KIDstuff Next Weekend January 29, 2010
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Don’t miss the big return of KIDstuff on Sunday, February 7, 12:30 pm in the Smith Center. We’ll have some football-inspired fun and explore the virtue Honor by taking a look at the story of David and Goliath. Be sure to invite your friends, too. Click here for complete details about KIDstuff. This is a FREE EVENT!
Please welcome guest blogger and Kid’s Quest parent, Amber Densley, sharing her thoughts on KIDstuff:
You asked us why we like KIDstuff…we’re basically “Martha” types and we need to schedule fun family things like KIDstuff or we let life take over – can imagine we’re not the only family like this. And KIDstuff is FUN. We’re always leaving laughing and chatting about the skits and the kids are always singing the songs. However, a follow-up might be …why should parents WANT their kids to be at KIDstuff?
Because we are involved in Kid’s Quest and therefore know the curriculum, we have more opportunity than most parents to process the Bible stories and virtues with our kids. But even in our case, KIDstuff provides a memorable expression of how God’s word relates to the virtue and further explores the virtue in ways that are meaningful to kids and families. The kids’ memories of certain parts and actors I think demonstrates that. Because KIDstuff is fun, you can discuss or process with your child about that virtue before being faced with the virtue in sensitive or emotional circumstances - something we’ve come across often of late. There are never too many opportunities to discuss these important issues with your kids.
Also, don’t forget to pick up your KIDstuff Valentines! This Valentine’s Day, say “Be My Guest” to school classmates. We’ve made a special-sized KIDstuff card to add to kid’s school Valentines, giving your child an opportunity to easily and personally invite their friends. Valentine cards include the dates of the March 7, May 2, and June 6 KIDstuff shows. Pick these up at check-in and take as many as you need.
If your child participates in adding KIDstuff cards to their Valentines, email Romney.short@mcleanbible.org to say he/she did it and why your family loves KIDstuff. Tell us any way you like – send a quick word, a funny or touching story, a picture or video, etc. – and you’ll be entered into our “Be My Guest at KIDstuff” contest. The winning family selected will be treated to reserved front row seats at the March 7 KIDstuff for your family as well as any school friends who said “yes” to being your guest and a few special surprises, too.
How Do You Tell Your Kids About Jesus? January 27, 2010
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Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start in telling your kids about who Jesus is. That’s why Kid’s Quest offers Starting Zone, a 4-step path for parents to guide their children towards starting a personal relationship with Jesus. The first step is our Start Your Engines class, a class for both parents and their children that will present a Gospel message and provide parents with next step tools to use at home. Classes are free but do require advance registration to make sure we have enough materials available for all participants. Click here to sign up. Upcoming classes are:
Mar 6, 5:30 pm, in Room 1207
Mar 7, 9:30 am, in Room 1207
Mar 20, 5:30 pm, in Room 1207
Mar 21, 9:30 am, in Room 1207
Please welcome guest blogger, Kathy Scherrer, a Kid’s Quest parent from MBC Loudoun, as she shares with you about her family’s personal experience with Starting Zone.
I am in a unique and fortunate position of having two children that were receptive to the message that was delivered during Starting Zone, and also being a student in Christianity 101. One of the points from the Christianity 101 class is the beautiful straightforwardness of what Christians need to “do” to be saved, and that is to simply believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins.
The children in Starting Zone heard the same message, but in a way that was so welcoming and enthusiastic. The teacher explained how there are two families that we can be part of. Each of us is born into a family and this was easy for the children to understand. Then they learned that there is also God’s family but that we are not born into this family. I remember hearing this message as a child and feeling a sense of fear that I could be left out, and I could see the worry on my oldest daughter’s face because she deeply desires to be part of God’s family just as I did.
The teacher went on to explain that to become a member of God’s family, we need to understand the choice that we each need to make. Using the following verse, dissecting it, and really understanding what each part of this verse means, the children were comforted by how uncomplicated their decision is:
“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.” John 3:16
The use of symbols was incorporated to help us remember each part of the verse. Chances are when these children see a heart, a cross, a chair, and a gift box, they will think of how “God gave,” “God loved,” “We believe,” and “We receive.” God gave us his son because he loves us and wants us to be part of His family, so when we believe in Him, we become part of that family for eternity.
As an adult it boggles my mind to consider how important this is for us to believe and the impact it has on our lives, both here and in Heaven. I will do everything I can to help my children begin their spiritual journeys as Christians and hopefully we can learn together how to live righteously and in a way that will please our Father.
Toddler Curriculum January 25, 2010
Posted by rshort in : 2-What We're Teaching , comments closedHere’s what we’re teaching in Toddlers Navigators & Little Adventurers classes:
Theme: Jesus Teaches Me To Be Kind
Jan 30/31 The Forgiving King (Matthew 18:21-35)
Feb 6/7 The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Feb 13/14 The Good Shepherd (Luke 15:3-7)
Feb 20/21 The Loving Father (Luke 15:11-24)
Feb 27/28 The Greatest Of All (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48)
Navigators and Little Adventurers use a Bible-based curriculum called Gospel Light. Parents and guardians of Navigators & Little Adventurers receive a take-home page called FamilyTime each week to help reinforce the lesson taught at home. They include a recap of the lesson, simple discussion questions, family activities, and a section just for parents. Consider setting aside one night in the middle of the week to review this page with your Toddler.
If you have questions about the Toddler curriculum, contact Janie Cotone, Nursery/Toddler Team Leader, at janie.cotone@mcleanbible.org or 703-639-2000, x1014.
KIDstuff Returns! January 23, 2010
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Before the Big Game, join us for Super Fun as KIDstuff returns Sunday, February 7, at 12:30pm in the Smith Center.
KIDstuff is an engaging 45-minute creative arts production that teaches children and their families about God through live theater, rockin’ worship music, video, dance, and games. Each show hi-lights a virtue to build character in your kids and introduce you to the same virtue taught in elementary classes. Siblings of all ages as well as friends and their families are all welcome to participate. The show’s content can stand alone without a child having attended an elementary class before. Whole family participation enables parents to learn the virtues and have continuing conversations at home. February 7 we explore the virtue Honor by taking a look at the story of David and Goliath. Click here to learn more about KIDstuff or click here to see clips of past shows.
AND…
This Valentine’s Day, say “Be My Guest” to school classmates! We’ve made a special-sized KIDstuff card to add to kid’s school Valentines, giving your child an opportunity to easily and personally invite their friends. Valentine cards include the dates of the March 7, May 2, and June 6 KIDstuff shows. Pick these up at check-in starting this weekend and take as many as you need.
AND…
Let’s make this deal even sweeter! If your child participates in adding KIDstuff cards to their Valentines, email Romney.short@mcleanbible.org to say he/she did it and why your family loves KIDstuff. Tell us any way you like – send a quick word, a funny or touching story, a picture or video, etc. – and you’ll be entered into our “Be My Guest at KIDstuff” contest. The winning family selected will be treated to reserved front row seats at the March 7 KIDstuff for your family as well as any school friends who said “yes” to being your guest and a few special surprises, too.
P.S.
If your family is unable to attend or your child is not old enough to enjoy KIDstuff yet, would you commit to praying for our upcoming shows? Please pray with us that families attending KIDstuff will deepen their faith and relationships with each other by worshipping and hearing God’s Word together.
Hot News January 20, 2010
Posted by rshort in : 1-Hot News , comments closedAPPRECIATE YOUR CHILD’S LEADERS? – Show your thanks by helping with the planning of our annual Volunteer Celebration event coming in May to honor our regular Kid’s Quest volunteers who faithfully serve our families every week. Looking for planning committee leads and helping hands for decorations, food & beverages, babysitting, shopping, hosts/servers, donation coordination, games, and entertainment. Also looking for Christian bands, artists, or entertainers willing to donate their time and talents to make this a fun event for our leaders. Additionally, we welcome donations of food & beverage items and gift cards, tangible items, or services that can be given away as prizes. If interested, contact Romney Short, 703-770-2903 or romney.short@mcleanbible.org.
COATS FOR KIDS, our December missions project, brought in 177 coats to give to the Clothing Ministry. Thank you to all who participated!
BE INTENTIONAL about shaping your child’s faith. Want to know how? Check out Family Times:
DEVOTIONS FOR MOMS — Looking for encouragement and spiritual inspiration? Here are two options:
For those who prefer print, we recommend the One Year New Testament for Busy Moms which all of MBC’s Mothering Matters groups are currently reading together.
For those who prefer online, we recommend Lysa Terkeurst’s blog: http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/. Lysa is a wife, mom, national speaker, author, and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministry’s national radio program.
CREATIVE ARTS CLUB (CAC), the MBC Children’s Choir, is open for registration for all 1st-6th graders. No audition is required and all children are welcome. Join us as we prepare for our Spring Musical, “GPS – God’s Plan of Salvation,” that will be performed in May. For more information contact Dorie Howell at 703-766-8399 or dorie.howell@mcleanbible.org. Note: CAC is a part of the Creative Arts Ministry.