Week of December 27. 2015; Wise Men Visited Jesus

Session Title: Wise Men Visited Jesus
Bible Passage: Matthew 2:1­21
Big Picture Question: Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King.
Key Passage: Luke 2:10­-11
Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born!

The wise men were magi. Their study of the stars led them to Judea to find and worship Jesus, the newborn King. Before they found Jesus, though, the wise men met King Herod. God had promised the Jewish people a new king—one who would save them from their enemies. King Herod was not that king. Imagine how he felt when he heard about a new king in town.

Herod was furious. He gathered his chief priests and scribes to determine where Jesus had been born. Then he lied to the wise men: “When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” What deceitfulness! The truth was, Herod did not want to worship Jesus at all; he wanted to kill Him!

The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. Jesus is the King who will rule forever, as God promised to King David.

Week of December 20, 2015: Jesus Was Born

Bible Passage: Luke 2:1­20
Big Picture Question: Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God’s promised Savior.
Key Passage: Luke 2:10­11
Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born!

God’s plan was for Jesus to be born in a manger. A king born in a manger! It was so unlikely. But Jesus was no ordinary baby. He was God’s Son, sent in the most humble of positions, “not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many”.

Savior had come who would be the perfect sacrifice for sin, once and for all. Jesus was also Messiah the Lord. The word Messiah means “anointed one,” especially a king. The Deliverer and Redeemer would be King over His people. And this was all happening in Bethlehem, the city of David—just as the prophet Micah said.

The birth of Jesus was a wonderful glorious day. The angel’s words to Mary and Joseph had come to light. Celebrate Jesus' birth with your family not just today, but throughout the year.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 4: Love All

Week of December 13, 2015: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph

In the Bible, God used angels to communicate His message to people. Angels spoke to Abraham in Genesis 18. The Angel of the Lord spoke to Balaam in Numbers 22. Now Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of  Jesus, each received a special visit from an angel to announce the birth of God’s promised Messiah. The angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary surprised her. By His grace, God chose Mary to be the mother of His child. The angel’s message revealed much about this promised child.

He would be the Son of the Most High. Jesus is the Son of God, and the Lord God promised to give Him the throne of His father David.

An angel revealed Jesus’ purpose to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, “He will save His people from their sins.” The gospel is the good news of what God has done for us through Christ.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 3: Give More

Christmas Eve Practice Video

Week of December 6, 2015: Joseph’s Dreams Came True

Bible Passage: Genesis 42:1–46:34; 50:15­21
Main Point: God sent Joseph to Egypt to save his family.
Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan.

Unbeknownst to Jacob, Joseph had been elevated to a position of power. So when a famine came to Canaan and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain, he had no idea that the journey would lead to a family reunion.

Ten of Jacob’s sons went to Egypt to buy grain. They went to Joseph, who was in charge of distributing the food. Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, but they did not recognize him. Joseph put his brothers through a series of tests. He accused them of being spies.

Finally, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers.Joseph explained why God allowed him to be taken to Egypt. Even though his brothers intended harm, God intended his good. Joseph told his family to come to Egypt where they could thrive.

Jacob’s descendants multiplied. God kept His promise, and through the nation of Israel, He worked out His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 2: Spend Less

Week of November 29, 2015: Joseph Sent to Egypt

Bible Passage: Genesis 37:1­36; 39:1–41:57
Main Point: God used Joseph’s suffering for good.
Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Jacob had 12 sons. They would become the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, and Jacob didn’t hide his favoritism. He gave Joseph a gift that his other sons did not get: a beautiful coat of many colors. Of course, this did not endear Joseph to his siblings. Neither did Joseph’s announcement that God had spoken to him in dreams—dreams that revealed that one day everyone in Joseph’s family would bow down to him. Joseph’s brothers planned evil against him, and Joseph ended up in a hole in the ground. Then he was sent to Egypt and was accused of a crime he did not commit.

Did God forget Joseph? No. God was with Joseph, and He had a wonderful plan. God raised up Joseph into a position of power in Egypt. God used Joseph to establish a remnant—a small, surviving group of His people. Centuries later, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world as part of that family.

God is in control of our lives, and He uses suffering and injustice to accomplish His plans in and through us. We can trust God’s faithfulness. Through all circumstances, God’s will prevails—all for His glory and our good.

Advent Conspiracy, Week 1: Worship Fully

Advent Conspiracy Family Devotionals

Starting this week, pick up an Advent Conspiracy Family Devotional packet from the KidZone check in area!

Week of November 22, 2015: Jacob's New Name

Bible Passage: Genesis 32–33

Main Point: God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people.

Unit Key Passage: Genesis 26:24

Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

After stealing his older brother’s blessing, Jacob fled his home to escape Esau’s anger. He spent time with his uncle Laban, got married, and fathered many children. Overall, Jacob prospered, but his time with his uncle Laban did not end well. Laban’s sons accused Jacob of taking their father’s wealth.

God told Jacob to leave, and Jacob did not hesitate. He gathered his family and all of his possessions and headed home to Canaan with Laban in pursuit. But uncertainty awaited Jacob in his homeland. His brother Esau was there. The last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau wanted to kill him.

That night, Jacob anxiously awaited word from Esau, and that is when he encountered the Lord. Did Jacob win the wrestling match? Was he stronger than the Lord? The victory was ironic; Jacob did not win by strength (God proved His power by crippling Jacob with just a touch) but by confessing his dependence on God’s blessing. Jacob had nowhere else to turn. He could not succeed by his own strength. Jacob held onto God and would not let go. God poured out His grace on Jacob. He blessed Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel. From Jacob’s descendants—from the nation of Israel—God would bring into the world His Son, Jesus.

Week of November 15, 2015: The Stolen Blessing

Bible Passage: Genesis 25:27­34; 27:1­45
Main Point: Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.
Unit Key Passage: Genesis 26:24
Big Picture Question: What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.

Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob. The birthright was an important part of the patriarchal culture. Typically, upon the death of his father, the older brother would receive twice as much property and goods as the younger. But Esau gave it up for a warm meal.

Later, Jacob deceived his father to steal his brother’s blessing—another privilege afforded to an oldest son. With his blessing, Isaac made his son master over his brother. Just as God said, the older would serve the younger.

Before Jacob and Esau were even born, God planned to bless Jacob’s family. God kept His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make their descendants as numerous as the stars. From their family would come the promised One—God’s Son, Jesus.

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15), and He deserves all the privileges afforded to Him. But when Jesus hung on the cross, He gave up His blessing for us. Jesus took the punishment we deserve so that the Father would give us the blessing Jesus deserves.

Week of November 8, 2015: The Promise Reaffirmed

Bible Passage: Genesis 25:19­26; 26:1­6; 28:10­22
Main Point: God reminded Abraham’s family that He always keeps His promises.
Key Passage: Romans 4:3
Big Picture Question: What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people.

In His covenant with Abraham, God promised land, descendants, and a blessing to all the nations of the earth. God reaffirmed the promise to Abraham’s son Isaac and to his grandson Jacob.God had a plan for Abraham and his family all along.

When Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, became pregnant with twins, the babies struggled with each other inside her. God explained their future. The older son (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Their families would separate and become two nations, one stronger than the other.

To escape his brother’s anger, Jacob fled to his uncle’s house. On the way, God spoke to Jacob in a dream. Jacob saw a stairway to heaven, and he saw God there. God repeated the promise to Jacob.

Through the nation of Israel, God would keep His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by sending His Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world.

Week of November 1, 2015: God Tested Abraham

Bible Passage: Genesis 22:1­19
Main Point: Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand God’s plan.
Key Passage: Romans 4:3
Big Picture Question: What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people.

When Abraham was well over 100 years old, he received another message from God. God instructed Abraham to take his son Isaac, the son of promise, and sacrifice him on a mountain God would tell him about. Abraham had waited so many years for this child! But Abraham obeyed. He got up early the next day and left for his trip.

“Where is the lamb?” Isaac asked. Abraham answered that God Himself would provide. And God did indeed. God provided a ram for the burnt offering in place of Isaac, who was spared. After what we might imagine was quite a worship service, Abraham and Isaac returned home.

Week of October 25, 2015: God's Covenant with Abraham

Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1­3; 15:1­21; 17:1­9
Main Point: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham.
Unit Key Passage: Romans 4:3
Big Picture Question: What did God promise? God made a covenant to bless His people.

God is a covenant­making God. God's covenants are unconditional, God keeps His promises. When Abram was 75 years old, God spoke to him. God called Abram to leave behind his family and his lands to go to a place God would show him. God made a covenant with Abram, promising to bless all the world through one of his descendants. God told Abraham that He alone would be responsible for holding up the covenant. God promised to bless all the earth through Abraham.

At just the right time, Jesus was born into Abraham’s family. Jesus fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Through Him, all the nations of the earth are blessed.

Week of October 18, 2015: The Tower of Babel

Bible Passage: Genesis 11:1­9

Main Point: God created people to give glory to Him alone.

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6

Big Picture Question: Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.

People chose to give glory to themselves instead of God. They ignored God’s plan, so God confused their language and scattered the people all over the earth. One day, Jesus will gather together all of God’s people—people from every tribe and people who speak all kinds of languages—and they will worship Him.

Week of October 11, 2015: Noah and the Ark

Bible Passage: Genesis 6:5–9:17
Main Point: God is holy, and He punishes sin.
Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6
Big Picture Question: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

One day God looked at all the people on earth and saw that they were choosing to sin. God wanted people to have a relationship with Him, but the people did not want to know God or obey Him. God had to punish the people for their sin.

Noah was a righteous man; he followed God. God warned Noah that a flood was coming to destroy all the creatures on the earth. He told Noah to make an ark to save himself, his family, and some of the animals. God told Noah exactly how to make the ark.

God promised Noah that He would never completely flood the earth again. God told Noah and his family to spread out over the earth and fill it with people. God placed a rainbow in the sky so that every time Noah and his family saw the rainbow, they would know God remembered the promise He made with all the living creatures on earth.

Trick or Treat Street is Coming!

Trick or Treat Street is coming soon!

Join us on October 31 for Treats and games!

Click the links below for more information!

Lakewood
Sloan's Lake

Week of October 4, 2015: Cain and Abel

Bible Passage: Genesis 4:1­-16,25-­26

Main Point: Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Unit Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6

Big Picture Question: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

Cain was mad with Abel, and killed his own brother. God knew what Cain did, and He punished him. God sent Cain away from the land to wander the earth. Cain’s sin separated him from God and people.

Adam and Eve hoped the Savior would be born to them. Every baby was born a sinner. Still, the people hoped. At just the right time, God would send His Son to save sinners. God always keeps His promises.

Week of September 27, 2015: Sin Entered the World

Bible Passage: Genesis 3:1­24
Main Point: Adam and Eve’s sin separated them from God.
Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6
Big Picture Question: What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed a loving, two ­way relationship with God. The garden was a true paradise. God filled the garden with good gifts so that they might enjoy them and give thanks to God; this glorifies God. All of that changed when Adam and Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation. Eve believed the lie that leads many of us to sin: Maybe God is holding out on me.

God did not leave Adam and Eve without hope. He promised that one of Eve’s descendants would strike the head of the serpent. Each generation after Eve hoped that one of their children would be the Promised One—the One who would crush the head of the snake and put an end to the curse over creation. Sin is a big problem that needs a big solution. At just the right time, God sent His Son into the world.

Week of September 20, 2015: God Created People

Bible Passage: Genesis 1:26–2:25
Main Point: God created people in His own image; God created them male and female.
Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6
Big Picture Question: Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.

On the sixth day of creation, God created man in His own image. God formed the man out of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living. He skillfully formed man out of dust as a potter forms a pot out of clay.

Being made in God’s image means we are made like Him, or patterned after Him. God does not have a physical body; He is Spirit, and He has given each of us a spirit.

Week of September 13, 2015: God Created the World

Bible Passage: Genesis 1:1-25

Main Point: God created everything for His glory.

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:6

Big Picture Question: Why did God create the world? God created the world and everything in it for His glory.

God is a powerful Creator. He is able to create just by speaking.The Bible tells us that Jesus is Lord of all creation. God saw His creation. and called it good. 

Day 1: Light

Day 2: Sky 

Day 3: Land, seas, trees

Day 4: Sun, stars, moon

Day 5: Fish, birds

Day 6: Animals and people

Day 7: God rested

God was not created. God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit have always existed. 

The Big Story

The entire Bible points to Jesus!

Week of Sep. 6, 2015:

Session Title: Jesus Christ Will Return
Bible Passage: Revelation 19–22
Big Picture Question: What will we do after Jesus returns? God will live with His people, and we will enjoy Him forever.
Key Passage: Revelation 22:12-13 
Unit Christ Connection: Jesus is making all things new

"While he was a prisoner on the island of Patmos, the apostle John had an amazing vision of heaven. Jesus told John to write down everything he saw. John saw things that will happen when Jesus comes back to earth. Jesus— who entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey—will come victoriously, riding on a white horse. His name will be on His robe and His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

A new creation, a new heaven and new earth will appear, and the Lord will live with his people. The promise of a new creation fills believers with hope, and encourages them to share their faith with others.

Week of Aug. 30, 2015: God's Warning to the Seven Churches

Session Title: God’s Warning to Seven Churches 
Bible Passage: Revelation 1–3
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus tell the churches about Himself? Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end.
Key Passage: Revelation 22:12-13
Unit Christ Connection: Jesus is making all things new

Like many other authors of the Bible, John received visions from Jesus. Christ told John to write down what he saw, and John obeyed. Jesus loves the church. His message to seven local churches called them to turn away from their sin and remain faithful to Him. Jesus saves sinners and changes them to be like Him.

"Jesus loves the Church. The Church is made up of people who have trusted in Jesus, who are committed to one another, and who meet together to worship Jesus and share the Gospel. Jesus loves the Church as His bride.  Jesus’ message to seven local churches called them to turn away from their sin and remain faithful to Him. The Lord is slow to anger and patient, wanting everyone to repent".

Welcome to September!

What a year 2015 has been so far, and September is just starting! KidZone is growing and changing!

Here are some of the things that have happened so far in 2015:
   -computer check-ins
   -classrooms moved, and a new check-in station/ tower and wall were built
   -we had an incredible Easter celebration
   -new #ILMC board
   -new room leaders, in some of our classes
   -a Teddies and Cocoa party
   -kids only worship, and a new Jana CD!
   -summertime centers
   -VBS: Journey Off The Map
   -new birthday boards
   -an all KZ training
   -service day
   -at least 8 babies have been born
   -a new Generations Pastor was hired
... and that is just the first 2/3 of the year!

Just wait and see what is next!

On September 6, we will be finishing the Gospel Project curriculum, learning about the return of Jesus, ending a three year cycle.

On September 13, we will be starting the new Gospel Project cycle, returning to Genesis. We will also return to our regular schedule, no longer doing rotations. (Your child(ren) will stay in one class instead of traveling to different rooms). It is also the weekend of the Westwoods Fall Kick-Off, with the new series "Jesus is..."! Be sure to join us!

Blessings,
The KidZone Team
wcckidzone@gmail.com