PACT time (Parents and Children Together)

With the new school year started, and routines beginning to regulate now is an excellent time to begin a new thing with your children. Many of us either drive our children to, or pick them up from school or some other extracurricular activity.  This time in the car together is a perfect time to talk with your children about the things of God. Ask your children what God Moments happened during their day and then share the God Moments that happend in yours too!   If we as parents initiate and begin to make this line of thinking a regular habit, before long your children will begin to beat you to the question!  And perhaps even more exciting, you and they will begin to LOOK for God Moments throughout your day.  God Moments happen ALL THE TIME... let's look for, acknowledge, and rejoice in them together! Below, you will find 3 ideas for conversation and interaction with your children throughout the week.  These ideas are based on what we have talked about as a class together on Sunday and are designed to help you continue the conversation within your family.

SPLINK for the week of June 3

June 3-9 Holy Spirit       Completing the Task   Item Needed: cell phone Instructions for a scavenger hunt   Write out tasks for a simple scavenger hunt.   Ideas: Go to the gas station and find out the price of gas. Go to the store, buy a candy bar, and give it to the clerk. Stop at the park and run around the swing set. Go to a neighbor's house and tell them how nice their yard looks. Sing a song while sitting in the closet. End with: Go the ice cream store/McDonald's and enjoy a cone.   Arrange for someone (a neighbor or friend) to call on your cell phone and read you the next task to complete. (Estimate about how much time each task will take so they will know when to call. You may have to wait a few minutes for the next task, but that's okay.)   Gather the family together and wait for the first call to tell you what to do. Complete each task and end up at a fun place—the ice cream store.   Talk about it: What did you like about this? What did we need to do to complete each task? (Wait until we were told what to do, wait and listen for the instructions, etc.)   What would have happened if we chose NOT to listen to the instructions? (We wouldn't be able to complete all the tasks, we would have missed out on the treat at the ice cream store, etc.)   God gives us the Holy Spirit to live inside us and guide us.   What can we do to find out His instructions? (Read the Bible, wait until we know what is right and do it, listen and obey when He speaks to us, etc.)   The early church followed the Holy Spirit's instructions and chose Paul and Barnabas to do a special work for God. The Holy Spirit was at work in the church calling men to tell others the truth about Jesus and to help people believe.           Fear Not!     Items Needed: pieces of copy paper Marker Masking or duct tape   Students are learning Isaiah 41:10. Assign kids to write each of the different phrases (Fear not, I am with you, etc.) of the verse on a separate piece of paper. (If you have lots of time, let them decorate their page.) Stick each one to a different tree or spot in the back yard.   Say the verse together a couple of times to review it. Then time the kids as they run from the first phrase to the second phrase to the third phrase to . . . etc. They must say the phrase aloud at each stop. If you have younger children, you may want to number them. Run the course several times to help them learn the verse.   Why don't we need to be afraid? (God is with us, the Holy Spirit guides and helps us, He will give us strength to do what is right, etc.)   How can remembering this verse help us? (It can give us confidence to face anything that comes our way, it can give us courage, and it can help us do what we need to do)   We need to remember that God is always with us and will help us.        Getting the Message   Just as the early church and Paul and Barnabas listened to the Holy Spirit, we also need to listen to Him.   Act out a situation. Person A is trying to tell Person B an important message. Person B is listening to loud music or watching TV or is distracted with a video game.   Do you think Person B got the message?(Probably not)   What does Person B need to do? (Be quiet, focus on Person A's message, pay attention to the message not the other things, etc.)   Pick a time every day this week and listen to the Holy Spirit. (He is the author of the Bible, which is the main way He speaks to us.)   Choose a quiet spot. Turn off electronic gadgets. (Parents too) Read what He has said to you in the Bible. DO what He says.   He wants to guide us, but we must be quiet and listen. On this journey with you, Pastor Beau

SPLINK for the week of May 6th

May 6-12 Faith Keep Your Eye On The Ball     Play a game of catch or hit the ball with the kids. As you pitch the ball to them, say, "Keep your eye on the ball." After playing an inning or two, assign someone (secretly) the role of distracting each person, as he or she is about to hit or catch the ball. (He could yell their name, jump out and scare them, walk on the field with a drink of water, etc.) Afterwards, ask: Which was easier—hitting the ball with or without the distractions? Why? (Easy answer!) Staying focused on the ball (or on whatever you are doing) is important. This week's Bible story about Peter walking on the water showed the importance of having faith and staying focused on Jesus. What happened when Peter was distracted by the waves swirling around him? (He took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink) What can distract us from having faith (believing) that Jesus will take care of us? (Feelings of fear, doubting that He is with us, focusing on other things instead of Him, etc.) Jesus is able to take care of us; we need to trust in Him. Connecting The Dots Items needed: dot-to-dot pages  Pencils or crayons  How did you complete the picture? (By following the next number) I (or the person who made the page) knew what the picture would be before you started it. You only had to follow the numbers. There are times when we are not exactly sure what is happening or what to do, but we can trust in Jesus who ALWAYS knows what is happening. Jesus knew the storm was coming; He walked on the water to the disciples in the boat, and He was able to keep Peter safe. Knowing that Jesus knows what is happening and will help us can build our faith in Him. How can we get more faith? (We can read the Bible to learn more about what Jesus is like and what He can do; we can remember how He helped us in the past; we can choose to believe in Him even when we're afraid, etc.)    Happy Mother's Day!    This Sunday is Mother's Day so get all the kids involved in planning a special day for Mom. To start, ask Mom, "How would you like to spend the day?" (After all, it's HER special day.) Check out all the fun ideas at familyfun.go.com. One of my favorites is to buy a blank notebook and make an alphabetical listing of the things you love about Mom.For example: for the letter C there could be a picture of a cookie because she makes the best cookies. Decorate with markers and pictures. If you have a mom with great faith, lavish her with praise—“her children and her husband rise up and praise her" (Proverbs 31:28).  On this journey with you, Pastor Beau

SPLINK for the week of April 29th

April 29 - May 5 Provision     100 Gifts Challenge   Items needed: piece of poster board or long piece of white paper Marker   Will your family take the 100 Gifts Challenge?   Can you think of 100 things that you are glad God has given you or provided for you?   If so, write the numbers 1-100 on the paper and keep a running list. Every time anyone thinks of something they are glad they have, add it to the list. Don't forget to add simple things like jelly for toast, running water, clean socks, etc.   See if you can think of 100 things in 1 week! (I dare you!)         Lunch Box   Just as God used the boy who shared his lunch with Jesus, He can use US to help others in need. God often uses people to meet the needs of others. If a family needs groceries, God does not throw groceries from Heaven. He uses the church family to bring meat and soup and pasta and fruit to give to the family to meet their need.   Pack a box of your favorite foods to share with a family in need; check with Pastor Beau to see where you can give your Lunch Box.   If money is tight for your family, brainstorm ways you can share that doesn't require money—time to help a neighbor clean out a flower bed or a talent that can be shared in children's church.             The Share Award   Items Needed: small badge (made of construction paper or cardstock) that says,Share Award   Announce that one person will win the Share Award each day.   Look for examples of sharing during the day and point them out. "Thanks for sharing your popcorn with me.  Seth let Gabe play with his cars this afternoon.  Anna, that's kind of you to let your sister play with your art supplies."   Announce the winner of the Share Reward each evening at dinner and reward him/her with a special privilege—stay up 30 minutes later, choose a game to play, pick a snack, choose an extra book to read, etc. (Praise is a good way to reinforce the behavior you want to see more.)   God has given us what we have so we can share with others. On the journey with you, Pastor Beau

SPLINK for the week of April 22

April 22-28 New Life       Happy Birthday!   Items Needed:  birthday cake or cupcakes Candles   Make a birthday cake or cupcakes and add candles. Light the candles and then blow them out together. Talk about birthdays.   Ask: What is the best thing about your birthday? What do you like to do on your birthday? What is your favorite thing to eat on your birthday? What is a favorite gift you have received for your birthday?   Your birthday is one of the happiest days of the year, the day YOU were born into this world. Jesus came to the earth to give you NEW LIFE, so you can live forever with Him in a wonderful place called Heaven. Each person must decide to receive God's gift to go to Heaven.   Talk to each child separately to see how much he or she understands about sin and forgiveness.   Some basic truths they need to know and understand: God loves you and wants you to be in His family (John 3:16). We have all sinned and gone our own way (Romans 3:23). Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). We have to believe that He died for our sins and came alive again (Romans 10:9). Tell God that we want to receive Him into our lives; we need to receive His forgiveness for our sins. Say thank you to Him. Celebrate! Call another believer (and Pastor Beau :) and tell him or her the good news. Write the date in the Bible. Cut the cake and eat it!         Our Home in Heaven   Items Needed:  copy or construction paper Crayons, pencils, or markers Optional: glitter or jewels   Read John 14:1-3.   Ask kids to draw a picture of what they would like their home in Heaven to look like.   Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven. He came to earth and died, so He could take away our sins and we could live with Him forever in Heaven.  Our home in Heaven will be better than anything we can even imagine! (You can read more about Heaven in Revelation 21 and 22.)      Eternity or Temporary   Items Needed:  five post-it notes for each child Pencils   Give each child five post-it notes and a pencil.   Instructions: Put the post-it notes on five different things. Write an E on the note if the item will last for eternity or a T if the item is temporary, something that will only be here on earth.   Talk about the items they chose and ask: Was it hard to find things that are eternal?  Yes! Most of the things that we treasure are temporary, not things we will take to Heaven. People are the only "things" we will take to Heaven with us. God wants all people to live in Heaven with Him.   Who can we tell about the new life they can have through Jesus?  Make a plan to pray for and share the good news with the people on your list.   On the journey with you, Pastor Beau

SPLINK for the Week of April 15th

SPLINK for the Week of April 15th

Static Electricity Items needed: Fluorescent light bulb Rubber balloon Do a simple experiment to learn more about lightning and storms. Turn all of the lights off in the room. (The darker the better!) Rub the balloon on your hair for several seconds. Then hold the statically charged balloon near the end of the light bulb. (This will illuminate the bulb.) Repeat the demonstration as many times as desired. EXPLANATION: When you rub the balloon on your hair, the balloon builds up an electrical charge (static electricity). Touching the charged balloon to the end of the fluorescent light bulb causes the electrical charge to jump from the balloon to the bulb. This is what illuminates the light bulb. Lightning is an electrical discharge within a thunderstorm. As the storm develops, the clouds become charged with electricity. Scientists are still not sure exactly what causes this, but they do know that when the voltage becomes high enough for the electricity to leap across the air from one place to another, lightning flashes! Lightning can spark within a cloud, from one cloud to another, from a cloud to the ground, or from the ground to a cloud. (Found at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-lightning.htm) Emergency Kit Pack an emergency kit to have ready in case of a thunderstorm.  Some suggested items: flashlight and batteries, radio, food/snacks, water, first aid, sanitation, etc. Turn off the lights and read the story of Jesus' power over a storm in Mark 4:35-41.  Storms can be scary, but Jesus is with us through every storm!     Jesus Is More Powerful Than the Storms Items Needed: Glow in the dark markers or paint Card stock or thick paper Let kids make a sign as a reminder that Jesus is with them. Using the glow- in-the-dark markers, write a message of faith (Don't be afraid . . . Jesus is with me! or Jesus has power over storms!) on the card stock.  Tack these up in their rooms so they can be reminded that Jesus is with them and has power over storms. Say a prayer praising God for His great power! On the journey with you, Pastor Beau