My Broken Life - FAMILY PLUS Children's

So here's the question we will ask your kids on Sunday..."Why should I tell about Jesus?" If your child asked you that question, how would you respond? There are many reasons and answers that can be given, but at a basic level how would you answer that? What life examples would you give your child to back your answer up? 

The truth is we all need to remember the basics of our faith. In fact, we need to remember them daily. That's why Christ says, "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" This is a verse that I have wrestled with lately as a parent. In order to keep Christ central to our family's life, I need to be reminded daily of the reason Christ was sent to the world...to heal our broken relationships (with God, each other, and our family). This is why I would share Christ with my boys. Because they need to know life is broken with out Him.

The details for this week:

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:19-37

Memory Verse: If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth." 1 John 1:8

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Enslave or Set Free - How do you parent? - FAMILY PLUS Children's

This week we will be dealing with the question of "Who is God?" with your kids. I know what you may be thinking...can my kid understand that? Our approach to answer this question is not to try to answer it in an exhaustive way, especially since it's impossible to exhaustively explain an infinite God. So we're going to focus on one part of the answer from the Bible...there is only one God. 

In Exodus 3 Moses encounters God in the burning bush and is called by God to go lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. As a part Moses' encounter with God, Moses asks God, "who shall I say has sent me?" God's reply is, "I AM WHO I AM." Simply put this is God's definitive statement that He is the one true God of the universe and that He has always been. 

Do you parent under this truth? What I mean to say is do you see your tasks as a parent as your calling from the only God of the universe? At this point you may be flying through this email so slow down and pray! Interrupt your moment to pray that God would remind you of your call and pray a prayer of praise because God has chosen you to lead your children out of the death and slavery found in sin and into the life and freedom of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-4:7

Life Point: God is the only true God

Prayer for the Nations: China - This week we're trying pickled mango and a tapioca jelly from China.

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church

Parent of the Year...Not! - FAMILY PLUS Children's

This morning in Kidstuf we're talking about how Peter wrote letters to others churches to instruct and encourage them (in other words...he used his words). We call those letters 1 and 2 Peter. It's in the words of those letters that we can easily see how words can be used for good.

That is a simple thing, but it's so hard to do sometimes. I can be quick to take my words and use them in harsh ways as a parent or spouse. In fact, Carter, our 3 yr old, called me out on it the other day. I felt like the parent of the year (insert sarcasm here)! So in that moment I took a deep breath, sucked up my pride, and walked over to ask forgiveness from my wife and son. 

I know one day my son will sin like I did with his words (in fact, he did last night), but I want to model how God can use words for healing and forgiveness. Why? Because that's what God models for me in the life of Jesus Christ...my forgiveness and my healing. 

This week's details:

Scripture: 1 and 2 Peter
Prayer for the Nations: China

Jared Norris

Children's Minister

The Glade Church