Back to Basics

When we look at the life and teaching of Jesus, we’re reminded how important it is to go back to the basics. Luke gives us some insight into how Jesus grew up. Luke 2:52 notes that Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and others. Throughout our lives, we should also circle back to these ideas as we seek to live like Jesus.

These are the basics: Wisdom—I need to make the wise choice; Faith—I can trust God no matter what; Friendship—I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

When we return to these ideas, we can begin to discover what God is doing in us to change the world around us. This summer we’re heading back to Base Camp where we’ll learn from the life of Jesus, His teachings, and His example.

The monthly memory verse is: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men,” Luke 2:52, NIrV. When we respond to God and follow where He leads, we will see ourselves develop in wisdom, faith, and friendship. Then we will be able to set the example for other people.

In Week One’s biblical principle, Luke tells us how Jesus grew up (Luke 2:52). Jesus grew closer to God by growing in wisdom, faith, and friendship. Our Bottom Line is: God is doing something in you to change the world around you. We can’t change the world until we allow God to change us on the inside and make us more like Jesus.

By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. http://www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.

SLIMED 2011

Just a recap from last years “SLIMED”
This was one of the best parts last year.
This year we have so much more in store.
Come out on October 31, 2012 at
4301 W Diversey, Chicago IL. Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:15 sharp. If you are going to miss any part of the show, don’t miss the beginning.
Admission is free.

Pumpkin latte is a drink in heaven

It’s October in Chicago, the leafs are turning colors, the temperature outside is 78 one day, 47 the next day, and back to 78 the day after, the sky is gloomy, and mummies wrapped in double ply toilet paper are walking the streets. Ok, maybe that last line is not true, but I’m sure glad fall is here. One reason why I love it so much, is because of the pumpkin latte. I’m not big on flavored coffee, I actually like it black, with a couple shots of espresso, and a pinch of excitement powder. But the pumpkin latte brings back memories of the first SLIMED event we did in 2010.
It was the usual, me running frantically, everything that could’ve gone wrong- did, people missing, kids arriving, and parents talking. Out of the sky, on a fluffy cloud, my wife shows up with a pumpkin latte for me (she was actually standing in front of the fog machine). The feeling of the warm Liquid pumpkin cheesecake like taste was so relaxing, that the rest of the day was beyond what I imagined. Disclosure: by any means I am not saying that all the prayer, practice, and preparation was replaced by everyone holding a cup of coffee.
Since then, I’ve made it a tradition to always pick up a cup, right before the event. It’s a reminder, that I can’t get so caught up in trying to make this event perfect, but focus more on the hundreds of kids that will see God in a different perspective.
I am beyond ecstatic for “Slimed” this year, and know that many kids will be glad they came, instead of knocking on doors begging for candy.

So here’s the endorsement-
If you want to relax, get yourself a cup. If you want peace of mind, learn from my mistake, find rest in God, knowing that he will never give you more then you can handle.

See you at “Slimed” this year.

Carlos Lopez

Snow Cone Sunday

“God blesses hard workers” was not just the slogan used by Genesis Kids volunteers while packing hundreds of half spheres of snow into a cone, but the main point of the day. Today we spoke about snow cones. Not just snow cones, but the snow cone guy at the park. You see, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” proverbs 14:23. God can use regular people, as in the story in John 2:1, where Jesus’ first miracle was to turn water into wine. What if, when Jesus asked the guys at the wedding to bring him 6 jars, they rejected him, Would they look back and realize that they could have been part of his first miracle? The good thing is that they didn’t, but instead they ran and found the 6 jars, only to find out that God blesses hard workers. Because of their obedience, the wedding celebration was able to go on. What strikes me, is that Jesus’ disciples were not the first ones to assist Jesus with his first miracle, but the servants of the party that did. God blesses hard workers, not because of the title before their name, or their achievements, but because of their hearts. The same story we spoke about to the kids, I saw it come to life. As I was walking into the church lobby, I didn’t just see kids with snow cones, but I saw people of all ages eating and sipping snow cones. I thank God that the same way He turned water into wine, Genesis Kids was able to be a blessing to many.

God’s word is like LIGHT

We love our bible, because God’s word is like light.
Our supporting verses for the lesson were-
“The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble” Proverbs 4:19
And…
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105

As all the lights went off in the chapel, there was an uproar. All the kids were screaming, it was so dark, you couldn’t even see your hand.
The bible says that sinners walk around in darkness and they keep falling and getting hurt, but they don’t realize what makes them fall.
All of a sudden, I turned on a bright led flashlight, and showed the kids how the word of God is like a light.
God’s word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
People who know God’s word see trouble coming and are able to avoid it.
We then wrapped up the lesson with small groups, talking about how we will go through tough times, but allow the word of God to shine bright in that situation.
This week, I encourage you to teach your kids how they do not trip over the things that sinner do, but those same challenges turn out to bless them.
Please share your thoughts.

Mr. Carlos

God’s word is like Bread!

So I went to a great friends wedding last night, and I have to say that they had the best wedding food ever- a full slab of ribs. It doesn’t end there, this wedding also made me cheat on my no carb diet. They had the best bread to complement the dinner. As much as I tried, I could not say “no” to warm, buttered bread. That’s where our lesson today hit home. “I love my bible because God’s word is like bread”.

God’s word is like bread, when we mix it with faith.
We can have all the ingredients, measured perfectly, but if we don’t mix in flour, our bread will not rise.

Opening up your Bible to read is a lot like baking bread, you have to have the right ingredients. If we prepare the right way, our time reading the Bible can become like Bread to our soul, but we have to mix in our faith.

Before reading the Bible, take a moment to worship God and thank Him for His Word. Ask God to reveal Himself to you when you read.

For supporting verses, we used
Matthew 4:4 (also Deut 8:3)
“Jesus answered them, it is written, man does not live on bread alone, but on every word than comes from the mouth of God.”
Also Hebrews 4:2 talks about how some people hear God’s Word and it profits them nothing… because they don’t mix it with faith.

I have to admit, this is one of the best series we’ve taught the kids, Thanks to Church On The Move for such great resources.

Mr Carlos.

We love our Bible…

We are very excited to begin our new curriculum this coming Sunday. We will be using a curriculum made by “Kids On The Move” kids ministry of COTM in Tulsa Ok. The series is called I love my bible. It’s got a great song, and the lessons have hands on object lessons that bring the point home. I am positive that these next 7 weeks, will transform the way your kids see the bible. As you can see, the band is pumped and ready to go…

“By Faith”

Today was an awesome day. We began to implement ideas from Seeds conference, and our staff and children were excited. Be on the lookout, as we blog about the ideas that we are implementing. We encourage every person in Kidmin to attend Seeds next year, it will change your world.

Legos?

Ive seen some very catchy bibles out there for kids… You have the story bible, military, duct tape, princess, and comic book bibles, and now we have the Lego bible. Its a picture bible, with all the images made out of Legos. It’s called “The Brick Testament” and it will run you around $20.00. You might want to look trough it first, since there is nudity- yes, even Lego people can be nude.

Check out the video, website, and tells us what you think.
http://www.thebricktestament.com/index.html

Generations growing in God
-Carlos