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. 

August Series Description: Let’s get busy building! During “Busy Bible Builders,” preschool kids will look high and low for the colored building blocks around the room. Each block contains a picture from the Bible story. As the blocks stack up, so does the story. When the stacking stops, the preschoolers will have discovered how God has made them and given them a family to love.

Monthly Memory Verse:

• “God saw everything He has made. And it was very good.” Genesis 1:31
• “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Weekly Bible Story and Ideas: 

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

August Series Description:

Zoom in close! Well, not too close — you’ll go cross-eyed! During the “Zoom” series, kids will zoom in close (really close) to a mystery picture. As the picture zooms out, they’ll race to identify it. When each mystery picture becomes clear, so will God’s word. Every week we’ll zoom in close to one of the first 5 books of the Bible — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. We’ll take a close look at some of the key stories in each book. But we’ll also zoom out to see what each book, as a whole, shows us about the character of God.

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.

August 2nd: Book of James: Listen and Do What is Right

• Big Idea: God calls us to listen to His word and do what it tells us.
• Bible Basis: James 1:19-27; 2 Kings 22
• Key Verse: “Don’t just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says.”James 1:22
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of this story?
  • Why do you think the people of Israel stopped doing what God’s word said?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What does this story teach you about God?
  • Why do you think the people of Israel stopped doing what God’s word said?

August 9th: The Book of Genesis

• Big Idea: Jesus defeated sin, so we can have a friendship with God.
• Bible Basis: Genesis
• Key Verse: “Nothing at all can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:39
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of the Book of Genesis?
  • What did you learn about God from the Book of Genesis?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think the Book of Genesis shows us about God?
  • After people sinned, God didn’t just give up on them. Why do you think that is?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

August 16th: The Book of Exodus

• Big Idea: God is our provider, so we can trust that He will give us all we need.
• Bible Basis: Exodus
• Key Verse: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of the Book of Exodus?
  • What did you learn about God from the Book of Exodus?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think the Book of Exodus shows us about God?
  • Why do you think the Israelites complained even though God provided them with everything they needed?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

August 23rd: The Book of Leviticus

• Big Idea: Jesus is the ultimate atonement, so we can put our faith in Him.
• Bible Basis: Leviticus
• Key Verse: “Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of the Book of Leviticus?
  • What did you learn about God from the Book of Leviticus?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think the Book of Leviticus shows us about God?
  • How does the Day of Atonement remind you of what Jesus did for us?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

August 30th: The Book of Numbers

• Big Idea: God takes sin seriously, so we should love our life His way.
• Bible Basis: Numbers
• Key Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
• Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
  • What was your favorite part of the Book of Numbers?
  • What did you learn about God from the Book of Numbers?
• Discussion Questions for Older Kids: 
  • What do you think the Book of Numbers shows us about God?
  • What were some of the consequences to the Israelites’ sin?

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

August Series Description:

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

August 2nd: Celebration Sunday

• We will take the time to celebrate this past year and spend time in prayer over our rising 6th graders. There will be an open mic time for preteens to share what they learned over the past year/summer.

August 9th: Rise Sunday

• Students will rise to their new grades/area. We will take the time to go over expectations and spend time playing games to get to know one another.

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

August 16th

• Big Idea:
• Bible Basis: 
• Key Verse: 

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

August 23rd: 

• Big Idea: 
• Bible Basis:
• Key Verse: 

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

August 30th: 

• Big Idea: 
• Bible Basis:
• Key Verse: 

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

August Series Theme: I Can Help Others
August Monthly Verse:

“The Heavens decare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

August 2nd:

• Big Idea: God Created the Universe
• Bible Basis: Genesis 1:1-19

August 9th:

• Big Idea: God Created Animals
• Bible Basis: Genesis 1:20-25

August 16th

• Big Idea: God Created the People
• Bible Basis: Genesis 1:26-31: Genesis 2

August 23rd:

• Big Idea: The Fall- Temptation and Sin
• Bible Basis: Genesis 3:1-7

August 30th

• Big Idea: The Fall- Consequences of Sin
• Bible Basis: Genesis 3:8-24

FG Kids Summer Serve: Sign up to serve with Kids Ministry for a Sunday or two this summer! Join us this summer to connect with amazing kids, be a positive influence, and serve the many families that will visit us throughout the summer. Registration opens on May 10th 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.

K Rise Adams Mill - Friday, August 7th from 6-8pm: This high-energy, fun-packed evening is designed for children entering into Kindergarten in the fall and their parents as an introduction to the transitions they will face and experience. We believe that K Rise is a vital launching point for this new adventure to help both parents and kindergarteners understand the transition from embracing their child's physical needs to engaging their interests. Kids and parents will meet the small group leaders, get a taste of the new programming and worship, and have a chance to walk through the classrooms that the Kindergarteners will be moving to.

K Rise Hwy 14 - Saturday, August 8th from 9-12pm: This high-energy, fun-packed morning is designed for children entering into Kindergarten in the fall and their parents as an introduction to the transitions they will face and experience. We believe that K Rise is a vital launching point for this new adventure to help both parents and kindergarteners understand the transition from embracing their child's physical needs to engaging their interests. Kids and parents will meet the small group leaders, get a taste of the new programming and worship, and have a chance to walk through the classrooms that the Kindergarteners will be moving to.

Rise Sunday - Sunday August 9th: Your child is moving up to their next grade level or area! We are excited to begin a new school year, packed with small groups, events, and more experiences with Jesus! Be sure to follow the signs, so you know where to go! 

IMPORTANT: If your child has just entered Kindergarten, 4th grade, or 6th grade, they will move to a different area of our building for Sunday morning programming.

• The Kindergarten area is located in our K-3rd space, which is located on the first floor of the Student Building.
• 4th grade is located in our 4th & 5th Grade Preteen space, located next to Auditorium 1 and the elevator.
• All elementary and preteen students will be dropped off and picked up from their area’s large group room. Small group will be assigned on September 13.

You will receive an email with more details closer to Rise Sunday. Please let us know if your child's grade is not correct on your family's profile as your child's grade will change to the next grade in our system on August 9.