Chaos in the Pew Confessional!!

Open, honest confession from a mom about a rough morning in church.



posted by Jill Connelly, the mother who developed Sermon Notes for Kids, http://sermonnotesforkids.com/

Teach Your Child to Have Devotions!

Before we get into the topic of teaching your children to have devotions, watch this video.



Before teaching your child to have devotions, you better be having devotions yourself.

There are a lot of children's devotional resources out there.   
I have shared some of these resources in previous posts and I still believe these are helpful resources
BUT I want to see my children grow in their reading of God's Word not only other people's thoughts about God's Word.

"When your child is old enough to read, give him a Bible and train him to use it."
But what should they read the Bible?
How should they read the Bible?

I recently came across an brief article that gives some great tips to help you help your child read the Bible.  You can read more about each of these by clicking on the link after the article.

• Don't be too ambitious.
• Use something helpful.
• Interact with your child.
• There is no magic formula.

http://www.knowableword.com/2015/06/29/teach-your-child-to-have-devotions/

Sermon Notes for Kids resource

Here is Josiah's note sheet from this Sunday's message.
The basic idea of this Key Word Alphabet sheet is listening for key words throughout the sermon
Then having the child using 2 or 3 of his key words to write a sentence that explains one of the main ideas from the sermon.






This sheet comes from a notebook for kids.
Sermon Notes for Kids has several different ways for kids to take sermon notes.
Some of the note sheets are...
Scripture Scribe.  Your child copies the key verse from his Bible.
Key Word Search.
Sermon Illustrator.  Your child illustrates the main points of the sermon in creative drawings.
Sermon Outline.  Your child writes down several main points or ideas.
Missionary Note sheets.



To order sermon Notes for Kids, click HERE.

Free, printable resources
http://www.truthstepspublishing.com/free-resources.html

Your Kids and the Supreme Court's decision on Marriage

Here are several resources to talk with your kids about about the sex, marriage and same sex marriage.  "The goal should be that your kid's first exposure to sexual information is from you and that when questions and issues surface later down the road, they will be comfortable coming to you for counsel" (from ERLC article referenced bel0w).

Click Christian Parenting and Homosexuality for the whole article from The Master Seminary journal.  Below is a summary of the article.  One of the great parts of the article is the development of the eleven Biblical goals of parenting.

Abstract: The difficulties encountered in parenting, including that caused bychildren’s depravity, are best resolved through implementing biblical principles. In a society that is permissive and even positive toward the homosexual lifestyle, Christian parents should adopt eleven biblical goals in rearing their children. (1) They should do everything to reflect God and His glory. (2) They should help their children understand the gospel so that they receive salvation. (3) They should protect their children from physical and spiritual harm. (4) They should instruct their children in the truths of Scripture. (5) They should interpret Scripture so as to give their children a Christian worldview. (6) They should prepare their children for the responsibilities of adulthood. (7) They should prevent their children from falling to temptation by teaching them the consequences of sin. (8) They should correct any tendencies their children display toward sinful activities. (9) They should provide for the physical and spiritual needs of their children. (10) They should provide positive behavioral examples for their children to follow. (11) They should establish clear lines of communication with their children. These goals will help them deal with the same morally degenerate world as existed during NT times.

The following article from the Cripplegate,  How Did We Get Here?, contains some information about the impact of culture (songs, TV and movies) have impacted our cultures view of marriage.

This ERLC (Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission) article, Talking to your children about sex, marriage and same-sex marriage, is a very informative question & answer.

Our own, Josh Wilson wrote a blog entitled Talking to Your Kids about SCOTUS

How Parents Can Ignite in Others a Love for Book Reading

Early today, there was a post about reading at http://blog.emmanuelbaptist.com/about-reading/
This post builds on that post and
shares some tips to help
grow a love for reading in your children.
This list is taken from the book
Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books

1. Fill your home with books.
2. Read to your kids. 
3. Don’t stop reading to your kids. 
4. Read your books in front of your kids. 
5. Teach young children to read. 
6. Push entertainment into the background. 
7. Listen to audio books in the car. 
8. Hunt for the best books.
9. Anticipate new books.
10. Celebrate the classics.
11. Cultivate your child’s moral imagination.
12. Help interpret worldviews as you read to your children.
13. Read your favorite excerpts to your children.
14. Invite your children to read to the family. 
15. Challenge your children to improve books. 
16. Most importantly, read the Bible together as a family. 

The Philippian jailer is saved (06.28)

Camp Patmos for kids entering 4th—6th grade is July 27th—Aug. 1

Next Week:  1st—3rd graders are with parents during 10:30 service.

The Gentiles are saved by faith (06.21)

Sonshine Recap: Exciting Skits, Great Games and Bible Teaching (2015)

EXCITING SKITS:
Nightly "finding snorilla" skits that ended on Thursday night with Kim Powell sharing the Gospel with the children and parents.  The opening video is at www.vimeo.com/130601653

GREAT GAMES:
Each night the kids played fun "snow" themed games.  Wednesday night's games had a water theme.  
Some of the leaders we soaked with wet winter clothes.  
Abbey hadn't reached that point in the game.

BIBLE TEACHING 
Most importantly, each night there was a Bible teaching time led by EBC teens and Laura Neighbors.  
All of the fun and food provided us with the opportunity to share God's Word with over 300 kids.

The kids learned about
EXTREME TRUST (Abraham)
EXTREME OBEDIENCE (Josiah)
EXTREME JOY (Mary)
EXTREME FORGIVENESS (Peter)
EXTREME LOVE (Jesus)

Last Night of a Great Week!!! (2015)

Tonight our DRESS UP THEME is EXTREME FREEZE - White Out Night.  Wear all the white you can.

Last night's BIBLE THEME was EXTREME FORGIVENESS.  The kid's looked at the amazing forgiveness Peter received from Jesus.
Here is a great verse about forgiveness!

Tonight's BIBLE THEME is EXTREME LOVE.  
God's love changes us so we can love others in practical ways!

Throughout this week the kids and leaders have had a lot of fun, enjoyed a lot of snacks and made a lot of new friends BUT the most important thing this week is that they have heard the life changing truth of 

why Jesus 
came to earth, 
died on a cross, 
rose from the dead, 
went to heaven and 
is coming back again.




Why did Jesus have to do these things?  The Bible gives us many reasons why Jesus came, died, rose, went and will return.  Here are a couple of reasons.

According to 1 Timothy 1:15 Jesus came to SAVE SINNERS

According to 1 John 3:8 Jesus came to DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL

According to 1 John 4:9 Jesus came to GIVE US LIVE THROUGH HIM

According to Luke  22:42 Jesus came to DO THE WILL OF GOD!

If you have any questions about who Jesus is and why He came, 

call the church 419-473-3280 or click HERE for online contact form.

If you are looking for help with the issues of life,

Click HERE for information about our Biblical Counseling ministry.

Tuesday Night's Snow Report & Wednesday night info.

Tonight's Dress Up Theme is extreme cozy.  Wear your comfy pj's.

Tuesday night's Bible Theme was Extreme Joy!
The kids looked at the life of Mary (Luke 1:26; 2:1-7)

A great time hanging out & playing ball at the beginning of the night and
"finding" snorilla at the end of the night in our skit.

Monday Night @ Sonshine & Tuesday Night Helps!!

ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT AT SONSHINE!!

PICK-UP REMINDERS:
With over 260 kids to be picked up at the end of Sonshine, we need your help.
Please follow the traffic pattern we have set up to help with the process.
Go down the right or left side to pick up your first child.
Your other children can be picked up down the center aisle.

Helpful tip:
It would be helpful to pick up younger children first.


TONIGHT'S (Tuesday) DRESS UP THEME: 
Polar Picture night.  Come dressed up in winter themed clothes and be ready to take a picture with your family.  Several photographers will be here to take "winter" family picture by the tent or the igloo.

THE BIBLE THEME last night (Monday) was Extreme Obedience and the Bible story was the life of Josiah.

A couple of Bible lesson points/reminders:
While the story of Josiah (2 Kings 22, 23 & 2 Chronicles 34, 35) does show extreme obedience, even more than that Josiah's life is the story of a faithful God's love for His people and what a love for God's word does in a person's life.
Here are a couple of things to remember from the story of Josiah.

1. It is important to obey but even more than that it is necessary for us to trust God,  His word and His way.
2. God's Word requires a response.

The Bible first helps us learn who God is and what He has done and then how we should live our lives to please Him.

Here are some CRAZY HAIR NIGHT pictures.

    

First Night of Sonshine

We had a great first night of SONSHINE!!!
There were 252 kids at the church!!

Last night's Bible theme was Extreme Trust and we looked at the life of Abraham.
Throughout the week, the teachers and group leaders are using bracelets with the following symbols to talk about what Jesus did and why he did it.

Tonight's dress up theme is Crazy Hair Night.

Our theme verse the week is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength ."  Here is a video of the song we are doing.

God frees Peter from prison (06.14)

Correction to the take home sheet: 

The passage is Acts 12:1 - 24. 

Reasons to Worship with your Family

Here are 11 reasons to worship with your family.
To read more about each of these go to
http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/11-reasons-to-worship-with-your-family

1. Glorifies and Honors God 
2. Centers the Home 
3. Encourages Christian Character
4. Encourages Peace in the Home
5. Binds the Family Together 
6. Provides Common Knowledge 
7. Trains Children for Corporate Worship 
8. Encourages our Children in Christ
9. Reinforces Spiritual Headship
10. Provides Systematic Discipleship 
11. Provides Generational Testimony

More Bible Resources for Families

This post contains several different resources and reviews of children's Bible and storybooks.

Several Different Children's Bibles - www.raisinggodlychildren.org/2012/01/toddler-bibles-reviewed.html
This webpage reviews several different children's Bibles.  The reviews are helpful not only in considering each of the specific Bibles in the post but also in helping you.

Jesus is Calling for Kids - www.challies.com/book-reviews/jesus-is-calling-for-kids
Tim Challies' review of this Children's Devotional based on the popular Jesus is Calling book series is very helpful in thinking this book and the Jesus is Calling series of books.

Everyday Talks - www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/13-family/680-everyday-talk-by-john-a-younts
This review of John Younts gives parents a brief overview of this book.
The book challenges and helps parents use ordinary conversations to talk to children about our extraordinary God.

The following two resources help families, especially fathers, think about and plan family devotions/worship times.
Lead Your Family In Worship by Francois Carr (This is published in the U.K. and might be hard to find.  Some of the chapters will be summarized in the weeks to come.)
Family Worship In the Bible, In History and In Your Home by Donald Whitney (http://www.wtsbooks.com/family-worship-donald-whitney-9780978523800)

Posts on this blog about specific books - http://ekidzministry.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review

Online & App Bible Resources

Here are some electronic kid devotionals for your family to use.
On Thursday, several book resources will be shared.
On Friday, some resources specific to Emmanuel Baptist Church will be shared.

If you have any Bible-focused resources that have helped you, please email them to children@emmanuelbaptist.com

Some June Activities: Sonshine, Basketball and Vegetables

Here are SOME activities for the month.

If you have summer activities you would like to share,

you can post them in the comment section

or email them to children@emmanuelbaptist.com

Free Family Carnival @ Emmanuel Baptist Church

June 13th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Free food and drinks, rock climbing wall and more.

June 14^th – 18^th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Sonshine, our Vacation Bible School:  Creative, interactive and fun filled nights of crafts, games, skits, snacks, prizes and Bible stories. 

For more information and to register for VBS visit www.ebcsonshine.com 

UPWARD basketball camp.  

June 23^rd – 25^th from 9:00 am – noon @ Emmanuel Christian School:

This fundamentally focused, drill heavy camp for 8 to 14 year olds is designed to work on skills that players will do during camp and can continue doing after camp.   The camp is led by Matt Jones.

The cost is $65 which includes a t-shirt and an individualized summer basketball workout plan.

email mattjones42219@gmail.com or check out ekidzministry.blogspot.com/p/upward.html
 for more info.

June 27^th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm @ LifeWay:

Larry and Bob from Veggie Tales
Located on Talmadge Road across the street from Macy’s and Franklin Park Mall

Girls' Basketball Camp

June 29 - August 2 @ Emmanuel Christian School  

http://www.emmanuelbaptist.com/images/File/children/2015_girls_basketball_camp.pdf

Looking back at Last Sunday's Combined Sunday class time

Thanks to all those who came out for our special Sunday morning combined class time.

Here is the link for the powerpoint of Sunday morning's presentation...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/did07v1og1u0ojs/incredible.sunday.pptx?dl=0

Each day of this week, starting tomorrow, different resources for families and kids will be posted.  Be sure to check them out!

Here are some pictures from this Sunday morning's Bible teaching time.
More pictures will be posted each day!

Family Devotions - Once a Week

Here are some key things to remember about Family Worship / Faith Talks / Family Devotions.

All quotes are from http://www.timothypauljones.com/2013/11/18/family-ministry-the-non-negotiable-weekly-faith-talk/

THE PURPOSE:

"The purpose of faith-talks is to restore Christian parents to their God-ordained role as teachers of God's Word in their children's lives."

"For parents to become primary disciple-makers in their children's lives, parents must become Bible teachers in their homes.  This is not to suggest that Christian parents should become their children's sole instructors in Scripture.  After all, the Great Commission to make disciples was given to the whole church as a calling to reach the whole world, including children (Matt. 28:19).  Every  Christian parent should, however, become a significant and consistent conveyor of God's Word in his or her children's lives."

THE EXPECTATION:

"Parents choose a time once each week to lead a family faith-talk.
The church encourages the parents, holds them accountable and provides them with resources for this weekly faith-talk."

Why only once a week?   

"It's rooted in the rhythms of creation itself (Ex. 20:11; 31:17), because it can reflect at home the celebration of Christ's resurrection that happens every week at church (Luke 24:1; Acts 20:7) and because weeks mark times of worship and ritual throughout the Scriptures (Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:15; Deut. 16:9-10)"

"Once a week is sufficiently frequent to make faith-talks a habit but not so frequent that parents become burdened with unrealistic expectations if they have never engaged in faith talks before.  In many households, weekly faith-talks eventually develop into daily family devotions."

THE RESOURCES:

• ekidzministry.blogspot.com
• Family resource booklet, which can be found at ekidzministry.blogspot.com
• Coming Soon: Family devotional from Generations of Grace.  Click HERE for a sample of the family devotional book that can be purchased.

THE REALITY:

While we serve a perfect, holy God, we are not perfect.  Our family worship time will not be perfect.

You can read about an example of imperfect family worship of a perfect God at http://nbfamilies.blogspot.com/2013/10/comefollow-failure.html

INCREDIBLE Combined Sunday!

This Sunday morning during the 9:00 am Bible teaching hour, we have a combined Family Worship time with an INCREDIBLE theme.
We will be 
hearing about INCREDIBLE ministry opportunities.
honoring INCREDIBLE disciple-makers.
worshipping our INCREDIBLE God.

Plan to come out and be a part of this special service.

One important part of this time will be an example of family worship using this week's EKIDZ lesson, "The Gentiles receive the Gospel" from Acts 10:1 - 11:18

You can find out more about this special Sunday at http://blog.emmanuelbaptist.com/incredible/