Hello Parents!

We believe you (parents) are the most significant influence in your kids' lives and are in the best position to help your kids know God. We also believe that we can uniquely equip and partner with you along the way as a kid’s ministry. With this in mind, this newsletter will highlight resources, events, and opportunities for us to partner together in raising the next generation.

November Series Description: What do you do on a very doodly day? You doodle away! During “A Very Doodly Day,” the storyteller will doodle a simple picture while the preschool kids guess what it is. One picture at a time, the true Bible story will take shape as the kids learn that God protects them and wants them to work together. 

Monthly Memory Verse:

• “The LORD gives me strength. He is like a shield that keeps me safe.” Psalm 28:7
• “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” Ecclesiastes 4:9

Weekly Bible Story and Ideas: 

Find the weekly videos and parent guides on our Preschool Resources Page.

November Series Description:

 It’s the distant future, the year 5,000, and a long lost stinky sneaker has been discovered. It’s the mythical shoe of Sir Willy Wonky, and legend has it that one sniff of this foul footwear makes everything you eat taste like chocolate. During the “Space Ninjas vs. Pirate Squirrels” series, small groups will be divided into two teams and will battle for the putrid penny loafer. All the while kids will discover stories of God’s faithfulness and power through the exile of His people into a foreign and hostile land.

Key passages, verses, and questions for this month: Read the passages together as a family and ask the following questions. Also, take the time to watch the weekly lesson video (around 10 minutes) together as a family.

November 1st: Daniel and the Deadly Dream

• Big Idea: God is the giver of all good things, so we can give Him the glory.
• Bible Basis: Daniel 1-2
• Key Verse: “Every good and perfect gift is from God.” James 1:17
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of the story? Why?
  • How do you think Daniel got all of his talents and abilities?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What does this story teach you about God?
  • In what ways did Daniel give God the credit for his talents and abilities?

November 8th: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

• Big Idea: God blesses us when we suffer for doing what is right, so we can stand up for Him.
• Bible Basis: Daniel 3
• Key Verse: “Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right/ The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” Matthew 5:10
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of this story? 
  • Could you have made the same choice as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Why or why not?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think this story teaches us about God? 
  • Why do you think Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to stand up for God even if it meant losing their life?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

November 15th: Daniel and the Lion’s Den

• Big Idea: God wants to be the leader of your life, so you should follow Him instead of the crowd.
• Bible Basis: Daniel 6
• Key Verse: “Do not follow the crowd when they do what is wrong.” Exodus 23:2
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of this story? 
  • Why do you think Daniel prayed to God even though He knew it would get him thrown into the lions’ den?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think this story teaches us about God?
  • How can you apply the story of Daniel to your life? What can you do differently?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

November 22nd: Queen Esther

• Big Idea: God has a purpose for my life and wants to do something good through me.
• Bible Basis: Esther 1-10
• Key Verse: “God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of this story? 
  • For what purpose or reason do you think God made Esther the queen?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think would have happened to the Israelites if Esther wasn’t the queen?
  • God had a purpose for Esther’s life. Do you think He has a purpose for your life too? Why or why not?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

 November 29th: NO ELEMENTARY - THANKSGIVING

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.Find the weekly videos and parent guides on our Elementary Resources Page

November Series Description:

Preteens live in a world that is rapidly changing. What is popular today is outdated tomorrow. With all the changes taking place, it can be difficult for preteens to grasp who they are and why it matters. Change is a constant reality, but the world's culture also tells our kids that they can be whoever or whatever they imagine being, and who they are can constantly change based on how they "feel". Who they are is defined by them, and this leads our kids to be confused about who they are.

Key passages, verses, and questions for this month: Read the passages together as a family and ask the following questions. 

November 1st: I Have the Gift of the Holy Spirit

• Big Idea: Those who have trusted Jesus to save them, have the Holy Spirit in them.
• Bible Basis: John 14:15-26
• Key Verse: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.“ John 14:26

November 8th: I Am Not Alone

• Big Idea: In Christ, we are surrounded by a community of faithful believers, the church, that love and encourage us to follow and obey God.
• Bible Basis: Ephesians 1:1-14
• Key Verse: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.“ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

November 15th: I Am On Mission

• Big Idea: We have everything we need to live on mission for God.
• Bible Basis: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
• Key Verse: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

November 22nd: How to Journey Through the Bible 

• Big Idea: Studying scripture is a vital part of a growing relationship with God.
• Bible Basis: 2 Timothy 3:16
• Key Verse: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

November 29th: NO PRETEEN - THANKSGIVING

November Series Theme: God Speaks, We Listen
November Monthly Verse:

“He said, ‘Be still and know that I am God’“ Psalm 46:10

November 1st

• Big Idea: Rahab Hears About God
• Bible Basis: Joshua 2:1-21; 6:22-25

November 8th

• Big Idea: God Speaks Through Deborah
• Bible Basis: Judges 4-5

November 15th

• Big Idea: God Gives Samson Strength 
• Bible Basis: Judges 13-16

November 22nd

• Big Idea: Samuel Hears God
• Bible Basis: 1 Samuel 1:26-3:21

November 29th

• Big Idea: God Gives David a Promise
• Bible Basis: 2 Samuel 7

FG Kids Serving Need: Sign up to serve with Kids Ministry for a Sunday service! Join us to connect with amazing kids, be a positive influence, and serve the many families that will visit us throughout the summer. Register here to sign up for a Sunday in the summer. 

We are in need of leaders for Thrive 9 & 11 AM; Preschool Lower (18-24m and 2 years old) 9 & 11 AM; Preschool Upper 9 AM & 11 AM; K-3rd 11 AM; Preteen 9 AM & 11 AM. If you are interested in serving, please fill out the Serve Form.

Gingerbread Bash - Sunday, November 8th: After service please stop by our table in the commons to enter in a raffle for our Gingerbread Bash. Your family can win all the supplies to take part in the best birthday party ever! It’s a swell time for Noel time, so grab your candy and join the Bash! This is a fun and interactive experience designed for your family to do at home. Together, you’ll build a gingerbread nativity, hear the Christmas story from the Bible, and discover why the very first Christmas was the greatest birthday party ever! Best of all, there’s a video that walks you step-by-step through the entire experience. 

No Elementary & Preteen Programming- Sunday, November 29th: Due to Thanksgiving weekend, we will not have elementary & preteen programming. We will still have Nursery, Preschool, & Thrive programming running normal.

Parents Night Out - Friday, December 4th @5:30-8:30PM: This event is offered for our Single Parents, Thrive and Foster families. While you enjoy a little time to yourself, your children will get to participate in Christmas themed games, crafts, and cookie decorating. If your children are too young for that much fun, we will also have volunteers on hand who thrive on cuddling infants and entertaining toddlers. We invite children from birth to 5th grade to be part of this special evening! This year's theme is pajamas so we encourage kids to come in their most comfy and fun pajamas for the event. Dinner will be provided for the children. Registration closes on November 29th!

Holiday Devotional

Scripture holds profound beauty, inviting us all to discover and grow in our knowledge and understanding of God’s grand story. At Fellowship Kids, we believe the Gospel is for everyone: it is simple enough for a child to grasp, yet deep enough to sustain a lifetime of wisdom, faith, and wonder.

We know that as parents, you are called to raise disciples who love God and others. To support you in that calling, we partnered with the Women’s Ministry to create this resource, designed to help you teach and coach your children through God’s grand story.

This upcoming November we will be giving out a holiday devotional made by the Women's and Kid’s Ministries. Each devotional focuses on God being with us throughout the bible. 

How to Use This Resource:

• For You: We hope you use the accompanying personal devotional to deepen your own relationship with God. When you prioritize your faith, you show your children that God is central to daily life and that faith is meant to be lived out.
• For Your Family: Use the family resource to invite your children into the truth of Scripture. Whether at dinner or bedtime, make this a regular part of your rhythm. Use the discussion questions to talk about God and deepen your family’s exploration of His Word.

We pray that this holiday season is sweet and meaningful for your family. May you grow in your awareness of God’s desire to dwell with His people, and may you deeply experience His nearness in your everyday life.

Extras:

• For extra holiday fun, check out our Kids Christmas Spotify playlist. (add link)
• You can pick up additional copies of the Family Activity Book at any Kids area on Sundays.