April 2012 - PUZZLED!

So this month, we’re focused on how we can have hope because of all that God has done. We have a chance every day to respond with hope to show that we trust God and His plan for the world. And the people around us are watching to see where, and what, and whom we put our hope in.

Our theme this month is Puzzled: Believing There’s a Bigger Picture. In all of our lives, there are times when we can only see one piece of what’s going on, and it can be hard to picture something good coming out of it.   As we get ready to celebrate Easter, we’ll define  

HOPE as believing 
that something good   can come out of something bad.

We’ll look at five different Bible stories focusing on Jesus and some of the people who knew Him best.

Week 1, in our Bible story (John 14:1-14, 18-19, 27-29), we’ll lean in to listen as Jesus talks to His closest friends with whom He’s done ministry for the last few years. These were some of the last words they’d hear Him say and they were about heaven and being together again someday. Bottom Line: Whatever happens, remember what Jesus promised.
In Week 2, we focus on the best story in all of history to show why we can have hope when Jesus, our Savior, comes back to life three days after dying on the cross and being buried in the tomb (John 20:1-18). Jesus is all the evidence that we need. Bottom Line: Whatever happens, God is stronger than anything.
In Week 3, we see that some of the disciples and other people that knew Jesus were still confused by all that had happened—by the way things turned out. We read about how Jesus joins two guys walking on the road to Emmaus. And later at dinner as Jesus breaks bread, they realize who He is and what’s really happening (Luke 24:13-35, Romans 15:4). Bottom Line: Whatever happens, remember God has a bigger story.
These men had a lot of their facts straight, but Jesus helps them to connect the dots. They’d lost hope. They were so focused on the fact that Jesus died, that they couldn’t see what God was doing through and because of it. We do this too in dark and confusing moments—we focus so much on the negative things that have happened, that we stop having hope.  But when we remember and believe that this month’s memory verse is true—“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” John 16:33b—we’re not so caught off guard when things go wrong. We’re more able to see what God might be up to and believe that He wants what’s best for us in the end.
In Week 4, we learn more about what Jesus said to His loyal disciples before He returns to His Father in heaven (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:3, 8-11). It’s easy to imagine that the disciples felt a little desperate and were hanging on every word and second left, wondering what would happen to them after He leaves. Bottom Line: Whatever happens, remember Jesus is always with you.
We can relate to this when negative things happen in our lives and we feel alone or powerless. That’s when it’s most important to remember that Jesus promises that He’s leaving something better—the Holy Spirit—so we’re never really alone. God never promised that if we love Him that we won’t ever have any problems. But Jesus promises to be with us.
In Week 5, we’ll see how after Jesus left (and sent the Holy Spirit), His closest friends, the disciples, continued the ministry He started while He was on earth. They were busy living like He taught them and sharing with others this big story—the gospel—that they had experienced for themselves, so the people of the world could know about God and be part of the story themselves.
So, we fast-forward to a Bible story of two of the better-known disciples, Peter and John. They were performing miracles and they got in trouble by people that were jealous and threatened. Things were changing and they didn’t like it. Some of the more powerful leaders of the day, called the Sanhedrin, really wanted to stop them (Acts 4:1-21, 1 Peter 3:15).

We’ll take time to talk about how, Bottom Line: Whatever happens, tell others what God has done. This is one of the five faith skills that we think is most important for children’s (and adults’) spiritual growth—being able to articulate their faith. But by the end of this month, after being reminded of all God has done and is doing in our lives, it will be natural for them to share the hope they have with others.

 article: By Cara Martens. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Pick up your child's take home paper to connect at home too!

 Get connected to a wider community of parents at www.orangeparents.org.

March---We're diggin' Deep!

This March in 252 our theme is Rooted: Standing strong in God’s truth. It’s really just another way to say that we want kids to show Conviction.



Showing conviction is a natural response as we get to know who God is and what He’s done. So this month, we’ll also be talking about a different faith skill each week to help kids grow strong and able to stand up for the things that matter to God.  We chose to study the life of Daniel. Ironically, Daniel was uprooted early on and taken far from home, but he was still able to survive—even thrive—because of his strong relationship with and dedication to his God. Getting rooted in conviction isn’t a quick thing that happens in an instant. Instead, we build our conviction and set down roots over time as we get into the habit of doing the right thing. That way, when we come across opportunities to show conviction, we’re ready!

In Week One, we’ll talk about how Daniel is trained in Babylon with his three friends (Daniel 1).  

Bottom Line: When you know what God says, you can stand for what’s right. 

Daniel had studied God’s Word and was able to apply it when the time came, so we’ll also focus on Personalizing Scripture in our own lives.

In Week Two, the heat is really on. Daniel’s three friends choose not to worship anyone other than their God, even if it means dying in a fiery furnace (Daniel 3).  
Bottom Line: When you stand for what’s right, others can see God.
We’ll talk about how we can Worship God with our Lives.

In Week Three, Daniel is put on the spot and has to tell the king something terrible but true, in the middle of a party (Daniel 5).  
Bottom Line: You can stand for what’s right, even when it’s not popular.
Another skill we want to build up is our kids’ ability to Articulate their Faith.

In Week Four, Daniel ends up in the worst situation yet—the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6)—because he disobeys and continues to pray like he had his whole life.  
Bottom Line: Get in the habit of standing for what’s right.
We’ll highlight how we too can be known for our faith if we take time to Dialogue with God.
Daniel didn’t show conviction just one time; he was able to stand for what’s right over and over because his conviction was rooted and fueled by God. Our relationship with God helps us live out this month’s memory verse: “Never tire of doing what is right,” 2 Thessalonians 3:13, NIV.

We pray that the kids who are learning to get ROOTED this March will be “like the person planted by streams of water, producing fruit in just the right season, with leaves that don’t wither—so that whatever they do prospers,” (paraphrase of Psalm 1).
 article: By Cara Martens. ©2011 Orange. All rights reserved. www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission.

February 2012 - Karate Kid Anyone?

Jesus showed other people how valuable they really were by spending time with them. He ate dinner with people who usually ate alone. He served people who were used to doing the serving. He paid attention to people who normally didn't get a lot of attention. If Jesus thought it was important to honor everyone, then we should follow His example.
This February, we’re taking on the Ultimate Challenge of showing the highest degree of honor. We’ll be looking to David as a mentor and exploring his life in 1 and 2 Samuel, and we will define honor as “letting someone know you see how valuable they really are.” ©2011 Orange.

If you're missing your child's take home conversation paper, you can pick a copy up at the bulletin board upstairs in Kidz Alive!

Bringing in the NEW YEAR 2012!

In November we talked about Gratitude and in December we talked about Generosity, but now it's the new year and it's GAME ON!!

"January:
is a great time to work on changing the way we play this game of life. It feels like a fresh, crisp start to a new year! We are spending more time in one book so we can take kids deeper, as well as focusing even more on the faith skills they need to connect to a really big God. So, we’re going to spend the month in Proverbs, a book packed full of wise and visual verses to challenge our thinking—especially about the topic of Self-Control." ©2011 Orange

October's Virtue - CREATIVITY

Just His Imagination



Bible Story: Just His Imagination (Creation story) • Genesis 1:1-2:1
Bottom Line: You were created, so you can be creative.
Memory Verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Virtue: Creativity—using your imagination to do something unique.
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.


GOD VIEW: the connection between CREATIVITY and God's character, as shown through God's big story


In the beginning, the earth was formless and empty. Nothing existed that now exists. But God, with an imagination beyond our understanding, created a universe with stars and moons and planets...He created humanity, men and women, and He made them “in His image.” From the very beginning there has always been something about the human race that bears the thumbprint of God. The image of God, a part of the great creative imagination, is in each of us.


But what does all of this mean? We are creative, but so what? It means that we have creative minds which enable us to solve problems and lead others to accomplish remarkable tasks. It means that we have creative hands that can make art and music and write stories. It also means that we have a unique ability to use our creativity to make a difference in this world by helping others. So this month, discover the creativity that God has given you, and find a way to put your remarkable creativity into practice.






This month, let’s think about how:


(1) God is creative and exemplifies it.


(2) God instills that virtue in us as He shapes us to be more like Him.


(3) God uses that virtue in us to influence our families, friends, and neighbors.


Remember: A virtue is something God does in us to change the world around us.


-Think Orange
2011 Orange http://www.whatisorange.org/
 
Click on the Parent Cues to see them bigger:

September 2011- What are we talking about? Discovering Faith, Wisdom, and Friendship

This month as we talk about knowledge, we aren’t just talking about learning more or gathering more information. We are talking about really understanding what’s important to know.This month, let’s think about how:

(1) God created knowledge and exemplifies it.

(2) God instills that virtue in us as He shapes us to be more like Him.

(3) God uses that virtue in us to influence our families, friends, and neighbors.

Remember: A virtue is something God does in us to change the world around us.

As others notice the virtue being lived out in our lives, we have more opportunities to tell them about God. As they come to trust God, they’ll influence others as well. See the cycle?

This week, we’re discovering:

Our Bible story, which is found in Luke 2:41-52, tells us that Jesus spent time in the temple studying God’s Word. So our Bottom Line is: Since God knows everything, I should discover what God says.
Today, as you talk with the kids about 12-year-old Jesus and how He spent time studying what God said and learning from the temple leaders, show them how we too can know what God says. Reading His Word, listening to others talk about the Bible, and asking questions helps us know God and what matters most in His big story.
We can share our knowledge about what God says with others and they can see how it changes our life for the better—in building a stronger relationship with God and also in making wiser choices and loving others even more. Jesus is our best example, so we’ll learn what happened in His life from 12 years old to 33, in our Memory Verse—Luke 2:52.


Student Council
Bible Story: Student Council (12-year-old Jesus in the Temple) • Luke 2:41-52


Bottom Line: Since God knows everything, I should discover what God says.

Memory Verse: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52, NIV

Virtue: Knowledge—discovering something new so you can be better at whatever you do.

Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.

Here's how you can help implement this lesson at home this month: click on the picture to see the words bigger.

http://www.whatisorange.org/

VBS 2011 Inside Out and Upside Down on Mainstreet

WHEN?    AUGUST 2nd, 3rd, & 4th
TIME?       8:30am until 12:30pm
WHERE?  Word Alive International Outreach
AGES?      K-5 graduates - 5th grade graduates

HOW CAN YOU REGISTER?  On line at http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/waiokidzalive or in the Kidz Alive Check-In There is a sign-up WALL!  This helps us know how many to plan for when we are getting our yuMMy snacks, uBbeR-tAstTic games, and aMaZinGful PRIZES!

Can't wait to see you there so we can finish our summer vacation off like a Rock sTaR!!