Sojournkids.com comes through again with a great article on reducing separation anxiety when dropping kids off for children’s worship at church. I appreciate their desire to serve families and their specific instructions to parents, like “During the week prior to the service, parents will need to repeat a simple phrase, repeatedly using the same words to encourage your child about attending SojournKids.” I also really dig that the people who minister to the children are called SojournKids servants, and not workers or helpers. Here’s a quote reflecting this

The Sojourn servants are willing to love and serve both you and your children during this season of parenting adjustment.  They are serving in SojournKids because they desire to care for your children and so that you can attend a worship gathering without having to care for your child.  They love your child, and that is why they are serving in this ministry.  Allow us to minister to YOU so that YOU are free to worship the One, True and Living God!

The comments at the end of the post make clear the value to the parents and also the selflessness of the SojournKids servants. There is much to be learned and to model.

From Alex Chediak. I can’t wait to talk through these with Malachi next year.

Q: Who is Jesus?
A: Jesus is God’s Son.

Q: Why did Jesus come to earth?
A: God sent Jesus to live and die in the place of every sinner who would ever trust in Him, love Him, and obey Him.

Q: What do we celebrate this week?
A: The death and resurrection of Jesus.

Q: Why did Jesus die?
A: The wages of sin is death. Jesus died for the sins of other people. Jesus took their punishment. And Jesus perfectly obeyed God on their behalf.

Q: Which people did Jesus die for?
A: Every sinner who ever puts their trust in Him, loves Him, and obeys Him. To them, Jesus is a merciful Savior, Lord, and Treasure.

Q: Are you a sinner?
A: Yes. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Q: What are sins?
A: Disobeying Mommy and Daddy and not doing what I should.

Q: Was Jesus a sinner?
A: No. Jesus never sinned. Jesus rose from the dead because death had no power over Him.

Q: Do you need a Savior?
A: Yes

Q: Who is the only Savior to whom you should go?
A: Jesus, God’s Son, who lived and died on behalf of every sinner who would ever trust in Him, love Him, and obey Him.

Thoughtful corporate worship is rare. Thoughtful children’s worship even more so. If there’s a church to model, however, when it comes to cross-centered, thoughful children’s worship, Sojourn Community Church is it. Here is their description of the liturgy

twice a month your children get together with kids from other classes and take part in a mini-service modeled after the Big Church, with songs and liturgy and prayer and all. The idea is to introduce the kids to a typical Sojourn worship service so they’re ready when they leave the Sojourn Kids program, and also to get them thinking about how good and glorious and beautiful and true God and His gospel are.

Here are examples of their Kids Music Liturgy.

January 2010

This morning’s lesson is about God’s Amazing Grace! What is God’s grace? God’s grace is kindness and favor that you and I don’t deserve. Let’s repeat that again together: God’s grace is kindness and favor that you and I don’t deserve. Our first song is a Bible memory verse. So we are going to memorize a Bible verse by singing it. Some of you may remember it. The “address” is Ephesians 2:8 and 9.

Let’s say the verse together. Please repeat after me:

For by grace you have been saved through faith
and that not of yourselves
it is the gift of God
not as a result of works
that no one should boast
Ephesians 2:8 and 9

This verse is saying that we can be saved from God’s punishment by faith in Jesus. We cannot earn or work for God’s forgiveness– His forgiveness is a free gift to us when we trust in Him. And because it’s a free gift– we can’t brag about it– because we have done nothing to deserve it. Let’s sing this verse together.

I. “Ephesians 2:8-9,” words from NASB translation  © 1995 The Lockman Foundation. Music by Mark Altrogge on Hide the Word 1 © Forever Grateful Music.

Let’s pretend that you have been very mean to your brother. And your Daddy comes to you and says, “Because you have been mean to your brother, you have to sit in time-out. Plus, you can’t go to a Birthday party that has cake and presents for everybody.” You would feel sad, but you would deserve the punishment that your Dad has given you. Then, your brother, the one you were mean to, comes and says, “Daddy, I’ll sit in time-out and I’ll miss the birthday party so that he/she can go.” Now, your brother doesn’t deserve the punishment, but he is showing you GRACE. Grace is kindness and favor that you don’t deserve.

This story is not true. But Jesus is true. How much more amazing is God’s grace in Jesus! We have sinned against God and we deserve to be punished. Perfect Jesus who never did any thing wrong took our punishment for all of our sins when He died on the cross. That’s amazing grace! Let’s sing to God about His amazing grace!

2. “Amazing Grace,” words by John Newton, 1779. Music: NEW BRITAIN, in Virginia Harmony, by James P. Carrell and David S. Clayton, 1831.

Let’s learn another new song about God’s amazing grace, His undeserved kindness. This is a song called “You show me kindness.”

3. “You Show Me Kindness,” words and music by Peter Gagnon and Bob Kauflin ©2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From To Be Like Jesus.

Jesus is a mighty, mighty Savior! He can save us from the punishment of our sins. Let’s sing to our mighty Savior!

4. “Mighty Mighty Savior,” words and music by Mark Altrogge. © Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From Awesome God.

We are going to pray. Fold your hands and be still and talk to God. Let’s pray to God.

Jesus, your grace is amazing! You have not treated us as we deserve. You have not punished us like we should be punished. You took our consequences and punishment on the cross. Thank you! We want to believe in you and turn to you to forgive us for our sins. We want to love you more each day. Help us to forgive each other like you forgive us. Amen.

5. “God’s love goes on forever,” words and music by Chandi Plummer, © 2009 Chandi Plummer/Sojourn Music.

February 2010

What do we celebrate in February? (Allow children to answer.)  That’s right, we celebrate Valentine’s Day!  Valentine’s Day is a chance to make or send cards to tell others that you love and appreciate them. It’s fun to get cards in the mail.  Did you know that God has sent you a “love letter”?  What is God’s love letter to you? (Allow children to answer.) The Bible! What is the Bible? The Bible is God’s written word.

Who wrote the Bible? (Teach the children this answer exactly. It is from their children’s catechism.  Have them repeat it after you.) “Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.” You know we think about sending love letters and telling people we love them SOME times, but God thinks about you and loves you ALL the time. His love is the BIGGEST LOVE in the universe. Even while you were sleeping last night, God was loving you and thinking about you all night long.  We are going to sing some songs this morning about God’s HUGE love for us.  Let’s (STAND UP and) sing a love song to God!

1. “Your Love,” words and music by Bob Kauflin, © 2004 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. FromAwesome God.

Who loves you the most in the world?  You might instantly think of your Mommy or Daddy, because they do love you so much.  But God loves you even more than your parents. God made your parents, so their love is His gift to you too.  Even though others let us down, God’s love is completely pure and never fails.  How has God shown us that He loves us? (Allow children to answer.) God has shown us that He loves us in JESUS. God has shown us his love in that while we were still sinners, He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to take the punishment for our sin. We are going to sing this truth as a Bible memory verse.

2. “Romans 5:8,” words from NIV translation, © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. Music by Mark Altrogge, © 2004 Forever Grateful Music. From Hide The Word 2.

Jesus told stories to teach us something. One time Jesus told this story. There was a shepherd who had 100 sheep. That’s a lot of sheep! He was counting them and realized one was missing. Does anybody know what the shepherd did? He left the 99 and went looking for the one missing sheep until he found it. What was Jesus teaching us? That we are like little sheep and God loves each and every one of us. You are like the missing 100th sheep. You are special to God and He wants you to come to Him and be close to Him. Let’s come to God this morning and sing about His Love.

3. “You Are Always With Me,” words and music by Mark Altrogge, © 2004 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From Awesome God.

The Bible says in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (NIV). The greatest love is laying down your life for someone else. That means to die for someone. Jesus has the greatest love because He died for our sins. We do not naturally love Jesus. Jesus first loved us. We do not love others like Jesus. We need Jesus to change us to love Him and to love others. We are going to sing about loving Jesus in our next song.

4. “Because You First Loved Me,” words and music by Doug Plank, © 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAPI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From To Be Like Jesus.

We are going to pray. Fold your hands and be still and talk to God. Let’s pray.  “Jesus, you are wonderful! You’re love is amazing! We want to love you too. Help us to love each other like you love us. Thank you for coming to earth to save us from our sins! In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”

5. “God’s Love Goes On Forever,” words and music by Chandi Plummer, © 2009 Chandi Plummer/Sojourn Music.

March 2010 (St. Patrick’s Day)

Does anybody know what fun day is coming up this month? I’ll give you a hint– you get pinched if you don’t wear green on this day. (Allow children to answer.) It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Do you know who Patrick was?  Patrick was a real REAL (emphasize real — “this was a real story that happened a very long time ago”) little boy who has an amazing story! Patrick grew up about 1500 years ago in Britain. His parents were Christians, and he grew up learning about Jesus. But one day people invaded his town and kidnapped Patrick! They took him away to their own country, Ireland, and made him a slave! He was a shepherd for six years, until God led him to a boat that took him back home.

But the story doesn’t end there. When Patrick grew up, he had a dream that the people who kidnapped him were begging for his help. He could have been angry at them for what they did, but instead Patrick became a missionary, and moved to Ireland to tell the people there about Jesus!

Just like God was with Patrick even when he was scared, God is always with us and watching over us no matter what’s going on. Let’s STAND UP and sing “You Are Always With Me!”

1. “You Are Always With Me,” words and music by Mark Altrogge, © 2004 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From Awesome God

Every day that Patrick was in Ireland working as a shepherd for the people who kidnapped him, he prayed to God. Patrick didn’t forget about God when he had a big problem. But even more importantly, God didn’t forget about Patrick! When you have a big problem, or when you feel sad, remember that God answers our prayers when we ask Him for help. He cares about our problems and He loves to help us!

We’re going to sing a new song today. It comes from Psalm 55:22.
(Take some time to go through the words and motions with the kids. There aren’t too many words to it.)
Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you
He will sustain you
He will never never never let the righteous fall
Let the righteous fall, no-o

2. “Cast Your Cares (Psalm 55:22),” words from New International Version ©  1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Music by Seeds Family Worship. From The Power of Encouragement.

God saved Patrick. God rescued him by getting him on the boat that took him back to his family. But God also saved Patrick in a bigger way: He sent Jesus to die on the cross, so that Patrick’s sins could be forgiven! When Patrick placed his faith in Jesus, He was rescued from the punishment of sin. He was saved from eternal death in hell. Jesus died to take away our sins. Let’s sing to Jesus and thank Him for loving us like that.

3. “Jesus Came To Earth,” by Solomon Campbell, Dave Campbell, and Bob Kauflin © 2004 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) and Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From Awesome God.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” When we hear the word “enemy,” we might think of some supervillain or bad guy in a cartoon or movie. But Jesus is saying we should love everyone, even when they are being unfair, or mean, or not doing what we want them to do. We naturally love our good friends, but we need God’s help to love our enemies. Patrick loved the people who kidnapped him! Jesus loved His enemies by dying on the cross for them. Let’s sing together and ask God to help us love everyone like He loves us.

4. “You Show Me Kindness,” by Peter Gagnon and Bob Kauflin © 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. From To Be Like Jesus.

We are going to pray. What is prayer? (Allow kids to respond.) Prayer is talking to God.  Let’s be still and talk to God. Let’s pray.

“God, thank You so much for taking good care of us. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for us. Help us to remember You every day, to love everyone and to tell them about Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Patrick told people that Jesus died on the cross. Now let’s go and tell our family and friends about what God has done for us in Jesus! Let’s tell them that they can be forgiven because Jesus died to take away sins!

5. “Go (Matthew 28:19),” words from New International Version ©  1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Music by Seeds Family Worship. From The Power of Encouragement.

March 2010 (Palm Sunday)

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  Most classes are studying the Jesus’ Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28-40) or Jesus’ Death (Matthew 26-27; Luke 22:63-23:56).  Each class will keep in mind the day’s main theme—that Jesus is God’s King, sent to deliver his people from sin and death. Here is the cool part!  Each child will receive a palm branch to take home after the service.  And some classes (ages 4-grade 2) will be led in a “Hosanna” parade into the adult worship gathering.  Kids will run down the aisles shouting Hosanna then gather at the front of the auditorium to help in singing this song with the gathered community!  Then, they’ll gather upstairs with the entire children’s ministry for the following liturgy:

Leader 1: Welcome to Sojourn Kid’s Worship. This morning we are going to worship the Lord together as we celebrate Palm Sunday. Why is today called Palm Sunday? (Pause for answers.) More than 2000 years ago Jesus was greeted by crowds of people who were happy to see him coming into the city of Jerusalem. To show Jesus they were glad to see him, they waved palm branches in his honor and shouted praise to him. Listen as I read this story from the Bible, it’s from the book of John chapter 12 verses 12 to 14. Listen as I read God’s word:

¹²The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the King of Israel!”

The crowd shouted “Hosanna” to Jesus. Hosanna means

“Praise the God who saves!” Let’s sing to Jesus and wave our arms to Him singing “Hosanna!”

Hosanna in the Highest (Palm Sunday edition), Words & Music by Jeremy Quillo (c) 2010 Sojourn Music

Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest, In the highest.
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest, In the highest.

Look! The Lord is drawing near!
Let the children shout and sing!
Tell the world that Life is here,
Jesus Christ, our God, our King!

Leader 2—read this portion with excitement:

We’re going to praise God by saying “HALLELUJAH!” Hallelujah means “Praise the Lord!” I will say something that is true about God and you will repeat after me: “HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD!” Listen to what I say and then respond with “HALLELUJAH!”

Leader 2: Jesus is God! Jesus is Lord!

Children: HALLELUJAH!

Leader 2: Jesus suffered and died on the cross for my sins!

Children: HALLELUJAH!

Leader 2: Jesus was in the tomb. He was dead in the grave for three days! Death could NOT keep Him dead!

Children: HALLELUJAH!

Leader 2: Jesus is alive! Jesus is risen! He rose from the dead!

Children: HALLELUJAH!

Leader 2: Jesus is the champion. Jesus is victorious. He is the winner!

Children: HALLELUJAH!

Leader 2: Now stand up and let’s shout: “JESUS IS ALIVE!”(Repeat several times. Optional: have children jump while chanting “Jesus is alive!”)

2. “Jesus Came To Earth,” by Solomon Campbell, Dave Campbell, and Bob Kauflin © 2004 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) and Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. FromAwesome God.

Leader 3: Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”  So how has God shown us He loves us? (Answer: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.) Yes! Let’s sing this verse together and remember that Christ died for us!

3. “Romans 5:8 (NIV) Scripture Memory Song,” Music by Mark Altrogge, As Recored on “A Ransom For Many,” Hide The Word, Volume 2  © Forever Grateful Music

Intro to the next song involves saying the lyrics and doing the hand-motions:

(Raise arms and hands in praise and then cross arms over heart to say “love.”)

Leader 1: Holy God, in love, be – came

(Place fists on hips to stand like a man)

Perfect Man to bear my blame

(Stretch arms out to sides to look like cross.)

On the cross He took my sin

(Raise arms above head in praise.)

By His death I live again

These are the words and the lyrics for the next song we will sing to the Lord. Let’s sing to God together.

4.  The Gospel Song, Words and music by Drew Jones and Bob Kauflin, As recorded on Awesome God, (c) 2002 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

This song is less familiar to the children. Please sing it several times to teach it to them. Feel free to make the tempo a little quicker if that works better.

Leader 2: It is a gift to be able to pray to God. Let’s fold our hands quietly, close our eyes, and talk inside our hearts to God. God sees in our hearts and He hears us:

“Jesus, you deserve our praise! But Lord we are often like the crowds, quick to praise you and then to turn away from you. You died on the cross for our sins. Thank You, Jesus. We want to love you and follow you always. Amen.”

5. “Low in the Grave He Lay,” Words and Music by Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Jazz up this traditional hymn. Sing the verses very slowly and quietly. Then play the chorus “Up from the grave” with increased excitement moving the tempo faster and faster. For the motions: have the kids down on the floor crouched down singing the verses “Low in the grave He lay. . .” Then stand up slowly on “Up from the grave He arose. . .” You can jump up and down for the chorus and/or sing with your arms stretched upward for the final “He arose. . .” section.

April 2010 (Easter)

Singers introduce themselves.

Singer 1: This month we celebrate Easter!  Why do we celebrate Easter?  What is Easter?  Allow children to answer: Jesus died on the cross.  Jesus died for my sins.   Jesus is risen from the dead.  Fill in any part left out and encourage right answers. Gently correct wrong answers.  Let’s start this morning by remembering the Easter story and saying, “HALLELUIA!”

Call and Response:
Singer 2: Hallelujah means, “Praise the Lord!” Say, “HALLELUIA!” (HALLELUIA)
Now say, “PRAISE THE LORD!”  Listen to what I say and when I pause say, “HALLELUIA!”
Leader: Jesus is God! Jesus is Lord!
Children: HALLELUIA!
Leader: Jesus suffered and died on the cross for my sins!
Children: HALLELUIA!
Leader: Jesus was dead! But death could NOT keep Jesus!
Children: HALLELUIA!
Leader: Now Jesus is alive! Jesus is risen! He rose from the dead!
Children: HALLELUIA!
Leader: Jesus is the champion! Jesus is victorious! He is the winner!
Children: HALLELUIA!
Leader: Now stand up and let’s shout, “JESUS IS ALIVE!” (“JESUS IS ALIVE!”) Repeat several times.
Have children jump up and down chanting, “Jesus is alive!”

1. “The Cross Is Not The End,” Words and Music by Bill & Courtney Bell.  © 2009 Bill & Courtney Bell/ Sojourn Music

Singer 2:
We are going to sing a song to help us memorize a Bible verse, Romans 5:8. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”  So how has God shown us He loves us? (Answer: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.) Yes! “God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Let’s sing this together!

2. “Romans 5:8 (NIV) Scripture Memory Song,” Music by Mark Altrogge, As Recored on “A Ransom For Many,” Hide The Word, Volume 2  © Forever Grateful Music

Guitarist: Jesus is risen! (Have kids answer again: ALLELUIA!) JESUS IS RISEN! (Have kids answer again: ALLELUIA!)
Singer 2: Let’s pray! Let’s fold our hands quietly, close our eyes, and talk inside our hearts to God. God sees in our hearts and He hears us:  Jesus, You are the winner! Death did not win! You died on the cross for our sin. Thank You, Jesus. Jesus we want to love you and follow you all of our lives. Amen.”

3. “Low in the Grave He Lay,” Words and Music by Robert Lowry (1826-1899)
(Traditional Hymn… but jazz up the refrain! Sing verses slow. Jazz up and sing the chorus VERY LIVELY! Make sure the kids do the motions.  Have the kids down on the floor crouched down singing the verses, then stand up and jump up and down for the chorus, “Up from the grave He arose…” You may need to help teach them the song a bit the first time as they probably won’t know it. Then add in the motions. If they seem too bored, just do it all together and repeat as needed to learn it.)

4.  “His Love Will Last Forever,” Words and Music by Chandi Plummer  © 2009 Chandi Plummer/Sojourn Music
Rock it out!

I’m continually impressed with Sojourn Community Church’s Children’s ministry, in their content, Gospel-focus, and willingness to share resources with the greater world. Recent, Jared Kennedy posted the Children’s Ministry Servant Covenant that people are asked to sign in order to work with children at Sojourn. This is a model covenant with clear time, learning, worshipping, missional, and Gospel commitments. I could see us using this almost verbatim for our church plant.

Children’s Ministry Servant Covenant, December 2009:

This covenant is an agreement of faithfulness between the children’s ministry of Sojourn Community Church (SojournKids) and the children’s ministry servant.  SojournKids does not consider the children’s servant to be a volunteer or lay-person.  SojournKids is seeking men and women who have a driving ambition and a confirmed gifting to nurture and teach children—nursery, toddlers, preschool, and elementary—to trust in and whole-heartedly follow Jesus Christ.

SojournKids recognizes that God has built his church community as a covenant Family with Christ as its foundation (1 Peter 2:4-12).  Children’s ministry occurs within the context of a larger covenant community where God has commanded parents to teach their children about God’s words and works (Psalm 78: 5-7).  Our children’s ministry is a catalyst for Christian families having gospel conversations together, and it provides the community context for nurturing and teaching children no matter their individual family background.  If you believe it is God’s desire for you to serve children, it is our desire that you pursue this ambition by using your gifts in SojournKids (1 Peter 4:10).  Upon signing this covenant the children’s servant agrees to the following items for accountability:

1.  As a Servant, I will give my time, talent, and ability sacrificially.

• I will faithfully serve at every SojournKids ministry class where I am scheduled, and I will send an equipped Sojourn member when I must be away. (Weekly and monthly commitments run for a six-month time period–currently through February 2010).
• I will arrive 45 minutes before my ministry begins.
• I will not be alone with a child.  I will always stay in public areas of the Sojourn building with children and only enter the restroom with a child when another ministry servant is present.
• I will leave the classroom in which I serve better than I found it—recognizing that other ministry servants will be using this classroom after I leave.

2.  As a Learner, I will seek discover and develop my gifts and abilities as a children’s servant.

• I will attend at least 2 training sessions during each commitment cycle.  The sessions will usually be Sunday afternoon luncheons or one-day events in the local Louisville area.
• I will study any and all assigned lessons before I arrive for my ministry assignment.

3.  As a Worshiper, I will remember that Jesus is present when I serve.

• I will meet to pray with other servants at the beginning of each service, and I will serve with an attitude of prayer.
• I will talk about Jesus while at play, because gospel life is more than just the lessons.

4.  As a Missionary, I will plainly demonstrate the gospel to children and families at every opportunity.

• I will teach children God’s promises and plainly speak about their need to repent from sin and trust Christ (Acts 2:38-39).
• I will greet Sojourn families and visiting families with biblical hospitality, and I will celebrate when families come back

By signing this form you agree to the above requirements so that SojournKids can fulfill its calling to nurture and teach the children whom God has given us.

Name_____________________________________ Date__________________

The SojournKids.com blog is running a series of posts about using nursery centers to teach the gospel. Here are the links

Preschool Story Circle

This center provides a place for story-telling.  Transition kids to Bible Time each week by using a few simple props.  Show the kids your largestory bag (in which you have visual aids and other items you will use to tell the story) then hold up your Bible, open to the Scripture passage and keep it open as you teach.

Use the Center:

• Be expressive.  Memorize the story and tell it with enthusiasm.
  Be familiar enough with the story to tell it without reading it.
• Maintain eye contact and react to the children’s body language.  Are they interested?  Do they understand?
• Explain the terms and describe the setting, but beware of adding extra-biblical thoughts to the story characters.
• Use the visual aids to keep the kids’ interest.

Clean Up: Stack the pillows neatly near the teacher’s chair.

Block City Center

“Dramatic play” centers like the “block city” & “train/city center” provide opportunities for children to recreate life experiences—exploring the roles of people and structures in their family and community.  This is the teacher’s opportunity to learn about the child, and relate the gospel to all of life.

Use the “Block City” Center:

• Ask Questions: What are you building (tower, fire house, church, school)?  Where have you seen that kind of building before?  Have you ever been there?
• Block buildings fall down.  Teach kids about how things in this world break, but God will build everything again so that it never falls down.
• Kids knock down block buildings.  When this happens, encourage asking for and extending forgiveness.

Clean Up the “Block City” Center: Have the children straighten the blocks, and put toys in the box.

Train/City Centers

Use the Train/City Center:

• Ask Questions: What are you building?  Have you ever traveled on a train? Where have you seen that kind of building before?  Have you ever been there?
• Toy trains derail.  Tracks break.  Teach kids about how things in this world break, but God one day will make all things unbreakable.
• Encourage sharing and cooperation.  When kids argue, encourage asking for and extending forgiveness. 

Clean Up: Have the children put the tracks, cars, and buildings away in the center drawers.

Kitchen Center

“Dramatic play” centers like the “kitchen center,” “dollhouse,” and “home/baby” centers provide opportunities for children to recreate life experiences—exploring the roles of people and structures in their family and community.  This is the teacher’s opportunity to learn about the child, and relate the gospel to all of life.

Use the Kitchen Center:

• Ask Questions: Do you like to help your mom and dad with chores?  What do you help with?  What is your favorite food?  What kind of food are you making? 
• When kids set the table to eat, ask them to pray before their “meal.”
• Encourage the kids to take turns and share at the table.  When a child takes a toy from another, encourage asking for and extending forgiveness. 

Dollhouse Center

Use the Dollhouse Center:

• Ask Questions: Do you want to be a mommy or daddy?  What do mommy and daddy do each day?  What do you do when you wake up? What do you do before you go to bed?
• Teach about Christian practices—prayer, Bible reading, meeting with the church—in the midst of their “home” routine.
• When a child takes a toy from another, encourage asking for and extending forgiveness. 

Clean Up: Have the children put dollhouse toys away in the designated basket.

Home / Baby Center

Use the Home / Baby Center:

• Ask Questions: Do you want to be a mommy or daddy?  What do you want to name your baby?  Who lives in this house? Can you feed the baby, burp it, and put it to bed?  Can you rock the baby?  Can you pray for the baby or sing to it?
• Teach about nurture, and help the children practice gentleness with the “little ones.”

Clean Up: Have the children put the home center back in order.  Put the toys away in the designated basket or doll crib.

Library Center

Library Center

This is a combination reading, puzzle, and games center.  It provides a place for quiet individual play or group activity.

Use the Center:

• When reading to kids, be certain to engage them by reading the story in an expressive way—use facial expression and voice inflection. 
• Be sure to show the pictures, and encourage the children to find and point out objects on the pages.
• After you are finished, ask kids to retell the story in their own words.
• When playing games, encourage the kids to take turns, and teach about sharing.

Clean Up: Have the children put the books, puzzles, and games away on the shelves as they found them.  Put puzzles together before putting them away.

Toddler Pocket Chart

This center provides a place for working on Bible and doctrine memory.  Toddlers can’t yet read, but they need the encouragement and comfort of God’s word.  Teach one word at a time and use the provided pictures on the back of each card. The Show Me Jesus! curriculum teaches 18 verses and 15 doctrine questions yearly.

Use the Center:

• Fall: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 53:3b; Matthew 1:23b; Luke 1:37; 1 Thess 5:16-17; Psalm 30:10b; Questions 1-5
• Winter: Luke 2:14a; 1 Cor 8:6b; Acts 9:20b; 1 John 4:19; Questions 1-8
• Spring: John 17:17b; Acts 16:31a; Matthew 22:39b; Psalm 23:1a; Questions 1-11
• Summer: Psalm 9:1a; Psalm 143:10a; Psalm 150:6; Psalm 25:4; Questions 1-15

Clean Up: Put verses and questions away in the proper envelope after each memory session.

Puppet Center

This center can also be called the “Story Re-telling” center.  Here children will re-tell today’s Bible story or perform their own skits using puppets. Sometimes the lesson will call for creating puppets, which can be used at the puppet stage.

Use the Center: Ask a group of students to create a puppet show about today’s lesson theme or story then perform it for you. 

• What puppets will you use?  Who should be part of the story?  Who will have each puppet?
• What happened first in the story?  What happened next?  How did the story end?
• What did you learn about God in the story?  What did you learn about people?

Clean Up: Have the children put the puppets away in the basket after each playtime.

Elementary Art Center

This is a place to make art.  Work together to create something beautiful that reminds you of today’s lesson.  Remember, God creates good and beautiful things.  When we create, we imitate him and give Him glory.

Use the center:

• Draw what you remember from the lesson.  Make a timeline of events from the story using pictures and words.
• Think about today’s memory verse: (1) Draw what you imagine.  (2) Write out the verse with different colors for each word (or shapes around each word) to help you remember it.  (3) Write the verse using pictures instead of words.
• Use the easels together to create a large piece of art.  Work together.  Remember that God has made each of us uniquely creative.

Clean up: Wipe down whiteboards and put markers or paint supplies away neatly

Sword Drill Center

This is a place to practice using your sword (God’s word). Practice finding memory verses and Bible books.   Always be prepared to talk about God’s word and what it teaches about how to live.  Who do we fight for?  Jesus!  What do we fight with?  The Bible!  What do we fight against?  Satan, Sin, & Death!

Use the center:

There are 3 kinds of drills, and all 3 are called in the same way:

• Attention!—Your hands should be at your sides, Bible closed, and cupped on binding of Bible.
• Draw swords!–Hold your Bible out – 1 hand on top and 1 below – no fingers on pages.
• “Charge!”—Find the reference called.

Quotation Drill (quote from memory):

1. One person gives the reference.
2. If you know the verse, step forward 1 step, then be ready to quote the verse and give the reference if you are called upon

Completion Drill (quote from memory):

1. The teacher reads part of the verse
2. If you can complete the verse, step forward 1 step, then be ready to quote the verse and give the reference.

Book Drill (Bible is used)

1. Any book in the Bible may be used
2. The leader calls a book of the Bible (ex. Exodus)
3. After calling “Charge”, find any page in the book called, place your finger on the page, and step forward.
4. If the teacher calls on you, give the name of the book before the one called, the book called, and the book after the one called. (ex. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus).

Clean up:

Neatly stack the Bibles on the shelf