RiverKids (3 years old – 6th grade)

Big Idea:

The third week of Advent is joy. Jesus gives his children joy.

Bible Basis:

Luke 2:8-20

Key Verse:

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.
Luke 2:20

Video:

Activity

This week we focus on the Shepherds who were first to hear the news about Christ's birth. And they received the message with great joy! This week the candle is pink, which as tradition tells us was added to the advent wreath to bring... joy. When the shepherds saw the angels and heard the news they immediately went to see Jesus and then to tell everyone they knew. THey were filled with joy. THey were so excited they couldn't contain it. We often feel this way at Christmas, but many times it is more from the thrill of gifts and parties and treats. Jesus is the greatest gift of all time. And the salvation he brings should overshadow every other good thing.

Play a few rounds of "hide and go sheep." Using cotton balls or pom-poms, hide several around a room and have children hunt for them like shepherds. You may want to use the items for a sheep-themed craft afterwards.

Experience some sheep products. Feel wool or perhaps sample some sheep's milk cheese.

Make a trumpet out of rolled up paper, use it all week long to share "Good News" with your family.

Big Idea:

The second candle of Advent is Peace, Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Bible Basis:

Isaiah 61:1-4

Key Verse:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1

Video:

Activity

Materials:

• Old magazines
• Colored construction paper or white paper
• glue
• scissors
• a sharpie or marker

Shred up a magazine picture or newspaper photograph and tell your kids that this world is a broken place, just like this ripped paper.   It is a mess!   But there is good news!  Jesus was born to bring peace to our world!  He brings peace to us through the cross of His Son Jesus.  And when God brings peace, there is great joy!  Today we're going to make something beautiful out of all of our ripped pieces.

Distribute the colored construction paper (red looks best) with the cross outline, glue, scissors, and newspaper and magazine pages.

Have your kids draw a cross in the middle of the paper-help them if necessary. Tell your kids to rip up the newspaper and magazine articles into small pieces and glue them into the cross outline. Challenge your kiddos to look for letters to spell "PEACE" and glue them somewhere on their page as well. Have them write out a simplified form of Isaiah 61:1 on the bottom of their papers. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives

Big Idea:

The first candle of Advent is Hope, Jesus is the hope of the world.

Bible Basis:

1 Peter 1:3-12

Key Verse:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

Video:

See attached pdf

Activity

Use this activity to help your children recognize the hope they have when they trust God to guide them.

Using books or pieces of cardboard, create a "steppingstone" path from one side of your living room to the other. Add small challenges along the way, perhaps a chair to climb over or narrow "balance beams" made of masking tape. As you work, talk about the obstacles we face in life: moving to a different school, making new friends, being sick.

Now place a blindfold over your child's eyes. Explain that often we can't see how to get through the obstacles in our lives. We may say that we "hope" to find our way through, but what are our chances?

Take your child's hand and guide him along each step of the path, explaining that we can face the challenges of life because we know that God is with us. Even if we can't always see where we're headed, our hope comes from knowing that God directs our steps.

Big Idea:

Jesus is God's son who will reign forever.

Bible Basis:

2 Samuel 7, Matthew 12:9-23

Key Verse:

Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.
2 Samuel 7:16

Video:

See attached pdf

Activity-Faithfulness Mobile

God always kept His promises to David. God has been faithful to us in every area of our lives! When God spoke to Nathan, He listed ome of the ways He had been faithful to David. What are some ways that God has been faithful to you? Think of some things that God has provided or done in your life to show His faithfulness. Use this craft as a reminder of God's faithfulness in our lives. Photocopy onto cardstock enough of the "Faithfulness Mobile" templates as the number of children in your class. Cut out the large scroll and the three smaller scrolls. On the large scroll, write in big letters "God's Faithfulness." Tell each child to write down on each of the three small scrolls, in a few words, a way that God has been faithful to them. Using a hole punch, make holes in each of the areas marked. With string, tie the three smaller scrolls to the larger scroll attaching at the marked holes. Because of the size of scrolls, you will have to stagger the length of string you use. In other words, you might want to have the two outer scrolls four inches from the larger scroll and the middle scroll, two inches. Be creative. Allow the children to color or decorate their craft.

Big Idea:

God's Forgave David's Sin.

Bible Basis:

2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51

Key Verse:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12

Video:

Video: See Sunday service

Activity

Materials:

Piece of paper & Tape

God Restores us.

Ask what does "restore" mean?

Sin wrecks our whole lives. Hold piece of paper… David's life was going really well. Sin destroyed it. (rip the paper-let your kids rip up their own paper). He took someone's wife. Then to cover it up he had her husband, Uriah killed. Uriah was a good man and a faithful soldier to David. David was a murderer.

When something is restored it means it's put back together after it's been broken or messed up in some way.

Sometimes our sin is a bit like that piece of paper. When we disobey God we can totally wreck our lives! And it might seem like there's no way to put things right again. But God is so powerful and so merciful that He is able to restore us when we repent of our sin and ask Him to forgive us.

have kids work to tape their papers back together.

While they work read:Psalm 51:1, 10

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. According to you great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Ask: What did David ask God to do? (Forgive his sin, make his heart pure, to not forsake him)Connect it (Look): Apply it & Answer "How?"

Say: When we do something wrong our first thought it often to try to hide what we've done. But there is no need to try to hide from God. Not because God is like a big bully up in heaven just waiting to bust us for everything we do wrong, but because God loves us so much that He wants to restore us even when we sin.

Ask: Is there anything we can do that is so bad that God would never ever forgive us?

Say: No way! God knows that we are weak and sinful, and our hearts are naturally far from Him, but He loves us anyway. God created us so He could pour out His love in our lives, and He is eager and willing to do that!

Say: Because of our sin, like David, we know that we deserve to die. The Bible says in the book of Romans that the punishment for sin is death. Someone must die to pay for our sins. God loves us so much that He was willing to die for us! Isn't that incredible? We serve such a loving, glorious God who has offered us a wonderful gift—forgiveness for our sin. And there's nothing that we have to do to try to earn it! God forgives us when we turn to Jesus and put our faith in Him. When we follow Jesus and repent of our sin, we find freedom from our sin. And just like David prayed, we can ask God to "restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

On the back of the paper write Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Big Idea:

God is our Fortress.

Bible Basis:

1 Samuel 30:1-30

Key Verse:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;     my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge 
Psalm 18:2

Video:

Activity

Before watching the video build a blanket fort! Get Cozy. Spend the rest of the week meditating as a family on Psalm 18. Read a few verses at bedtime, or in the car after school. There is a lot of imagery there. Talk about what it means. Imagine God coming down and the whole earth shaking (don't make it too scary). Keep your fort up all week if you can!

Big Idea:

God empowers his people to be peacemakers.

Bible Basis:

1 Samuel 25:1-35

Key Verse:

May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
1 Samuel 25:33

Video:

Activity

Print out the Peacemaker pledge and sit with your kids and come up with ways they can be peacemakers in their own world. Print it out and put it on the fridge and work together to bring peace wherever you go.

Big Idea:

God is the one who saves us and that is what gives us courage.

Bible Basis:

1 Samuel 17:1-58

Key Verse:

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
1 Samuel 17:45

Video:

Coloring Page

Activity

Follow this video to make a slingshot out of paper.

You need:

• 5 pieces of paper
• a rubber band
• tape
• scissors

as you make the slingshot, talk about what it would be like to face a giant. Have you ever been scared (parents you share too)? Who is always with us?

Has there ever been a time you felt scared and God gave you courage? Is there anything in your life you are afraid of? How can you find courage from God? Parents share any scripture verses you know about God giving you courage.

Big Idea:

God's people think everyone is valuable and important. Say that with me.

Bible Basis:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Key Verse:

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7

Read the story Here

Activity

Gather a bunch of different fruits, the stranger they look the better (like a kiwi). Ask: What fruit is this? ? What's your favorite fruit? Talk with the children about fruits— their taste, their fragrance, their differences, and how they grow from just one small seed. Show a kiwi fruit or some other fruit that isn't attractive on the outside.Talk about its appearance. Cut the fruit and show the inside, have the children taste the fruit. Talk about how nice it looks inside, even though it isn't especially nice on the outside.  We need to eat fruit because it is good for our bodies. All fruits are important. All are valuable. Some don't look good on the outside, but they are good inside and good to eat.

It's the same with people. We are all different. We can't always tell what a person is like by just looking at them. We have to get to know them. God looks at people's hearts. He knows what they are like inside. He loves every one of us. And how do we treat other people if God thinks they are important? Right! We show love. We treat others as important people because they are important to Jesus.

Big Idea:

God calls his children to persevere in doing good.

Bible Basis:

Galatians 6:7-10

Key Verse:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

Video:

Coloring Page

This is the time to plant grass seed for the spring. Grab some seed and your kids and take them out with you to sow some seeds. Talk about how in the spring you anticipate Grass to grow where the seeds were planted. You do not expect tomatoes to grow from grass seed. In the same way if we are rude and selfish when we interact with people we should not expect to be treated with respect and kindness. Loving people is HARD. God's spirit helps us to love others when we do not feel like it.
Throughout this week make a point to mention to your children when you see them loving others when perhaps they do not feel like it.

Big Idea:

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers.

Bible Basis:

Galatians 5:13-26

Key Verse:

ABut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 
Galatians 5:23-23

Hey parents, This week we are discussing Galatians 5, and the fruit of the spirit. A few years ago we came up with a family discipleship event centered around the Fruits of the Spirit. It might require a trip to the grocery store or some creative adapting but I highly encourage you to plan some time this week to talk about Jesus with your kids. If you have already done this activity with your kids, do it again, we can all use a refresher. I have added some more challenging questions for older kids. Start by reading Galatians 5:13-26 click on the image to download the PDF with instructions.

Big Idea:

God is always doing something good.

Bible Basis:

Romans 8:28

Key Verse:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Video:

Family Activity:

Let's get baking again. Parents head to the kitchen with our kids and use these questions to talk about God.

1. How many of you like to eat cake?
2. Why? (Possible answers may include: it's sweet, tastes good, etc.)
3. Do any of you know what things go into a cake? [Give time for them to guess.]
4. Then all these things must be good - right?
5. Would you ever consider eating the ingredients of a cake separately?

A spoon of flour? A raw egg? A little oil? [Allow children to taste a little flour, oil or cocoa. Of course...not the raw egg!]

How did each taste? ...Yuk! Of course there is the sugar too - yum! 🙂 Let each taste a bit of sugar; it will help get the "yucky" taste out. Bake the cake or cupcakes.

Life can be a lot like a cake! Separately there are some bitter times, some raw, hurtful times, and some dry, bland times. Help them think of some "not-so-good" or tough times they have experienced or others may have experienced. Depending on the ages, it may be anything from a skinned knee to the loss of a loved one. Share something from your own life too. Remember your life is a wonderful living example for them!

But there are also the good times! Take a few minutes and have them think of some "good times" - birthday celebrations, new baby brother or sister, a vacation, a good meal, etc.

Some of the cake ingredients by themselves didn't taste very good, but when everything is mixed together we have a delicious cake to eat!

God is able to blend the good and the bad experiences in our lives together for our good. All together they create a life that is meaningful, useful, and tasty!

Big Idea:

God Loves all of his children the same.

Bible Basis:

Galatians 3:26–29

Key Verse:

For you are all children[m] of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
  Galatians 3:26

Video:

Coloring Page

Family Activity:

Parents make some time today or this week to bake something yummy with your kids. Feel free to use your favorite bread recipe or even a brownie box mix. I have included a banana bread recipe. Make sure your recipe doesn't call for nuts or raisins or chocolate chips-anything that doesn't fully incorporate.

Let your kids do as much as possible. Be patient with them. Remember the discipleship moment comes in the process not in the product.

As you add the ingredients, talk about what each one does. How it differs from the other in look, texture, taste, smell, and purpose. Once you've baked your delicious treat, sit down and enjoy it together. Talk about some of those ingredients you put in. How have they changed?

Can you take those ingredients out? Talk about how they have joined together to become one (tasty) thing.

There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[o] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Just like this banana bread (or whatever you made) when we come to Jesus we are all united as part of his family. His love for us is the same.

Big Idea:

God hears our prayers so we can call out to Him with our whole heart.

Bible Basis:

Joshua 2

Key Verse:

"When I was in trouble, I called out to the LORD. I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice. My cry for help reached his ears."
  Psalm 18:6 (NIrV)

Video:

Coloring Page

Family Activity:

BIBLE VERSE TIC-TAC-TOE

Set up:

Create a tic-tac-toe board. You can use tape on the floor to create a large board for the group or a piece of paper and some markers for a smaller board. Use paper to create "Xs and Os" for your group.

Directions: Read the Bible verse several times so everyone can begin to memorize it. Today's Bible verse says:

"When I was in trouble, I called out to the LORD. I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice. My cry for help reached his ears." Psalm 18:6 (NIrV)

Divide your group into two teams. Give one team the "X" papers and the other team the "O" papers. Decide which team will go first and choose someone to recite the verse. If it is recited successfully, allow that team to place an "X or O" on any open square. If they recite it unsuccessfully, they may not place their "X or O" on the board. Next, give the other team a turn. Continue playing until one team has filled three spaces in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) with an "X or O" or until every space on the board has been filled. Continue playing rounds until everyone has had a turn and can recite the memory verse.

Question:

Tell us about a time you put your faith into action. What was that like? How did people react?

Big Idea:

God wants us to remember all of the great things He has done for us.

Bible Basis:

Joshua 3-4

Key Verse:

"Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given".
Psalm 105:5

Video:

Coloring Page

Family Activity:

The Remembering Rainbow

Say:

There is another story in the Bible when God wanted us to remember a special promise. The story has to do with water, a large boat, and many animals. Do you know that story? (Answer: Noah's Ark) In that story God displayed a rainbow to Noah and his family as a reminder that he would never flood the earth again. God wants us to always remember all that he has done for us. We should still do this today! We are going to play a game that will help us remember some of the things God has done for us.

Directions:

Give everyone a spoonful of Skittles® but tell them to not to eat them. Each color of candy will correspond to a category (see below). Let someone choose which color they want to eat first. Have anyone who has that color Skittle®, answer the corresponding question. After everyone shares, they can eat that color of Skittles®! Repeat with the other colors.

• Purple: What is something cool that God has done for you?
• Green: What is something special that God has given you?
• Red: What is one of God's rules that you need to remember the most?
• Orange: What is something God did in today's Bible story or your favorite Bible story?
• Yellow: God has done all of these things for us. What is something we can do for God? (Have a friendship with Him, follow Him, obey His commands, etc.)

Question:

Why do you think it is important to remember what God has done for us in the past?

Question:

Why do you think it is important to remember and follow God's perfect rules for our life?

Big Idea:

God is merciful and has lifted His Son upon a cross so that we might be saved from death.

Bible Basis:

Numbers 21:1-9

Key Verse:

And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
John 3:14-15

Video:

Coloring Page

Activity:

BIBLE BOMBARDMENT

Set up:

Place a long tape line on the floor.

Directions: Read the verse several times with your family. Today's Bible verse says: "Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. In the same way, the Son of Man must also be lifted up. Then everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." John 3:14-15 (NIrV)

Question:

What do you think eternal life in Heaven with Jesus will be like?

Question:

A lot of times when we commit a sin it causes damage. For example, people might stop trusting you or you might hurt someone's feelings. How can you fix the damage that your sin has caused? (For example: tell someone sorry, fix something they broke, return something they stole, etc.)

Big Idea:

God's love and forgiveness is greater than our sin.

Bible Basis:

John 4:1-26

Key Verse:

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8

Video:

Coloring Page

Activity:

STAY ON TARGET:

Say: Today we learned about God’s love and forgiveness being so much greater than our sin. God loved us so much he sent his own son, Jesus, to rescue us from our own sins. Jesus is the reason that our sins are forgiven so that we can be washed clean. We’re going to play a game to remind us that we are not perfect, and we all have sins that need to be forgiven.

Directions: Place a small paper plate as a target on the floor in the middle of your family and have everyone sit about 3 feet (1 meter) away. Give everyone a penny. The object of the game is for everyone to land their penny on the target in the same round. Count to 3 and have everyone flick their penny (as if a coin toss) into the air towards the target. Discourage anyone from leaning too far forward in order to make it easier. If younger kids struggle with flicking their penny, they can toss it. Inevitably, some or most of the pennies will miss the target. Have everyone retrieve their penny and prepare for the next round. Continue playing round after round until it becomes apparent that someone is always going to miss the target.

Say: Did anyone hit the target every single time? We all miss the target sometimes. It’s the same with sin. No matter how hard we try to obey God, we all sin.

Question:

What are some ways that you have “missed the target” or sinned this week?

Question:

How can we show God that we are thankful for His love and forgiveness through Jesus?

Big Idea:

God is powerful.

Bible Basis:

Exodus

Key Verse:

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!"
Jeremiah 32:17

Video:

Coloring Page

Activity:

Set up: Place one tape line on the floor. Write the words “Want” and “Need” on different pieces of paper. Place or tape those on each side of the line.

Say: In the Book of Exodus, we see that God has the power to provide for all of our needs, but sometimes it’s easy to confuse things that we need for things that we want. We’re going to play a game right now that will help us think about the difference between needs and wants.

Directions: Read one of the “Wants or Needs” from the list below, then count to 3. Everyone will have 3 seconds to decide if it is a want or a need and go to that side of the line. To help promote better discussion, consider asking some “what if” questions. For example, if someone says new shoes are a need, ask them “What if you already have perfectly good shoes?” Continue playing until each of the “Wants or Needs” have been discussed. Afterwards discuss the questions below.

Wants or Needs:

Question:

What are some things that you truly need right now?

Question:

What are some things that God has provided for you in the past?

This week we learn:

God keeps His promises.

Attribute:

God is faithful.

Scripture:

The whole book of Genesis

Key Verse:

The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
 Psalm 145:13b

Video:

Activity:

If you have coloring kits, print off this page.

Then do this activity together.

Crossing the Divide

Say:  In the Book of Genesis, we learn that God created us to have a perfect friendship with Him, but then sin wrecked everything. Sin created a separation between us and God. We’re going to do an activity that will help us picture that.

Directions:

Lay 2 pieces of rope or tape parallel to each other on the floor with about 6 inches between them. Instruct your kids to stand along the edge of one rope while facing the other rope. Say, “1, 2, 3… Jump!” and have everyone do a standing broad jump over the gap to the opposite side of the other rope. Next, move one of the ropes 6 inches further away so that the gap becomes bigger. Repeat the instructions above. Continue moving the ropes further away from each other until no one can jump all the way across. Ask the following questions:     

Question:

How did this activity remind you of sin?

Question:

  What did Jesus do to help bridge the “sin gap” that separates us from God?

Directions:

Using tape, create a cross that stretches from one rope to the other. Have your kids walk along the cross from one side of the gap to the other and have a seat.

Say:

Romans 8:39 says, “Nothing at all can separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.” When Jesus died on the cross, he defeated sin. Now there’s nothing that can separate us from a friendship with God.

This week we learn:

God makes us new.

Attribute:

God is faithful.

Scripture Verse:

Ephesians 4:22-24 and John 3:1-21

Memory Verse:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
Ephesians 4:22-23

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

Give kids a large piece of paper to draw themselves in the colors and clothes that they are wearing today. Write I AM A NEW CREATION on the shirts or socks or at the top of the paper. Decorate with buttons or ribbons or sequins to glue on to their creation picture.

This week we learn:

God's word teaches us.

Attribute:

God is faithful.

Scripture Verse:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Memory Verse:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16

This week we are learning about some verses from 2 Timothy, this was a letter from Paul to his friend Timothy. Who was Timothy, watch the video to find out a little more.

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

This lesson is an excerpt from Creative Bible Study, it can be found in complete form, here.

2 Timothy 3:16 explains how the Bible can become God’s GPS for us in life.  It’s profitable for: teaching (telling us how to get to where we need to be), reproof or rebuking (telling us when we have taken a wrong turn), correcting (getting us back on track going the right direction), and training in righteousness (continuing to guide us towards God’s best for us)!

Take out your GPS App on your phone and type in destination “Heaven”.  Mine tells me “No results.”  Only God’s Word of Truth can direct us there.  Jesus said it very plain and simple in John  14:6 – “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes the the Father but through Me.”  God not only told us the way, He came to earth to show us the way; He doesn’t want any of us to remain lost!

Take a Drive!

Type in a close by location into your GPS and take a walk or drive.  Crank up the volume so your kids can listen. Make sure to make a wrong turn or two to hear it correct and then redirect and discuss how the Bible does that in our lives too.  When you get to your destination discuss how God's Word is to point and ultimately direct us to eternal life with Him.

Play Simon Says

Play a game of Simon Says to remind us that God gives us instruction through the Bible, but we must be listening and paying attention.

This week we learn:

God desires for all people to follow him.

Attribute:

God is forgiving.

Scripture Verse:

Psalm 119:57-64

Memory Verse:

I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.
Psalm 119:59

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

This week we learn about Zaccheus, you might be wondering what that has to do with Psalm 119. Psalm 119 talks about loving God with all our hearts. And turning from our own sinful ways to follow Gods. Zaccheus is a perfect example of that. This week find yourself a good climbing tree and climb on up there. Once you're there, shout this week's memory verse as loud as you can!

This week we learn:

God is going to make the whole world new again.

Attribute:

Jesus is King.

Scripture Verse:

Revelation 7

Memory Verse:

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water. ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Revelation 7:17

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

Time to get creative! Spend some time talking as a family. What will it be like when Jesus returns. Think of all the sad things that will be undone. THen grab some Legos or playdough, Markers, crayons or sidewalk chalk. Re-Create the world the way Jesus might. A world where there is no sadness, not sickness, and living water, Where God's glory lights the world like the sun. Be encouraged that one day all will be made new. If you want to hear another version check out the https: Jesus Storybook Bible

This week we learn:

We don't go to church, we are the church!

Attribute:

God is powerful.

Scripture Verse:

Acts 2:42-47

Memory Verse:

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had."
Acts 2:44

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

Blank paper—Scissors—Markers

1. Grab 2 sheets of blank paper. Draw an outline of a house on one Leave space inside the house and together draw your family or write their names, depending on your kids coloring engagement. 🙂
2. Talk about what makes a family. Talk about how you live together in a house, but the house doesn't make a family.
3. Now draw an outline of a church building on the other paper. Inside the outline draw or write as many church friends as you can think of. If they are engaged, really challenge them to think of as many people as they can.
4. Pick up the house paper. Start cutting inside the outline. Once the house is cut away ask your kids if this is still your family.
5. Then pick up the church drawing and cut away the outline of the building. Talk about how the building is like a house for the church. But the church is the people. You can take away the building but the church is still there. The church is God's people.

This week we learn:

Jesus came to rescue sinners.

Attribute:

God is merciful.

Scripture Verse:

Mark 2:13-22

Memory Verse:

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Mark 2:17

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

Can you draw the following people at Matthew’s dinner or use Legos to recreate the party: Two guests, one of Jesus’ close friends and Jesus. Talk about the fact that the tax collectors and sinners were not really nice people to have as friends or to go to parties with.

Ask your kids why they think Jesus wanted to mix with this sort of person. (Jesus cared for people from a very wide selection of society, including lots of outsiders and social misfits.)

Ask the children if they’d been at Matthew’s meal where they would be in the room – sitting with Jesus and Matthew’s friends or standing in the corner with the Pharisee.

This week we learn:

God wants all people to know Jesus.

Attribute:

Jesus Rescues.

Scripture Verse:

Acts 17:16-34

Memory Verse:

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us."
Acts 17:27

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

Enjoy this coloring sheet!

This week we learn:

God always keeps his promises.

Attribute:

Jesus Rescues.

Scripture Verse:

Genesis 12

Memory Verse:

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Hebrews 11:12

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

Make a paper human chain. Fold a piece of paper accordion style three times, sketch a rough person similar to the image attached. Cut it out. Talk to your kids about how Abraham was only one person but from that one person God made a whole nation. Make a bunch of paper chain dolls and tape them all together.

Find a scoop of dirt (Or if you're out late spend some time looking at the stars). Try to count the specks of dirt or stars.

1. What are some of the promises we are still waiting for God to keep?
2. Talk about how long Abraham had to wait for God to keep his promise.
3. Does it ever seem like God is too late or too slow?
4. Why do you think God waited so long to give Abraham and Sarah a child?
5. What can we do when we feel tired of waiting for God to keep his promises?

This week we learn:

God has a plan to rescue the world from the fall.

Attribute:

God is the rescuer.

Scripture Verse:

John 3:16

Memory Verse:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Video:

Three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

The Bridge Fold a sheet of construction paper in half. On one half have your child draw Adam and Eve and on the other half draw a heart to stand for God’s love for us. Let your child dip his finger in a cup of water and then run his wet finger along the fold in the paper. He may have to do this several times. When the fold is sufficiently damp, have your child rip the two pages apart. Talk about how the water is the sin that separates us from God just like it separated Adam & Eve from God. Cut out a large cross from construction paper and glue one side to the picture of Adam and Eve and the other to the picture of the heart. Talk about how Jesus is the bridge that connects us with God.

TALK about it...

1. What is sin? What was the first sin?…
2. What should we do when we sin? (Ask God to forgive us.)
3. Will God forgive you when you ask Him?

This week we learn:

God made people in his own image.

Attribute:

God is creative.

Scripture Verse:

Genesis 1:26-31

Memory Verse:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27

Video:

Don't' forget the three questions:

1. What did you hear?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to us?

Activity:

It's time for Playdough. I know it's every clean house's worst nightmare. But it is a great hands on activity to get creative. If you don't have any, here's a recipe to make some. You can make it with your kids, and talk about how God creates.

Have your kids create a person out of playdough. Talk about God made us in his image. Spend some time wondering what God is like? What parts of God did He put in your child. Talk about how this changes the way we see ourselves, the way we treat each other.  We are God's masterpiece. His favorite part of creation. What's your favorite part of creation. Make it out of playdough.

This week we learn:

Loving others shows love to God.

Attribute:

God is love.

Scripture Verse:

Luke 10:25-37

Memory Verse:

Jesus asked: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him."
Luke 10:25-37

Video:

Don't' forget the three questions:

1. What did you hear/see in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's Heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Activity:

As a family come up with two specific people in your neighborhood or near you who you could show love to. Make a plan to show love with action. You can make cookies, cards, pull weeds, bring flowers, have a driveway party, etc. Share your plan and pictures of it's execution on facebook/or instagram with your Riverside family. It's not bragging, it is a way to encourage each other and spur one another on to love and good deeds.

This week we learn:

God wants us to be quick to listen.

Attribute:

God is patient.

Scripture Verse:

James 1:18-27

Memory Verse:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:199

Activity:

This week the activity is first. You will need a plate and spoon for each participant and toothpaste (one tube for each or you can share). Once you have these, click the video and do it together.

How to be a good listener:

Parents, we teach our kids how to listen through modeling. Watch this video with your kids and make an effort to show warmth, respect and empathy as you listen to them, and others this week. Practice with each other. YOU are teaching your children how to be Jesus followers.
They are watching. Now more than ever.

This week we learn:

God is doing something new.

Attribute:

God is personal.

Scripture Verse:

Isaiah 43:1-21

Memory Verse:

But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new.
 See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
Isaiah 43:18-19

Bible Story

Activity:

Keep building your paper chain. Your paper chain should tell the story of God's faithfulness in the life of your family. Parents, ask the Lord to bring to mind moments in your life where God really showed up for you. Big or small.

If you are able carve out some time with one of your kids and share with them a time of God's faithfulness in your own life.

This week do something you've never done before. God is doing a new thing. Eat a food you've never tried, try to learn a new skill (cartwheel, or learn a new song). Remind your family that God is always on the move! Doing new things, ask for eyes to see!

This week we learn:

God wants his children remember how he rescues them.

Attribute:

God is Ominiscient.

Scripture Verse:

Exodus 13:14-22

Memory Verse:

In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Exodus 13:14

Bible Story

Activity:

Make a paper chain with your family. Write about ways that God has come through for you. Parents share stories from your past about God rescuing you. Build your chain all summer long!

This week we learn:

God is with us in hard times.

Attribute:

God is Omnipresent.

Scripture Verse:

Daniel 3

Memory Verse:

Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him.
Daniel 3:28

Three Questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God's heart?
3. How does this connect to you?

Bible Story

Activity:

If you want to, act out the story with your family. You can have a narrator or you can just replay the video and act it out. Here is a link to a coloring page. Some of your kids love to color if you have a printer, print it out, after you color it you can cut it out and turn it into a puzzle.

This week we learn:

God always has a plan and we can trust Him.

Attribute:

God is Omnipresent.

Scripture Verse:

Jeremiah 29:1-10

Memory Verse:

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.
Jeremiah 29:10

Bible Story

Activity:

Play Hide and Seek OR "Hot & Cold" (hide an item in the house and only one person can give Hot or cold clues to the guesser).

Gather around and discuss...

• Who was the best "hider"?
• What is the key to being a good "hider"?
• (Find a place you think no one will look or know about.)
• If you were playing "Hide and Seek" or "Hot and Cold" with God--who would win every time?
• (God) Why? (There's no place we can hide where God is not already there.)
• Who was the best "finder?"
• What is the key to being a good "finder?"
• If you played the "Hot and Cold" game: How did it feel when you weren't the "hider" or the "seeker" and you had to be quiet while the "seeker" was looking?
• Was it hard not to give hints?
• Was it frustrating watching the "seeker" get close to the object but still not see it?
• How do you think God might feel when He sees us looking for help, love, friendship or strength and He is right there ready to help, but we keep looking at the wrong things and don't see Him?
• Sometimes people want to play "hide and seek" with God. Why do you think a person would want to hide from God?

Bringing it to a close

The great thing about God is that He doesn't try to hide from us! He is EVERYWHERE all the time, and He wants us to find Him!

We can never escape the presence of God.

This week we're going to talk about the fact that God is EVERYWHERE, all the time. As you go about your day, talk to him, save a place for him at the table. God is already there, invite him to be a part of your day.

This week we learn:

Jesus died on the cross and came back to life 3 days later to save us from our sins!

Attribute:

Jesus is the Rescuer.

Scripture Verse:

John 20:1-31

Memory Verse:

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31

Bible Story

Activity:

Hey families, Did you know that in many countries the week after Easter is called Bright Week? For a week families celebrate the Resurrection, school is cancelled and feasting goes on late into the evenings. Of course the celebrations are done in community. Can I tell you, in our culture, we kind of stink at Bright Week. We have Christmas pretty locked in, but so many times Easter is just a blip on the calendar and we move back into the business of spring. Let’s take advantage of this strange situation we find ourselves in and stop and celebrate the Risen Jesus! Let it go into the week. Here are some ways you might consider doing that.

Let some of the everyday rules slide. On Easter, Jesus turned the world upside-down, and by relaxing household rules we can give children a small taste of that. Maybe kids are allowed to eat anything they want, and watch as much TV as they want. This doesn’t happen at any other time of year, not even for birthdays, which makes it really exciting for them, and helps to make sure the sweets disappear quickly (how convenient!). This may not work with every family the same way, but the principle is to create an atmosphere of freedom and joy. Play together. Show grace to each other. Indulge… make cookies. Make a Bright Taco Tuesday Fiesta! Stay up later, sleep in longer. Be silly. Whatever your family loves.. Do it. Love outrageously.

Christ is Risen!
Miss Megan

This week we learn:

Jesus came to Rescue us!

Attribute:

Jesus is the King of Kings!

Scripture Verse:

John 12:12-19

Memory Verse:

They 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!”

Watch this video and then ask your kids these three questions:

1. What did you hear in the story?
2. What did you learn about God’s heart?
3. How does this connect to us?

Activity:

Write the memory verse on squares of paper (or palm branches if you are feeling fancy). Play a concentration game. Make a set of cards. Have them take turns turning over the cards. They must turn the cards over in order to spell out the Bible verse. If a person turns a leaf over in the wrong order, the next person takes a turn turning over the cards.

Holy Week activities:

This week is Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. In our story we heard that if God’s people would not praise Him the very rocks would cry out! Have you ever heard Rocks speak? Me neither.

Artist Patti Rokus has figured out how to make Rocks speak! She uses rocks to tell the story of Jesus.

Watch this video.

This week get outside and find some rocks. Use them to tell the story of Jesus.
You can write praises on them and put them on your dining room table.

This week we learn:

God knows what we need, we do not need to worry.

Attribute:

God is provider.

Scripture Verse:

This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him. Psalm 91:2

Kids,
This week you guys are gonna be the teachers! A lot of adults are really worried and stressed right now.
You can help them by showing them how to trust.
Sometimes grownups learn how to trust and obey God from watching kids!
You guys can show them how to follow Jesus.

Remember King David? He wrote a psalm (Psalm 91) about trusting God when we feel scared or worried.
Jesus also told people not to be scared or worried.
Watch the video called Don’t Worry. Where Jesus tells us how God is our provider.
He gives us everything we need.

Activity:

Parents talk to your kids about things they might be worried about, fears they might have.

Then watch the Guided Prayer Video:

Parents: if your kids are struggling with fear and anxiety, consider checking out these resources.

Activity:

1. Print the Bible verse on a piece of long material in big letters. Wrap up a child with the material starting with the end of the verse. Get creative: toilet paper, an old sheet, fabric scraps, tape paper strips together, old school printer paper. Post online pics of what you are using.
2. Hold the material at the beginning of the verse. Have the child turn in circles as you pull gently and back up to reveal the verse.
3. Have your children say the words to the verse as the words are revealed. If you have room on your floor, you can place the material on the floor with the verse showing.
4. Have a child lay down at the end of the verse and hold onto the end of the material and then roll towards the other end of the fabric to wrap himself up. Have someone hold the end of the fabric as the child unrolls revealing the verse. Have your children say the words to the verse as the words are revealed.