Generosity Calendar

Sunday we started our Generosity Unit in PeeWeeVille and Creek Kids.  For the next 4-5 weeks we will be encouraging your family to participate in generous activities.  Don't forget to post pictures and use the hash tag:
#ccccgenerosity

Being generous is being like Jesus.  He was the most generous person ever.  He gave His life for you and me.  He died to take our place - He died as our punishment for our sin - He died so that we could have a relationship with God and be at peace with God.  He has been so generous to us..........we can be generous.

As you go through this month and participate in generous activities, think of a project your family can do.  What is one thing you could all do together to help someone else?  Who do you know that needs help?  Who have you seen that needs help?  What needs have you heard of?  Begin to make notes of these things.  On September 28 have a family meeting and plan your Generosity Project.

As your family does your project and other generous acts, remember who has been so generous to you - JESUS. Thank Him for His Generosity - thank Him for loving you - thank Him for being your rescuer.

Teaching Generosity

This Sunday in Creek Kids and in PeeWeeVille we will begin a unit on Generosity.  We will look at how we can all be generous with our time, talents, and treasures.  A lot of times we think about money when we think of being generous, but we can spend time with people and help people in ways that never costs a dime.

We will study 2 reasons to be generous:

• God owns it all.  It is all His.  He is generous enough to let us "use" it.  We are being generous with His stuff - because He owns it all.  (1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. )
• God was generous to us first.  God loved us so much that He gave us the thing He cherished most - His Son.  God knew that we sin.  He knew that our sin would separate us from Him.  God loves us so much that He wants a relationship with us....even if that relationship costs His Son's life.  (John 3:16:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. )

Sunday we will begin this unit.  We will give every family a calendar of activities to practice being generous.  Please use this unit and this resource to teach your child what it means to be generous like God was generous to us.  This is a lesson that is better "caught" than "taught".  As you and your child practice generosity together - you will make memories that will last a lifetime...............and both of you will understand God's love for us more.

As you do the generous acts this month...........post pictures with the hash tag:

#ccccgenerosity

Rahab - One of my favorite stories

We are on Day 9 of the Reading Plan.  How are you doing???

Big Picture  p. 141-155
Jesus Storybook p. 108-115

Rahab is one of my favorite characters in the Bible because.......

• She was brave.  She hid the spies.  She knew that was the right thing to do - and she did it, even though it was a dangerous choice.  Her life and her family's lives were at risk because of her bold move - and she made it anyway!
• She was chosen.  She wasn't an Israelite.  She was a foreigner, but God used her for His rescue plan of the Israelites.  
• She was part of the lineage of Jesus.  God not only used her to help rescue the Israelites - but He made her a part of the great rescue plan for all of us.  She was a great, great,.........grandmother to Jesus!  She was part of the family Jesus was born into.

Wow.........how I want to be brave, bold, and usable in God's plan today!

Nothing Can Stop God's Plan

Big Picture Story Bible - p.83-102
Jesus Storybook Bible - p. 62-83

Nothing can stop God's plan!

Today you will read the story of Joseph.  He was betrayed, imprisoned, and lived through a famine.  But nothing can stop God's plan!  Joseph was betrayed - but God's plan was still in place.  Joseph was imprisoned but God's plan was still in place.  God put Joseph where He needed Him to save His people.

Nothing Can Stop God's Plan!

God has a plan to rescue each of us from our sin.  No matter what our sins are..........or how many..........God's plan is still in place.  He sent His Son to die for all of them.  Help your child today to see God's plan in the story of Joseph.  Help him to see God's plan to rescue him as you tell him the story of Jesus.

Thank You God - that nothing can stop your plan!

The Promise

The Big Picture Story Bible - p. 51-66
The Jesus Storybook Bible - p. 38-55

Today your reading will include the story of Noah and the promise of the rainbow.  God saved Noah's family with the Ark.  God saved all of us with His son Jesus who died for our sins.  The rainbow reminds us of God saving Noah and his family - but it should also remind us of the way Jesus saved us.  As you read today - help your child see his own promise of salvation - or rescue through Jesus.

It's a beautiful day - make rainbows on the driveway with sidewalk chalk!

Thank you God for rescuing us!

Read the Bible with us in May!

I am so excited about reading through the Bible with you guys in May!  I hope you have your Bible ready.  We wrote a plan based on:
The Big Picture Story Bible
Jesus Storybook Bible

We have both for sale at Clear Creek Community Church - or you can purchase them at any bookstore.

We begin on May 1 - Thursday.  I will be blogging the reading plan for the day and some questions or activities you could do at home as you read.

You can read either of the books above.  Or you could read both if you have both - either alternating days and books or reading from both books each day.  We normally suggest The Big Picture Story Bible  for preschoolers, and Jesus Storybook Bible for Elementary kids.  But if you have both ages in your family - either book will be fine.

I hope you will join us!

Leadership Lesson - You can't do it alone!

We have a saying around CCCC............we shouldn't do anything alone.  We have policies when we work with children there are always 2 adults.  But also when we are leading teams - the motto is the same - don't do it alone.  We are stronger together, safer together, smarter together, it's more fun together, and it is definitely more sustainable together.

Exodus 18 gives us a wonderful picture of this theory.  Moses is the only leader for the people.  They are coming to him all day long to make all of the decisions.  He has no time to rest.  But it seems as if he doesn't have time to finish making the decisions either - like the line of people goes on and on.  People probably waited days for their turn to talk to Moses.  It was inefficient and unsustainable.

In steps Jethro - Moses' Father in Law......  he speaks wisdom to Moses - you shouldn't be doing this alone.  You need help and the people need a better process.  And TA-DA.... a leadership structure was born.  One that we model after today at CCCC in all ministry areas.

Leadership Lesson - you can't do it alone.

This definitely applies to ministry teams and to any work environment.  But it also applies to your home.

I believe God created the family to have a Mom and a Dad because we can't do it alone.  We need each other for strength and energy and to make it more fun.

I think we were all made to live in community, because of that I believe that you also need to lean on Christian friends when you are raising kids.  We need to encourage each other and help each other bear the load.  If you aren't in a Small Group at CCCC - I recommend you find one.  It will be great for your soul - you will grow in your faith, but you will also find strength and encouragement and community for the life road you are on.

Leadership Lesson - you can't do it alone!

Leadership Lesson #3

Everyone has leaders - so obey them.  Make leadership a joy for them.

I know what you are thinking...........whoever wrote that wasn't around for the last couple of weeks when our governmental leaders couldn't get their act together.  They weren't thinking of these guys when people were not allowed to work.  I say I know what you are thinking - actually I'm just admitting that that's what I'm thinking these days.

But these words/thoughts came from the Bible - Hebrews 13:17.

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

2 learnings for me this week..........

1. I have leaders.  I need to submit to them.  I need to submit willingly.  I need to make it easy for them to lead me.
2. As a leader - I will have to give an account to how I led people.  Did I imitate Christ so others could imitate me and grow more like Jesus?

These learnings are very convicting to me.  I need to lead well.  I need to imitate Christ better.  I need to pray for my leaders and follow them well.

Christ died for the times I don't do these things well............I'm thankful I'm forgiven............I want to grow more like Him.

Leadership Learnings - #2

This morning my research on leadership in the Bible led me to............Leviticus.  Took a couple of cups of coffee but I plowed through - and I learned something!

Leviticus 4:22-26

In the middle of the laws for sin offerings, there is a whole section on what to do when a leader sins.  It didn't say if - it said when.  God so knows us.  He knows that leaders will sin.  All of us sin and are sinners.  When we become a leader over someone or something, we are still the same sinners - just in a different position.  We will sin.

Today we don't have to follow the burnt offering procedures that are written in Leviticus.  We have a savior that offered Himself once and for all for our sins.  We are forgiven.  But..........we still need to ask forgiveness of God and of the people we lead.  We need to restore relationships that our sin breaks.  We are responsible to confess our sin to God and to the people we lead.

Good leadership isn't sin-free...........there is no such thing as that.  Good leadership is being humble, sincere, and responsible when we sin.

You are a Leader whether you wanna be or not!

We are all leaders.............. of something.  Some of us embrace the title.  Some of us wear it as a badge of honor.  Some of us run from the title and never want to have anything to do with it.  But we all lead something or someone.  If you have a pet - you are a leader.  If you have a team - you are a leader.  If you are a parent - you are a leader of your children.  If you are a Christ follower - you are called to lead others to know Christ - to be a missionary.

We are all leaders.........  The key is to be a good leader.  To follow Christ so that others can follow you.

I've been pondering leadership for the past couple of days a lot.  I decided to study leaders in the Bible.  There are a lot - I think maybe that was a bite a little too big!!  But I'm determined to at least skim through the leaders in the Bible and see what God can teach me about leading.  I invite you to join me.

Lesson #1:  How does God lead?
I read Exodus 15.  It says God led in love.  It says He guided the people with strength.  I need to follow God so others can follow me.  I need to lead like Him.  I need to lead with love and strength.  Truth is - for me - I need to concentrate on leading in love.  I need to love the people God gave me to lead.  If I love them, they will trust me to lead them.

Prayer for today - 
please dear God, help me to love my team/my family/the people you give me to lead.  Help me to care for them.  Help me to be a leader that they can depend on and trust.  Help me to lead with your strength, because it is infinitely better than mine.

Schools Back!!!

Happy first day of school all you Clear Creek Kids!

Here are a few of my friends on the first day!

Please send me stories and pictures of your first day.

Good Works

I was reading Titus 3 this week.  Such good words..............

There is always a struggle about good works.  They don't save you, but aren't they still good, you know good things to do???

Then I read Titus 3:1-8.  Why yes they are good!  And yes they do have a place!
Titus 3:8   The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.  These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Did you see that............good works are excellent and they help people.  But did you also see the first part?  Who should devote themselves to good works?  That's right, people who have already become a part of God's family - who have already believed - who have accepted God's free gift of grace.  If we are Christians/Followers of Christ we should be devoted to good works.

I need to be devoted to good works that help others.  I need to do this because of what Christ did for me on the cross.

As you teach your children, you need to teach them to be kind and to love others and to do nice things for others.  But you need to be very careful to get the order right.  We aren't just to be good people............we are called to be people following God and loving others along the way.  We need to do our good works out of obedience to God and thankfulness for the cross.

God is Unchanging

Sunday we will learn about God's Unchanging Plan.  God created us and knows us.  He created a perfect world but He knew that we would sin.  He had a rescue plan for us from the beginning.  And aren't we grateful!

This week - finish up your word wall.  Bring your homework on Sunday.  Here are some possibilities:

Rescuer
Redeemer
Righteous

Savior
Salvation
Strong
Supreme

Trustworthy
Teacher
Truth

Please join us Sunday.............we only have 2 more weeks in this unit.  Finish your word walls and send me pictures, stories, what you have learned during this unit.  You can email me:
lcarden@clearcreek.org
or comment on this blog.

Thanks for being on this journey with us!

We have made it to P!!

We have almost finished our unit on the Attributes of God.  Just a few more weeks.  I hope your word wall is very full.  Please send me pictures.

Don't forget to do your homework this week.  The letter P - what words did you find?
Perfect
Powerful
Provider
Plan Maker
Pure

Please bring it with you to church on Sunday!  We will be studying Q..........
God is QUICK TO FORGIVE.
I am so thankful He is quick to forgive me.  Do not miss this lesson, and follow up at home.  Always remember to ask your child what he learned at church or why did you do that activity.  Use the lessons we provide on Sunday to jumpstart wonderful conversations around the dinner table all week long.

Keep worshiping God with your word walls ............ send me pictures of yours!

How does the story of Noah show us God?

Have you had a chance to read and discuss the story of Noah with your family?  (Genesis 6-9) This story gives us an awesome opportunity to talk to our kids about God being just.  He is just.  There is punishment for sin.  All of us sin.  Sin Separates us from God because He is Just.  We can try hard not to sin.  We can try to live a better life.  We can even list people that aren't as bad as us............but none of that covers or bridges the chasm of separation between us and our Just and perfect God. 

In the story of Noah - God shows mercy on Noah and his family.  He provides a way to save them.  This is a beautiful picture of the mercy God shows us.  We can't bridge the gap to God but Jesus did that for us on the cross.  He took our sin and punishment so we could be forgiven..........so we could come to God and have a relationship with Him.

God is Just and we see our sin.
God is Merciful and gives us a rescue plan.

Your assignment this week is words that begin with K and L.  Here are a few:

• Kind
• King
• all-Knowing

• Loving
• Large
• Light

I would still love to see your word walls.  Please email me pictures.
lcarden@clearcreek.org

Don't forget to bring your K and L words on Sunday with you.

God is Just

I'm so sorry I haven't blogged this week........I've been under the weather.

But if something has hindered you from thinking about your word wall this week - sickness, busyness, etc.; take heart!  It's not too late.  Gather the family tonight and think about God's goodness.  Last Sunday that is what we studied - GOD IS GOOD.  As you look at God's goodness to you and your family, be reminded of what else you know about God.

Try to find H and I words to describe God.  Here are a few off the top of my head......
God is...
Honest
Holy
Highest
worthy of Honor

Independent
Indivisible
Irrefutable
I am

You can think of many more I'm sure.  As you complete your homework form, think about how you know this about God.  What in the Bible or creation proves that God is that attribute?  Write all this down, put it by the door...........bring it tomorrow to church.  Add it to our word wall so that others can see more about God by reading your discoveries.

Tomorrow we will look at the Justness of God.  Please don't miss this!  Set the alarm now!!!  We look forward to seeing you and your family at one of our services tomorrow!

God is my Deliverer!

We had a great lesson this week in PeeWees and Creek Kids.  Ask your child who the Deliverer was in the story of Daniel - Daniel 6.

On Sunday we will talk about Hannah - 1Samuel 1:1-20.  God is good........  Read this story with your child and name all the ways God was good to Hannah, then how has God been good to your family?

How are you doing with your word wall?  The one at church needs a lot of help!  Please bring in your words and put them on our wall.  We want to have a big one full of things to thank God for.

This week your homework is E and F.  If you are stuck....think about these words:
Eternal
Exceptional
Exciting
Everything

Father
Favorite
Full of.......
Fortress

Be sure to find something in the Bible to support whatever word you write.

See you Sunday!

***I need more stories and pictures - either comment here or send them to:
lcarden@clearcreek.org

Prepare Your Child for Sunday - April 14

Here are some things you can do to prepare your child for Sunday's lesson.

• Complete the "homework" page.  Find a B and a C word that describes God.  Write it on the sheet.  Bring it with you to church Sunday and your child  can post it on the Word Wall.

Here are some B and C words I've thought of.............I can't wait to see yours!
beautiful, creator, cool, big, boss, comforter

• Read the story of Daniel in the Lions Den.  You can find it:
• Daniel 6
• The Gospel Story Bible - p. 150-151
• My First Study Bible  - p. 279-285
• The Jesus Storybook Bible - p. 152-159
• My First Hands On Bible - p. 184-189

Continue working on a family word wall at home.  How many words can you think of to describe God?  Send me a picture to:
lcarden@clearcreek.org

Send comments and stories about this unit to lcarden@clearcreek.org or comment on this blog.  We want this unit to be a starter for your family discussions ........... a way to worship our great God as a family by calling out specific things in praise of God.

Funny Story from Sunday

Funny Story from Sunday.............
As the teacher for a 4 year old class was trying to get the children to think about their homework for this week, she said............. how can we describe God with a B, who can think of a B word?  A little boy in the back said - I know a B word - BUTT.  When the teacher gave him a shocked look, he said - uhh I mean BOTTOM.

Well that's a B word!  And God made our Butts, Bums, and Bottoms - God is our CREATOR.  Hey that's a C word for you.  What B and C words has your family found to describe our great God?  How is the word wall coming at your house?

God is

Prepare your child for Sunday

• Begin your family word wall.  As you study or read about God with your child, list words that describe God.  Thank God for the amazing God He is.
• Read about the 40 days after Christ's Crucifixion
• John 21, Matthew, 28, Luke 24, and Acts 1
• Guess what we will study for A on Sunday.
• Read a Story Bible of your choice - what did Jesus do, say, or go during that time?
• Be on time on Sunday so your child gets the full 1 hour of study.....and so will you.
• Add a comment to this blog - what do you think we will use as our A word on Sunday?  What other words describe God?