Sunday School has Left the Building!
Parent’s Corner- May 24, 2020
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel and the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 ESV
Isn’t it fitting that, as we find ourselves in days that prohibit our gathering together, we are being encouraged to share the truth that we know to those around us through our children’s Sunday school lessons? In recent lessons, Paul found himself in situations that he would not choose for himself, far away from his local body, but he continued to Praise the Lord in the middle of them, even praying and caring for his oppressors! Believers found themselves being spread apart from each other as a result of persecution, allowing them to bring the gospel to a new location. Whatever our situation, God is there with us, and He wants us to make him known in the midst of it!
My prayer for you and your family is that, during this time apart, you would find yourselves encouraged as you spend time in the Word as a family, and that you would find opportunities to share the gospel with others you encounter. We aren’t seeing as many people these days, but we can still experience God appointments!
Sunday School has left the building!
Starting this week, there will be additional suggested activities listed in Parent’s Corner, Grace Weekly, and the Children’s section of the church website. These activities can be done within your family unit, with another friend or small group, or even as a witnessing tool with a “not yet believing” friend. I would love to hear how God uses His Word to bless your lives, and the lives of those around you this week!
Here are some suggestions. . . allow these to get your own creative juices flowing!
1. Read the passage as a family. Take turns reading out loud. Include surrounding passages to truly “set the stage” of where the passage takes place in context. Invite a “guest speaker” to Facetime and read it with you. . . grandparents, favorite “aunts or uncles” from church, cousins, etc.
2. Act it out! Take turns being different characters, build a set, design costumes, use puppets, utilize action figures or stuffed animals. . . there are many possibilities!
3. Illustrate it! Create a comic strip, draw a picture on paper or on the driveway in chalk, sculpt characters out of play dough, create a poster board. . . anything artistic.
4. Sing it! Research a praise song or hymn that speaks to the lesson at hand or write your own! Don’t worry about being on pitch or in rhythm. It’s all about making a joyful noise!
5. Practice it! Create a trivia game using the lesson material, including previous lessons if you want. Make the questions, confirm the answers, and play it with your family!
6. Memorize it! Is there a verse or passage from today’s lesson that you would like to memorize? Write it on a card (or several) and place them throughout the house.
7. Take it on the road! Take your skit, song, craft, trivia game, or lesson application activity to another driveway near you! (Please make sure you utilize appropriate social distancing, making sure that both families are comfortable with the setting and situation.). While you are there, be sure to spend some time catching up and praying for each other.
I would love to see how you incorporate this into your lives! Send me a picture of your family in action! I would love to share these pictures with our body via the church Instagram and Facebook account. I will assume that is ok for me to do with the pictures you send me unless you tell me otherwise.
This Week “in” Sunday School. . .
2s and 3s- A Ride in the Night, the Story of Paul’s Escape on Horseback
Scripture- Acts 23:12-35
Lesson Truth- God gives us people to love and help us.
Aims for the Children- to do at least one of the following during this lesson:
1. Tell who was really taking care of Paul.
2. Name some ways in which people help us.
3. Tell who gives us people to help us and love us.
4. Thank God for giving us people who care about us and help us.
Additional Activities- to do as weather and interest permits!
1. Enjoy acting out today’s dramatic story together! If weather permits, do it outside and gallop to your hearts content on your imaginary horse of choice. Assign roles, designate key locations, and consider acting it out more than once to give everyone a chance to be multiple characters.
2. Everyone helps! Focusing on helping during a snack. Plan to have a snack that will require participation and help from the children. One can pass out napkins, one can hand out bowls and cups, older ones can pour drinks or count out items for everyone. As you enjoy your snack, thank God for giving us people who help us.
3. Think about a person that has helped your family or an individual. Let them know you appreciate their kindness! Write a note, place a phone call, schedule a visit as appropriate. . . let them know that you thank God for them!
4. Act it out! Ask children to think about a helper in their family or community (mom, dad, doctor, nurse, firefighter, police officer, pilot, etc.). Ask them to pretend to be that person and then guess who they are! Trade roles and play again!
5. Helping Hands- as a family, talk about ways you can help each other today or this week. Make a list, draw a picture, make a plan. As the week goes on, remember why you are helping each other, and thank God for giving you people in your life to help you.
4 year olds-5th grade- The Church is Persecuted and the Gospel Spreads
Scripture- Acts 8:1-25
Central Truth- There is one gospel for all kinds of people.
Principle- Believers must submit their lives to King Jesus.
Ask Your Child- How did the persecution of the church help the gospel spread?
Apply- By examining whether he or she has demonstrated true repentance.
This Week- As a family, read Acts 8:1-25.
Next Week- Acts 8:26-40
Additional Activities- There are many age appropriate lesson activities included in the Teacher Book. You can find the link in Grace Weekly or on our website.
Want to go even deeper? Our curriculum includes a Family Devotional book, designed to follow and support the lessons taught on Sunday. If you would be interested in purchasing one for your family, please let me know and I would be happy to coordinate that with you.