The Family Table
Feeding the Faith of LEFC Families
TFT: Right Choices
April 21, 2024
Dear LEFC Parents,
Here are some items to set the table for disciple-making in your family in the week ahead:
Ins and Outs with Sports for Kids
Justin Giboney, a former college football player, current little league coach, and president of AND Campaign, recently wrote a helpful article in Christianity Today balancing the potential and pitfalls of sports for kids: Sports Can Be a Touchdown for Faith. Beware of Encroachment.
The Gospel Project at Home
Today’s Bible Study is “Gentiles Became Part of the Church” (Volume 11: Unit 32: Session 3). 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.
FCA Night of Worship
Some of the high school students in the West Branch FCA club are planning a “Night of Worship” at the WB Auditorium on Friday May 3rd, 6:00-8:00pm. This may be something you might encourage your teen to attend (or go with them!). Contact the FCA Advisor Dave Learish with any questions.
It’s Not Too Late To Sign Up For Summer Camp
There are still (but very limited) open spots for summer camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch. There are many weeks of camps for all ages. See Marilynn Kristofits for more information if you are interested in going.
And for dessert…
Our recommendation for family discipleship this week is a classic kids book that teaches young children to make God-honoring moral decisions.
I (Pastor Matt) loved reading Making Right Choices to our kids when they were little. Every time you turn the page, you get a new kid-centered ethical case study to discuss with your young ones. There is a picture that tells a story, then a short description of the action in the story (which starts with a catchy rhyme), followed by discussion questions that engage the child with moral reasoning, and lastly a little prayer with an appropriate verse of scripture. There are 26 of these excellent case studies which range from very simple to very profound.
For example, on pages 28 and 29, we find the story of Terry and Chad who were playing soccer together and then Terry said Chad looked dumb and that made Chad feel sad. How should they work out this very real problem?
Making Right Choices was written by Kenneth N. Taylor, the man behind The Living Bible paraphrase. His writing is gentle and kind (but firm!) like something from Mr. Rogers. It’s illustrated by Kathryn Shoemaker who paints vivid pictures full of diverse children being very active and loved by their families.
Extra! There are ladybugs snuck into each picture. Let the youngest child try to find them first!
Pastor Matt and Heather have this book in their home library and would be happy to loan it to your family for a couple of months to do character development with your young ones.
We hope your family eats it up.
Matt Mitchell, Pastor
Holly Crumrine, Family Table Editor
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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!