First through 4th Grade

The strategy for our 1st-4th grade ministry is built around three basic truths every child should know and embrace, according to what Jesus modeled in Luke 2:52 -

                        WISDOM:  I need to make the right choice

                        FAITH:  I can trust God no matter what

                        FRIENDSHIP:  I should treat others the way I want to be treated

The kind of growth modeled by Jesus happens by intention, not by accident. Each month's lesson has a Core Virtue and Memory Verse as the framework.  The same Christ-like character quality is taught each week for an entire month with a bottom line reinforced by Biblical illustrations and engaging presentations.  Each illustration teaches how God built His character in people and how we can have the same character with Christ in us.  Each Sunday morning of course includes high-energy worship so that kids can learn to celebrate who God is and what He has done in them and for them. Engaging small groups are also filled with fun activities, life application of the lesson and relationship building so that parents can always know they have another adult speaking truth into the life of their child.  

Every series has take home application cards to generate discussion.  Kids can return the completed take-home activities for some fabulous rewards like fresh-baked cookies and have their name entered into a drawing for bigger prizes. 

Kids who know their memory verse weekly also receive a reward!

The Virtues...

Discipline

What it means:  Doing what you need to do now so you can grow stronger.

Memory Verse:  "Training the body has some value.  But being godly has value in every way.  It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come." 1Timothy 4:8 NIrV

Honor

What it means:  Letting someone know you see how valuable they really are.

Memory Verse:  "Love each other deeply.  Honor others more than yourselves."  Romans 12:10 NIrV

Honesty

What it means: Choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do.

Memory Verse:  "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful."  Proverbs 12:22 NIV

Friendship

What it means: Spending time with someone you trust and enjoy.

Memory Verse: "A friend loves at all times.  He is there to help when trouble comes."  Proverbs 17:17 NIrV

Patience

What it means:  Waiting until later for what you want now.

Memory Verse:  "The end of a matter is better than its beginning.  So it's better to be patient than proud." Ecclesiastes 7:8NIrV

Responsibility

What it means:  Showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you.

Memory Verse:  "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." Luke 16:10a NIV

Service

What it means:  Lending a hand to help someone else.

Memory Verse:  "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."  Ephesians 6:7 NIV

Peace

What it means:  Proving that you care more about others than winning an argument.

Memory Verse:   "So let us do all we can to live in peace.  And let us work hard to build each other up."  Romans 14:19 NirV

Respect

What it means:  Showing others they are important by what you say and do.

Memory Verse:  "Show proper respect to everyone."  1 Peter 2:17 NIV

Initiative

What it means:  Seeing what needs to be done and doing it.

Memory Verse:  "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others."  Philippians 2:4 NIV

Uniqueness

What it means:  Learning more about others so you can know more about yourself.

Memory Verse:  "There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all given by the same spirit."  1 Corinthians 12:4 NIrV

Joy

What it means:  Finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way.

Memory Verse:  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 NIV

Determination

What it means:  Deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started.

Memory Verse:  "Let us keep on running the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1 NIrV

Kindness

What it means:  Showing others they are valuable by how you treat them.

Memory Verse:  "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31 NIV

Courage

What it means:  Being brave enough to do what you should do even when you're afraid.

Memory Verse:  "When I am afraid, I will trust in you."  Psalm 56:3

Humility

What it means:  Putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve.

Memory Verse: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."  Philippians 2:3 NIV

Forgiveness

What it means:  Deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn't have to pay.

Memory Verse:  "Forgive the things who are holding against one another.  Forgive, just as the Lord has forgiven you." Colossians 3:13 NirV

Faith

What it means:  Trusting in what you can't see because of what you can see.

Memory Verse:  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Perseverance

What it means:  Refusing to give up when life gets hard.

Memory Verse:  "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and now be faint." Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Grace

What it means:  Getting something great that you don't deserve.

Memory Verse:  "God's grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn't come from anything you do. It is God's gift."  Ephesians 2:8 NIrV