HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS--- A Greenhouse April Series

 

In this April Series, we'll be discovering that HEAVEN IS FOR REAL! We will be covering these topics as we read the book together: What is in Heaven? Who is in Heaven? Who is the God of Heaven? and How do I get to Heaven?

 

Your kids will not want to miss this series as we continue the celebration of the meaning of Easter in this great series!

 

Your kids will have lots of fun along the way—and best of all, they’ll grow closer to Jesus as they learn to look forward to their eternal home!

Heaven is for Real for Kids: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

By Todd Burpo

Heaven is for real, and you are going to like it!

Colton Burpo came back from his trip to heaven with a very important message: Jesus really, really loves children. In an effort to reach even more families with this eternally significant story, this runaway bestseller is now told from Colton—kid to kids! Children will receive the same comfort and assurance that so many adults have received from the trade book.

Beautifully illustrated under Colton's direction, he shares his experiences in first person and comments on things that will be important to kids. A letter to parents is included to guide them as they talk to their children about heaven. Scripture along with a Q&A section with answers from the Bible are also included in the book.

Get the kids book or adult book here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Heaven+is+for+Real+for+Kids%3A+A+Little+Boy%27s+Astounding+Story+of+His+Trip+to+Heaven+and+Back





Watch Colton's Story here: http://youtu.be/4c2U7lMH3V8 

Heaven Is for Real for Kids App

The message of four-year-old Colton Burpo’s trip to heaven now available as an Apple iPad app JUST FOR KIDS! Children will hear the story as read by Colton himself, or mom, dad or grandparents can record their own voice reading the story. Kids will love the puzzles, coloring sheets and postcards that also come with the app … and mom and dad can share these creations via email or Facebook. Children will find comfort and assurance through the message Colton brought back from heaven: Jesus really, really loves children!

 

Get it here: http://heavenisforreal.net/app/

 

 

 



Helping Children Take Responsibility – Part 1

Some children have a hard time taking responsibility for their faults and weaknesses. A debriefing after a discipline time is always helpful. When your child is ready to go on with life take a few moments and talk about what happened.

We encourage parents to ask, "What did you do wrong?" This question helps get the conversation going. Ask in a gentle way, not accusing. This allows your child to admit what he or she did wrong. It's important for children to take responsibility for their actions. If others were involved, as they often are, a child should not excuse misbehavior by blaming someone else. The foolishness of others doesn't justify a wrong response.

A common mistake parents make is to engage in dialogue about the whole situation, trying to figure out who else was wrong, what was fair, who started the problem, and why such things happen. Those questions may be helpful at times, but you'll get much further in helping your children change their hearts if you start by asking "What did you do wrong?" Most children don't like to admit their faults. They either blame others or just try to overlook the problem.

Your simple question can help children see their own mistakes and learn to take responsibility for them. When two children are fighting, for example, be careful not to focus on just one child's offense. Usually when two children are fighting you have two selfish children. Ask each of them this simple question. Teach the offended child how to respond properly.

Confession is a spiritual skill that children need to learn. It helps them take responsibility for their part of the problem and that's always the first step toward change. All of this can be started with a great introductory question, "What did you do wrong?"
 To be continued...

 

Freedom Church Baptisms April 28th

 

 

 

Save the Date for our next Freedom Church Baptisms!

 

 

Are you, a friend, child, or family member ready to show the world that you love Jesus and want to publically show that you want to live this life for Him?

 

 

If you have asked Jesus into your heart and have been saved and have committed yourself to living this life for Him, then publically showing the world that you are serious might be your next step!

 

 

Be looking for more information coming soon on details and sign ups!

 

 

Remember---this can get a little wet! :)

Want to see what serving in the Greenhouse is all about?

We are looking to add some amazing people to our team!

And we'd love for YOU to come check out what serving in the Greenhouse is all about!

If you are a people person and a morning person, we have the check in greeter team. And you do just that! You greet families! You get the first opportunity to invite kids into a SAFE and fun environment where the kids will discover Jesus! You get face to face interaction meeting new families and welcoming them to Freedom.

We also have the infant room and toddler room--here we play with the kids, love on them, read them the bible story, worship with them, and pray with them.

We also have the pre-school class. Here the kids rotate through their craft, bible, worship, and play stations. (smiles and hugs and touching moments of when kids "get it".... lots of fun!)

We also have the K-2nd and 3-4th grades where we are able to go a little deeper with the kids but still make it age appropriate... we have high energy worship, creative bible message, fun games related to the message, and just overall have a great time.

I do ask of my team members and those who are just coming in to check it out that they attend one/serve one. It's important for everyone coming to church to get the message designed for us.. that way we're able to have something to pour out into the kiddos.
So you would need to choose which service you would attend and which you would serve :o)

Also, you are invited to our pre-service team huddles where we just rally together to get ready for the day--refreshments provided :o) We meet upstairs in room 203 and if serving first service, the huddle is at 9am and if serving 2nd service, the huddle is at 10:55am.

If you have kids, we have lots of kids who love when they get to stay for 2 services when their parents are attending one and serving one.. so no worries there! The kiddos love it! They get the same lesson but taught in a different, creative way :o)

Why do we want to add more to our team??? The more people we have the more relationships these kids can build, the more stability we can provide for the kids to enter into a positive, safe and fun environment where they are going to discover Jesus! Plus, serving means that you get to be connected and build relationships and live for the other person's good! WIN WIN FOR ALL!

Where are we praying to add some new faces to help us make a greater impact in the most fun ministry at Freedom?

4+ Greeters
8+ Nurseries
5+ Pre-K
6+ K-2nd Grade
4+ 3-4th Grade

So come join us! Come check out any area as many times as you'd like and then YOU get to CHOOSE the area that you want to get plugged into that brings you the most joy and then we get to chat about the opportunities you have to make a difference at Freedom Church!

I'd love to serve alongside you,
Pastor Tiffany
Children's Pastor at Freedom Church
tiffany@freedom-church.org
Friend me on Facebook

It's all for ONE MORE!



What a few current team members have to say about serving:

Holly Elaine Honeyman It's so much fun to play with the toddlers, and its so great to see how quickly they learn worship songs!

Shari Lyn It helped me find my calling! Cannot wait till next year now!

Tonja Padgett I love serving in the GreenHouse! I find such joy in seeing the kids each week and sharing a little of Jesus with them. It is so wonderful to see their faces light up when you can tell they "got it"!

Wendy Frutig Smith I remember how nervous I was when I first started out in the GH cause I had never done anything like that before. It's been amazing how God has just opened my heart and helped me form relationships with these kids. There is no greater privilege than getting to help a child in their walk with God!

Shauna Frutig Cole If I had never joined the Greenhouse, I dont know if I would he where I am today. Looking into the eyes of a child when they run up to you and grab you and hug you is priceless. Seeing them "get it" during worship will render you speechless.

Katelyn Yonts It is seriously so much fun! I love that I get hugs every week and get to have fun with the kids. I also love the worship! Getting up on the stage and leading them through fun worship songs is such a joy!

Amanda Shue I love building relationships with the kids and the feeling I get when they come back each week.

Le Ann Skidmore-Sheets Nothing better then knowing you had a hand in showing a child how to spend eternity in Heaven. I love seeing those smiling faces every week. there is no other area that I would rather be serving in. BEST CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVER!!!

Greg Smith Jesus, Worship and Relationships, couldn't ask for anything more. Plus the Children's Pastor is AWESOME!! #browniepoints