Faith is an exciting place to be for children's ministries. Please take a few minutes to read about what's been happening and what's coming up.
In August, our 1st-5th Grade Children’s Church classes concluded their study on “Dealings with Feelings.” During the study, we discussed how God intends us to use the emotions He has given us to bring glory to Him. We also launched into an enjoyable study called “Decisions, Decisions: How to Know and Do the Will of God.” This has been a kids version of the study previously conducted by Pastor Viars in our adult worship services earlier this year. We’ve been helping kids to understand that God’s will for their lives is determined as we seek to please him on regular and daily, choice-by-choice basis. Check out new postings of the curriculum for our Children’s Church classes and our children’s worship service The Gathering.
Over the summer, we planned a number of changes to the Wednesday Night Kids of Faith ministry which we began to implement in August. We retired the former names of each of the classes and created new ones. We began holding pep rallies for students who were not involved in our Wednesday night choirs. We initiated a program within our choirs that helps kids to develop deeper theological understanding by memorizing the lyrics of some of the great hymns of the faith. We began hosting theme nights for which the kids are encouraged to dress up according to the evening’s theme. So far, we’ve hosted a western night and a football fan night, and the kids have had a great time. But perhaps the most significant change has to do with the number of character qualities taught in many of our classes.
Since Wednesday Night Kids of Faith is dedicated to helping kids build godly character, we wanted to place them in the best possible position to live out their learning. In the past, the kids have learned one character quality for each month of the ministry. That’s exposed kids to a total of nine character qualities over the course of the year. However, we thought kids needed more opportunities to practice the character qualities of each unit. So, we reduced the number of character qualities taught in many of the classes, and extended the amount of time spent on each one, thus giving kids a better chance to make each character quality part of their daily lives. Now, most of our classes study four character qualities during the year, spending two months on each one. We hope you’ll begin to see a big difference in your kids’ lives as you help them apply their learning at home, at school, at church, and around the community.
As we look ahead, there are a number of exciting things planned for the coming quarter. On Wednesday, October 29, we will host our annual Harvest Party. On that night, the kids are encouraged to dress up as a person, event, or illustration from the Bible. We will participate in activities, skits, competitions, and special presentations of the gospel in each classroom. The Harvest Party presents a great opportunity for kids to invite relatives, classmates, and neighbors who aren’t connected with a local church to a fun-filled event where they can connect not only with other kids but also with real answers from God’s Word.
On November 23, we will host a special event for the kids during our Stewardship Banquet. Children’s Conferences International will present The Sword and the Soap, a program which teaches the kids about the power of God’s Word to protect us, to teach us, to clean our hearts, and to give us victory when it is read, memorized, applied, and shared with others! Adventure, music, scripture memory, ventriloquism, and an obstacle course are all used as part of this exciting event. You can sign your kids up when tickets for the banquet become available.
On December 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, kids will have the chance to serve in the annual Lafayette Living Nativity. Sign-ups are taking place now. This event presents parents with an excellent opportunity to teach kids about the importance of serving the Lord and sharing the message of Christ with those around us.
Finally, we will again be celebrating Christ’s birth together through our Christmas Eve services. Though candlelight services will be offered at both 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., we will hold a service designed especially for families with children at 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for these special ministries.