This month in KidzWorld we are learning about cooperation–working together to do more than you can do alone. We have a family cooperation project for you. Pick a night when you can have a family dinner together. Use the chart below (or you can pick up a copy at KidzWorld check-in) to assign different jobs to each family member. Then cooperate together for a delicious and fun family meal.
This month every child should have gotten an Individuality picture frame to remind them that they are individual and special to God. If you didn’t get one or lost it just print the picture frame below.
Our God is a unique, one and only God. There is nothing and no one like Him in all the universe. It only makes sense that everything He creates is also unique and one-of-a-kind. No two people are exactly alike. Even identical twins have uniquely different fingerprints. We are each an original—even you!
The amazing thing about being uniquely created is that you have “good works” that only you can do. Every day you get opportunities to make a difference by doing something specially designed for you. No one else can combine your experiences, your abilities, and your relationships to follow God’s leading and make a difference in your world like only you can.
The same is true for each of the kids you’ll be leading this month. God has created each of them to have unique stories, talents, and gifts that He can use to make a difference in the world around them. This month’s memory verse teaches kids that they don’t have to wait to be used by God: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live.” 1 Timothy 4:12a, NIrV
This verse is from a letter that Paul sent to Timothy, a young leader in the early church who was facing a challenging situation. But God had uniquely designed Timothy to be in just this situation at just this time. The way God used Timothy’s individuality to make a difference shows us how He can use us, too. So, we’re going to spend all month learning from Timothy’s example.
In Week One,we learn that Timothy’s family is unique, giving Timothy the ability to relate to different people.When Paul’s missionary journey brings him to Timothy’s hometown (Acts 14:1-23), Timothy decides to connect his story to God’s story. Our Bottom Line is: Jesus wants to use your story to make a big difference.
In Week Two,we see that the believers in Timothy’s hometown recognized his God-given talent of teaching (1 Timothy 4:14). But Timothy didn’t just learn that he was a good teacher and pat himself on the back. He put his giftedness to good work and used the talents God had given him by joining Paul’s next missionary journey (Acts 16:1-2). Our Bottom Line is: When you discover your gifts, you can make a difference.
In Week Three,we learn thatPaul and Timothy had traveled to Corinth and started a church of believers. But they later received word that there was trouble in the Corinthian church, so Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians and he also gave them the message of 1 Corinthians 12:12-21, 25-27. The same message applies to us today. But each of us is gifted in different ways, and that’s a good thing. Our Bottom Line is: When we use our gifts together, we make a greater difference.
In Week Four, Paul and Timothy have traveled to Ephesus and taught the church there. When Paul is called to Macedonia, he leaves Timothy in charge. But the church in Ephesus has false teachers, so Timothy has a tough job ahead of him. Paul encourages Timothy with a letter that contains our Bible story this week: 1 Timothy 4:12-16. Our Bottom Line is: You can make a difference right now.
When we allow God to combine our unique story with our talents and our relationship with others, we can make a big difference in our world. The first step is discovering who you are meant to be—your own, individual place in the world.
By Jessica McKee ©2012 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. http://www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.
All month long in KidzWorld kids will be talking about Respect, showing others they are important by what you say and do. Each week the kids will “travel” to a different location to learn about respect. Our motto at KidzWorld Airlines is: taking you higher by thinking a little higher.
We will be doing lots of fun things and we even have a cool take-out for families to use at home to encourage respect. Just print the first class tickets below. Then catch you kid being respectful, fill out a ticket and present it to your child. When they’ve earned all four of the tickets, allow him/her to trade them in for a special reward (choosing the destination for the family’s weekend fun, selecting the family’s in-flight entertainment one evening, etc). Extra tickets are also available at the KidzWorld check-in stations during the month of September.
Have fun with your family as you think a little higher with respect!
Our God spoke into the darkness and created the entire universe. He is big enough to control the wind and the rain, yet able to meet the needs of the smallest sparrow. God knows all things and still desires to hear each of our prayers.
As we learn more about who God is and what He does, respect becomes a natural response to God’s character. But not only does God have all authority, according to the Bible, He also sets up governing authorities on earth. So showing respect to those in authority over us is an extension of showing respect to God.
This month’s memory verse is a quick and easy reminder of exactly that: “Show proper respect to everyone.” (1 Peter 2:17a, NIV) Proper respect acknowledges what is appropriate given the situation and position of the person. The person in authority over us was made by, is loved, and was placed in authority by God. We show them respect with our speech, actions, and attitude.
But what if we disagree with our authority? Sometimes respect means we won’t get our way or that our idea won’t win out. It might mean swallowing our pride in a very humbling moment. Or choosing our words very carefully when it would be easier to lash out or say something hurtful or defensive. When we stop and remember to respond with words and actions that show our authorities they are important, that they are made by God, and that God has given them their position, we show respect to our authority and to God.
In Week One, the faith of the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) helps us recognize God’s ultimate authority. The centurion is a man who knows respect and demands it from the soldiers under his command. Yet, he humbly respects Jesus’ authority even though he isn’t even a Jew. He understands who is really in charge. Our Bottom Line is: Respect God because He’s in charge of everything.
In Week Two,we come to understand that God puts authorities in our lives to help protect and guide us, whether we agree with or even like them. Romans 13:1-5 teaches that God has established the governing authorities in our lives. When we respect them, we respect God. Our Bottom Line is: Respect God by respecting the people He’s put in charge.
In Week Three,when David spares Saul’s life (1 Samuel 24), he demonstrates that often those in authority haven’t earned our respect. When we have the self-control to show respect with our actions and attitude, God is honored. But respect doesn’t mean letting someone hurt you or others. David was smart to run away and get help. The Bottom Line is: Respect those in authority, even if they don’t deserve it.
In Week Four, we hear the contrast our words can create when we aren’t respectful (James 3:9-12). We’ll learn the importance of being consistently respectful with our speech. Respect or disrespect is obvious in our tone and the words we choose. In some cases, what we don’t say shows the most respect. So, our Bottom Line is: When you respect others with your words, you show respect to God.
In Week Five, The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13) teaches us that when we pray we are discovering what God desires and then cooperating with it. As we recognize that God already knows what we need, we approach Him with an attitude of respect. Prayer is an important faith skill because it reminds us that we’re not in charge and that we need help. The Bottom Line is: What you think about God determines how you talk to Him.
Respect is truly a question of how we respond to our authorities. Will we assume that everyone has something they can teach us? Or will we stubbornly work to get our own way? When we choose to elevate our attitude and think a little higher, we show others they are important because God has given them their authority.
By Cara Martens. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. http://www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission
It seems like we’re bombarded constantly by commercials and ads telling us what we “need” to make our life better. Promises that, with this product, the next time we look in the mirror, we’ll magically see chiseled abs, thick healthy hair with no split ends and a flawless complexion. Or get our dream job far from here. But really, contentment has nothing to do with how you look, what you have, where you are, or what you do.
Think about it.
What if you were absolutely convinced that you were well made by a competent and skilled Creator?
Contentment is about Who you trust.
As Christians, we know that God looks on us as His creation, and that because of His great love for us He chose to send His Son to redeem us and provide a way for us to have an unending relationship with Him. We know that He has promised to meet our needs in Christ Jesus, and that He is immeasurably able to do more than we ask or imagine. We know that He has gone to prepare a place for us, and that because of His grace we can spend eternity with Him.
So, when you think about it, we really have every reason to be content.
Our contentment really is about more than just our personal happiness. It is a demonstration of our daily trust in God. It shows that we really believe that His way is better than our own. It allows us to focus on what God is doing in and around us right now. And when we are content, we allow others to see a glimpse of the peace that passes understanding.
That’s why we think it’s so important for us to help kids Get a Clue on who’s stealing their contentment.After all, contentment is choosing to be happy with what you’ve got.
In fact, our monthlyMemory Verse hints at the secret to being content. Philippians 4:11b-12a says: “I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens.” (NIrV)
In Week One’sBible story,we go back to the beginning in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-13, 23, 24). We unpack how the first human beings, even though they had everything they could need, were tempted by the one thing they’d been instructed to leave alone.
We’re going to talk about how the snake whispered to Eve, and who might be whispering to us too.Because they didn’t make a wise choice, we’re all still living with the consequences today. Our Bottom Line is: When you want what you shouldn’t have, it can lead to trouble.
In Week Two’s Bible story,we’ll focus on how the Israelites longed for Egypt, or the “good ol’ days.” (Exodus 16:2-21, 17:1-4) It’s ironic that even after God miraculously rescued them and continued to provide for them in mind-blowing ways that the Israelites still weren’t happy. And their discontent and whining caused them to miss out on the miracles all around them. So, our Bottom Line is: When you want what you had before, you miss what you have now.
In Week Three’s Bible story,we learn about spoiled King Ahab, who’s seriously upset when his neighbor Naboth won’t sell his family’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-19, 27). We’ll unpack the story like a murder mystery, “WhoDunIt?,” to discover all the people involved and their motives.
At its heart, this story is not only about wanting things that other people have; it’s also a cautionary tale about what happens when we compare ourselves and our unique situation to the people around us. So, the Bottom Line is: When you want what someone else has, it can make you miserable.
In Week Four’s Bible story, we unpack a practical go-to passage about worry, which really gets in the way of contentment, doesn’t it? (Matthew 6:25-30) Jesus sets the scene—using everyday examples of things like birds and flowers to point out how much more God cares about people. So, why do we doubt and stress out about the future?
It’s not a bad thing to think about or plan for the future. But worrying about all the what if’s and wondering anxiously about how things will turn out shows that we don’t really trust God to take care of us. We seem to want stuff to make us feel important, powerful, and secure. But God says, “You have Me!” So, our Bottom Lineis: When you trust God, you don’t have to worry about tomorrow.
Contentment has a lot to do with our perception. Some of us are more prone to look backward at the past, while others are always wishing for what’s to come. But God invites us to be present and focus on Him. Who’s stealing your contentment?
By Cara Martens. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. http://www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission
It is Friday and we are looking forward to seeing you and your family here at NewSpring this weekend! Mark started a brand new series called “Summer of Love.” Make sure you don’t miss a single message in the series. In KidzWorld we are also talking about the Big Idea of Love with a focus on how we can show love to those around us.
There are a few things that I want to make sure you know about what’s happening in KidzWorld.
JumpStart is a session for elementary-age kids and their parents to find out more about having a relationship with Jesus and the next step of baptism. Upcoming JumpStart sessions are tonight, July 13 or Friday, August 10 at 7 p.m. in 252 Theater.
KidzWorld FX/Watermark will happen on Friday, August 17 at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium. FX is a high-energy program for the whole family that gives parents and kids an opportunity to learn together about the Big Idea. There are always some fun surprises and giveaways at FX. At the end of the FX program, we will celebrate KidzWorld Watermark for those kids who want to make their faith public through baptism. Invite your friends and family to join us for FX.
The KidzWorld Food Drive is a practical way for our KidzWorld families to show love to others. Just bring your non-perishable food items anytime during the month of July and drop them off in the designated boxes in the KidzWorld environments or the main foyer. All donations will be given the the Union Rescue Mission to stock their food pantry.
Could you use an extra $200 for some summer fun? Just participate in our Where in the World is Cosmo? contest. All you have to do is pick up a picture of Cosmo on the KidzWorld newsletter at the check-in station or just print the attachment. Color him and take him on a summer adventure! Take a picture with Cosmo and email it to kidzworld@newspring.org. Your family will be entered in a drawing to win $200! The drawing will be held at KidzWorld FX on August 17th.
Studio252.tv is a website designed to help families remember the Big Idea all month long. The website includes the videos that we watch in KidzWorld, games for kids, suggestions for parents and much more. The subscription rate is normally $84/year but we are offering full access to this website to all KidzWorld families completely FREE! Make sure to pick up an access card for your family this weekend and begin enjoying the benefits of Studio252.
Thanks so much for trusting your child with us at KidzWorld. We believe that kids can make a difference and that God can use them to reach the world around them.
Also we want to let you know that we are taking the KidzWorld Gang into 21 public schools in Wichita and surrounding areas. This year we are teaming up with Core Essentials (which is our character building program) and Chick-fil-A to present a engaging program for the public school. This curriculum is used in over 1000 schools nationwide with 450,000 students participating in it. So there is a pretty good chance we might be coming to your child’s school this year.
Have a wonderful day and see you this weekend!
For the past 13 years, Core Essentials has impacted hundreds of thousands of elementary age children in different communities by helping their schools create a culture of values.
So, WHAT IS CORE ESSENTIALS?
Core Essentials is a web based values education program designed for grades K-5. With the program, your school CREATES A CULTURE of LASTING VALUES among students, faculty and staff, and your families. It’s a complete compliment
to what the KidzWorld Gang brings in our program. Visit the website and see, www.CoreEssentials.org.
Core Essentials combines the forces of a value and its definition and pairs it with a framework of easily-to-implement tools. These tools allow children not just to learn about values, but experience them. Once a value is established on the inside, it isn’t fully “grown” until it’s expressed on the outside. Because we want to transform the INWARD attitude into an OUTWARD behavior, all of our curriculum is designed with intention and purpose.
Core Essentials’ curriculum filters all of the value words, lesson plan suggestions, and other strategic tools through the lens of the following BIG 3 IDEAS!
1. Treat others right
2. Make smart decisions
3. Maximize your potential
lifeinakidzworld.com 