One of the things I enjoy so much about working with children is their excitement level.  They get excited about Jesus - and so do I.  We want to use that excitement in a way that will help the children grow closer to Jesus.  We always have so much fun having a contest.  Sunday, March 7 begins a super fun contest with the kids.  Here is how they will get points for their team:

• Attendance is so important for the children's spiritual development.  I have been using material in children's church called Discipletown.  We want to teach them to be disciples of Christ.  The unit we will start tomorrow is "How to Follow God's Plan."  I sure wish I would have learned these types of lessons when I was a child.  (Points for Attendance is counted for anyone present by 10:00 a.m.  Children's church begins at 9:30 a.m.)
• Bringing their Bible is another way to get points, but more importantly, we really want to help the children develop a deep love for the Scripture.  We use Scripture a lot during children's church. 
• Bringing a visitor.  When we really like the things we are doing, we want others to join in on the fun.  And we really like children's church and learning about God.  Of course we would want our friends to join us.  Please Note:  they can bring adults as visitors.  The adults are welcome to join us in children's church, or go to a Sunday school class.
• Share something they did nice for someone else.  There are a couple reasons we chose this way to get points  1) we want the children to be aware of always looking for nice things to do for people.  2) We want them to learn to give a testimony of what God is doing in their lives.  So when they come to children's church they will simply tell their team leader something they did nice this week.  Kids can then get excited about BEING NICE! 
• Memorizing Scripture is vital for children.  I teach the kidz all the time that what goes in . . . .  comes out.   If they fill their minds with violence and bad language from television or video games, those same things are going to come back out in their actions. The same things goes for the positive things:  if they memorize Scripture then God will bring it back to their minds just when they need to it the most.  The verse for the first week goes with our lesson for Childrens Church tomorrow - Jeremiah 29:11.  Look it up.  The children will receive the verse each week in a note from their team leader.  WATCH YOUR MAIL!!  All children 1st grade and up will memorize the entire verse.  Kindergarten and under can just remember as much as possible.  (How is that for flexible!!) 

So you can tell that we are just going to have a blast.   Come and join us!!