Christian Education / Sunday School
Children's Sunday School Update
Starting in October we offered two Sunday School classes for our
preschool through 5th grade children. The youngest class - for preschoolers
to1st graders - and the older class for 2nd through 5th graders.
Our focus in Sunday school was:
-- To learn with the Hebrew people about God’s promise to be with us when we feel sad and afraid.
-- To embrace God’s love wherever we are as we care for creation and one another.
-- To explore Jesus’ parable that encourages us to keep on trying.
-- To encourage prayer by hearing in Jesus’ story that God listens to everyone.
-- To discover that Jesus welcomes us just as Jesus welcomed Zacchaeus.
About Our Program
Children are divided into three Sunday school classes, based on age:
Prekinder-Kindergarten – Loving God
Goals of the class:
- introduce Sunday school to young children
- teach children that God loves them, Jesus loves them and we love them
- give children the experience of belonging at church
Activities include a Bible story, a Bible-related craft, movement activities and music. Specifically:
- sing, move to and say Bible verses
- hear stories from the Bible
- learn simple prayers
- share food and money
- make things for others
Grades 1-3: Learning About God
Goals of the class:
- teach children about God and Jesus through parables and stories in the Bible
- learn to concretely express how they live their lives based on Jesus’ teachings
- strengthen their self image as children of God who are loved by God
- learn that they can talk to God easily
Activities include interacting with a Bible story, color/cut/paste activites/crafts, thinking Bible games. Specifically:
- sing familiar hymns and learn familiar Bible verses
- hear clear, simple stories from the Bible
- pray
Grades 4-5: Living as Christians
Goals of the class:
- teach children how God and Jesus expect and help us to live as Christians
- use the Bible in ways that invite students to expect God to speak to them through the Scriptures
- learn how to live in response to the Good News found in scripture
- begin to feel a part of a people who identify themselves with scripture
- learn about the Bible and recognize the Bible as a revelation of God and a record of how people have experienced God
- learn about the Bible’s meaning for today
Activities include a Bible story, analytical discussion, games and activities. Specifically:
- learn how the Old Testament was read by Jesus and the New Testament is about Jesus
- learn how to find stories and scriptures in the Bible
Christian Education activities:
- January: Souper Bowl Sunday
- March/April: Palm Sunday/enter with palms, Easter Hunt & Carnival, Easter flower cross
- June – Aug.: Summer Sunday school
- October: Fall Family Festival
- December: Christmas Family Festival, Christmas program
Please see the Annual Calendar for upcoming Christian Education events.