FAMILY NEWSLETTER JAN 11 - FEB 8

Transcription

1 PARABLE OF THE SOWER FAMILY NEWSLETTER JAN 11 - FEB 8 STORY IN FOCUS: MATTHEW 13:1-9, MEMORY VERSE We encourage families to make scripture memorization a priority in their faith journey! Consider implementing an incentive program as a family to encourage your children in their memorization journey. This can be as simple as a sticker chart or even include prizes or special family activity rewards. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15 WELCOME BACK! We hope you have had a fantastic Christmas holiday. As we enter the second half of our program, please keep these things in mind: Pray for the teachers and kids as we meet together each week Sign up to volunteer and encourage others to do the same Ask your own kids and others about their experiences on Street 2:52 - it helps them to feel apart of the whole church community THY KINGDOM COME What do we mean when we pray for God s Kingdom to come in the Lord s Prayer? Exploring the Parable of the Sower will help us to explore this theme. We hope that in this rotation kids will be able to: Explain what a parable is and why Jesus taught using them Retell the story and explain how the story teaches us about God s Kingdom Know where in the Bible the story is found and also some details about how the original audience would have understood the story. Understand that God s kingdom is active here and now, we don t have to simply wait for heaven Explore how the story relates to our own lives and how we can be actively serving God s kingdom in the choices we make. PRESCHOOL Our preschoolers are going to be exploring the story of Creation! They will discover how God created the world and all that is in it. As they explore each day of creation they will also be learning how God s creation displays his power, creativity and love.

2 WHERE AM I GOING? PRESCHOOL K - GR 1 BOYS K - GR 1 GIRLS GRADE 2-3 GRADE 4-6 JAN 11 STORY KICK-OFF AND PRAYER STATIONS (Preschool children will head to the art studio for second half) JAN 11 JAN VIDEO COMMERCIALS SEED MOSAIC JAN 18 JAN EDIBLE Loaves & Fishes VIDEO COMMERCIALS JAN 25 FEB SEED Thou Art EDIBLE Loaves & Fishes FEB 1 COMMUNION SUNDAY ALL AGES JOIN THEIR FAMILY FOR THE CHURCH SERVICE. FEB 8 FEB 8 Preschool Steph Christensen Preschool Tara/Nick Thibodeau Preschool Buddy Dorothy Mack, Emily Weston, Sara Werner, Mike Christensen Thou Art Olga Loaves & Fishes Cooking Company Marla Cameron Alyssa Blanchett & Andrea Anderst VIDEO COMMERCIALS SEED MOSAIC Drama Amy Thiessen Video Commercials Courtney Streu and Sydney Streu Gardening Story at Deanna Fuellbrandt & Deb Werner Kinder - Gr 1 Boys Buddy Jaclyn Hotz Gr 4-6 Buddy Jennell Bertsch/Becca Yeo Hall Monitor Treena Gish Hall Monitor Jen Winters EDIBLE Loaves & Fishes

3 SPOILER ALERT!! OVERVIEW OF WORKSHOPS AND OBJECTIVES: Throughout an entire rotation children learn through a variety of learning styles, repetition and varying story viewpoints. The entire rotation is designed to increase memory retention, dig deep into scripture and inspire a long term faith journey. To get the best view of the overall teaching objectives, we ve broken them down by workshop for you to see. LOAVES & FISHES Kids will create their own interpretation of the parable of the sower using various types of snack foods. This lesson will encourage discussion about the meaning of the soils and end off with eating your creations! SOUL STATION Kids will participate in a hands-on gardening story. The primary objective of this lesson is to ensure students understand the gardening references made by Jesus. When Jesus first told this parable his audience would have been very familiar with planting. Today, many children will not have first hand experience with gardening. In order to learn the spiritual meaning of this parable, they first have to understand the literal meaning! Movie Older children will watch an animated film that explores several Kingdom Parables or themes explored in these parables. Younger children will watch a fun film with the Donut Man that also discusses the parable in an age specific format. Thou Art Children will make a mosaic-style picture by gluing seeds of different varieties onto cardboard. This art project will help students to think about their own response to the parable and how they can cultivate their heart to receive God s word. Video Commercials Students at this workshop will create, videotape and watch commercials selling products or services that help us learn God s Words and let it take root in our lives. Drama Students at this workshop will learn the parable through a very visual representation of the story as they dress up in silly costumes and act out the passage. Games Students will explore the Parable of the Sower through games. Life application will be explored on a deeper level with older students. Computers Students will explore the Parable of the Talents through an interactive CD as a way to learn more about Jesus teachings on the Kingdom of God. PRESCHOOLERS!! Our preschoolers are going to be exploring the story of Creation!! They will discover how God created the world and all that is in it. As they explore each day of creation they will also be learning how God s creation displays his power, creativity and love. FOOD ALERT!! Listed below are the foods that will appear during this rotation. If your child has allergies, sensitivities or restrictions, it is the parent s responsibility to provide an alternative food option. If you have any further concerns please talk with Andrea or Marla at least one week prior to the session of concern. Loaves & Fishes Cooking Co. Graham Crackers Icing A large variety of toppings to create edible gardens on graham crackers. Some examples may be chocolate chips, coconut. sprinkles, raisins, candies, marshmallows, etc. MOVIE Pretzels Juice PRESCHOOL LESSON Feb Animal Crackers Feb Pretzels and Juice

4 VOLUNTEER UPDATE THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE: ROTATION #5 - JONAH - (Feb 22 - March 15) BUDDY - Grade (Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 15) BUDDY - Kinder - Grade 1 Boys - (Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 15) BUDDY - Preschool - (Feb 22 - Mar 15) BUDDY - Preschool - (Feb 22) TEACHER - Preschool - (Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 15) Teach our youngest students about Jesus through story, hands on activities and free play TEACHER - Computers - (Feb 22 -, Mar 8 -, Mar 15 - & ) This session requires NO tech skills, kids will learn the story through a simple to use computer game. Its a fun and engaging comic style story with a few fun games to increase learning retention. TEACHER - Drama - (Mar 1 -, Mar 8 - &, Mar 15 - ) Students will create a tableaux (freeze statue scenes) of the story of Jonah as they reflect on the story and consider ways to respond to God. TEACHER - Cooking - (Feb 22 -, Mar 1 -, Mar 15 - ) Kids will be making Jelly Turnovers as they learn the story of Jonah and discuss how Jonah had to turnover to a new way of thinking after encountering God s will. ROTATION #6 - PETER S RECONCILIATION - (MARCH 22 - APRIL 12) BUDDY - Grade (Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 12) BUDDY - Kinder - Grade 1 Boys - (Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 12) BUDDY - Grade (Mar 29, Apr 12) BUDDY - Preschool - (Feb 22 - Mar 15) BUDDY - Preschool - (Feb 22) HALL MONITOR (Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 12) KITCHEN HELP - MAKING FRY BREAD - 2 spots - (Mar ) We need your help to pull of an authentic picnic on the beach to retell the story of Jesus meeting with his disciples after the resurrection. Dough will be provided and children will be making fish shaped dough. Your help is needed to fry the dough in oil (while children are hearing the story) and serve it to the kids. Instructions/help will be provided as well as costumes to help with keeping the experience authentic for kids. TEACHER - Preschool - (Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 1) Teach our youngest students about Jesus through story, hands on activities and free play TEACHER - Games - Kinder to Grade 1 - (Mar 29 -, Apr 12 - ) Use a silly Madlib to tell the story of Jonah and then play some fun quizzing games to see how much the kids can retain about the story details. TEACHER - Art - (Mar 22 -, Mar 29 -, Apr 12 - ) Students will use a paper collage technique to make a picture that reminds them of the story. TEACHER - Cooking - 2 spots (KINDER/GRADE 1 or GRADE 2-6) (Mar 22 -, Mar 29 -, Apr 12 - ) Make trail mix as you tell the story of Peter s journey through the first Easter. Each ingredient you add will help to tell significant parts of Peter s experience of betraying Jesus and then being restored through forgiveness. TEACHER - Movie - 2 spots (KINDER/GRADE 1 or GRADE 2-6) (Apr 12 - ) Help older kids learn the story of Peter through discussion and short video clips. Younger children will be viewing a movie that celebrates the resurrection. You can sign up three ways: On the church bulletin board Online at By contacting Amy Thiessen at or by nick_amy@hotmail.com

5 BIBLE BACKGROUND Parables: stories with hidden meaning Stories have tremendous power; they teach, evoke emotions and inspire thought. Stories grab the attention and kindle the imagination of the listener. Jesus was a master storyteller. He often taught using a type of story called a parable. A basic definition of a parable is a story with two meanings one is obvious but the other is somewhat hidden or mysterious. Parables are sometimes referred to as earthly stories with heavenly meanings. Jesus used everyday objects and common situations in the parables he told. The use of a well-known image helped the listeners understand the less familiar concept that was the hidden portion of the parable. Parables require the listener to think and examine the story and its meaning. Parables allow the hearers to understand the message on different levels to accommodate their different abilities and willingness to accept the message. Jesus often said that the unwilling and those without faith would not understand the deeper meanings of the parables he told. To these people, a parable was simply a story. But for those who listened with willing, open hearts and faith, the message could be life transforming! This is true for us today as well. The willingness to hear and the receptiveness of the listener, is the focus of this rotation on the Parable of the Sower. Farming in the 1st Century In first century Palestine, farming was an important occupation. Picture this scene: Small piles of stones were the only boundaries separating the farmers fields. Dirt paths provided access to the different fields and were hard-packed and well worn. Farmers sometimes prepared the soil by plowing once before planting, then plowing again to cover the seeds with dirt. But often they only plowed once after the seed was spread. Sowers carried shoulder bags full of seed and scattered the seed by hand, walking along the length and breadth of their fields throwing fistfuls of seed out across the soil. Everyone in the crowd had farmed in this manner. We aren t told what type of grain is being sown but it was likely either barley (usually grown in poorer soil) or wheat. The Parable of the Sower This story is more than just a description of farming practices. It is called the parable of the sower but also could be called the parable of the soils. Some of the hand-cast seed fell on the hard-packed dirt path, some fell on the rocky areas that separated the field and some fell near the edge where the weeds were thicker. Finally, some also landed on the good soil. In his story Jesus describes what happens to the seed that fell on each type of soil. As to be expected, three of the soils yield nothing but the good soil yields an extravagant amount. In Palestine a yield of sevenfold is considered bountiful. Thirty, sixty or a hundredfold would have been amazing! Jesus ended his parable with this line: He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:9) Jesus was asking everyone to not just hear, but to understand. What was Jesus hidden meaning in this parable? Even Jesus disciples were likely confused about what they had heard (Mark 4:10). Jesus proceeds (in verses 14-20) to explain the parable. (It was not common for Jesus to explain his parables, and in the few instances where he did explain them, he did so privately with his small circle of disciples.) What Does the Parable Mean? This parable describes how people receive God s word in different ways. Jesus explained to his disciples that the seed was the word of God. The various kinds of soil in the story represent the hearts of those who hear the word of God. The four soils represent us! There were four kinds of hearers: 1. Hard-hearted 2. Shallow-hearted 3. Half-hearted 4. Whole-hearted. The hard-hearted are represented by the hard-packed soil of the paths in the fields. Seed that landed here quickly was snatched away by birds as it lay on top of the ground. Hard-hearted individuals are those who refuse to listen to the word of God. The shallow-hearted are represented by the rocky soil with a small covering of dirt. The seed quickly grows, but because its roots are shallow, the plants wilt in the sun and do not last. The shallow-hearted may be enthusiastic believers at first, but as they face the challenges of being a Christian persecution, difficulties in life, or opposition they find it too difficult and their faith dies out. They do not realize that the Christian life is not an easy life. When hard times come the shallow-hearted, without roots, fall away. The half-hearted are represented by the weed choked, thorny soil at the edge of the field. Here the seed quickly germinates, but as it grows, the thick weeds choke out the good seed. These individuals are soon preoccupied with the worries and cares of everyday life. This distracts them from true Kingdom living and putting God first. They do not really grow in their faith, but remain stunted and unproductive. The whole-hearted are represented by the good, well prepared soil. Jesus describes the seed planted here

6 yielding an amazing abundance of crop much greater than the typical yield expected in this time. The whole-hearted individual will produce fruit in amazing abundance! Important Messages from this Parable Jesus wants us to recognize the importance of preparing our hearts just as a good farmer prepares the soil. We must remove the rocks and weeds and till up the soil of our hearts to soften them. How can we do that? We grow as Christians when we hear and act upon God s word. God freely gives us the seed, his word. But we are responsible to receive it and act upon it. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, personal devotions, Bible reading and study, keeping a journal, tithing and attending worship will help us grow and thrive and produce an abundance of spiritual fruit. Without these disciplines, our faith will wither and die. Discipleship is a lifelong process of growing and maturing in faith. We don t become mature Christians without effort on our part. God s gift of loving mercy and grace is free, but discipleship is costly! Throughout the New Testament we read that the mark of a Christian life is that fruit is produced. Spiritual fruits are actions and attitudes that we show as Christians: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. A Kingdom Parable The Parable of the Sower is the first of the kingdom parables. By telling kingdom parables Jesus described to his listeners the Kingdom of God. To understand the effect of Jesus words we need to recall that the Israelite people had long been awaiting a messiah that would come with a mighty military kingdom! The kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed was a spiritual kingdom. In stark contrast to what the people expected, Jesus described God at work in history and in believers lives with a kingdom that was all about loving and caring for others, and obeying God. True kingdom living requires a total commitment to put God first in our lives. This becomes a growing commitment and a process by which we grow evermore like Christ. Heaven or Earth (Adapted from: Sometimes people quickly assume that the Kingdom of God refers to Heaven. This answer wouldn t be completely wrong, because God does reign over heaven. But it would miss much that is essential to the Kingdom of God. In fact, we misconstrue Jesus teaching if we think that his proclamation of the kingdom was telling us something about God s rule up in spiritual space or in the afterlife. The kingdom of heaven is not the kingdom that exists in heaven, but the reign of God over both heaven and earth. The words of the Lord s Prayer confirm this understanding of the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught his disciples to pray: Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10). Notice that we are to pray for the kingdom to come. It is not a place to which we go after death. Moreover, in his use of Semitic parallelism, Jesus roughly equates the kingdom with the will of God. Currently, in heaven, God reigns and therefore his will is done. We are to pray for God s kingdom to visit us, for his will to be done on earth. The fact that the kingdom of God/heaven encompasses this world seems at first glance to be contradicted by something Jesus himself said to Pontius Pilate during his trial: My kingdom is not of this world Literally, this sentence reads, Now my reign is not from here. Jesus is speaking, not of the location of his kingdom, but of the source of his royal authority. Unlike Pilate, he does not get his authority from an earthly source (Caesar), but from God. Now it s certainly true that Jesus was not seeking to use his divine authority to establish merely another political state on earth. Nevertheless, the kingdom he announces is, in a sense, heaven on earth, not heaven in heaven. Additional points This story is also repeated in Matthew 13:1-9 and Luke 8:4-8. Be careful to not slip too deeply into categorizing as in, he is rocky soil. At any time we all have the potential to be any one of these four soils. For some, this parable can be an affirmation and strengthening of their sense of faith. They will appreciate the things that have helped them be more receptive to God s word. It can help them understand why some follow Jesus and others reject him. It can be an assessment of how better to prepare. What chokes off or carries off a person s faith is a good discussion to consider as well. The sower doesn t choose only to scatter seed on the good soil. The word of God is for everyone even for those with unrepentant and hard hearts! Our decision is a response to Jesus and the good news about Him. There will always be varied responses to this good news. The good news of Jesus falls like seed on our human hearts. How will we receive it? References: 1. Coffman, James Burton. Commentary on Mark 4. Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Dream Team at State Street United Methodist Church, Bristol, VA. Summer Parables The Sower: Bible Background [Many, many thanks to Jaymie Derden for sharing.] 3. MacQueen, Neil. Parable of the Sower Lesson Set from Writing Forum: Background Notes Mays, James L. ed. Harper s Bible Commentary. San Francisco: Harper & Row, Hulbert, Carol. Lesson posted at rotation.org