The Family Table

Dear LEFC Parents,

Here are some “main dishes” for you to set the table for family discipleship in your home this week:

Week 2 of “Chasing Love” – Bible Study for Teens

Our new class for youth, Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture, meets on Sunday evenings at 7pm in the upstairs Youth Room and is led by Keith & Heather Hurley and Joan Page. Parents are welcome and invited to participate, as well.

I (Pastor Matt) got to attend the first meeting and think the study is well crafted for providing a basic biblical sexual ethic for our students. All of the students spoke up during the discussion. Between meetings, there are 3 short Bible studies for the teens to do on their own during the week. It seems well-suited for jumpstarting good conversations. This week’s lesson is about true freedom.

Challenge Conference Is Coming

Challenge is for students in current grades 6-12 and runs July 1-5 in Kansas City, MO. Holly Crumrine says, “Challenge is a camp, retreat, and mission trip all in one. Students will be exposed to exciting live worship bands and the chance to worship with thousands of their peers; top-notch artists and speakers, declaring the glory of God and challenging kids to think critically about what they believe; and outreach opportunities to practice the love of Jesus in the local community. It’s also run by people who know and love teens and want them to have the best, funnest week of their lives with like-minded peers. All in all, it’s the rare whole-self immersion for a young person to explore and commit to a lifelong commitment to Jesus.”

The deadline to commit to going to Challenge with our group is February 18. A $100 deposit secures your spot and allows us to start booking hotels and planning transportation and fundraising. You can email the church office or Cody or Holly Crumrine for more information. (Financial assistance available if needed.)

New! Egg Hunt on March 30th

The Family Ministries Team is organizing an Easter egg hunt on March 30th at 10:00am on our LEFC campus. In addition to the hunt, we’ll be organizing indoor crafts and activities to enjoy. Children ages 0-12 are invited to participate. Registration will begin at 9:30am. Pre-registration will be available for children who are attenders of LEFC. Donations of plastic eggs, candy, and prizes are needed, as well as volunteers. See Jordyn Skacel, Holly Crumrine, or Vicki Albert with questions, to pre-register, or to get involved!

N is for Never-Failing

Has your child been following along with the adventures of TJ and Tory on Tiny Theologians? I (Pastor Matt) recently listened to the episode based on the letter N and the attribute of God that He is Never-failing (unlike Tory’s new compass). Imagine learning that truth about God for the first time?!

From Girl to Woman

As promised, the hosts of The Family Discipleship Podcast followed up last week’s discussion [which we recommended in The Family Table] with a new conversation about leading girls into godly womanhood. What is different in raising girls than raising boys? What can the church do to help in this? Give it a listen.

Summer Camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch

If you want a good discount, now’s a good time to register for camp. Talk to Marilynn Kristofits about the cost, deadlines, and details.

The Gospel Project at Home 

Today’s Bible Study is “Peter Healed a Man” (Volume 10: Unit 30: 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 one of the LEFC elders and their wives (and sometimes guest preachers?!) about the message.

And for dessert…

Our recommendation for family discipleship this week is a children’s book and podcast interview on the subject of friendship.

Author Trillia Newbell has written a book for kids called Jesus and the Gift of Friendship. It’s about a boy named Zeke who is missing a close friend and has a bad experience trying to make friends with another neighborhood boy. Zeke learns lessons about the blessing of friendship but also about the brokenness of friendship in our fallen world. He also learns about praying for friends. Can you relate?

I (Pastor Matt) recently listened to the author talk about friendship and why she wrote this book on the Crossway Podcast: When Your Kid Needs a Friend. In the podcast, Newbell and the host covered these topics:

– The State of Friendship in the Church
– Friendship with God Is a Pathway to Friendship with Others
– Teaching Our Kids about Friendship
– Learning to Wait on God
– Is Jesus My Buddy?
– A Prayer for Parents and Kids

The interview was easily worth a half-hour of attention. Listen while making dinner for your family.

Jesus and the Gift of Friendship will soon be in our church library for families to check out.

We hope your family eats it right up.

Matt Mitchell, Pastor
Holly Crumrine, Family Table Editor