Family Faith Chest

During your child's time in KiDS COR, he or she will experience five faith passages from birth/adoption through 5th grade.  There will be items that you will want to get or they will receive through the years.  This box is meant to keep them as well as be used on a regular basis!

Please click HERE to see the attached document for details on the Family Faith Chest.

The best part...you decorate your own!  Have fun!

Music

Music is an important part of what we do in KiDS COR, it's one of the ways we worship God. We've created a couple of itunes playlists below that contain some of the more popular songs with our kids. Check them out and ask your kiddos if they recognize any of these songs.

Early Childhood Playlist

Elementary Playlist

Talking To Your Kids About Disasters

This weekend KiDS COR will be praying for the people of Joplin as well as making pictures and small care packages to send down to the kids of Joplin.

A question that always pops in my mind after these events is how to talk to kids about them, not only my own kids but also those that will be attending Sunday school. Do you just ignore discussing it all together or at what age is it appropiate to initiate a discussion with kids about natural disasters. No doubt many elementary kids see the pics & videos on TV or the computer.

Here are a couple of links that may be helpful in responding not only to Joplin but to other disasters in the future.

First, a link to article written by Pastor Adam geared for adults to help us make sense of what is happening.

Second, a couple of articles written by Pastor Dale Hudson a Children's Pastor in Florida. Talking to Children About Disasters Part 1 and Part 2

I was able to chat with my 3 year old boys about this on Saturday afternoon when we brought cases of water to church with us. They wanted to know "why?" We talked about the bad storms that came and how people needed water to drink because there faucets were broken because of the storm. Nothing too intense but they understood we were helping people in need.

Anyone out there have any tips, suggestions, or stories about this? Did you chat with your child about the Tornado in Joplin did your children initiate a conversation. Feel free to leave a comment and begin a conversation.

-Nick Ransom

Friday Faith Builders

Spring has sprung! Enjoy a nature walk with your child. Listen to the sounds of the bugs and birds. Smell the flowers and delight in their colors and shapes. Soak in the sun and splash in the rain puddles. Taste the fresh fruits and veggies. Use all of your senses to celebrate and rejoice in God and God’s creation. Give thanks to God for His many blessings.

-Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builders

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! As we celebrate Easter, commit to praising God continuously as a family. Choose some favorite Christian CD’s to play often at home and in the car. If you play instruments or sing, use those gifts to make joyful noises to the Lord! Maybe someone in your family dances or cheers—glorify God in those ways. Praise God by growing to know, love and serve Him more deeply. Keep the joy and hope of Easter in your home and lives all year long. Post a comment and let us know how you celebrate easter.

Faith Passages

We are so excited to share with you the Parenting the Faith Journey Kids COR Faith Passages. These passages are designed to lead you through your child's faith journey and give you ideas and guidance to keep their hearts growing and deepen their love for God.

Please see the overview for all ages HERE.

Continue to look for new ideas, tips and information regarding their faith journey!

HAPPY EASTER!

Friday Faith Builders

As parents and adult caregivers, you are the most important influencers in your children’s spiritual lives. They are watching and listening to you as you grow in faith and as you guide them in God’s ways. Are you taking time to read the Bible with them? How is your prayer life? Are you making worship attendance a priority? No doubt our lives as parents are busy, busy, busy. Remember to spend time with God as individuals and as a family. You and your children will be blessed beyond measure!

Thoughts from Pastor Lisa

On April 3rd, KiDS COR held Family Communion. Families with children of all ages took the bread and cup and were reminded of Jesus’ love for them. For many little ones, it was their first time sharing in this meal of Jesus’ followers. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy at being welcomed and included as a part of God’s family. Parents shed tears while joining with their children in communion and watching them kneel in prayer. Always remember your family is a part of God’s family. Celebrate God and His love for you and your kids!

A Child's Prayer

A few weeks ago a 4 year old girl stood up in front of her Sunday school and led them in this prayer. The teachers heard this prayer and they were so impressed they wanted to share this great prayer with everyone! So here is her prayer....

Dear God

Thank you for your special son

Who came to show that your the one

He came to wash our sins away

So we can live in Heaven someday.

Your gift of Jesus

Helps me see

How much you love and care for me.

Amen.

Try teaching this prayer to your younger kids and see what happens!

Overcoming Obstacles: Part 3

During our Parenting the Faith Journey seminar we had the opportunity to watch a skit that illustrated some of the obstacles families face when trying to focus on the spiritual development of their kids. One of the obstacles was just learning how to help your kids grow in faith. Below is the list of ideas Parents came up with on how they could learn more ways to talk to their kids about faith:

• Subscribe to the KiDS COR RSS blog feed
• Visit blog
• Get the GPS each week
• Attend classes at church (from KiDS COR and Adult Discipleship Ministries)
• Talk to KiDS COR Staff
• Fellowship with other parents
• Join a small group to study together
• Volunteer in KiDS COR to see what happens in Sunday school
• Attend church every week, don’t skip, make it a priority
• Model what faith looks like for your kids
• Model Bible study and prayer
• Meet other families at church and worship together
• Read
• Read the Bible regularly
• Do the adult GPS
• Join a Bible study at church
• Participate in Building Better Moms
• Pray for guidance
• Visit the church bookstore

Overcoming Obstacles Part 2

During our Parenting the Faith Journey seminar we had the opportunity to watch a skit that illustrated some of the obstacles families face when trying to focus on the spiritual development of their kids. One of the obstacles was missing opportunities where faith could be easily brought in everday life. Below is a list of ideas Parents came up with on how to overcome this obstacle:

• Talk and model for/with your kids
• Regular prayer time
• Involve kids
• Read from the Bible vs. other stories
• Take opportunities to pray for things every day (friends, family, the world)
• Watch Christian cartoons, movies, listen to Christian music
• Participate in Faithworks up at the church as a family
• Participate in mission opportunities at church (Operation Christmas child, book donations, bring offering to Sunday school every weekend)
• Answer questions about God honestly, give them the time to ask questions
• Participate in ministry events
• Attend church each weekend
• Make faith a part of every day and all things
• Point out things in the world and relate them to faith/God
• Participate in fewer activities
• Eat meals together
• Volunteer at church in Sunday school and spend time there with your child
• Tie holidays to faith
• Do the GPS
• Have a family praying spot
• Put prayer time and family faith time on the calendar
• Ask your kids what they would like to pray about and what they are thankful for

Overcoming Obstacles Part 1

During our Parenting the Faith Journey seminar we had the opportunity to watch a skit that illustrated some of the obstacles families face when trying to focus on the spiritual development of their kids. One of the obstacles was not enough time. So here are some ideas from our parents on how to Create Time:

• Turn off the computer, TV, cell phone
• Get up earlier
• Utilize meal times
• Use day to day activities and play time
• Pray together at meals and at bedtime
• Utilize down time/wait time – when waiting at restaurants, in car lines, at the grocery store
• Establish routines before “common” activities such as bedtime, mealtime, riding in the car
• Decrease the number of activities our kids are in to make church, time together a priority
• Put family faith time on the calendar, schedule it
• Talk during bath time
• Make and eat dinner together and talk
• Use time in the car
• Incorporate “God moments” in every day activities
• Listen to Christian music at home and in the car

Teaching Prayer

Great info on teaching prayer to your kids, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, etc. You get the picture!

CLICK HERE TO GET THE INFO!

Talking With Kids About Faith

Below is a video of 5th graders being asked questions about their faith and what role their parents have played in their faith so far. Take a couple of minutes and check it out!