Hello parents and followers of NorthField Kids Ministry - In this newsletter you will receive some encouragement and also see everything that is going on in the world of our kids throughout the month.
Hello parents and followers of NorthField Kids Ministry - In this newsletter you will receive some encouragement and also see everything that is going on in the world of our kids throughout the month.
CHANGES COMING TO NF KIDS
This month we are rearranging some of our children's classes. We will now have seperate 4 year old, 5 year old, 1st grade and 2nd grade classes during first service. Please take this opportunity to start talking to your kids about the changes they will experience this month. We know change isn't always easy for every kid, so we hope that talking with them about this will help make your Sunday experience even better.
Changes are as followed:
3 year olds will be moving to the ORANGE room. (Across the hall from the current classroom.)
4 year olds will be moving to the PURPLE room. (Across the hall from current classroom.)
5 year olds will be moving to the BLUE room. (Across the hall from current classroom.)
1st graders are staying in their existing classroom.
2nd graders will move across the street to Demonbreum Street. (Across the hall from current classroom.)
Toddlers through 5 Years Old are promoted in their birth month. If you have a preschooler who has a birthday in May, please move them to their new class this month. This will help us decide if the classroom is the best fit for your child's class.
If you have any questions or ideas of making it easier on your child, please let us know. We will have several friends directing you to your new classrooms. If you'd love to know how you can get involved by serving in our new classes or with Check-In, please visit the "I'm In" Station on a Sunday or email [email protected]
Thanks again for being patient with us. We couldn't do what we do without each of you. These changes wouldn't be happening if you didn't keep inviting friends and family...so thank you! We cannot wait to keep creating cool environments for your kids.
Here's a good blog on helping your child cope with change: http://theparentcue.org/how-to-help-young-children-cope-with-change/
PRESCHOOL (Birth - 5 Years Old)
We see other works of art every day that have a Maker and a plan. We pass them on the street, at work, and every Sunday they play around our feet. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yes, people!
People are God’s works of art. He is our Maker. And, He has a plan for each of us. Every neighbor. Every preschooler. Every parent. God has a plan for all of us, because He made us and loves us.
We want to teach our preschoolers this month that God has a plan for them. And we can’t think of a better story than the life of Joseph.
WEEK 1
Week one, we’ll introduce the idea that God has a plan for me as we follow Joseph to Egypt, compliments of his older brothers. Joseph had to choose very early on in his life to trust that God had a plan for him.
Story Focus: God has a plan for me. Not only did God have a plan for Joseph, but He has a plan for each and every one of us too.
WEEK 2
Joseph finds himself sitting in a jail for something he didn’t do. Talk about hard! But it’s during this time that Joseph learned to trust God’s plan, even when it is hard.
Story Focus: I can trust God’s plan even when it’s hard. We want our preschoolers to know that they will sometimes encounter hard circumstances—going to
a new school, making new friends, not getting to do something you want to do. But, God is with us and has a plan for us even when it’s hard.
WEEK 3
During week three, we’ll learn that we are all a part of God’s plan when we hear how Joseph saved the grain, which in turn saved an entire nation from starvation.
Story Focus: I am part of God’s plan. We want preschoolers to know that each and every one of them is part of God’s big plan. What they do matters to Him, and they matter to Him.
WEEK 4
Week four is a tough one, but oh so needed. We will hear how Joseph forgave his brothers for the hurtful things they had done long ago because he trusted that God’s plan is always best.
Story Focus: God’s plan is always best. Even when we don’t understand what is happening in our lives, we can trust that God’s plan is always best.
We want to teach our preschoolers this month that God has a plan for them. Imagine how much better the lives of our preschoolers and, well, all of us could be if we lived like God has a plan for us, and that God’s plan is always best. We would be the complete Works of Art that God created us to be.
ELEMENTARY (Kindergarten - 6th Grade)
Honesty is a reflection of the character of God.
WEEK 1
We start the month in 2 Kings 5 and learn more about the prophet Elisha and his servant named Gehazi. After Elisha helped Naaman, Gehazi saw Elisha turn down an extravagant gift from Naaman. But Gehazi decided that he could take advantage of the situation and take the gift for himself. He went behind Elisha’s back, denied his actions, and inevitably lost Elisha’s trust.
Bottom Line: When you’re not truthful you lose trust. If you continually tell lies and hurt people with dishonesty, eventually you will lose the trust of those around you. We hope kids realize that honesty helps them build relationships with others.
Key Question: Why is it important for people to trust you?
WEEK 2
Next, we look to 1 Samuel 21-22. David is on the run from King Saul and escapes to the town of Nob where he asks the priest Ahimelek for help. Ahimelek asks some questions, but instead of telling the truth, David spins a tale that ends up getting Ahimelek killed when King Saul found out. David found out the hard way that lies have severe consequences.
Bottom Line: When you’re not truthful, you hurt others. We tend to think that if we lie, we’re only helping ourselves get out of trouble or get something we want. But lies have consequences. Often those repercussions extend beyond ourselves to the people we lie to or lie about. We pray that kids will realize that telling the truth keeps everyone from experiencing unnecessary pain.
Key Question: When have you seen a lie hurt someone?
WEEK 3
There’s an important story about honesty throughout the book of Esther. Haman has just been promoted as the king’s most important advisor. Haman lets this go to his head and commands that everyone bow to him. But there’s one man who won’t: Mordecai. Haman is so angry that he vows to destroy not just Mordecai, but all of his people, the Jews. Little does Haman know, but Mordecai has family in high places. Queen Esther risks everything to save her people. Once her plan with Mordecai is set in motion, Haman’s dishonesty to hurt others ends up hurting himself instead.
Bottom Line: When you lie to help yourself, you hurt yourself instead. Sometimes we have a tendency to lie in order to make ourselves look good. But we can’t keep the lie for long. Eventually we’ll be found out and our lie will only hurt ourselves.
Key Question: When are you tempted to lie?
WEEK 4
Finally, we head to a principle found in 1 John 1:9 where we discover that not only is it important to be honest with everyone, but it’s even more important to be honest with God. God already knows what’s going on in your heart, but He wants to hear from you— even when it’s to confess the times we’ve messed up.
Bottom Line: Being truthful with God helps keep you close to Him. We don’t have to worry about telling God what we’ve done wrong. Our honesty with God will keep our relationship with Him strong.
Key Question: What keeps you from being truthful with God?
Ages: 4 Year Olds - 6th Grade
Please visit our website at www.northfieldchurch.net to find more information and to sign up! If you are interested in serving, we'd love your help...please visit our website or sign up this week on your connection card.
Camp KidJam is a a children’s camp for our current 2nd – 5th graders! We know it seems a little early but this is the best time to plan for Summer of 2018. You can check out what it's all about on Camp Kid Jam's website at http://campkidjam.com At Camp KidJam we will teach our kids as they grow in wisdom, faith and friendship. It will provide a fun experience for kids, unique leader training to develop adult leaders and to elevate the significance of Small Groups for children.
You don't want to miss out on the fun. $50 can reserve your spot today! Sign up online at https://www.easytithe.com/f/f2.asp?formid=6c88b7f9-04db-4885-b88b-c5c9e958aa8f