CommunityKids

Leading Children to Christ

This week is a great reminder to us about the most wonderful and perfect gift we, as Christians, have been given. I hope you have had an opportunity to spend some time with your children talking about what this gift means for them. Here are some tips to leading your children to Christ from Family Life.

1)      Make a friend- It’s important for children to understand that your reason for sharing is because you love and care about them.

2)      Keep it simple- Remember to think like children. Speak their language.

3)      Let them share- Give children a chance to tell how they feel or what concerns them.

4)      Mention Jesus-Explain that Jesus was not just a man, nor was he just God. But because He is both God and man, he could be perfect and yet still die a human death to pay for our sin.

5)      Use visual aids-The gospel comes to life for children when they see or experience something tangible.

6)      Invite a decision-Explain how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus. Be sensitive. Is it God’s timing for them to make this commitment?

7)      Pray with them-Again keep it simple.

8)      Encourage them-Tell them that although being a Christian can be hard, God has sent the Holy Spirit to help them.

9)      Give them homework-Share ways they can grow (Bible, prayer, fellowship).

10)  Tell them to tell others-Encourage them to share their new commitment to Jesus by telling friends and family.

 

Stacey

 

Resurrection Eggs

With Easter coming up, I thought I would share one of my favorite ways of teaching Jesus’ death and resurrection to my kids. Resurrection Eggs are really fun for preschoolers and young elementary. You can make them yourself by going to this link and following the instructions http://www.rainbowcastle.org/resurrectioneggs.html  or you can purchase them at Solid Rock. You may also find them at numerous online websites. I like to get them out a few weeks before Easter and take 1 egg per day and talk about what’s inside. There are 12 eggs in all and if you buy the pre-made eggs from Solid Rock they have a book that comes with the eggs that gives you a short devotion for each one. My kids love to hunt Easter eggs so I use that to my advantage to make it fun. This is a great way of spending some time connecting with your kids and also teach them about the most wonderful gift we’ve been given.

 

Stacey

Spring Fling Thing

Come join us on the Fort Smith campus tonight for Spring Fling Thing. This is an event wrapping up Community Kids and 56. There will be games, food, and lots of fun! If you are kindergarten through 6th grade, you won't want to miss out!

Focus on the Family

Today I thought I would share some information that I have found relevant to parents regarding children of all ages. I’m sure most of you, like me, have found yourself struggling with how to help your children through some of the challenges that childhood brings. Where is the universal handbook for parenting? Why isn’t potty training the same for every child? Why doesn’t “time-out” work for everyone? Why doesn’t every child have self confidence?  Unfortunately, because of the uniqueness of every child, they don’t respond the same way in all of these situations. I spent a very trying time with my sweet little Caroline until she was almost 3 years old. For whatever reason, she had a horrifying fear of water. I’m sure you are thinking…”Well, what infant doesn’t have a little bit of that?” Well, I tell you, I was still bathing this child in an infant tub on the kitchen counter with her sitting on the mesh suspension until she was almost 3. Getting her near a tub of water or even trying to sit her in just an inch of it would cause her to go scream and shake uncontrollably. She would claw at you to get away from it. It was the most bizarre thing I had ever encountered. Well, I knew at some point this kid was going to have to take a bath in a real tub or at least shower. I really did not know what to do. After asking the advice of family and friends and finding that no one had ever experienced what I had, I came across an toll free number for Focus on the Family….1-800-AFAMILY. I was desperate to find a solution to help my little one get over this fear, so I called the number and spoke to one of the counselors, who are all under the direction of Dr. James Dobson. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. They helped me start a process of desensitizing Caroline to water which worked beautifully. They supported me, prayed with me, and followed up on our situation. Focus on the Family has been a wonderful, reputable resource for me and I hope if you find yourself searching for help you might find them helpful as well.

 

Stacey

Greetings

Every interaction you have with children is an opportunity to build relationships that help them thrive. I was talking to one of our volunteer leaders this week and I was reminded of how important a greeting is to developing and authentic relationship with someone. Greeting children at the entrance of their classroom warmly and affectionately can change the course of an entire hour. Giving your children a sincere greeting as you pick them up from school or daycare can set the tone for the remainder of your day. As a parent, I fail all to often to acknowledge the presence of my children. Share your affection and warmth with others when you encounter them, especially your children, and watch what happens!

Stacey

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Ready or not - it's a brand new year. Time for new resolutions and new commitments. I encourage each of you to commit to praying for our Children's Ministry in 2009. Our goal is "Transformed Children Transforming Their World" and you can help us make that happen!  Pray for our ministry, our volunteers, and our children and great things will happen.

ODDS and ENDS

Don't forget! - JANUARY 7th - Community Kids starts up again!  We will be serving pizza at 6:00 and then our activities for the evening will begin at 6:30.  Pizza and a drink is $2.

CK Bucks - This Sunday in C-123 we will be starting CK Bucks. This is an incentive designed to encourage our kids on Sunday mornings.  Kids can earn bucks for attendance, bringing their Bible, bringing a friend, participation, memorization, and enthusiasm.  There are lots of ways for the kids to earn bucks, we will keep track of them at church, and then the first Sunday of each month there will be a store ,with lots of fun stuff, open for the kids to shop in.  This Sunday we will be sending home a flyer explaining CK Bucks, so be sure to get a flyer when you pick up your child.

2009 will be a great year. I encourage you to find your spot. Whether you volunteer on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights or you pray for us daily, you'll want to be a part of our Children's Ministry in 2009! Have a great day and I'll see you Sunday!

Julie

Children's ministry meeting and dinner

There will be a children's ministry meeting and dinner in the new student building on Thursday, December 11th at 6:30. During this time we will be reviewing the goals that we established at our last meeting. We will discuss ways to continue to accomplish our mission and what our expectations are for the coming year. Please R.S.V.P to Matt, Stacey, or Julie by December 8th and specify whether or not you will need childcare.

Wrapping Up the Round Up

After this Sunday we will say happy trails to the On the Trail series that we have been doing for the past 7 weeks in C-123 Fort Smith, C.K-3 Van Buren, and C-456 9:30 service Fort Smith.  For the past 7 weeks we've learned about the Exodus, watching the Israelites leave Egypt, cross the Red Sea, wander in the wilderness, and finally, this week, enter the promised land.  Last week the kids learned about the twelve spies entered the promise land and how only two believed God (Numbers 13-14:25).  The main point from last week's lesson was "I Can Choose to Believe God's Promises," and the key Bible verse was John 3:16.  You have a great opportunity to remind your child of that verse this week and to go over with them what that verse means to us.  It is very fitting that in this season of giving we should teach kids that Jesus has already given us the greatest gift possible: Eternal Life!!!!!!!

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

(MIKE CRAIN)

A Prayer Expressing Gratitude

I have always loved Thanksgiving for its heartwarming attributes….turkey, pumpkin and pecan pie, green bean casserole, and dressing. Of course, there are also the other things we love like basketball on the patio, checking out all of the sale ads for the next day, and sitting by the fire to watch a movie. Out of all of these things do you ever find yourself feeling void? Do you run down the list of usual things that you are grateful for in your life? The definition of thanksgiving in the dictionary is “a prayer expressing gratitude”. Sometimes I do the list but forget the prayer and the expression. My list this year includes the many children we have the opportunity to serve each week. My prayer is that each one is touched by His eternal gift. My expression of gratitude is to give my best to each one as they grow in their path. I encourage you as parents, family members, and volunteer leaders to consider your prayer and expression of gratitude this season. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Stacey

Christmas program schedule

With Christmas just around the corner, preparation for the children to perform during both the 9:30 and 10:45 services is underway! Here’s what the schedule will look like for the next couple of weeks:

 

Pre-K and Kindergarten (ages 3-5) and 1^st through 6^th grade will be practicing for the next three weeks during their regular services. On December 7^th, we will be having practice with the Worship Band directly after second service in the Worship Center for about 30 minutes.

 

December 14^th- 1^st-6^th grade will be performing with the band for both services.

 

December 21^st- Pre-K and Kindergarten (ages 3-5) will be performing with the band for both services.

 

**We also request that on the day of their performance, parents bring their kid to their normal classes as close to 9:00 a.m. as possible.

Here's a song to give you some Christmas cheer :)