Children’s Faith Formation Resources 2024-25

Countdown to Christmas!- Week One- November 27 – December 4

Sunday, December 1 is the first Sunday of four in the church season of Advent. Advent means- beginning. It is the first season of the new church year! It is also the beginning of the countdown to Christmas! As we get to the end of the year, it gets darker sooner. But things are different with us. On each Sunday in Advent we light another candle on the Advent Wreath. So the darker it gets outside, the lighter it gets inside! Until the birth of Jesus on December 25!

Engage/Live the Story-

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of the countdown to Christmas. There are several things here you could do as a family.

If you have an Advent wreath, get it out and light one candle on Sunday, December 1. Talk together about when you might light the candle throughout this week.
- Don’t have an Advent Wreath? Here are directions for one you can make with real candles (we invite you to use blue candles in the color of the season)
- You can also use this one for a less flammable Advent Wreath.
Are there other traditions that you can use to count down the days until we celebrate Jesus’ birth? Some families use an Advent Calendar- with a little treat or saying available for each of the 25 days until Christmas. What other things could you do to count down to the birth of Jesus?
Here are some Advent Wreath coloring sheets.
The first Sunday in Advent (December 1) is traditionally focused on the theme of hope. Hope is a firm belief in the promises God has made us. Even when they aren’t immediately filled.
- Talk with your children about the things they hope to get for Christmas.
- Talk together about the things we hope for others that aren’t physical gifts. This might be a good time to talk about better health for a grandparent or friend. Homes for people without them. This is a good time to think with them about our hopes for others.
- Make a “Hope List” together and post it on the fridge or somewhere else you can see it. During this season, feel free to add to it as the Spirit strikes you.
- Here are some Hope coloring sheets.

Countdown to Christmas!- Week Two- December 4-11

Sunday, December 8 is the Second Sunday of four in the church season of Advent. Advent means- beginning. It is the first season of the new church year! It is also the beginning of the countdown to Christmas! As we get to the end of the year, it gets darker sooner. But things are different with us. On each Sunday in Advent we light another candle on the Advent Wreath. So the darker it gets outside, the lighter it gets inside! Until the birth of Jesus on December 25!

Engage/Live the Story-

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of the countdown to Christmas. There are several things here you could do as a family.

If you have an Advent wreath, light two candles on Sunday, December 8.
- Don’t have an Advent Wreath? Here are directions for one you can make with real candles (we invite you to use blue candles in the color of the season)
- You can also use this one for a less flammable Advent Wreath.
The Second Sunday in Advent (December 8) is traditionally focused on the theme of peace. Peace in scripture is not the absence of conflict. Rather, it is a sense of wholeness, of calm, even in the face of problems from outside us.
- Ask your children what they think of when they hear the word peace. It will likely be things the world talks about- end of war/conflict, complete relaxation (a day at the beach or spa). This kind of peace is nice, but it doesn’t last.
- Read Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
  - What does this reading from the Bible say about peace. It comes from God, it comes through prayer, it is the opposite of being anxious, it isn’t something we can fully understand.
  - As an activity- have everyone draw what this kind of peace from God feels like.
- Here are some Peace coloring sheets you can use as a family.

Countdown to Christmas!- Week Three- December 11-18

Sunday, December 15 is the Third Sunday of four in the church season of Advent. Advent means- beginning. It is the first season of the new church year! It is also the beginning of the countdown to Christmas! As we get to the end of the year, it gets darker sooner. But things are different with us. On each Sunday in Advent we light another candle on the Advent Wreath. So the darker it gets outside, the lighter it gets inside! Until the birth of Jesus on December 25!

Engage/Live the Story-

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of the countdown to Christmas. There are several things here you could do as a family.

If you have an Advent wreath, light three candles on Sunday, December 25.
- Don’t have an Advent Wreath? Here are directions for one you can make with real candles (we invite you to use blue candles in the color of the season)
- You can also use this one for a less flammable Advent Wreath.
The Third Sunday of Advent (December 15) is traditionally focused on the theme of Joy. Joy is a deeper feeling than just happiness. It is that general sense of well being and hope that comes from knowing God loves us, knowing our family loves us, feeling cared for. We’re happy it’s Friday. We have joy because we get to spend the weekend with our family.
Make a list together as a family of the things that might make us happy and things that give us joy. There are no real right or wrong answers, having the conversation is half the fun!
Figure something fun you can do for someone in your life to give them a little more joy (the sense that they are loved). Maybe bake them some cookies and take them over. Take grandma out for lunch. What else could you do?
Here are some Joy coloring sheets for the family.

Countdown to Christmas!- Week Four- December 18-25

Sunday, December 22is the Fourth Sunday of four in the church season of Advent. Advent means- beginning. It is the first season of the new church year! It is also the beginning of the countdown to Christmas! As we get to the end of the year, it gets darker sooner. But things are different with us. On each Sunday in Advent we light another candle on the Advent Wreath. So the darker it gets outside, the lighter it gets inside! Until the birth of Jesus on December 25!

Engage/Live the Story-

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of the countdown to Christmas. There are several things here you could do as a family.

If you have an Advent wreath, light four candles on Sunday, December 22.
- Don’t have an Advent Wreath? Here are directions for one you can make with real candles (we invite you to use blue candles in the color of the season)
- You can also use this one for a less flammable Advent Wreath.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 22) is traditionally focused on the theme of Love.
- Make a list about the different kinds of love. Because the love we have for pizza is different than the love we have for grandma which is different than the love we have for a favorite TV show or hobby. How many different kinds of love can you come up with?
Here are some Love coloring sheets for the family.

The Captives Come Home! Ezra 1-3 November 13 - 27

You heard the story of the exile over the last few weeks. We talked about how exile is a bit like a time-out. As a consequence of your actions, you are sent somewhere you don’t want to be. But, like when you are in time-out, God promised the Israelites that they would return home someday.

Our story from Ezra 1-3 is about that return from exile. How the people of Israel returned home from exile in Babylon and how they rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem and rejoiced in worshipping God and their return to living in the land that God promised to give to the faithful.

Hear the Story (November 13 - 20)-

This video (3:30 minutes) tells the story of the return from Babylon. This video tells the story of the rebuilding of the Temple in a fun way! (2:48).

Engage/Live the Story (November 20-27)

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of the return from exile with your kids. We have several great examples here, but feel free to explore things with your children in a way that works for your family.

Do you have any building block sets at home? Then have a competition to see who can build the best temple in a set amount of time. (Try starting with 1 minute). When you’ve had everyone go once alone, try building a Temple with everyone in the family helping and not having a time limit. Talk about the difference using everyone and not being rushed made in your structures.
We are joyful when we are forgiven, when we are released from the consequences of our actions. Ezra talks about how the people of Israel sang and danced in their worship of God after their return. When have been some times you have celebrated coming home?
Here are some coloring sheets and some activity sheets you can use.

Share the Story

We invite you to share with us how you have covered this as a family. Send us pics of what you and your children have created. Let us know if there was some big discovery you had. We’d love to share what you are doing with our larger church family. E-mail these things to pastorstjohnely@southslope.net You can also post to our Facebook page if you prefer.

Exile_Is_Coming_Teaching_Picture-pdf-image-546x422

Exile- 2 Kings 17 and Jeremiah 25: 1-14- October 23 – November 13

There are two exiles in the Hebrew Bible. One is recounted in 2 Kings when the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. The other is recounted in Jeremiah 25 when the southern kingdom of Judah is conquered by Babylon.

Why were the Israelites forced from their home each time? Because they had disobeyed God. They began to worship other gods. They did not live according to God’s rules and care for widows, orphans, the poor, and others who could not care for themselves. God warned them that the consequence of their actions would be to be sent away into exile.

Exile is a bit like a time-out. As a consequence of your actions, you are sent somewhere you don’t want to be. But, like when you are in time-out, God promised the Israelites that they would return home someday.

Hear the Story (October 23-November 6)-

The story of Exile is less a single story and more about the consequences of Israel not living according to God’s rules. You can watch one of the following videos to get a sense of what went on. This video (4 minutes) tells the story of the Assyrian exile. This video (3:13 minutes) tells the story of how the Babylonian exile happened. While it is often expressed as God punishing the people, I wonder if it was more this is a consequence of not worshiping God alone and not caring for the least of those among you?

Engage/Live the Story (October 16-23)

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of Jonah and the Big Fish with your kids. We have several great examples here, but feel free to explore things with your children in a way that works for your family.

This would be a good week to talk about rules and consequences for breaking them in your house. How is that like God and the Israelites? Does punishing your child mean you don’t love them? Of course not! But we set consequences for actions that we hope will guide them to live better lives.
The Israelites didn’t worship God alone and neglected to help those in need around them. Think of some ways you and your family could help those around you in need. Maybe go grocery shopping together for food for a food pantry. Or visit a nursing home and pass out some cards to the residents. What are some other things you could do to help those in need around you?
Exile is a bit like going on a really long trip. Make a list together of the things you would want to take with you on a really long trip. If you could only take things you carry with you, what would you take?
Here are a couple of possible crafts you could do together.
Here are some coloring sheets and another coloring sheet along with some activity sheets you can use.

Share the Story

Jonah and the Big Fish- Jonah 1-4- October 9 - 23

Jonah and the Big Fish- Jonah 1-4- October 9 - 23

God chose Jonah to be a prophet. To tell people for God where they were doing bad things. God sent Jonah to Nineveh- a place filled with people Jonah did not like because they often attacked where Jonah lived. So, Jonah disobeyed God and went in the other direction. This story is about how God changed Jonah’s mind and then God- through Jonah’s words- changed the Ninevites minds.

This can be a good time to talk about the fact that sometimes, God calls us to do hard things. Things we don’t want to do. But that when we trust God, things can work out well not just for us, but for other people as well.

Hear the Story (October 9 - 16)-

We encourage you to share the story of Jonah and the Big Fish with your child throughout the week. Read them the story from their Children's Story Bible. You can watch one of the following videos. This video (1.5 minutes) from the Beginners Bible tells the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. Here is another one from Saddleback Kids (3 minutes). Here is a fun Veggie Tales Video of the same story (80 minutes). What other fun ways can you find to hear the story?

Engage/Live the Story (October 16-23)

If music is your thing, here is a fun song to learn.
Here’s a game you can play as a family.
- Opposites- This is a bit like Simon Says, except they have to do the opposite of what the leader says and does. For example, if the leader says, “Up” and stands up then everyone else must sit down. Players who follow the leader are out. The last person remaining is the winner and becomes the next leader. Talk about why this game might be a good one to do this week. (Jonah was told by God to go to Nineveh and then he went the opposite direction.
Here is a fun and easy craft you can do to remember the story! Print out this sheet. And follow these directions.
Sometimes, when we are told to do one thing we do the opposite. Everyone does that. As you are able, have an honest conversation with your children about your own reasons for doing that. Have them share (as best they can) why they have done that on occasion at home. Talk together about what we might learn from this story of Jonah about how to handle ourselves in those moments.
God gives us second chances- share with each other a time when you got a second chance. What did that feel like? How did you do with your second chance?
Here are some coloring sheets and activity sheets you can use.

Share the Story

Daniel and the Lion's Den- Daniel 6- September 25 - October 9

Daniel and the Lion’s Den- Daniel 6- September 25 – October 9

Like Joseph, God had given Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. Also like Joseph, Daniel did so for the king of Babylon. Able to sleep better, the king promoted Daniel to be a chief ruler in the kingdom. But the other leaders- who were not Jews- got jealous. They had the king sign a law that said people could only pray to him. Otherwise, they would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel had a decisions to make. Betray God, or risk his life. Daniel chose God.

This story is a good one to talk about why we pray to God all the time, why God comes first in our lives, and the value of standing up for what God calls us to do.

Hear the Story (September 25 – October 2)-

We encourage you to share the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den with your child throughout the week. Read them the story from their Children's Story Bible. You can watch one of the following videos. This video is from Saddleback Kids (3.5 minutes). Here is a fun Veggie Tales Video of the same story (12 minutes). What other fun ways can you find to hear the story?

Engage/Live the Story (October 2-9)

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den with your kids. We have several great examples here, but feel free to explore things with your children in a way that works for your family.

Here are some games you can play as a family.
- Sleeping Lions- Everyone (except one or two hunters) lie down on the floor in sleeping positions. Once the game starts the lions are not allowed to move. The hunter must walk around the room, trying to spot a moving lion. They can make jokes, funny noises or actions to try and make a lion laugh. If the lion moves, they also become a hunter. The last lion left wins!
- Roar Like a Lion- One person faces the wall. Everyone else stands somewhere in the room behind them. The people behind take it in turns to roar like a lion. The person facing the wall must try and guess who is making the roar.
Daniel prayed to God every day. It’s a practice that would be good for us to do as well. Turn a large container into a mini prayer bucket. Have your children draw something or someone they want to prayer for on a piece of paper. Then drop it into the bucket. Make sure the rest of the family participates, too. At least twice a day, everyone draws something from the bucket to pray for. Try this for the rest of the week!
You each can make a paper plate Lion’s Mask- All you need is a paper plate, Yellow and Brown construction paper, scissors, and glue. While you’re making the mask, have your children tell you the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den again.
Talk together as a family about how you pray. Now would be a great time to start a new prayer time together. Maybe before bedtime. Maybe around the table when you eat together. Maybe even in the car before you travel. Anytime in a good time to pray. Even in the lion’s den!
Here are some coloring sheets and activity sheets you can use.

Share the Story

Solomon- The Wise Ruler- 1 Kings 3:5- 10:13- September 11 - 25

The son of King David, Solomon would follow his father as King. He is the one who would build the Temple in Jerusalem that would house the Ark of the Covenant. He would rule the Kingdom of Israel for many years. While not a perfect man, he was known for his wisdom.

Hear the Story (September 11-25)-

We encourage you to share the story of Solomon the Wise with your child throughout the week. Read them the story from their Children's Story Bible. You can watch one of the following videos. This video (1.5 minutes) from the Beginners Bible tells the story of Solomon asking for wisdom and how he shared that wisdom. Here is another one from Saddleback Kids (1.5 minutes). You might find other ways to hear the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17.

Engage/Live the Story (September 11-18)

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of Wise King Solomon with your kids. We have several great examples here, but feel free to explore things with your children in a way that works for your family.

Wisdom is not just knowledge. It’s knowing how to make good choices based on learning and experiences. God is the greatest and best source of wisdom!
Make this your prayer as a family this week as you begin your days, “Dear God, Grant us wisdom so we can make wise choices and be an example for you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”
Draw a large crown and write “SOLOMON” on it. Write words on the crown that describe Solomon (wise, dream, son of David, son of Bathsheba, etc.). Draw another crown with your name on it. Take turns as a family writing words that describe you no that crown.
Here are some coloring sheets and activity sheets you can use.
For a craft, make a “Decision in a Bag” Tool. You will need:
- Plastic bag (gallon Ziploc)
- Dry erase markers
- Markers or crayons
- Scissors
- Markers, crayons, etc.
- Other decorations (jewels, stickers, etc.)
  - Procedure: Create a chart on cardstock or construction paper, with spaces for “choice”, “pros”, and “cons.” Consider using two colors or pieces of paper. Add decorations to the Ziploc bag, such as jewels or stickers. Slide the paper(s) into the bag. Use the dry-erase markers to make notes on the outside of the bag, allowing thoughts that can later be erased and re-written. Use the bag to consider elements of each side when making decisions. Make this a part of how you make decisions as a family.

Share the Story

The Giant- David and Goliath- 1 Samuel 17- August 28 – September 11

The enemies of the Israelites, the Philistines, have come to fight and brought their best fighter, Goliath, with them. His size and prowess have the Israelites afraid. Until a young man, David- probably 13-15 years old, says he will fight the giant. What happens next is the beginning of the story of the greatest king of the Jewish nation. It also reminds us, that God is with us, even when things seem impossible.

Hear the Story (August 28- September 4)-

We encourage you to share the story of David and Goliath with your child throughout the week. Read them the story from their Children's Story Bible. You can watch one of the following videos. This video (27 minutes) tells the whole story from the Beginners Bible. This is the Veggie Tales Version (19 minutes). This video (3 minutes)tells the story a bit more concisely. You might find other ways to hear the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17.

Music: This song might be a way to remember the story of David and Goliath.

Engage/Live the Story (September 4 - 11)

This week we encourage you to engage/live the story of David and Goliath with your kids. We have several great examples here, but feel free to explore things with your children in a way that works for your family.

Goliath was a literal giant who stood almost 9 feet tall. Find something to compare that to in your home and share it with your children. While we don’t have literal giants to face, we do have things in our lives that seem too big for us to handle by ourselves. It might be a math test, a friend who is mad at us, trouble at home. Think together with your children about a giant like this in your life. Everyone write their giant on a piece of paper. Talk together about how God might help us with this “giant” like God helped David with Goliath. God might help us find an answer as we pray, read the Bible, or talk with friends and family. Together, with God, we can conquer our giants!
Sit down with some paper and crayons, colored pencils, or other art supplies and have them draw a picture from the story of David and Goliath. Then have them share the story with you and where their picture took place.
Here are some coloring sheets and activity sheets you can print for your child to use.
For a craft, you might find some river rocks (or go buy some from the Dollar or craft store) and then decorate them however they like. You can place them outside or somewhere in the house to remember that God can help us be brave like God helped David to be brace.
If you have some kind of a skill game (cornhole would work well or basketball) have your children try and throw a bag through the hole or put a ball through the hoop.

Share the Story