The Family Table
Feeding the Faith of LEFC Families
TFT: Teens and Ephesians
September 15, 2024
Dear LEFC Parents,
Here are some great items to set the table for disciple-making in your family in the week ahead:
A is for Abba
The latest season of Tiny Theologians has just begun! This time around TJ and Torie are learning about the names of God. We have recommended the Tiny Theologians many times in The Family Table. In the first episode of the new season, little kids learn in a fun way how God is the perfect approachable parent.
Free Discipleship Material!
Jordyn was cleaning out the nursery and found old MOPS kids material. Would you appreciate having some guides to use for lessons in your home? In them you’ll find a poster, questions, craft and activity ideas, sample prayers, and more. We also have stickers to go along with some of them. Because we no longer have all of the material, there are some books, etc. referenced by the guides that you won’t have to go along with it. We recommend just looking up the stories in your Bible to read to your child and improvising when needed. Contact Jordyn by September 21 if you’d like these.
Contacting Jordyn
Jordyn Skacel is mobile! Our brand new Director of Family Ministry says, “I am happy to meet with you at the church, in my home, in your home, or in public, with or without kids! Catch me at church or contact me via phone, text, or email, 814-592-9280 or families@lansefree.org to schedule a time to meet. I’d love to hear your ideas, how you’d like to be involved, and to be a resource for your family.”
See You at the Pole
Parents are invited to join West Branch’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes for a time of prayer at the school’s flagpole. Students will meet at 7:15am on Wednesday, September 25th. Parents should park at Gethsemane, walk to the flagpole, and join the kids as they pray for their school.
New Beginnings in Kids Bible Classes
KBC have recently started a new series of lessons in the book of Genesis. Over the next three years, they will trek through the entire big story of the Bible! This is a great time to make sure your child is involved. Little Learners are age 3 to kindergarten. Bible Explorers are 1st grade to 3rd/4th grade. See Vicky Albert with any questions.
Did you know that you have free access to a family devotional based on the curriculum our kids are studying each week in KBC? It’s called “The Gospel Project at Home.” Today’s Bible Study is “The First Family” (Volume 1: Unit 1: Session 3), and the devotional can be found at this link.
Scroll down to the bottom of this email for more information about how to access The Gospel Project at Home.
Snack and Yack
For kids who have outgrown KBC, we have Snack and Yack. When the auditorium empties after worship, girls and boys (grades 3ish-7ish) who listened to the sermon (remember to fill out a handout!) are invited to Pastor Matt’s office for a tasty treat and a brief discussion with an LEFC elder couple about the message.
When Children Experience Trauma – Free Minibook
In light of the tragic events in Georgia earlier this month New Growth Press is making Darby Strickland’s minibook, When Children Experience Trauma, available as a free download for a limited time. They write, “We live in a scary world, and as much as we wish we could, we can’t protect our children from everything that may happen. Whether a traumatic event happens next door or across the country, it can still affect our children as they ask questions about why things happen and if it could happen to them.” Read When Children Experience Trauma for wisdom on how a parent can play a vital role in their child’s healing [free download].
LEFC Fall Retreat
Join your LEFC church family for a weekend getaway on October 18-20! The Family Ministries Team is excited to invite you to our Fall Retreat, where we will hear teaching and grow spiritually, build community, experience rich fellowship, share meals, and have lots of fun! All ages are encouraged to attend and will have a place to engage during age-specific breakouts. You’ll have opportunities to play games, eat a s’more around the campfire, chat with old friends and get to know new ones!
The camp is just one hour away, and transportation can be provided if needed. The cost is only $25 for an individual and $50 for couples and families, which covers housing, food, and activities for the weekend. We’ll even be back in time for church on Sunday! See Jordyn Skacel, Holly Crumrine, or Vicky Albert with questions. Registration information is online or on the table in the foyer.
More: Fall Retreat FAQ’s.
And for dessert…
Our recommendation for family discipleship this week is our brand new youth group ministry launching in just one week!
When our teens returned from Challenge ’24, everyone in the group said that they would love to have a weekly meeting to encourage each other in following Jesus.
It’s happening! The new youth group will begin meeting this coming Sunday, September 22nd, at 7:00pm at the church campus. All students in grades 7 and up are invited to come for games, snacks, and fun while learning to study our Bibles together.
This autumn, the group will be learning to grow closer to God by studying the book of Ephesians. Teens are encouraged to bring their own Bible (let us know if your student doesn’t have their own).
See Cody and Holly Crumrine for more information.
We hope your teen is planning to come!
Jordyn Skacel, Director of Family Ministry
Holly Crumrine, Family Table Editor
Matt Mitchell, Pastor
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EXPLAINER: THE GOSPEL PROJECT AT HOME
For the last several years, our Children’s Church ministry has utilized The Gospel Project as our Bible study curriculum. The Gospel Project is really excellent–it takes our Little Learners and Bible Explorers chronologically through the whole Bible over the course of three years while always focusing on Jesus as the center of the big story. If your student was in Little Learners or Bible Explorers this morning, they received a coloring page and take-home sheet that corresponds to this lesson. You have also been given a full-color Big Picture Card that you can use to reinforce the lesson with your child, as well.
To reinforce what your kids are learning each week in Children’s Church, you can now access The Gospel Project At Home online. Each week in this email, there will be a link to follow to get this free resource which includes:
1. A guide to using the Gospel Project at Home.
2. Scripture to read and discuss with a recap video of the Bible Story (Preschool and/or Elementary).
3. Scripture memory verses and a song to sing together.
4. Prayer prompts and family activities that correspond to the lesson.
Please consider setting aside at least 10-15 minutes once a week for a family devotional time using this resource as a guide. We are hoping The Gospel Project At Home will help keep all of our LEFC kids “on the same page,” and feed their faith in Jesus.
This might be especially helpful if for some reason your child has to miss a week of Children’s Church. You can show them the Bible story video to keep them up to speed on what the other children are learning.
**Note: The first time you access the link, you will need to register a free account with Lifeway’s Ministry Grid. This will also provide you ongoing access through the “training” tab to many other discipleship resources including the Gospel Project at Home for previous weeks. Many hours of excellent things to absorb for free!