God’s Guide for the Journey: Third Grade

Parenting the Faith Journey

• Following God’s Design – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
• We are here to partner with you!

Objectives
•
Your word is a lamp to my feet and

Explore the characteristics of a 3rd grader and how it applies

to their faith development.
• Why we need a guide for the Journey.
• The church and family celebrations.
• Share ideas and feedback in small groups

Who is a 3rd grader?

a light to my path.

Physical/Intellect Emotional Spiritual

Psalm 119:105

• Often dramatic & • I talk like I know • I enjoy hearing and

descriptive everything learning Bible
gestures • I am impatient stories
• Reading with especially with • I have questions
fluency myself
about the Bible,
• Uses • I love praise and am
God and heaven
comprehension sensitive to blame
• I am feeling more • I accept that God
strategies, ie.
Summarizing main independent made everything
ideas • My emotions are • I understand what
• Reads longer stories visible it means to be in a
and chapter books • I am able to think relationship with
• Begins to focus on less about myself Jesus
the meaning of and reach out to • I am beginning to
others see inconsistency
what is read
between peoples
actions and words
 Your 3rd graders Journey in Sunday School
“One does KNOW – Bible Understanding
• The Bible is a guidebook for our lives
not live by • Historical and cultural information about the Bible
• Books Of Bible
bread alone,
LOVE – Spiritual Disciplines
but by every • You can pray, read the Bible, and worship God on your own
or in a group
word that • You can listen to God
• You can spend time with God in many ways
comes from the
SERVE – Sharing Christ
mouth of • God has asked you to serve others with your head, hands,
and heart
God” • God wants you to discover, develop, and use your spiritual
gifts
• God wants you to tell others about God and Jesus and how
Matthew 4:4 much they love all people

Why is it important to have a guide for the journey?

Psalm 119:105 Matthew 4:4
Psalm 119:103 Psalm 119:72
Ephesians 6:4 1 Peter 2:2
The law of 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:16-17
your mouth is Psalm 119:165 Jeremiah 15:16
better to me
than
thousands of What does it take to have strong roots in God’s word?
gold and silver • Read it
• Study it.
pieces. • Memorize it.
• Mediate on it.
Psalm 119:72 • Apply it.
• Live it.
 Church Celebration: Give them a Bible!
• We present during worship so that the congregation can
celebrate and participate in the spiritual nurturing of our
children.
How sweet are • Involves interaction between pastor and children, pastor and
congregation. Everyone is involved!
your words to • This church celebration takes place in the fall, generally
my taste, October time frame.
sweeter than • NRSV Children’s Bible from Abingdon Press:
honey to my
mouth!
Family Celebration
Psalm 119:103 • Make it a BIG DEAL! Today is a big day, a significant moment
on your spiritual journey.
• Invite family and friends to witness and celebrate.
• Ask family and friends to select a favorite verse to share with
your child. Highlight them in the new Bible or write them in
Keep these the back.
words that I • Write a blessing to your child.
am • In the weeks that follow have a family Bible read-in.
commanding
you today in
your heart.
Recite them to
your children What is your responsibility as primary faith influencer?
and talk about • Learn with your child, you don’t have to be an expert!
them when you • Training in righteousness, equipping the next generation.
are at home • Lead them to live a life in Christ.
and when you • Help them develop an independent routine that will last a
are away, lifetime.
• Help them discover how to use the Bible and all it’s resources.
when you lie
• Demonstrate to your child that you are using it too!
down and
when you rise.
Deuteronomy
6: 6-7

My Family CAN. . .
Gail Gunnerson ☺
Special Events Pg. Director
Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224
Direct line: 913-544-0757
Gail.Gunnerson@cor.org
www.kidscor.org
Keeping the journey going at home
Knowing God: Bible Understanding
• Sign up for Bible Exploration, generally in January.
• Pastor Adam will challenge the children to read a book of the
Bible. Encourage your child to do this.
• Purchase a concordance and teach your child how to use it.
Loving God: Spiritual Disciplines
• Bring them to Sunday school and or for worship every week
that you are in town.
• Encourage them to bring their Bible to church (you too!)
• Make use of the GPS each week for a continued Bible reading.
Serving God: Sharing Christ
• Give a friend a pocket New Testament
• Memorize some scripture passages to share
• Create fun cards with Bible verses to share with a friend
• Have friends over for their own Bible exploration party
• Live out the words in the Bible – kind, loving, patient
Recommended Resources
• GPS – children’s version and adult version!
• Music! Go Fish Snazzy – Bible Books
• Finding your Way Through the Bible – given at Bible Exploration
• Sticky Situations: 365 Devotions by Betsy Smith
• Kid’s book of Devotions – Mark Littleton
• Amazing Questions Kids Ask About God – Tyndale publishing
• If I could Ask God Anything – Kathryn Slattery
• One Year of Dinner Table Devotions by Nancy Guthrie
• The Holman Bible Concordance for Kids by Tracye Wilson White
Faith Journey Sharing & Feedback
Blessing and Sending Forth