New to the Kit or looking for helpful hints on how to use it? Check out the Kids Kit Tips and Tricks - Elementary Edition where we share detailed instructions about the resources below.
Our elementary curriculum builds on the biblical foundation laid for kids in preschool. We want elementary kids to see the excellent character of our all-powerful God and why He is the hero of every story. We do that by looking at 36 godly character traits – one per month – with weekly Finish Lines that teach kids about God, His Word, and how He can help us reflect His character to the world.
Our character trait for JANUARY is GENTLENESS! Check out the Monthly Overview for a snapshot of everything we will be learning about this month.
Additional Resources for January 3
- Discussion Guide Continue the conversation with elementary kids using these discussion questions
- Activity Guide Simple activities to help elementary kids review what they learned from the lesson this week
- Drama Script Get creative and perform this week’s skit together
- Elementary Spotify Playlist A playlist of some of our favorite songs
- Special Needs Kit We know some of our amazing kids have special needs or other learning challenges. Here are tools to help you share the Bible story in a simple way with your child.
More ways to have a great week of worship...
Use these activities to keep talking about and applying what you learned this weekend throughout the week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Read Psalm 23. What do you think the role of a shepherd is? (He goes out and finds the missing sheep. He takes care of its injuries or teaches it to follow the shepherd.) Hundreds of years after David wrote Psalm 23, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Why is the sacrifice of our Good Shepherd so important? How can we get to live in the house of the Lord forever? (PARENTS: take this opportunity to share the gospel with your kids. For example: The Good Shepherd sacrificed His life to make a way for our sins to be forgiven. For those who choose to believe and have a relationship with him, they get to live in the house of the Lord forever!)
Take some time to pray Psalm 23 together. (Pray the psalm together out loud. Change the words “me” or “my” to the name of each person in your family.)
Friend: Drive Time
Write each word from this month’s memory verse (Ephesians 4:2 NLT) on a sticky note. Post the notes on the inside of your car…on the dashboard, backs of the seat, etc. As you drive around, practice saying the verse. Each time you come to a stop light, remove one of the sticky notes and see if you can still say the verse. You could also mix the sticky notes up and have one child unscramble them before you get to the next light.
Counselor: Bedtime
Read Psalm 23:4. What are some dark valleys or hard times you, or someone you know, has had to walk through? Take some time to pray for that person (or yourself) and ask God to help them (or you) see how He is with them, even in the hard times.
Coach: Anytime
Play a game of Jenga or build a tower with blocks. Talk about how you need to be gentle in order to keep the tower standing or make the tower taller. Describe how God responds to us with gentleness. He doesn’t respond to us harshly. For example, if we made a mistake in this game and the tower fell down, He would not yell and be angry with us and throw all the blocks away. We may still have consequences for our actions, but God is careful and kind with us each day because He loves us.
Prayer
Father, thank you for walking with me even through the hard times. Please open my eyes to see your presence in all circumstances.
