May 2019

Jesus Is the Way to Heaven

Death is a tough topic, especially for assure them we’ll always be with Jesus children. It’s challenging to explain in a place with no sadness or pain. As why people die and what happens kids grow older, we can let them know POWERSOURCE to them after they die. Some kids Jesus is the only way to heaven—and PRAY TO JESUS: have little experience with death, any teachings about different paths to while others may have had their eternal life are false. Jesus says, “I am 1. Thank Jesus for dying on the world turned upside-down by a the way, the truth, and the life. No one cross and for rising from the loved one’s passing. can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). tomb to forgive and save us. Death is sin’s ultimate “sting,” but 2. Ask Jesus to remind your family for Christians, Jesus has erased it. During life’s trials and challenges, members of his love and his By rising from the grave, Jesus followers of Jesus can find comfort in the sure hope of heaven. Yet we don’t promise of heaven. “gives us victory over sin and death” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Jesus need to wait until we arrive there to 3. Ask Jesus to help you tell others promises to “prepare a place” for us experience Jesus’ presence and about him—and about heaven. in heaven, saying, “There is more peace! He promises to be with us than enough room in my Father’s “always” (Matthew 28:20)—a message home” (John 14:2). that children and adults of all ages need to hear often. The concepts of heaven, hell, and eternity are too abstract for younger Use the ideas on the next page to children to understand, but we can celebrate Jesus’ promise of heaven.

We Have the Hope of Heaven

Until children are about 5 or 6, it’s best to talk about heaven as a place where they can live someday. Don’t try to explain the spiritual or abstract aspects of heaven yet. As children grow, they’ll begin asking more questions—especially why people go to heaven or hell when they die. If you don’t have all the answers, be honest and research what the Bible says. Explain that Jesus wants everyone to live with him forever, and remind kids that people’s actions don’t send them to heaven or hell. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, and it’s his free gift to us.

A Special Place Say: When we’re 1:8-11. Ask: How hard was this friends with Jesus, we’ll go to game? What do you think about heaven someday. The Bible says how Jesus disappeared in the heaven is amazing. Have family clouds? Why do you think members use modeling dough to Jesus returned to heaven? Say: create shapes of what they imagine Jesus is preparing a place for heaven will be like. Say: Matthew us in heaven, but he’s still with TEACHABLE 6:20 says we’ll have treasures in us today, in our hearts. Jesus is MOMENTS heaven. John 14:2 says heaven never missing. has rooms for many people. Postcard Perfect Revelation 19:1 says people in A Work of Heart On Memorial heaven shout praises to God. Day (or when there’s a death in You’ll need a Bible, postcards or Revelation 21:3-4 says God lives your family), make a reminder of pictures from vacations, pencils, and with us in heaven and wipes people who’ve gone to heaven. blank card stock cut in postcard away our tears. There’s no more Decorate paper squares, listing shapes. Look through postcards sadness or death in heaven. It’s one person or group (such as together and discuss favorite vacation our forever home with God. soldiers) on each square. Tape memories. squares to form a remembrance Transformed When you see quilt. Say: When people die, we miss them. The Bible tells us a Say: These places are beautiful, but I butterflies, discuss their lifecycle reason to not feel so sad. Read know of an even better place. It has and how that symbolizes our John 3:16. Say: If we believe in streets of gold, no tears or pain, and rebirth in Jesus. Say: After a Jesus, we’ll go to heaven. What no night. Ask: Do you know what this caterpillar spins a cocoon, it do you think we’ll do there? place is? Have you ever received a begins a new life as a beautiful Pray, thanking God for people postcard from heaven? Say: No, me butterfly. Someday we’ll die, but who’ve already gone to heaven. neither. But someone who went when we believe in Jesus, he there has given us a special gift! gives us a beautiful new life in heaven. We’ll be happy and free Crown Jewels Make crowns out forever! Draw or make butterflies of construction paper and craft Read aloud Acts 1:8-11. Say: When as reminders of new life in Jesus. gems. Read aloud Revelation Jesus went back to heaven, he didn’t 21:10-11, 18-23. Ask: Why do you send a postcard; he sent the Holy Headed to Heaven Place a variety think heaven is filled with gold, Spirit. The Spirit helps us believe in of small items on a tray. Say: Look precious gems, bright light, and Jesus so we can go to heaven. at these items and try to no darkness? Read Revelation remember them all. Have family 2:10. Say: We’re children of Hand out pencils and card stock. Say: members close their eyes while Jesus the King; we’re his heirs. On one side of the postcard, write or you remove one item. Then have That means we’ll live in his draw a thank-you to Jesus for them guess what’s missing. Play kingdom of heaven. sending the Holy Spirit. On the other several rounds. Read aloud Acts side, draw a picture of what you think heaven is like. Close in prayer.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16

MEDIA MADNESS

CULTURE MOVIE MUSIC & TRENDS

Title: UglyDolls Artist: Halsey Dolls With Disabilities The 2019 Genre: Animated musical comedy Synopsis: Singer- Halsey line of Barbie dolls, out in June, Rating: Not yet rated rose to fame via Tumblr and has built a includes a doll with a prosthetic limb Cast: Emma Roberts, Kelly Clarkson, following for the past five years. Now and one with a wheelchair (plus a Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe 24, Halsey has gone mainstream, often ramp for the Barbie Dream House). Synopsis: Free-spirited misfit dolls are appearing on TV and awards shows Mattel consulted a 13-year-old each searching for an ideal human and ever-present on kids’ playlists. Her disability activist and medical experts match. They leave UglyVille for the single “Without Me” was a chart-topper, for advice. Also debuting are dolls Institute of Perfection, where beauty and she’s working on her third . with “a new body type and braided and conformity are prized. Moxy, the Halsey’s lyrics and videos are often hair texture.” (disabilityscoop.com) group’s leader, helps the UglyDolls feel dark and sexually explicit, featuring good about being exactly who they violent imagery and alcohol use. Walk & Talk Therapy A new mode are—flaws and all. Our Take: Halsey has bipolar disorder of counseling is ideal for stroller- Our Take: As a kid-friendly parable, and advocates for suicide prevention, pushing parents. Some therapists this movie champions the value of which is admirable. She’s also vocal now offer “on the go” sessions, individuality. Parents can add a biblical about her bisexuality and struggles as walking alongside parents who either perspective, emphasizing that God a homeless teenager. The mature lack child-care or prefer to stay with makes us each different and special. content in her lyrics and videos isn’t a their kids. Counselors say people Encourage kids to be proud of their positive influence or appropriate for tend to open up more while walking unique traits and talents. kids. side by side, when eye contact isn’t required. Plus, exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins. (cnn.com) Games, Podcasts & Apps Candygrams Pants on Fire Kanopy Kids QUICK STATS This colorful anagram In this silly game show, To access the content board game for two to listeners become lie- available through this Sorry, Young Chefs Only 4% of four players involves detectors to decide which app, all you need is a moms say they want breakfast in bed luck and strategy. It’s of two “experts” is real. library card. The kids’ for Mother’s Day. Instead, make like a child-friendly On each episode, a child section is filled with a reservations! Almost 40% of moms Scrabble hybrid, with interviews two people to wide variety of animated prefer brunch at a restaurant. (Zagat) color-coding thrown into determine who knows books, educational the mix. Candygrams their stuff and whose videos, and TV series. Rats! In a survey, people who helps kids develop word pants are on fire from Parents should oversee owned rats when they were 17 or skills and can be played lying. The podcast, usage, though, making younger say they were happier with at different paces. It geared toward preteens, sure young users stay those pets than with others such as costs $24.99 and is teaches kids to be good only in the Kanopy Kids cats and dogs. (rightpet.com) designed for ages 7+. question-askers. section.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play.

May

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 Jordan, Aria,

& Wilder’s

Birthday

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

9 am GC Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Bible Class Appreciation Appreciation Appreciation Appreciation Appreciation 10 am GC Week Week Week Week Week Worship

Brandt’s Ms Trish Emily & Birthday Birthday Braxton’s Birthday

Pre-K Mother’s Tea 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

9 am GC Bailey, Early Release Bible Class Phoenix, 2:30 pm 10 am GC Reed, & Worship Mack’s End of Year Birthday Program

Mother’s Day 6:00 pm

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

9 am GC Hadley’s Kailian & Madison’s Bible Class Birthday Shiloh’s Birthday 10 am GC Birthday Worship Ms Joyce’s Birthday

Classroom Classroom Classroom Classroom Classroom Party Week Party Week Party Week Party Week Party Week 26 27 28 29 30 31

9 am GC No School Greta’s Water Day Last Day at Teacher In- Bible Class GCA Closed Birthday at GCA GCA Service 10 am GC Worship Early Release No School Memorial Day at 2:30 pm GCA Closed Ms Amber’s Birthday