November 30, 2009 at 7:13 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: Lord of Life Church, JUMP, JUMP Zone, JUMP Deep, kids, questions, daily dare, small groups, thanks
JUMP and JUMP Zone were hopping with thanks during our Thanksgiving Special Event yesterday! We talked about the things we are thankful for – God’s countless gifts to us! We took a look at Psalm 100:4 to learn more about thanksgiving – not necessarily the holiday, but the attitude!
JUMP kids made some handprint turkeys and talked about being thankful people. Here are some questions to keep asking those little ones of yours:
- What are you thankful for?
- Who are you thankful for?
- What do you want to thank God for?
- How will you thank Him? What can you do to say thank you?
We also gave the kids a little challenge: they may ask YOU what YOU are thankful for!
In JUMP Zone, we experienced a bit of fun trotting around with a partner during our Turkey Trot game! We created some Thanksgiving Top 10 lists in our small groups. Here are some of the things the kids are thankful for:
- Food/Water/Treats (cheesecake and pizza were listed specifically!)
- Clothes
- Family/Pets/Friends/Parents
- Bible
- Church
- God
- Jesus
- Holy Spirit
- Home
- Holidays
- Health/Sun Screen/Sports
- School/Teachers/Education
- Police/Firefighters/Ambulance Drivers/Medical Professionals
- Transportation
- Freedom/America
- Military
- Board Games/Toys/Radio/Music/TV
- Jess, Greg and everyone we know (how nice to be on the list!)
- Sleep
- Smiles
- and the list continues…
We had some more discussion about things, too. Here are the questions we touched on:
- How does it make you feel to know that God wants to bless you?
- Do you feel that God has blessed you? Why or why not?
- When was the last time you thanked God for what He has done for you?
- Who will you say thank you to today? How will you change your life to become a more thankful person?
It’s so important that we live our lives each day as thankful and grateful people. The more thankful we are, the more we bless others, bless ourselves by blessing others, and we also bless GOD! There’s a whole lot of blessing that can happen if we just give it a try. So, if the kids start saying thank you more, receive it and become more grateful in the process!
JUMP Deep is an experience that 1st-5th graders can get involved with in January. They will have the chance to get deeper into God’s Word within Small Groups. Info has been sent out – sign up soon!
Have a super week!
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November 23, 2009 at 6:36 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: children, daily dare, God's Love, JUMP, JUMP Deep, JUMP Zone, kids, Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, Minnesota, questions, Ramsey, Scripture, small groups, Sunday School, topics, verses
It was another super Sunday at JUMP and JUMP Zone! As we approach the Christmas season, we’re talking about God’s gifts to us – the Bible and also His Son, Jesus! Our lives as Christians are filled with hope – hope for our eternal life in heaven one day! Until then, we put our hope in Jesus, God’s Son. People in Bible times were told of the coming of God’s Son through prophets like Isaiah and Micah. We talked about what it feels like to be filled with hope!
Our new Bible memory verse is “The Savior… has been born today in Bethlehem.” – Luke 2:11. I encourage the kids to keep the verses in their memory banks – God encourages us to do that, too!
JUMP kids made some paper plate Christmas wreaths. These wreaths can remind us of things we hope for – namely the hope we have in Jesus! Here are some questions to keep asking those little ones of yours:
- What kinds of things do kids your age hope for?
- Which of these things can get you into heaven?
- Why do you think it’s important to put your hope in Jesus, instead of things like toys and games?
We also gave the kids a little challenge with their wreaths! We told them to give them away!
- How do you feel knowing that God gave us the gift of Jesus because He loves us?
- Let’s give our wreaths away to someone. Who will you give your gift wreath to?
- What can you tell that person about Jesus?
The kids may tell you they want to make cookies with a friend. Their DAILY DARE is to share with their friend about Jesus and the gifts that God gives us. Enjoy the conversation and the cookies!
In JUMP Zone, we experienced hope and the celebration when that hope becomes a reality! We had a designated sound (gobble, gobble) and we were able to celebrate like the Vikings won the Super Bowl whenever we heard the sound of the turkey. Any other sounds: we just remained still and quite. We then talked about the following questions:
- How did it feel to wait silently and hope that you’d hear the special sound?
- What was it like to finally hear the gobble and be able to jump up and make some noise?
- When have you waited and hoped for something to happen? Did it happen? Why or why not?
As Christians, we do put our hope in Jesus. We need to share that hope with others. One day, we’ll all be celebrating in heaven with each other. That’s the best thing we can hope for!
JUMP Deep is an experience that 1st-5th graders can get involved with in January. They will have the chance to get deeper into God’s Word within Small Groups. Info has been sent out – it should be arriving in your mailboxes soon!
Have a fully blessed Thanksgiving! See you all on Sunday at our Special Thanksgiving Event during regular JUMP and JUMP Zone times!
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November 15, 2009 at 10:30 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: children, daily dare, God's Love, JUMP, JUMP Deep, JUMP Zone, kids, Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, Minnesota, questions, Ramsey, Scripture, small groups, Sunday School, verses
We had a fabulous morning in JUMP and JUMP Zone! We discovered that we learn to live from the Bible. As we are in the Word and know God more and more, we learn to live as He wants us to live! We can teach God’s Word to others, but while we are “teachers” of His Word, we are still “learners” our whole life through! We also rocked out to our memory verse for one final Sunday: “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. I encourage the kids to keep the verses in their memory banks – God encourages us to do that, too!
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes are still available for pick-up anytime through the rest of this week. We encourage everyone to pick up a box and fill it up with gifts for kids in need. (Dollar Stores work great for a service project like this!). Pack it full of candy, toys, toiletries or small clothing items and return it to Lord of Life by noon next Sunday, November 22.
JUMP kids had the chance to make some baby food jar candle holders. These can be constant reminders that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our paths! Kids also talked about what the Bible teaches them: to love one another, to obey our parents, to share with our friends, and to be kind to others (and oh so much more!). Here are some questions to keep asking those little ones of yours:
- How does it make you feel to know that the Bible teaches you how to live the right way?
- How does it make you feel to know that God leads you with the Bible?
- Who can you share about the Bible with?
The kids may ask you to share a Bible story you’re learned something from in your life. How has that story helped you to live your life and worship God?
In JUMP Zone, we read different Bible verses and talked about what the meant to us. Then, we shared those verse and their meanings with each other. There are so many verses in the Bible (over 31,000!), and they can teach us how to live our lives to please God! The verses we looked up were:
- Psalm 32:8
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Psalm 25:9
- Psalm 48:14
- James 1:5
- Jeremiah 33:3
- Proverbs 3:8
- John 8:12
- Proverbs 6:22
- John 8:12
- 1 Chronicles 16:11
We then talked about the following questions:
- Which verse was the most meaningful to you? Why?
- How does it make you feel to know that God means these words for you?
- How can these verses help us grow as Christians?
- What are ways we can share God’s Word with others?
JUMP Deep is an experience that 1st-5th graders can get involved with in January. They will have the chance to get deeper into God’s Word within Small Groups. More info will be on the way soon!
Have a spectacular week!
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November 8, 2009 at 7:17 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, Ramsey, Minnesota, JUMP, Sunday School, JUMP Zone, JUMP Deep, kids, Scripture, topics, children
We had a great morning today in JUMP and JUMP Zone! We talked a bit about how we can use God’s Word every day – just like we use electricity, toothbrushes, and more! It’s so important for us to learn God’s Word and keep it in our hearts. Even if a Bible isn’t within reach all the time, His Word can be if we learn it and keep it in our minds through memory! That way, we can use it for encouragement, guidance, comfort for ourselves as well as our friends and family! We also reviewed our memory verse: “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. Keep working on it with your kids!
We shared about Operation Christmas Child with the older kids this morning. Shoeboxes are available for pick-up anytime through the rest of the next two weeks. We encourage everyone to pick up a box and fill it up with gifts for kids in need. (Dollar Stores work great for a service project like this!). Pack it full of candy, toys, toiletries or small clothing items and return it to Lord of Life by Sunday, November 22.
In JUMP Zone, we did a little activity to learn that it can be hard to take on a big task. Sometimes we need to break it down into smaller, easy-to-manage pieces. We can’t learn the whole Bible all at once, just like we can’t learn the names of everyone in a room full of people. We then talked about the following things in our small groups:
- Why was it hard to learn everyone’s name at first? What made it easier??
- Why might it seem hard to learn everything in the Bible? What can make it easier?
- Why is it important to understand what’s in the Bible?
JUMP Deep is an experience that 1st-5th graders can get involved with in January. They will have the chance to get deeper into God’s Word within Small Groups. More info will be on the way soon!
Have a fantastic week!
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November 2, 2009 at 5:01 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: children, God's Love, JUMP, JUMP Zone, kids, Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, questions, Ramsey, Sunday School
Yesterday was a fun morning at JUMP and JUMP Zone! We sure did thank God for an extra hour of sleep after our night at Trunk-or-Treat! We also talked about how important the WHOLE Bible is for us as we know more about God. Both Testaments are important to our faith – we can’t really have one without the other! Kind of like the many things that go so well together in life (peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, milk and cookies, cheese and crackers, etc.), the Old and New Testament make one great book to help us learn more about God! We also reviewed our memory verse: “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. Keep working on it with your kids!
In JUMP Zone, we had some “story time with Jess”. I read a story to the kids and stopped just when it was getting really good. All to make a point: that we need to read from the WHOLE Bible to learn of God’s love for us. We then talked about the following things in our small groups (and afterwards, I finished our story!):
- How did you feel when Jess stopped reading before the end of the story?
- What do you think would happen if we only learned about the first part of the Bible? What if we only learned about the second part?
- Why is it important for us to understand the whole Bible when we learn about God’s love for us?
Have a super first week of November!
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October 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: JUMP, JUMP Zone, Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, questions, Sunday School, Trunk-or-Treat
You may be wondering what went on at JUMP and JUMP Zone today. Well, we talked about knowing God and trusting in His Word – our instruction book for life! Unlike a road atlas, Mapquest, or GPS, God’s Word has fault-proof directions for us all! The Bible never needs updating – it is timeless and a great tool that God has given us to live a life that pleases Him! We started learning a new verse to help us remember this truth: “Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. Kids are going to memorize it – you could, too!
In JUMP Zone, we did a little activity. I gave some volunteers one dime each and challenged them to pick it up, but they couldn’t use their hands, any other body parts, nor could they use anything make from metal, wood, plastic, cardboard, etc. When they couldn’t complete this task, I gave them each a straw and advised sucking up the dime. This worked! We then talked about the following things in our small groups:
- Were our contestants able to pick up the dime? Why or why not?
- Do you think Jess gave bad or incomplete directions? Why or why not?
- Have you ever been given bad or wrong directions in life? Take some time to share about this.
Have a boo-tiful week, everyone! Come see us at Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday night (and don’t forget to set those clocks back on Saturday night, too!)!!
Visit: www.lol.org and check out the upcoming page to get more info about Trunk-or-Treat!
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October 18, 2009 at 7:16 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: afraid, call, children, fear, JUMP, JUMP Zone, kids, Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, peace, questions, Sunday School
What happened at JUMP and JUMP Zone today, you ask? Well, we talked a bit about fears – we’ve all got ‘em! And we’ve all got the chance to call on God for peace when we are afraid. “Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:19b). So, don’t forget to call out to the Lord and ask Him for some peace whenever you encounter those fears of yours. He’ll give that peace – and then some!
Here are some questions we talked about with kids in JUMP Zone:
- When was a time you were afraid?
- Who helped your fear go away?
- What if no one is around to help you? Is there anyone you can turn to? Who do you think that could be?
- How does it meak you feel to know that God can help your fears go away?
Talk about this as a family. Let the kids know that you have fears, too! In fact, take a chance and be a little vulnerable – share with your kids about a time when you were afraid and what you did about it.
Have a super week and enjoy the fall!
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October 11, 2009 at 9:14 pm (Kids Ministry)
Tags: Kids Ministry, Lord of Life Church, JUMP, Sunday School, JUMP Zone, kids, topics, questions, children, pajamas, right, pray, faith, daily dare
After reading about what went down today at JUMP and JUMP Zone, check out the reminder at the end of this post! Have a great week and do the right thing – no matter what!
Bible Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Psalm 107:1
Topic God wants us to do right no matter what.
Scripture: Acts 6:8-7:60 (Stephen dies for his faith.)
Daily Dare: Our Preschool and Kindergarten kids have been challenged to pray every morning at the breakfast table to ask God to help them to do right no matter what. It’s a great way to start our day! See what happens when we cover ourselves in prayer like this before we head out the door each day! Our Leaders at JUMP look forward to what the kids have to say next week!
Discussion Questions: **In JUMP Zone, a few people experienced what it was like to get caught doing something good. We learned about Stephen and the good things He did for God. He was punished for doing the right things. In fact, doing good cost him his life! Often times, when we do what’s right in life, we may not always make other people happy. It’s important to remember who we should strive to please – it’s not others, but rather God we should please. And He IS pleased when we do what is right and follow Him. We discussed the following:
- When was a time when someone treated you badly because you did something right?
- How can we know Jesus is with us, even when we’re mistreated for obeying him?
Others might get mad at us because we won’t gossip about someone, or even laugh at us because we refuse to steal something with them. But just remember, those people aren’t the ones that matter most. Even when others make fun of us, God wants us to do right no matter what.
**ALL kids in JUMP and JUMP Zone are encouraged to wear PJ’s next Sunday, October 18th! It’s MEA Weekend and we’re going to have a cozy morning together! So, break out those super fun jammies and wear ‘em to Sunday School! Our Leaders are going to wear them, too! See you next week!
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October 5, 2009 at 11:24 am (Kids Ministry)
Tags: JUMP, Sunday School, JUMP Zone, kids, Scripture, topics, questions, peace, stormy, angry, peaceful
Here’s what happened yesterday at JUMP and JUMP Zone! Have fun with peace this week!
Bible Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Psalm 107:1
Topic: We help make peace.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1-35 (Abigail is a peacemaker)
Daily Dare: Kids should set up a “peace tent” using blankets or sheets in their room at home this week. They can do quiet and peaceful activities in the tent (i.e. read books, color pictures, etc.). Encourage the kids to think about how nice peace feels and why it’s important to God that we live peacefully. You can enjoy the peace and quiet, too!
Discussion Questions: **In JUMP Zone, we did an activity called “Calming the Storm”. Each kid had a chance to go around their small group circle and share some times in life when they feel “stormy” (angry or frustrated). Then, they went around the circle and shared how they can make peace in those situations. An example: getting frustrated when a bee or wasp is pestering. I was taught that you shouldn’t go with the easy solution and swat at the insect - this reaction could cause it to literally come back and bite you! Instead, it’s best to remain still and calm, and the bug usually goes away. We also discussed the following:
- Which is easier, making a mess or cleaning it up? Why?
- Is it easier to be stormy or peaceful in life? Why?
- Who has helped you feel peaceful when you’ve been angry or stormy? How did that person help you?
- How does God help us make peace?
It’s human nature to choose the “easy” way and make the mess, or to be angry and stormy. God knows that about us – after all, He created us! So, He gives us people in our lives to direct us a bit and calm us down during these times. God also knows that those people won’t always be near us when the stormy times come. So, we have to take a few minutes and ask for God’s help to become peaceful in those times. He will honor that request, because when we ask for His help, we are giving Him the attention He wants and deserves!
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October 1, 2009 at 2:06 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: candy corn, children, older persons, veggies
Just to be sure we’re all aware…
This week (October 1-7) is Universal Children’s Week! So, be good to those kiddos Interestingly enough, today is also International Day of Older Persons. Be nice to the older folks, too! And… don’t forget to eat your veggies – it’s World Vegetarian Day!
Now, for the important stuff! Did you know that more than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year? To put things in perspective, that’s nearly 9 billion pieces — enough to circle the moon nearly four times if laid end-to-end!
I’ll be sure to share more info about candy corn with you in the near future. Just an aside: I think I will end up eating about 2 million pounds of that 35 million. I LOVE candy corn! YUMMY!
Have a great day – be nice to each other!
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