The Family Table
Feeding the Faith of LEFC Families
TFT: Oldies But Goodies
June 9, 2024
Dear LEFC Parents,
Here are some items to set the table for disciple-making in your family in the week ahead:
Where Do Babies Come From?
Focus on the Family recently aired a broadcast interview with Dr. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb on how to answer that unavoidable question in a kid-friendly way. The Holcombs are the authors of the short book, God Made Babies: Helping Parents Answer the Baby Question.
Challenge “Thrift Store” Now Open!
The Challenge Crew’s free “Thrift Store” is officially open for “business!” Stop by the rooms on the northeast wing of the church building to see what you might want to take home with you (and leave a donation to get our teens to Challenge 2024!).
The Gospel Project at Home
Today’s Bible Study is “Paul and Silas Started Churches” (Volume 12: Unit 34: Session 2). Ask your kids what they learned in Kids Bible Class this morning and/or do the family devotional you can find at this link.
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.
And for dessert…
Our Kids Bible Class superintendent and Family Bible Week director, Vicky Albert, is this week’s featured writer for our dessert recommendation! She writes:
If you are looking for a break from the fast action, high-tech world our kids and grandkids face each day, here are two slower-paced “oldie but goodies” to check out geared towards preschool and elementary kids!
When my kids were young, The Donut Man (aka Rob Evans) videos were some of our favorites. Filled with Scripture, character-building themes and Bible stories, each episode includes creative skits and songs to help kids learn more about God and our need to have him in our lives. “Duncan the Donut” is featured in each episode to illustrate how, just like a donut, without God in our lives we are empty and have a hole in our heart. Here is a description of the episode On the Farm
“While visiting a farm, The Donut Repair Club has to take over when the real farmer, Uncle Jim, hurts his leg. When he comes back, will the farm be fruitful? This scenario serves to teach children about looking forward to Christ’s return, and the importance of being ready to present Him with the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.”
With over 4 million copies sold, The Donut Man is still going strong today and continues to be a great choice for families!
Cedarmont Kids music CDs and DVDs is another favorite in our family and a terrific resource for preschool and elementary kids. Started in 1993 by Mike and Sue Gay, the Cedarmont collection includes a large variety of CDs and DVDs focused on classic Christian Bible School songs and fun songs for toddlers. Titles include: Sunday School Songs, Bible Songs, Action Bible Songs,
Toddler Tunes, Silly Songs, and Lullabies. Many of the CDs include stereo and split-track versions of the songs for both listening and performing. At LEFC we are using Cedarmont for our KBC weekly/monthly times of singing. The DVDs (also from the ‘90’s) feature live-action (no cartoon or animation here) with kids singing in a wide variety of settings. You can preview a few clips from the DVDs on YouTube or listen to songs by the Cedarmont Kids on Spotify.
The Donut Man and Cedarmont Kids series offer timeless, wholesome viewing and listening opportunities to help kids grow in the Lord. Great for young (and old) hearts!
Holly Crumrine, Family Table Editor
Vicky Albert, Kids Bible Class Superintendent
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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!