Last Sunday, Chad spoke about serving in our kids ministry.  As I glance over the sign-up sheets, I see names of moms and dads that I know have jobs or personalities that really don’t match up with typical “teacher” qualifications.  I see names of college students, single adults and grandparents that don’t have any special degrees on how to teach the Bible.  Some of these people may not even honestly think that they’re qualified to sign up at all.  But they still sign up.  And you know what…that’s awesome!  We trust that God will equip us for these callings.  

The actual tasks that you may end up doing on a Sunday School morning may seem silly or unimportant.  Leading the motions to a silly song or piecing together painted pasta shells with yarn to make necklaces or playing games using clues from the Bible may seem trivial. However, when the driving force behind all these tasks is passing on our faith to the younger generations, they become important moments that will collectively have an impact on the hearts of these children. By living out and modeling our faith in all aspects of our lives including our Sunday School rooms – even something like making pasta necklaces with a child for them to give away –  we are obeying God’s calling to make disciples.  

We’re not recruiting perfect, experienced, well-educated teachers and helpers.  What we are doing is supporting willing servants who have hearts to serve and help shepherd the minds and hearts of the next generation. Sure, we have tools in place to guide and help you like teacher lesson books and more crafts supplies than you can ever imagine using, but what really matters is the faith and love that is lived out in each Sunday School room every Sunday morning.  Children grow in faith when they are told – and shown – that God loves them, that Jesus gave himself for them, and that the Holy Spirit fills them. So please consider adding “passing your faith on to the future generations of disciples” to your New Year’s resolutions.  It will have eternal rewards beyond what we can ever measure or imagine. And thank you to all of you who helped us get a good start on building up our spring rotation crew!  We are blessed by your hearts to serve.  

Sign up to serve here >>

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Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Matthew 19:14

He didn’t instruct the disciples to tell the parents and kids to leave or even have them wait.  No, in fact, he made a point to show the disciples (and us) what an important place in his heart he held for these young ones. Jesus was eager to welcome them into his arms and bless them.  What an amazing scene it must have been!  I can imagine there were hugs, sweet smiles exchanged and maybe even some laughing and playing.   Bottom line, those children most definitely felt God’s love!   I pray that each and every child at Summitview will experience the love of Jesus like that every time they come to Sunday School.   Would you mind if I asked you to join me in praying over these children?  Yep, please stop reading and take a moment to pray over the children of our church and the Summitview Kids ministry. 

Thanks so much for your prayers!   

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

It’s pretty important: a calling from God to be diligent in discipling our children.  It’s a big deal and a big job to raise up the next generation of disciples.  Ultimately, the responsibility rests on parents.  Through the Summitview Kids ministry we hope to support all our parents in this endeavor.  However, we also invite everyone from every season of life to take part in this incredible ministry because like we said before. . . it’s a big job!  So please don’t think “Oh, everyone else will sign up so they don’t need me.”  We do need you.  And please don’t think “Oh, my kids are all grown (or I don’t have any kids)  so they don’t need me.”  We would truly love to have you on the team!  But mostly, please don’t think “I can’t do this because I don’t know how.”  God’s got your back.  Plus, we’re here to help!  

Let’s all step out in faith because God’s got great plans for each and every one of these kids.  We need to ensure they are equipped for the spiritual journey God will take each of them on. So please take a moment to consider what kind of part you would be able to commit to this year.  

No part is too big or too small.  Really!   There’s opportunities for all you moms and dads, older sisters and brothers, musicians, story tellers, college kids, singles and empty nesters.    

How about rocking a little one to sleep in the nursery while you pray over them? What a blessing your kindness would be to our young families.  Or maybe you’ve got a talent for story-telling.   Use it to make a Bible story come alive to a group of young hearts that will grow up to be bold warriors in God’s army.  Or maybe you’re better with older kids.  In that case, come and inspire some pre-teens to stand strong in a world that would rather shut them down.  Play the guitar or love singing?  Well, grab your guitar or bring on your awesome vocals and share your love for worship with these kids.   Let’s show them Jesus through the love we shower on them in Sunday School!  

So who’s up for this crazy, wonderful calling?  Take a look at the opportunities we have to serve in the next Summitview Kids ministry rotation that runs February through May of 2021 and find your fit today!  Also, please continue to pray over these kids, their families and the Summitview Kids Ministry.  Thanks so much. 

– Rochelle Witman
Children’s Ministry Admin

A Message from our Summitview Kids Deacon

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LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy

“Time with Jesus”

For this lesson, use the videos to share the lesson story then explore the leader guide and lesson resources for additional ideas that work for the age and number of children in your family/house church. We’ve chosen a few and put the links below for your convenience. And don’t worry if you don’t have the exact supplies listed…just be creative and use what you have on hand. Keep it simple and meaningful!

MEMORY VERSE: Luke 10:42

“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42

ACTIVITIES:

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LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy

“Honor God”

The leader guide for this lesson has a great video for the kids to watch and engaging group activities and games. (Note: Be sure to preview the Full Bible Story, Video 3, as some scenes may be too intense for young children.) Click on the lesson tab below to see what will work best and be most meaningful for your family/house church!

MEMORY VERSE: Deuteronomy 28:2

“You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 28:2

ACTIVITIES:

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LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy
The Prodigal Son, Lesson 1

“Ready to Forgive”

The leader guide offers a great video, activities and games! Click below to get into the lesson.

There’s also additional resources with crafts, activities, and discussion questions, etc.. Pick what works best for your family and house church to make it meaningful! Plus, check out the coloring page for the new series!

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 86:5

“O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.”

Psalm 86:5

ACTIVITIES:

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Attending the service at the building? Feel free to print out the activity booklets below and BRING THEM WITH YOU along with coloring/writing supplies. The service time will be shorter than in the past but younger kids may still need help to make it through the hour. So talk with them ahead of time so they know what to expect, and bring some things to help them out like a Children’s Bible, a coloring book and crayons, or quiet toys. We’re excited to see you all!

Joining in from home or with your house church? Use this week’s activity booklets to share how God is always with us! You can also browse through our past Kids Lessons and use one you may have missed.

We miss you all and are praying for everyone to be enriched and blessed through all the different resources we have to share…no matter where we all are each Sunday.

BIBLE VERSE: Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

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LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy – The Good Samaritan, Lesson 1

“Equal Treatment”

The leader guide offers a great video, activities and games! There’s also additional resources with crafts, dot-to-dots, discussion questions, etc.. Just pick and choose what works best for your family and house church to make it meaningful! We’ve made some recommendations below.

MEMORY VERSE: Job 34:19

“And God created us all; He has no favorites, whether rich or poor.”

Job 34:19

ACTIVITIES:

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LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy – Miracles of Jesus, Lesson 1

“God is All-Powerful”

For this lesson, use the Superbook leader guide, videos, and recommended activities and games.

MEMORY VERSE: Acts 10:38

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:38

ACTIVITIES:

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LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy – Teach Us to Pray, Lesson 1

“A Perfect Pattern”

Start out with the lesson leader guide and videos, then use the activities and games that work for your family or house church. The Additional Lesson Resources also have a lot of great ideas to use, too. We’ve picked out a few and listed them below in the activities section.

MEMORY VERSE: John 14:13

“You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

John 14:13

ACTIVITIES:

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LESSON BIBLE STORY: Nehemiah 1-8

LESSON RESOURCE: Superbook Academy – Nehemiah, Lesson 1

“Get to Work!” Lesson Ideas: All the sections on page 1 of the leader guide are great! So take a look at those but just skip the “Prayer and Send-Off” section, and then check out the activity ideas below.

MEMORY VERSE: Nehemiah 2:20

The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, His servants, will start rebuilding this wall.”

Nehemiah 2:20

ACTIVITIES:

Below are multiple ideas to support the lesson in fun, engaging ways!

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