Fall 2012 and Text Session 1 Sept. 2, 2012 James 1:17 27 Session 2 Sept. 9, 2012 James 2:1 17 Session 3 Sept. 16, 2012 Mark 8:27 38 Session 4 Sept. 23, 2012 Mark 9:30 37 Session 5 Sept. 30, 2012 Mark 9:38 50 (K)1-2: Children will hear God s word in James and respond with Christcentered actions. 3-4: Third and fourth-graders will name actions they can perform in response to James's instruction to both hear and do the Word. Tweens: Reading James, tweens will compare the value of words and actions, identifying ways to be both hearers and doers of the Word. (K)1-2: Children will discover, in James, the welcome God gives to all. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders, inspired by James s exhortation, will explore what it means to live in Christian community. Tweens: Tweens will discover, in James, God s call to radical welcome and consider ways to act on it. (K)1-2: After hearing Peter s declaration, children will recognize various names for Jesus and imagine what it means to follow him. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will read Peter s declaration and uncover the joys and challenges of following Jesus the Messiah. Tweens: Tweens will examine Peter s declaration of faith and consider the joys and costs of being Christ s disciple. (K)1-2: Children will accept Jesus welcome in Mark and share God s welcoming love with others in words and actions. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear Jesus words about greatness and define what it means to be great in God s eyes. Tweens: Tweens will reflect on Jesus words about greatness and dig into what it means to be a servant leader. (K)1-2: Children will act in Jesus name, tasting and seeing how they make a difference to others. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will wrestle with the description of Jesus ministry in Mark 9:38-50 and name ways the body of Christ is salt in the world. Tweens: Tweens will engage Mark 9:38-50 to discover who can act in Jesus name and imagine how they might do so, as well.
and Text Session 6 Oct. 7, 2012 Mark 10:2 16 Session 7 Oct. 14, 2012 Mark 10:7 31 Session 8 Oct. 21, 2012 Mark 10:35 45 Session 9 Oct. 28, 2012 Mark 10:46 52 Session 10 Nov. 4, 2012 Ruth 1:1 18 (K)1-2: Children will enjoy the story of Jesus blessing the children and celebrate their place in God s caring family. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will delight in Jesus blessing the children and be affirmed of their identities as children of God. Tweens: Tweens will investigate and personalize Jesus teaching about receiving the kingdom as a little child. (K)1-2: Children will hear the story of the rich man and wonder what it means to follow Jesus. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will discuss the story of the rich man and consider how they might trust Jesus' way of living. Tweens: Tweens will examine the story of the rich man and wrestle with Jesus challenging words about wealth and discipleship. (K)1-2: Children will encounter the story of James and John s request, and practice ways of serving as Jesus served. 3-4: Third-and fourth-graders will connect with James and John's request and imagine what it is to be a great disciple. Tweens: Tweens will place themselves in the story of James and John s request and identify ways to respond to Jesus challenge to serve as Jesus serves. (K)1-2: Children will connect with the story of Bartimaeus and recognize that Jesus listens to them. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will dig into the story of Bartimaeus and be assured that Jesus seeks them and listens to them. Tweens: Tweens will engage the story of Bartimaeus and identify some voices of those who cry out to Jesus today. (K)1-2: Children will be introduced to the story of Ruth and Naomi and celebrate the care God offers them through other people. 3-4: Third-and fourth-graders will look at the story of Ruth and Naomi and name ways God cares for them through the people around them. Tweens: Tweens will listen to Ruth and Naomi and celebrate how God cares for them through diverse people and relationships.
and Text Session 11 Nov. 11, 2012 Mark 12:38 44 Session 12 Nov. 18, 2012 Mark 13:1 8 Session 13 Nov. 25, 2012 Revelation 1: 4b 8 (K)1-2: Children will discover from the story of the widow s gift that no gift is too small in God s eyes. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will struggle with the story about the temple offerings and discover that they also have something to offer. Tweens: Tweens will compare the behavior of the scribes and the widow and examine their own motives for offering gifts to God. (K)1-2: Children will be reminded, through the disciples questions about the temple, that God is unchanging. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear the disciples' questions about the future and name ways they can trust God in uncertain times. Tweens: Tweens will encounter Jesus encouragement to endure destructive times by hoping for and trusting in the new life God brings. (K)1-2: Children will rejoice that God is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all things. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will consider Revelation's picture of Christ the King and celebrate life in his loving reign. Tweens: Tweens will ponder John s vision of the coming Christ and imagine life within his reign.
Winter 2012 2013 Session 1 Dec. 2, 2012 1Thessalonians 3:9 13 Session 2 Dec. 9, 2012 Luke 3:1 6 Session 3 Dec. 16, 2012 Luke 3:7 18 Session 4 Dec. 23, 2012 Luke 1:39 45(46 55) Session 5 Dec. 30, 2012 Luke 2:41 52 (K)1-2: After hearing Paul s letter of hope to the Thessalonians, children will include that hope in their Advent preparations. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders, inspired by Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, will encourage one another to grow in faith. Tweens: Through Paul s letter to the Thessalonians, tweens will recognize the gifts they are in God s eyes. (K)1-2: Children will hear the announcement from John the Baptist and act on it as they prepare for the coming of Jesus. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear John's proclamation and will determine their own preparations for celebrating Jesus birth. Tweens: Tweens will hear John s proclamation and find ways to communicate the message, Prepare the way of the Lord. (K)1-2: Children will be news bearers like John the Baptist, sharing the news of Jesus coming. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will answer John the Baptist s challenge to repent with examples of selfless giving. Tweens: Tweens will continue to listen to John the Baptist and respond to the question, What then shall we do? (K)1-2: Children will celebrate the joyful news of Jesus coming shared by Mary and Elizabeth and rejoice with Mary. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will anticipate the coming birth of Jesus, as did Mary and Elizabeth, and plan ways to tell the joyful news to others. Tweens: Tweens will join Mary and Elizabeth in celebrating God s surprising gift, reaching out to those who are close to them with the joyful news of the coming Messiah. (K)1-2: Discovering that the young Jesus worshiped in the temple, children will grow in their desire to worship God. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear Jesus comfort in asking questions of his teachers and ask their own questions about Christian living. Tweens: Tweens will see that, as an adolescent, Jesus acted on his faith and recognize ways they can act on their faith.
Session 6 Jan. 6, 2013 Matthew 2:1 12 Session 7 Jan. 13, 2013 Luke 3:5 17, 21 22 Session 8 Jan. 20, 2013 1 Corinthians 12:1 11 Session 9 Jan. 27, 2013 Nehemiah 8:1 3, 5 6, 8 10 Session 10 Feb. 3, 2013 Jeremiah 1:4 10 (K)1-2: Children will follow the story of the wise men and practice ways to share the light of Christ with others. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will join the magi in worship of the newborn king and reflect on the gifts they might offer to Jesus. Tweens: Tweens will follow the journey of the magi and, with them, worship Christ, the light of the world. (K)1-2: Children will hear the story of Jesus baptism and discover that they are beloved children of God. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear God's loving affirmation of Jesus and grow in trust that they also are God s beloved. Tweens: Tweens will grow in their understanding of how, like Jesus, they are God s beloved children and explore practices that cultivate intimacy with God. (K)1-2: Children will name and celebrate the diverse gifts of the Spirit described in Paul s letter to the Corinthians. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will consider the gifts of the Spirit listed by Paul and imagine how they can use them for the common good. Tweens: Tweens will rejoice in the gifts that the Spirit gives to each member of their group and plan ways to use them for the common good. (K)1-2: Children will encounter the story of Ezra reading the law and offer thanks for those who help them understand God s teachings. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will take joy with God's people in hearing God's word and discern how God sends people to help them understand it. Tweens: Tweens will identify who helped the Israelites understand God s law and give thanks for the people God sends to help them understand God s will and ways. (K)1-2: Children will meet young Jeremiah and consider ways that they, too, can speak words of God s good news. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear about Jeremiah's call and identify with him as they express their own questions about serving God. Tweens: Tweens will empathize with Jeremiah, who did not feel ready to be a prophet, and be encouraged and equipped to proclaim God s word.
Session 11 Feb. 10, 2013 Luke 9:28 36 (37 43) Session 12 Feb. 17, 2013 Luke 4:1 13 Session 13 Feb. 24, 2013 Luke 13:31 35 (K)1-2: Following God s command in the story of the Transfiguration, children will practice listening to Jesus words. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear God's declaration of Jesus as God's Son and suggest ways they can listen to him. Tweens: Tweens will place themselves in the story of the Transfiguration and contemplate what it means to listen to Jesus today. (K)1-2: Children will learn about a time when Jesus relied on God and be assured that God also cares for them. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear that Jesus was tempted and develop faithful strategies for responding when they are tempted. Tweens: Tweens will study Jesus three temptations and express how Christ strengthens them when they face temptation. (K)1-2: Children will be reminded that even when people turned away from Jesus, he never stopped loving them and never stops loving us. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear Jesus' longing to bring God's people together and affirm people who work for that today. Tweens: Tweens will hear Jesus lament over Jerusalem and explore what it means to be drawn to God, who loves them passionately.
Spring 2013 Session 1 March 3, 2013 Isaiah 55:1 9 Session 2 March 10, 2013 Luke 15:1 3, 11b 32 Session 3 March 17, 2013 John 12:1 8 Session 4 March 24, 2013 Luke 19:28 40/23:1 49 Session 5 March 31, 2013 Luke 24:1 12 (K)1-2: Children will feast on God s great gifts and give praise to God for giving them what they need. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will savor God s promise of abundant life in Isaiah and invite others to the feast. Tweens: Tweens will dig into Isaiah s words and describe the nature of our generous God. (K)1-2: Children will hear about the loving father and his sons and grow in knowing that God s love is with them wherever they are. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will engage the parable of the Prodigal Son and wrestle with the concept of forgiveness. Tweens: Tweens will be amazed by God s scandalous grace, portrayed in Jesus parable of the prodigal son and his brother, and grow in trust that this grace is for them. (K)1-2: Children will speak with their actions to show their love of Jesus, as Mary did. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will encounter the story of Mary anointing Jesus and discover the importance of loving Jesus right now. Tweens: Tweens will witness Mary s extravagant act of love for Jesus and reflect on the courage required to express faith. (K)1-2: Children will journey through the moving story of Jesus triumphal entry, suffering, and death, discovering that God is with them at happy and sad times. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will investigate the story of Jesus' Passion and prepare to observe Holy Week. Tweens: Tweens will explore the tension between Jesus triumphal entry and Jesus Passion, and prepare to enter Holy Week. (K)1-2: Children will celebrate with the women at the empty tomb and find surprises of Easter joy. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will receive the mystery of the empty tomb and create their own response to the resurrection. Tweens: Tweens will ponder the many ways people responded to the empty tomb and consider what the resurrection means in their lives.
Session 6 April 7, 2013 John 20:19 31 Session 7 April 14, 2013 Acts 9:1 20 Session 8 April 21, 2013 Psalm 23 Session 9 April 28, 2013 Revelation 21:1 6 Session 10 May 5, 2013 Acts 16:9 15 (K)1-2: After hearing the story of the risen Jesus coming to the disciples, children will extend blessings of peace to one another. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will consider what it was like for the disciples to meet the risen Christ and discern how they experience Christ in their own lives. Tweens: Tweens will discern how the risen Christ helps his disciples believe, and express their own beliefs and doubts. (K)1-2: Children will hear the story of Jesus calling Saul to become his friend instead of his enemy, and tell the story to others. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will pause with Saul and witness how God works through the community in unexpected ways. Tweens: Tweens will recognize how God worked through Ananias to welcome Saul and imagine how God can work through them in unexpected ways. (K)1-2: Children will meet the Good Shepherd and be assured that God is with them in good times and bad. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will follow the Shepherd into the future, remembering ways God has been with them in the past. Tweens: Tweens will imagine God as host and shepherd and give thanks for God s guidance and nurture throughout life. (K)1-2: Children will be comforted by God s promise of a day when there will be no more sadness or pain. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will reflect on God s promise to dwell with God s people and look for ways God is making all things new. Tweens: Tweens will stand in awe of God s promised future and describe how God is already making things new. (K)1-2: Children will discover how God sent Paul to Lydia to tell her the good news of Jesus, and learn ways their church declares this good news today. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will observe how God worked through Paul and Lydia to bring people together and consider how the Spirit prompts them in mission. Tweens: Tweens will learn how the Spirit worked through Paul and Lydia in the early days of the church and look for evidence of the Spirit s work in their own congregation.
Session 11 May 12, 2013 Acts 16:16 34 (K)1-2: Children will be empowered by the story of God freeing Paul and Silas from jail and imagine what can happen when they treat one another with love. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will hear about Paul and Silas and explore how trusting God frees them to be faithful in challenging situations. Tweens: Tweens will discover from the story of Paul and Silas in prison that when being a faithful disciple is challenging, the Spirit makes it possible to endure in faith. Session 12 May 19, 2013 Acts 2:1 21 Session 13 May 26, 2013 Psalm 8 (K)1-2: Children will be introduced to the concept of the Holy Spirit and celebrate Pentecost, the church s birthday. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will commemorate the giving of the Spirit to Jesus' followers and pray that all people today will hear of God's love through the church. Tweens: Tweens will commemorate the coming of the Spirit upon Jesus followers and celebrate the birthday of a diverse church, made up of many peoples. (K)1-2: Children will praise God for the gifts of creation and brainstorm ways to care for the earth. 3-4: Third- and fourth-graders will praise God for the gifts in creation and personalize their own call to be stewards of the earth. Tweens: Tweens will join the psalmist in praising God for creation and distinguish between domination and stewardship of creation