Countdown to Christmas

During this FamilyQuest unit we are learning about four specfic dreams related to the Christmas story.  Be sure to read and talk about those dreams at home!

1.  An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David do not fear to take Mary as your wife’ (Matt 1:20b)

2.  An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him (Matt 2:13)

3.  And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod [the wise men] departed to their own country by another way (Matt 2:12)

4.  But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ (Matt 2:19)

I've combined all the blog entries for this unit into just this one.  Below you will find several different ideas to help you keep Christ at the center of Christmas.

1.  12 Days of Christmas Nativity Idea
2.  Nativity Paper Dolls
3.  Advent Ideas
4.  What's In the Bible Video Clips: 12 Questions of Christmas
5.  Play Bible Bingo
6.  Nativity Envelope Craft

Test of Faith: Jonah - Week 5

Have fun with this Jonah-themed online jigsaw puzzle.  It can be modified to suit your specific child's puzzle level.

Halloween Week!

There is no FamilyQuest this coming Wednesday night, but please come to Trunk or Treat from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Families, you can certainly use Halloween as an opportunity to continue teaching your children Biblical principals at home.  Check out some of the great ideas (including a gospel pumpkin carving idea) at this site http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/holiday-ideas/329-halloween.

Have fun!

Test of Faith: Jonah - Week 4

Print out and cut out the Jonah figures provided here.  Use these figures to retell the story of Jonah.  Use this as an opportunity to reteach many of the important lessons from scripture:  God cares about lost people.  God is a forgiving God.  God gives people second chances.  God expects His people to obey.  God can do miracles!  

Test of Faith: Jonah - Week 3

Visit http://www.staircasestudio.com/jonah/index.html and read the Jonah comic book together!  If the comic book version is a little "too much" for your preschooler, you might find http://biblelessonsite.org/slideshow32.html this simpler version more appropriate.  Enjoy!

Test of Faith: Jonah - Week 2

If you can find a copy of Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, use this as your family fun event!  Try reading the Jonah story from scripture first and then compare the Bible and movie.

After the movie, visit http://jonah.bigidea.com/html/arcade/index.html and let your children play some fun movie-themed arcade games!

Test of Faith: Jonah - Week 1

Visit http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/rrsamplepreJonah.html  and scroll down to Games & Activities.  Find the instructions for the "What did the Big Fish Eat?" Game.  Follow the instructions to make the whale and game pieces.  Then have fun playing together as a family!

Test of Faith: Adam & Eve -- Week 5

This week's activity is just for fun!  Below you will find a link to an online jigsaw puzzle.  You can change the puzzle cut to however many pieces is appropriate for your child(ren).

Garden of Eden Online Jigsaw Puzzle

Test of Faith: Adam & Eve -- Week 4

Review the story of Adam & Eve this week by reading through this online slideshow together.  Ask your child(ren) to explain the test of faith that Adam & Eve had and the consequences for not obeying God.

Test of Faith: Adam & Eve -- Week 3

Print out the timeline cards below.  They are perfect for retelling and sequencing the story of Adam and Eve.  Have your child(ren) write the corresponding bible reference on top of the card, or practice a key vocabulary word from that verse.  

Timeline Page 1

Timeline Page 2

Test of Faith: Adam & Eve -- Week 2

Watch the following video clip from "What's in the Bible?"  The video clip ends with this statement, "They chose the snake."  Talk with your child(ren) about the truths from last week's blog and how Adam & Eve disobeyed God and therefore demonstrated their lack of trust in His ways.

The Story of Creation from "What's in the Bible?" 

Test of Faith: Adam & Eve -- Week 1

This year's theme is "Test of Faith" and in our first unit we learn about Adam & Eve.  Unfortunately, they had trouble believing and obeying God and they failed their test of faith.  There are some important truths to learn from Adam and Eve:

1. Adam and Eve sinned when they disobeyed God’s command. Genesis 3:1-6.
2. When Adam and Eve sinned, they separated mankind from the good life God had given to mankind. Genesis 3:10, 23.
3. When Adam and Eve sinned, they damaged mankind’s relationship with God. Genesis 3:8.
4. When Adam and Eve sinned, they brought physical suffering on mankind. Genesis 3:16-19.
5. God punished the sinners, Adam and Eve, and cursed the serpent who led Adam and Eve to sin. Genesis 3:14-19.
6. The effects of this single sin were felt not only by the sinners, but also all of mankind who followed. Genesis 3:15-19.

Talk about these truths as a family and then print one of the following books as a reminder of what you've learned.

Book for Older Children
Book for Younger Children (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

Last Supper Unit - Week 5

Visit this site to read an online story about the Last Supper together as a family.

Last Supper Online Story

Last Supper Unit - Week 4

Watch the following video clip which shows Jesus washing the feet of His disciples before the Last Supper.  Discuss this as a family and talk about the true meaning of being a servant.

Foot Washing Video

Last Supper Unit - Week 3

Use the following resources to assemble and play a game together about the Last Supper!

Directions

Game Board

Question Cards

Last Supper Unit - Week 2

As you are learning about the Last Supper, be sure you talk about all the people present.  Use this craft to help you remember!

Last Supper Egg Carton Craft

Last Supper Unit - Week 1

Print out the documents below and put together your very own "Last Supper" book. Read together as a family as we begin this new unit!

Booklet Cover Page
Booklet Pages

Lord's Prayer Unit - Week 5

Some online games to play...just for fun!
http://www.studystack.com/wordscramble-87627

Lord's Prayer Unit - Week 4

Watch this video and talk about the real meaning of the Lord's Prayer.  It may not be great for preschoolers, but parents and older children can learn a lot!

http://youtu.be/kLVzV9n69UY 

Lord's Prayer Unit - Week 3

Make your own miniture Lord's Prayer book.
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/prayer/index.htm

Lord's Prayer Unit - Week 2

Here are a few creative ideas to help your children experience prayer.

1.  Make a Prayer Jar -- http://www.teachustopray.com/pdf/ttpj.pdf

2.  Make a Prayer Pail -- http://www.lubirdbaby.com/2009/07/prayer-pail.html

3.  Make a Prayer Pot -- http://thekadanes.blogspot.com/2011/09/prayer-pot.html

4.  Make Family Prayer Sticks -- http://www.raisinggodlychildren.org/2012/01/prayer-sticks_18.html

Lord's Prayer Unit - Week 1

Some tips to help you memorize the Lord's Prayer!

1.  Cut a 12 egg carton into two 6-count egg cartons. Put a little reminder of each sentence of the prayer in each egg compartment. The 6^th compartment can be the reference, Matthew 6: 9-13

2. Draw the outline of your child's hand (or use a surgical glove and write on it with a sharpie!). To help remember the prayer, put one verse of the prayer on each finger. Ex: thumb—Father you are holy; index finger—we pray that your kingdom will come; third finger—give us the food we need; ring finger—forgive us; pinky finger—help us when we are tested. Another idea is to write it on a surgical glove that they can take home.

3.  http://www.preachitteachit.org/articles-blogs/piti-blog/post/archive/2009/august/article/creative-ways-to-teach-the-lords-prayer-to-your-kids/

Feeding the 5,000 Unit - Week 5

This is the last week of study about the Feeding of the 5,000.  Visit this online coloring book site to color your very own poster to help you remember this amazing miracle.  Print it out and hang it proudly in your home!

Feeding the 5,000 Unit - Week 4

Read the online story book about how Jesus Feeds 5,000 people. This miracle is written about in all four gospels.  It is an important lesson for believers to learn - God knows our needs and he will provide in amazing ways!

Feeding the 5,000 Unit - Week 3

Watch this episode of Nite Nite with Franky and talk about how God is able to meet all the needs of his people!

Feeding the 5,000 Unit - Week 2

Review the story of the amazing miracle Jesus performed when he fed over 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fishes by reading this online story together as a family.
http://www.jesusandkidz.com/html/j_fishbread_00.htm

Feeding the 5,000 Unit - Week 1

Tonight we begin a new five-week unit on the miracle of Feeding the 5,000.  Remember that our year-long theme is "Witnessing God's Presence."  The mulitude of people that Jesus fed through this amazing miracle certainly witnessed the presence of God that day.  We hope that you use this miracle to teach your children that God's presence can still be seen today.  We still see miracles (OK, maybe not quite like Feeding the 5,000) and we can be assured that God knows our every need and will be faithful to provide!

Watch the video on the Bed Bug Bible Gang website to introduce/review the story with your child(ren).
http://www.bedbugbiblegang.com/