What do those kids do in Extreme, anyway? Is it just a nicely decorated room where the kids can draw with chalk, play fooze ball and lounge on pillows? Or, is it a more mature class setting than Kingdom Kids, because they don’t have to sit behind the kindergarteners?
Well, when this reporter decided to break this story, I slipped in to observe the 11:00 class taught, this week, by Brenda White. She had two other adults helping her, Jared Harp and Kelly Rudd. I assumed they were for mob control. What I found was pretty interesting because the day’s focus, the Bible, was supported by several activities that seemed like regular school work. The spelling section was a game where each child was given a letter and asked to work together to spell out words like wisdom, advice, hope, and insight (a particularly tricky one). After each word, Mrs. White asked them where they would find such things. Typical answers were “parents, a teacher, the Bible.” Here, I could tell Mrs. White must not only know creative approaches to the lesson, but also how to deflect typical 4th and 5th grade boy responses like, “I would ask a baker!”
Next was the math section where they had to find the ratios of boys and girls who brought their Bibles. What they found was 1/3 of the girls and 5/14 of the boys brought theirs. Who won? Another tricky question: The girls. You may want to get out your calculators to verify this.
Next, science! They looked at soil samples and discussed farming techniques while reading the parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-8. And finally art, where they did a 3 dimensional mural of the different types of soil discussed.
So, is all this creativity wasted on these energetic and easily distracted minds? Not at all. Brenda says that many classes have a small group component where the children will sit down and discuss deeper issues. Jessie, one of the students, says, “I am responsible for my relationship with God. I pray and read my Bible.” Another student, Jared, admits, ”I need to work harder to occupy more of my time with church and school and learning more about God.”
What’s more is that the boys are going to have a Friday night social some time this month and the girls need someone to head one for them as well. Think about getting involved because this is a very worthwhile ministry.
Showing posts with label Elementary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elementary. Show all posts
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Spending an Extreme Sunday
What do those kids do in Extreme, anyway? Is it just a nicely decorated room where the kids can draw with chalk, play fooze ball and lounge on pillows? Or, is it a more mature class setting than Kingdom Kids, because they don’t have to sit behind the kindergarteners?
Well, when this reporter decided to break this story, I slipped in to observe the 11:00 class taught, this week, by Brenda White. She had two other adults helping her, Jared Harp and Kelly Rudd. I assumed they were for mob control. What I found was pretty interesting because the day’s focus, the Bible, was supported by several activities that seemed like regular school work. The spelling section was a game where each child was given a letter and asked to work together to spell out words like wisdom, advice, hope, and insight (a particularly tricky one). After each word, Mrs. White asked them where they would find such things. Typical answers were “parents, a teacher, the Bible.” Here, I could tell Mrs. White must not only know creative approaches to the lesson, but also how to deflect typical 4th and 5th grade boy responses like, “I would ask a baker!”
Next was the math section where they had to find the ratios of boys and girls who brought their Bibles. What they found was 1/3 of the girls and 5/14 of the boys brought theirs. Who won? Another tricky question: The girls. You may want to get out your calculators to verify this.
Next, science! They looked at soil samples and discussed farming techniques while reading the parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-8. And finally art, where they did a 3 dimensional mural of the different types of soil discussed.
So, is all this creativity wasted on these energetic and easily distracted minds? Not at all. Brenda says that many classes have a small group component where the children will sit down and discuss deeper issues. Jessie, one of the students, says, “I am responsible for my relationship with God. I pray and read my Bible.” Another student, Jared, admits, ”I need to work harder to occupy more of my time with church and school and learning more about God.”
What’s more is that the boys are going to have a Friday night social some time this month and the girls need someone to head one for them as well. Think about getting involved because this is a very worthwhile ministry.
Well, when this reporter decided to break this story, I slipped in to observe the 11:00 class taught, this week, by Brenda White. She had two other adults helping her, Jared Harp and Kelly Rudd. I assumed they were for mob control. What I found was pretty interesting because the day’s focus, the Bible, was supported by several activities that seemed like regular school work. The spelling section was a game where each child was given a letter and asked to work together to spell out words like wisdom, advice, hope, and insight (a particularly tricky one). After each word, Mrs. White asked them where they would find such things. Typical answers were “parents, a teacher, the Bible.” Here, I could tell Mrs. White must not only know creative approaches to the lesson, but also how to deflect typical 4th and 5th grade boy responses like, “I would ask a baker!”
Next was the math section where they had to find the ratios of boys and girls who brought their Bibles. What they found was 1/3 of the girls and 5/14 of the boys brought theirs. Who won? Another tricky question: The girls. You may want to get out your calculators to verify this.
Next, science! They looked at soil samples and discussed farming techniques while reading the parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-8. And finally art, where they did a 3 dimensional mural of the different types of soil discussed.
So, is all this creativity wasted on these energetic and easily distracted minds? Not at all. Brenda says that many classes have a small group component where the children will sit down and discuss deeper issues. Jessie, one of the students, says, “I am responsible for my relationship with God. I pray and read my Bible.” Another student, Jared, admits, ”I need to work harder to occupy more of my time with church and school and learning more about God.”
What’s more is that the boys are going to have a Friday night social some time this month and the girls need someone to head one for them as well. Think about getting involved because this is a very worthwhile ministry.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Kingdom Kids, inspired by guest chefs, pray for the missionaries...
This past month, the Kingdom Kids have been doing a unit on missions with guest chefs Big Mama and Chef Gordon Bleu. Their key verse is John 4:34, “My food, says Jesus is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Besides one teaching the children that “A little bit of butter and a little bit of sugar makes everything taste better” and the other one being French, they want the children to learn the lesson of the THUMB. Each letter stands for a different area of missions: Tribal, Hindu, Unreached, Muslim and Buddhist. The children watch as the chefs prepare a marvelous meal out of a mysterious oven and what they can do to be missionaries themselves. One Sunday, they were asked to offer up the missionaries around the world in prayer. The following is what they have prayed for:
“Please help the missionaries to have water and food and cars to get around. And teach that God is special.” Paige, Kindergarten.
“That the missionaries have the right tools to spread the word of God!” Annika.
“That the people would stop worshipping idols and start worshiping God. We should give the missionaries $100,000!” Teresia, 1st grade
“That we should give them the Bible because they would know about God.” Kaylee, 1st grade.
“That the people who are serving do not get hurt.” Tanner, 2nd Grade.
“Keep up the good work.” Calvin, 3rd grade.
“That the missionaries can show them the right God to pray to.” Avery
“Help the missionaries learn the languages.” Rebecca, 2nd Grade.
“God, throw the bible on the other side of the world so the people can read it.” Preston, Kindergarten
“That the people would be able to get a Bible and read it.” Joshua.
“That the missionaries will be healthy, strong and happy about spreading the word of God.” Emma
“I would like them to learn that cows are only animals. It’s silly to pray to cows instead of God.”
“That we get to go help the kids in New Orleans.” Brady, 2nd grade.
“That the people will not believe all kinds of weird things that aren’t true.” Abby, 3rd Grade.
“The missionaries would tell them about Jesus Christ and they would believe.” Bethany, 3rd Grade.
Amen!
“Please help the missionaries to have water and food and cars to get around. And teach that God is special.” Paige, Kindergarten.
“That the missionaries have the right tools to spread the word of God!” Annika.
“That the people would stop worshipping idols and start worshiping God. We should give the missionaries $100,000!” Teresia, 1st grade
“That we should give them the Bible because they would know about God.” Kaylee, 1st grade.
“That the people who are serving do not get hurt.” Tanner, 2nd Grade.
“Keep up the good work.” Calvin, 3rd grade.
“That the missionaries can show them the right God to pray to.” Avery
“Help the missionaries learn the languages.” Rebecca, 2nd Grade.
“God, throw the bible on the other side of the world so the people can read it.” Preston, Kindergarten
“That the people would be able to get a Bible and read it.” Joshua.
“That the missionaries will be healthy, strong and happy about spreading the word of God.” Emma
“I would like them to learn that cows are only animals. It’s silly to pray to cows instead of God.”
“That we get to go help the kids in New Orleans.” Brady, 2nd grade.
“That the people will not believe all kinds of weird things that aren’t true.” Abby, 3rd Grade.
“The missionaries would tell them about Jesus Christ and they would believe.” Bethany, 3rd Grade.
Amen!
Worship is for Kids (Summer worship survey results)
Last month, we asked parents of our elementary kids to take a quick survey about their Summer Family Worship experience. We had 65 responses. When asked if we should do this again:
62 said "yes"
2 said "neutral"
1 said "no"
We wanted to share some of the valuable comments we received from survey participants.
"Just being together was a great experience; our child saw how we worship and what we do in service."
"The kids loved the music and watching what happens in big church. It made for great conversations over lunch. They have learned to have more self control and respect. Children will do what is modeled for them; seeing parents worship with reverence for God, prayer, and song leaves an imprint on their hearts. We have decided to make this the norm for our family. We worship together, then go to our Sunday school classes later."
"Great inter-generational experience."
"The focus to help families worship WITH their own children is imperative to the children catching the value of worship."
"Worshipping together provided a platform to talk about communion and salvation"
Thanks to all who participated in the survey. If you would like to further share your thoughts on Summer Family Worship, you may fill out the survey online at www.pulpitrock.com/kids/survey through the rest of November.
62 said "yes"
2 said "neutral"
1 said "no"
We wanted to share some of the valuable comments we received from survey participants.
"Just being together was a great experience; our child saw how we worship and what we do in service."
"The kids loved the music and watching what happens in big church. It made for great conversations over lunch. They have learned to have more self control and respect. Children will do what is modeled for them; seeing parents worship with reverence for God, prayer, and song leaves an imprint on their hearts. We have decided to make this the norm for our family. We worship together, then go to our Sunday school classes later."
"Great inter-generational experience."
"The focus to help families worship WITH their own children is imperative to the children catching the value of worship."
"Worshipping together provided a platform to talk about communion and salvation"
Thanks to all who participated in the survey. If you would like to further share your thoughts on Summer Family Worship, you may fill out the survey online at www.pulpitrock.com/kids/survey through the rest of November.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Extreme Kids Rule
This month, the Extreme Team will be studying Rules and why we should love ‘em.
"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 'The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31
The Top Ten-- God’s rules show me the best ways to live.
The Great Temptation-- God’s laws will guide me when it’s hard to decide what’s right. A Man in Need-- Following God’s laws is a matter of love, not just obedience.
Who’s Your Neighbor? Obeying the intent of God’s law helps us break down barriers between people.
"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 'The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31
The Top Ten-- God’s rules show me the best ways to live.
The Great Temptation-- God’s laws will guide me when it’s hard to decide what’s right. A Man in Need-- Following God’s laws is a matter of love, not just obedience.
Who’s Your Neighbor? Obeying the intent of God’s law helps us break down barriers between people.
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