As we talked I began describing what the Bible says about God. I didn't hold anything back. In fact I read many passages and had the kids read many passages that described God in detail. This next part is the best part...After reading those passages hands began to fly into the air and 1 by 1 we answered their questions about God. These were great questions like...

- Are God and Jesus the same thing?

- If we are alive when Jesus comes back will we see him on his white horse (we read Rev 19:11ff)?

- Can we see/touch God? If we did see Him would we die (we read exodus where Moses asks to see God)? 

And the list goes on and on and on. This happened every day during small group!

I have never see that happen...ever. I have never seen 25 kids intensely engaged enough to ask questions that long, sit still that long, and be interested that long. This tells me one thing. God is way more amazing than we are or how we describe Him to our kids.

Here are the details for the week:

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30 (The Rich Young Ruler)

Memory Verse: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

Prayer for the Nations: Belgium - This week we ate some Belgian chocolate. Don't be jealous!

Praying for kids at camp...Here's how!

This week will be halfway over around lunch time today. As a parent you are wondering on and off throughout your day how your kids are doing. The answer is better than I could expect, which means a lot. Let me explain.

I have been a part of or led many, many elementary age camps over the last 10 yrs, and I didn't expect what happened yesterday. During the heat of the day (1pm) we have small group Bible Study with the kids. Yesterday we focused on God's story and we introduced how they fit in God's story. At the end of this week my heart is that your kids will love God more than before we came. That sounds cliche but the truth is that is a simple yet profound goal for life. As we talked I began describing what the Bible says about God. I didn't hold anything back. In fact I read many passages and had the kids read many passages that described God in detail. This next part is the best part...After reading those passages hands began to fly into the air and 1 by 1 we answered their questions about God. These were great questions like...

- Are God and Jesus the same thing?

- If we are alive when Jesus comes back will we see him on his white horse (we read Rev 19:11ff)?

- Can we see/touch God? If we did see Him would we die (we read exodus where Moses asks to see God)?

And the list goes on and on and on. This went on for at least 20 minutes.

I have never see that happen...ever. I have never seen 25 kids intensely engaged enough to ask questions that long, sit still that long, and be interested that long. This tells me one thing. God is way more amazing than we are or how we describe Him to our kids.

I say that to ask for your prayer. Pray that these kids would continue to fall in love with God more because of their glimpses of God from Scripture. In fact, if you just read this I want to ask you to stop Doing whatever your doing and pray right now!

Jared

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Shock your kids by doing this...

Hey Parents!

This week is a week of thankfulness! I know that's something we could all use more of in our homes...I know Katie and I could. From the time our kids begin talking we teach them to say, "Thank you!" Let's face it! Sometimes they say it begrudgingly and sometimes they say it sincerely. Our hope is that they'll turn the duty of saying "thank you" into a delight of blessing someone with their actions. 

Thanks what this weeks lesson is about...10 lepers that are healed, but only 1 returns to praise Jesus. We all want our kids to be the 1...don't we? I long for my boys to be the 1 that recognizes God's work around them and turns to praise God.

This week simply point out things verbally that God has done, and immediately stop and praise God through prayer. Intentionally shock them by doing this at seemingly random times. Times they wouldn't expect it! Do things like...

-Fill up you car with gas, and as soon as you get in the car stop and say a prayer of thanks for gas.

-After loading the groceries in the car get in and say a prayer of thanks for groceries.

-After a fun event with your kids, stop and say a prayer of thanks for your kids.

This week your job is to catch them off guard with your thankfulness. Have some fun with this one!

The details of this week are:

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Memory Verse: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

Prayer for the Nations: Belgium

Upcoming Events you need to know about!!!

August 4th - Illuminate - A family friendly time to celebrate what God has done in the New Generations Ministry and worship Him!

August 7th - 

Taste and See - A time to "taste and see" delicious food prepared by the Hospitality Ministry and to "taste and see" various adult groups and ministries beginning in the Fall.

Back to School Bash - While the parents are at "Taste and See" the kids will be having their own celebration. Students will be cooking out and listening to a great band, and kids will be partying on inflatables and watching an illusionist!

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - 2nd Chance Conversations

Hey Everyone!

On Sunday your kids are going to be hearing all about the one who had a 2nd chance from his father, the Lost/Prodigal Son. It was a 2nd chance that included grace and mercy, a chance that all of us would want. It was a chance that was undeserved. This is important to note because we will be tying their lesson back to the 2nd chance that God, our Father, gives us through Jesus Christ. 

This week talk to your kids about their faith. Do you know where they spiritually are? For the past 2 weeks I've been following up with approximately 40-50 kids from Summer Jam about where they are spiritually. Some parents have a great handle on where their children are. Some parents have literally never had a conversation with their kids about their faith. I say that to encourage you to start having those conversations. They're vitally important and will stick with your kids for years to come. 

This week's Kidstuf details are...

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24 (The Lost Son or Prodigal Son)

Memory Verse: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 

Prayer for the Nations:  Belgium

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - This Works!

Hey Everyone!

This week in Kidstuf it's all about "loving your enemy". Let's face it...when it comes to our kids somedays it's a win if you can get them to "love" anyone, not just their enemy. Our kids get in moods just like any of us can, and love can be a difficult verb to enact. Also, many of our kids don't exactly have enemies till around 4th/5th grade at the earliest (at least in my observation), but be assured they know what an enemy is. The shows they watch and books they read have plenty of enemies in them, or at least an antagonist of some kind.

This is one of those instances where you can be a proactive parent, not a reactive parent. You can proactively discuss how we should "love our enemies," and then when you have a difficult situation arise in your own life model how to "love your enemies."

This works! In fact, I'm a product of it. My father is/was very active in the community. He was a teacher/administrator in the schools for 35+ years, so let's just say he was a part of a few tense situations. When I was in high school and early college, I was a part of some really painful situations in several areas of my life. Dad and I would talk about the situation, and often he would tell me to love those people and move on. When he told me to love them, I never hesitated because I had seen his response in several of the tense situations he had been in. I can remember them vividly to this day. 

Bottom Line...Because I chose to love them, I can still serve them today with integrity. Actually this next week, I get to serve them on the Middle School Mission Trip because it's in my hometown. And in August, I get to go back and serve them again with another situation. Don't get me wrong, it took many years to heal my heart, and I will never forget the pain. The difference is I don't have to live with the pain of the poor choices I made in that circumstance. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that!

This details for this week...

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Memory Verse: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 

Prayer for the Nations: Belgium

Jared Norris

Children's Minister 

The Glade Church

Family Plus Children's - Deep Desires

This week in Kidstuf we're covering a passage close to my heart. A passage God used to affirm my call to serve as a Children's Minister. It's 1 Samuel 1, the story of Samuel's birth and dedication. In the story, Samuel's mother, Hannah, has difficulty conceiving a child. In her despair she turns to God for help. She asks Him to meet a deep desire of her heart. Do your kids know they can do that? They would probably answer, "yes, we know we can ask God for stuff." However, do they know that their deepest desires/struggles need to be given to God on a consistent basis? Do they know they should be persistent to pray about those desires/struggles?

I want you to really think about what your child's most meaningful desires are. It could be about a job or calling from God. If they want to be a police officer or even a pastor, pray about that desire with your child over several weeks. It could be a desire to help that person they want to help or that is sick. Talk about that desire with your kid and pray together over a period of time. I don't mean that you have to pray with your child every morning and every evening, but every other day or every 3 days would keep it in their minds.

Here are the details for the week:

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Memory Verse: “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22

 Prayer for the Nations: Egypt

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Family Plus Children - "I want it NOW!"

Hey Everyone!

First, I need to tell you it was an incredible week at Summer Jam. God moved and we have major reasons to celebrate! Many decisions were made this week to follow Christ. I will have a more specific number in the next couple weeks as I continue to follow up with those children and families. Thank you so much for the support, time and energy. It's obvious the Glade Church loves children!

This week in Kidstuf we're talking all about prayer and how we should be seeking for God's answer not our own. It's unfortunate that our children often want what they want when they want it and nothing else will suffice. When we feed this level of expectation in our children it sets them up for failure. Why? Because when God answers prayer he answers them in a way that will provide the greatest glory for Himself, not the greatest glory for us. If our children reach adulthood and expect immediate results from God, then they don't understand that God is not at our every beckon call. When they figure this out it will lead to major disappointment or possibly abandonment of their faith. God ends up not being who they want Him to be, so they leave. It happens all the time. I only say this because it's important for our children to know the Truth about who God is and how He interacts with our world. Teach them that and that Truth will prevail!

This week's specifics:

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-39

Memory Verse: “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22

Prayer for the Nations: Egypt

Tomorrow is Father's Day!

8:30-10:30 - Breakfast, Car/Bike Show, Family Workshop where kids can build a project alongside their parents/grandparents.

10:30 - Worship

Wee Care, Wee Worship, and Kidstuf will be meeting at 10:30 tomorrow.

FAMILY PLUS - Pray Specifically

Hey everyone!

When I was a senior in high school our student ministry was preparing for summer camp. In preparation for camp our leader paired us up with other students to pray for them. The task given to me was to pray for a 7th grader named Casey for 5 minutes each day. Casey was a great kid from rough home. I did my best to pray for him with all I had. Then the day to leave for camp arrived. Casey showed up and we left. He had a great start to his week, and then suddenly toward the middle of camp, Casey said, "Yes!" to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as Savior. When I heard the news of course I was initially excited. Then I remember being humbled that the young man I prayed for was moved to the point to make Christ his Savior. 

Of course it was never my prayers that saved him, that was only the work of the Holy Spirit, but this experience did confirm for me the need for specific prayers to be offered to God for people. Hebrews 10:24 comes to my mind. It's a ministry of encouraging our loved ones toward a more godly life, or maybe the start of a godly life. 

This week have your child pick 1 of their friends to pray for during the week of Summer Jam. 

Here are this weeks details:

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Memory Verse: “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22

Prayer for the Nations: Egypt - This week a church member that was born and raised in Egypt will be sharing about his country with your children.

Don't forget Summer Jam starts this Monday!

Monday-Friday, 9am-12:30 

Register at any Info Center 

 

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS - Lord's Prayer Summer Jam Style

Hey Everyone!

This week is all about prayer. In fact, we're talking about the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. Also we have Summer Jam coming up on June 10th, so I want to ask you to pray with your kids about Summer Jam. I've taken the liberty to write a special Summer Jam Lord's Prayer. This way you can intentionally model prayer to your children.

Please feel free to pray this prayer or one of your own...

"Our Father in Heaven,

may your name be kept holy at Summer Jam.

May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done at Summer Jam, 

as it is in heaven.

Thank you for the food we will eat, the games we will play, 

and the teaching we will hear.

Rescue the kids at Summer Jam from their own sins 

by helping them believe in Jesus' perfect life, sad death, and awesome resurrection!

Amen!"

Here are this week's details:

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13 (The Lord's Prayer)

Monthly Memory Verse: “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22 NLT

Monthly Nation for Prayer: Egypt

Events:

Summer Jam

June 10-14, 9am-12:30pm

Completed K-5th Grade

Register today at any info center!

The Big 10 Kids Camp

July 22-26

Livingston, TN

$200

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Wednesday Nights in June

June 5 - Game Night & Popsicles

June 12 - Ice Cream Sundaes

June 19 - Water Night

June 26 - Movie Night

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Spiritual "Boo Boos"

Hey Everyone!

This week in Kidstuf we are learning about how Joseph takes care of his family during the 7 year plague that struck the middle east during his lifetime. Caring for others can take on many forms...physical, mental, or spiritual to name the most common forms. I'm going to go out on a limb and say, "most of the time we are guilty of only considering physical and mental care when it comes to our children or grandchildren." It makes sense...it's what we see and it's what we are naturally geared to fix. If the knee gets scraped, we put a bandaid on it. I know that I can be guilty of this. Sometimes we don't know what to do if there is a spiritual pain because we've not had spiritual conversations with our kids. Those conversations lead to the discovery of spiritual pain. That is where the Rites of Passage Experiences come in. These not only are practical, but help us intentionally engage our kids. Check out ROPE today at thegladechurch.org/ROPE.

This weeks details:

Scripture: Genesis 46-50
Memory Verse:  "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10Prayer for the Nations: Ethiopia

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - "Yes" Means "Yes"

Hey Everyone!

This week in Kidstuf we are talking about trust within your family and using the story of Jacob and Esau to illustrate that trust. It's interesting how trust (or the lack of) can immediately change a relationship with someone. I remember a janitor named Jim that I befriended on a job I had when I was first in college. Jim taught me an important lesson that I literally recall at least once a month. Jim let his guard down one afternoon and said, "I wish everyone would just do what they tell me they're going to do." Simply put Jim couldn't trust his coworkers because their speech and actions were so far apart. Wow. What kind of trust are you building in your relationship with your kids? Does your "yes" mean "yes" and your
"no" mean "no?"  It would be better to say nothing at all than to promise something that you cannot (or have no intention to) fulfill.

Here are this week's details:

Scripture: Genesis 25, 27, & 32-33 

Memory Verse:  "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10

Prayer for the Nations: Ethiopia

Upcoming Events:

Quilting for Ethiopian Orphans open to all 1st-5th Graders and parents - This Saturday, May 18th, 8am-12pm (A Come and Go Event)

Summer Jam - June 10-14 - Register at any info center

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children - Do you know? - May 10

May 10

Hey Everyone!

This week in Kidstuf we are talking all about trust. Specifically, we're teaching your kids that they can trust God's plan for your family. Do your kids know what God's plan for your family is? Have you talked to them about it? Do you know what God's plan for your family is? 

Over the past 2 months, I've been bombarded by God to figure out what He is calling me to here at the Glade. He's moving and I'm trying to keep up with Him. I've been reading, praying, writing, erasing, and rewriting to try to figure out what God is doing in my heart and with my family. I only mention this to be an encouragement to you. If you want to ask God the question, "what are you calling my family too?" but don't know where to start, I want to help! Please don't hesitate to call or email to set up a time to begin discovering what God has in store for you.

Here are the details for Sunday:

Scripture:  Gen 17, 18, and 21

Memory Verse:  “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10

Prayer for the Nations: Ethiopia

Upcoming Events:

Free Family Photos in the Foyer at Church - May 12th (all morning)

Quilting for Ethiopian Orphans open to all 1st-5th Graders and parents - May 18th, 8am-12pm (A Come and Go Event)

Summer Jam - June 10-14 - Register at any info center

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Family Plus - This is how I pray for your kids - May 2

Hey Everyone!

This is a new month, but we have a ton of new things going on. Make sure you check it all out below.

I woke up a couple of days ago with the conviction that I needed to communicate to you how we pray for your kids each week in Kidstuf. Several years ago, God convicted me to pray aloud in front your kids specifically for your kid's salvation and call. Each week they hear us ask God to "save them" and "call them." I want your kids to know that I expect God to do those things in their life. Join me in praying this way with your kids. Begin to pray this way during your normal prayer times with your kids, even if it's before dinner. Your kids need to hear you pray for these things aloud.

Here are the details for the week:

Scripture: Genesis 13 (Abraham and Lot)

Memory Verse: “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in 

honoring each other.” Rm 12:10

Monthly Nation for Prayer: Ethiopia

Quilts for Ethiopia Kids Serve Day: 

1st-5th Graders will have the opportunity to work alongside their parents to sew together quilts for orphans in Ethiopia. This is a "come and go" event so give what time you can for those orphans needing comfort and security in Ethiopia. No skill or equipment is needed to make a global impact.

May 18th

"Come and Go" from 8am-12pm

Quilt Room at the Glade Church (across from Big Backyard)

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS - Red Rice - April 26

Hey Everyone!

This week is going to be a fun week with your kids. All month long we've been talking about and praying for the country of Bhutan. Also, we've been learning about the largest religion in that country, Buddhism. This Sunday we're going to take their learning to another level...we're going to try one of the foods that carries a large portion of their diet. We're eating red rice, which is very different in flavor and texture to white or brown rice. 

You may be asking yourself, "why do they spend so much time on these other subjects in Kidstuf worship?" My heart for your kids is to begin to help them engage the world with a Christ centered worldview. In order to foster that development in your child, I show them videos and teach them about what is in the world. Immediately we follow that up with how we can engage those situations through Scripture. My prayer is your kids will be ready to take their faith to the world when God calls.

Here are the details this week:

Scripture: Acts 13

Memory Verse: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Prayer for the Nations: Bhutan - We are eating red rice this week!

Family Plus - 1966 Mustang - April19

Hey Everyone!

This week is all about forgiveness and restoration. On Sunday your kids are going to get an up close look at what it means to "restore" something. One of our church members is going to bring their 1966 Ford Mustang to show the kids. This car was a heap of rust before someone took the time to restore it back to it's original condition. Sin has made us a pile of rust. That's what Christ does...He restores us from a pile of rust back to the way we were meant to be.  We were meant to be perfect because we were created "very good" and "in his image" (Gen 1).

Here are this weeks details:

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Memory Verse: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Prayer for the Nations: Bhutan

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Family Plus - We're taking a walk - April 6

Hey Everyone!

It's a new month, so that means our memory verse and prayer for the nations has changed again. Make sure you check it out below! 

This week your children will be taking a walk...literally. We are going to take a walk to Emmaus just like the disciples. On the way, they are going to encounter Jesus too; however, we will encounter Him in the pages of the Bible, not along the road to Emmaus.

On your drive home from church or sometime later this week, please ask your child this question, "When you went for your walk in Kidstuf on Sunday, did you see Jesus like the disciples did?" Their answer should be yes because we will be emphasizing the fact that we can find Jesus anytime we want in the Bible.

Here are this weeks details:

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Memory Verse: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Prayer for the Nations: Bhutan

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Family Plus - Are you traveling this week? - March 15

Hey Everyone!

This week in Kidstuf is going to be a very different week. It's going to be a smaller Sunday in attendance due to Spring Break. You guys are taking advantage of the kids being out of school, so you're either coming back from vacation or getting ready to go on vacation. You'll be traveling, which is my point. Whether you're here on Sunday or not, you can take part in this week's Family Plus email. 

This week in Kidstuf Jesus will be traveling, except he isn't traveling for recreational purposes. Each step has a purpose. Jesus is working His way into Jerusalem. Actually, it wouldn't be incorrect to say that He is knowingly traveling toward His death on the cross. So even if your kids are not here on Sunday to hear the lesson, you should teach them the lesson as you travel down the road or through the air. Drive home the most important point as you tell the story: We can praise Jesus! That's the way we're going to cover it in Kidstuf. We'll just have a different approach to the point. Enjoy leading your family!

Here are this weeks details:

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40 (Jesus rides into Jerusalem)

Memory Verse: “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” Matt 26:8

Prayer for the Nations: The World

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

"Very Good" Kids - February 28

Hey Everyone!

In the next 4 weeks we are going to cover the most important pieces of Scripture with your kids, and each week builds upon the following week. 

This week we're covering this...
Scripture: Gen 2:4-24 (God Created Man)
Application: We want your kids to praise God for creating them in His image.
Memory Verse: “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” Matt 26:8
Prayer for the Nations : The World - Because "God so loved the world" (Jn 3:16) we are taking the time to pray for the entire world. We all need Jesus!

This Sunday we are going to cover in 7 minutes what took God 7 days to create, and when we get to God's creation of man we are going to slow down and zoom in on that "very good" part. That's what I think you need to take the time to do this week. Slow down and zoom in on the fact that your children are gifts created in God's image. Our baby, Cohen, turned 6 months on Wednesday. That's absurd! The reality is that I often struggle and tell God that I don't like the fact that my kids are growing up. I told Pastor Bruce that one time, and he laughingly reminded me, "the only other option is that they never grow up." 

I want my boys to grow up. In fact, I want them to be fearless warriors for God's Kingdom! I believe the place to start helping them grow up is to be constantly reminded that God gave them to Katie and I to begin with.

Be reminded this week that God has given you an incredible gift, and make sure to tell that to your kids so they won't forget either.

Jared Norris
Children's Minister
The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - February 22

February 22

Hey Everyone!

This week your kids are starting to get ready for the hearing of the Easter story on March 24th. Instead of starting at the beginning of the Easter story, we're starting with the telling of John 11 (Lazarus is raised from the dead). The story of Lazarus gives us a glimpse of not only Christ's power, but of Christ's death and resurrection too. So for the next month we are going to start at Lazarus' resurrection and end at Christ's resurrection. It could not be a more appropriate beginning.

Because our kids are such "black and white" thinkers it's hard to explain things like someone being raised from the dead, and have them actually "get it." So I've researched a few resources/ideas to help you out, and I'm giving them to you now in case you want to get ready for Easter a little early. Imagine how it would help your kids to spend a little extra time talking about the single most important Truth in the world...Christ's Resurrection!

Early Elementary ideas:

Use this activity to help your kids understand that Christ's resurrection means that we can have eternal life!
Lay a skein of yarn on a table and pull 2 inches of yarn from one end. Ask your child to slowly pull on this piece, and when she has pulled out about an arm's length of yarn, snip it off with scissors. Tell your kids that this piece of yarn has a beginning and an end, just like our lives here on earth.Take the snipped piece of yarn and tie it back onto the skein, explaining that, through Christ, we are free to live with God forever. When Jesus died and rose again, He gave us eternal life. Although our time on earth will come to an end, our life with God will go on and on forever. Celebrate the power of the Resurrection by allowing your kids to pull freely on the piece of yarn and run with it as it unravels from the skein. Let them run out of the room! Up the stairs! Pray together, thanking God for sending His Son and welcoming us into eternal life with Him.
-Vance Fry 

 

Here's another idea, put on an old, white T-shirt. Then discuss what sin is by asking your child to share some examples, such as lying or envy. Invite them to use permanent markers to write their examples on the shirt. Explain that our sins create a divide in our relationship with God and keep us from experiencing His love. To be reconciled with God, we need to get rid of the sin that separates us. Ask for ideas on how to remove the marker stains from the shirt. If the kids suggest washing it, try scrubbing it in the sink. Let them see that the stains are permanent. Also note how the "sins"can't be hidden, even if the shirt is turned inside out.Ask: "If we can't remove our own sin, who can help us?"Guide your child toward understanding that only Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has the power to get rid of our sins. Take the old, dirty shirt and place it in a trash bag near a Bible or a cross, where you've also set a new, clean white shirt. As you put on the clean shirt, talk about how Christ takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

-Jeannie Vogel
  

Older Elementary ideas:

Below are a couple of good resources to start the discussion with your kids about whether Jesus' resurrection was real. These 2 resources are very in depth, which I believe your 4th-5th graders can handle. Don't sell them short or be intimidated to ask questions alongside them. When in doubt say, "I don't know, but I can find out the answer." Then go find the answer out by doing your own reading, talking with a trusted teacher/friend, or emailing me.

A very interactive app...I love this app: Resurrection iWitness (it's all about the resurrection's historical accuracy)

This book covers the same topics as the app above. It covers them in a traditional book format: The Case for Christ for Kids

The details for Kidstuf this week are:

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Memory Verse: "What is impossible for people is possible with God." - Luke 18:27

Prayer for the Nations: USA

Please let me know if there is any way I can serve and help your family!

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Feb 16

February 16

Hey Everyone!

This week your child will be learning about a passage of Scripture and a subject that should be very familiar to you if you were able to be in "Big Church" last Sunday. Pastor Bruce was talking about suffering, and your kids will be talking about how Jesus was able to heal the suffering, specifically the blind man from John 9. He briefly mentioned this passage in his sermon this past Sunday. 

Suffering and healing are things that our kids can understand very easily. Immediately, your kids will think of the scratches and scrapes they get playing outside or in PE at school. That's what will resonate with them. That's just pain though. Suffering is the experience of pain (whether emotional, physical, or other) without the ability to be comforted. So you may want to explain it in a story like this...

Remind your child of a time that they were hurt bad. Remind them of the pain, and then remind them of how you helped ease the pain. They will get this easily. After that change the story a little bit. What if no one helped take the pain away? What if you lived with that pain for years? What if people made fun of you because of your pain? That's what it was like for the suffering blind man in John 9. At this point make sure to take the time to remind them that someone was able to remove the pain and restore the man to a healthy state. That man was God's Son, Jesus! He can help you just like he helped the blind man.

Here are the details for this week:

Scripture: John 9 (The Blind Man)

Memory Verse: “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” - Luke 18:27

Prayer for the Nations: USA

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - February 9

February 9, 2013

Hey everyone!

This month we're talking about miracles, and this week we're talking about feeding the 5,000. Not only is this a miracle, this is a testament to how God is committed to providing for our needs in life. God's provision in our families lives has been a huge theme in our story of following him. The things we've needed to follow Him have always been provided. I can tell you countless stories...like the time we moved away to Kentucky for school and were randomly given a bonus check that a family earned that covered all of our 1st semester expenses in school and we had $17 left over. Or the time when Katie and I were about 2 months away from getting married and I totaled my car. We were about to go out and buy a car together with what little money we had, and then out of no where we were given a car. I was completely blown away. Those two stories are just a part of our story of God's provision, and they're stories I plan on making sure my kids hear one day.

Recognizing that God is the provider is a key part of understanding who God is and how He works in this world. This week help your kids understand this by talking about things that may be upcoming in their life and the things they need in order to succeed in those times. After you recognize what you need, pray toward that. This will be the start to helping your child understand that God provides what we need to follow Him.

Here are the details of this week:

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Memory Verse: "What is impossible for people is possible with God.” - Luke 18:27

Prayer for the Nations: USA

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Jan 25

Hangtime for 1st-5th grade is still scheduled for 6pm-9pm tonight!

Hey Everyone! 

We are finishing up our time learning about the Church and how we can be involved in what God does with the Church. I hope that you've been able to have some meaningful conversations in the past few weeks with your kids about their role in God's Kingdom and Church. If not, I want you to consider this quote I read while doing some research on child development this week...

"...children of this age [elementary age] derive their understanding of our loving, merciful God largely from their relationships with their own parents..." 

This is very humbling. I'm praying for you as you build relationships with your children. Please let me know if I can help you along the way. It is my passion to help you guys out in anyway that I can!

Before I give you the details of this week's lesson, I want to make you aware that if you do attend or have wanted to attend an 8am group here at church, we do have a class available for your children. The 8am class meets in the Big Backyard. If you have any questions about that class, please don't hesitate to ask away. 

Here are this weeks details:

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30 (The Church Gives)

Memory Verse: "Don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." Gal 5:13b

Prayer for the Nations: Ukraine

FAMILY PLUS Children's - Jan 11

January 11

Hey Everyone!

Sorry that we couldn't send out our F+ email to you last week. We had some technical difficulties, but all is better now. 

This month we have started a series on the Church. We had one of our best times of worship that we've had in a long time this past Sunday, which only excites me more and more for this Sunday! This week your kids are going to learn that they can be a part of the work that God does through the church. I have one question that will either hit us hard or be simple to answer...what opportunities have you given your child to be a part of God's work at church?

In my opinion, adults often underestimate the ability of kids. Kids have many talents and abilities that adults don't have. They can see a person for who they are and not for what they look like. They can believe in someone and not be a skeptic. They can do a lot more physically than we think, too. I've got pictures of some 4th and 5th graders ripping carpet out during the renovation of the Big Backyard. Give your child an intentional opportunity soon to serve...maybe it's beside you?

Here are the details for this week:

Scripture: Acts 3-4:22

Memory Verse: “Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Gal 5:13

Life Application: I can be a part of the work of my church.

Prayer for the Nations: Ukraine

Jared Norris

Children's Minister 

The Glade Church