July 10/11: Love Your Enemies
Through the story of Joseph loving his brothers despite their intent to hurt him, kids will learn what it means to love others. Just as Joseph loved his brothers, we need to love everyone, even when it seems impossible.
July 17/18: Forgive Everyone
Kids will hear the story of the servant who wouldn’t forgive a fellow servant of his debt, even after the king forgave all of his debts. They will see that we need to forgive others because Jesus has forgiven so much in us.
July 24/25: Let’s Move a Mountain
When God told Noah to build a boat and gather two of each kind of animal, Noah had faith that God was up to something amazing. They will learn that having faith gives us hope and a purpose to do anything.
July 31/Aug 1: I Love Money
A rich man asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to sell everything he owned, give the money to the poor, and follow Him. Kids will hear the importance of making God the number one priority in their lives.
Aug 7/8: Pass the Salt
Kids will hear the story of how Elijah, through God’s help, started a fire with water. Just as Elijah stood up for God, we too can set an example by doing the right thing and obeying God.
Aug 14/15: I Came In Last!
By listening to the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, kids will learn how to serve others. Through this act of service, Jesus showed them what is valuable to God. They can learn to show others the same respect and kindness.
Aug 21/22: Do Your Part
King Saul was searching for David in order to hurt him. When he stopped to rest, David had the opportunity to hurt the king first, but instead he chose not to fight. Kids will learn that they too can be peaceful rather than hurtful toward others.
Aug 28/29: Just Be Perfect, That’s All
When it was time for Abram and Lot to divide their land, Abram let Lot choose which part of the land he wanted. Through hearing this story, Kids will learn that they too can show maturity by thinking of God and others first, and then themselves.

BRING IT HOME:
Enter into action with your kids using our Family EnterAction Guide, a resource filled with ideas and family activities to use at home to reinforce what we’re teaching. Pick up a copy from your child’s class.

Responsibility. This is the virtue for June and the theme that ran throughout the KIDstuff show that was performed on Sunday, June 6th. As defined for the audience, responsibility is showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you.
Ironically, as a parent and evangelical believer, I was able to demonstrate this virtue for my children before we learned about it at KIDstuff. See, between attending the 10:45 service and coming back to the Loudoun Campus for the 2:00 show, we went over to Costco for some of their delightful (and inexpensive) hot dogs, as well as to get some of our grocery shopping done. While we were eating, one of my five-year old daughter’s friends, Maddy, ran up to our table to greet us. Her family was there for the same reasons.
After a few moments of bouncing around and giggling like little hyenas, the girls asked me if they could have a play date that afternoon. I told them that we had plans at church and just as I was getting ready to say, “but maybe I can talk to your mom about some other time,” I felt a tug that I needed to invite this girl to come with us.
So I obediently asked Maddy if she would like to join us. She was thrilled and began jumping around again. She dragged her mom over to our table and I explained the situation. We ended up agreeing to take Maddy with us when we were done shopping so that we could drop off the refrigerated items at our home and then go straight to church.
We arrived just as the music was getting started. The volume of the music intimidated all of us as we walked in, but Brynn (my daughter) and Maddy soon began bouncing with the beat. They quickly found a place to stand up and dance with the other children up near the front of the stage. It was so adorable to see them interact with each other and with the show. It just seemed so natural for them to be learning about God and what He expects of us.
After the show, it was the girls’ turn to demonstrate responsibility to me. We were enjoying some snacks in one of the corners of the café when Brynn dripped some of her watermelon juice on the table. When we were gathering our plates and napkins for the garbage, Maddy saw the mess Brynn had made and said, “Brynn, you have to clean up your mess and be responsible!” WOW!!! She got the message! I was so thrilled!
We had such a great time together that I asked Maddy and her mother if she could join us for each KIDstuff performance AND for church each week. Both of them were enthusiastic about the offer and this step of faith has encouraged all of my family members to be less fearful about sharing our faith in Jesus with others.
I have to chuckle when I think about how true the KIDstuff tag line truly is: it’s where kids bring their parents to learn. I know I did.

Eating delicious food…

Making Easter crafts…

Fellowshipping together…

Having special time with family…

Playing games…

Hunting for Easter eggs…

And of course, enjoying the prize…

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Family Easter Egg Hunt! Want to see more pictures? Check out the Kid’s Quest newsletter on our website: http://mbcloudoun.org/kqfamily.

One of my favorite things about spring is the Easter season. We are reminded of the deity of Jesus and can relish in what He did for us on the cross. To celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the kids participated in Palm Processional. Our MBC Loudoun worship team (led by Jason Grate) sang along with the kids as they jumped up and down and shouted Hosanna to honor our Lord!
The children waiting in line patiently for their entry.

“Jumping up and down!” (this was a workout for our leaders!)

“Here comes Jesus riding on a donkey…Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to the King!”

The kids we’re so excited to see Mom and Dad and even take a celebratory palm home with them!

Thanks to all of our leaders and volunteers that made palm processional possible! And thanks to our smiling children who helped us celebrate our King!

The Saturday Preschoolers sang a song for the adults celebrating Jesus’ love for us!

The Elementary kids shared about this month’s virtue – Honesty. When team leaders Jerry and John starting fibbing about the very, very big fish they’ve caught…

the Elementary kids rushed to the rescue to tape their mouths shut…

and shared this month’s memory verse: “The Lord detests lying lips but delights in men who are truthful.” ~Proverbs 12:22

Thanks, Kid’s Quest kids, for a great evening! It was a fun time of fellowship, pizza, and the preciousness of God’s truth conveyed through kids.

by Kathy Scherrer, Kid’s Quest Parent

On Sunday, February 14th the KIDStuff crew performed with all the energy and excitement that we’ve grown to enjoy. It was football themed, since it was originally supposed to be delivered on Super Bowl Sunday. The dilemma in this show was that the neighborhood kids were getting ready for the highly competitive annual football game. The Tinkerbell’s secret weapon this year was their quarterback, whose performance was certain to gain the team’s first victory in nearly a decade. However, the star of the team couldn’t play because of an injury. The kids were so caught up in finding a solution on their own that they failed to realize that Mrs. F had played as quarterback during her high school days. Not only was she good, she was prize winning! They realized, in the nick of time, what was available to them. They ended up wining the big game!
Then the kids in the audience were told about Honor: Letting someone know you see how valuable they really are. The kids in the audience were told that they would each receive a medal to be given to anyone they wanted. However, they had to explain to the recipient why they were getting the medal. What was it about that person that makes him or her valuable?
I have to admit that the idea of giving away this medal was initially quite difficult for my five- and nine-year old daughters. They wanted to keep the medal for themselves. It gave their father and me the chance to do a reality check with the girls. We began by explaining that the medal wouldn’t be meaningful to them since it hadn’t been “awarded” to them for a specific reason. We then reminded them about how they are surrounded by some really special people that would get great joy from having someone recognize them for what they do. Then we waited.
I picked up my five-year old from day care on Monday evening, holding my breath to hear about her experience. She was so excited to tell me who she had given the medal to and how excited her friend was to receive it. She then said that all the other children wanted a medal as well.
My nine-year old had a similar experience. She awarded one of her closest friends for being very caring and very kind. This girl was so impressed that she went home and made a special box for her medal. I was so thrilled with the responses that I told the girls we would go buy a whole box of medals that they could present to their other friends for being honorable. My hope is that the children around my kids will behave in more honorable ways, knowing that they will get “the medal” someday. Honorable behavior will then become more of a habit then something done every once in a while.
I so love that we have been able to attend the past couple of KIDStuff shows. Each one helps us as parents explain a significant element of life that wouldn’t be as easily explained or understood had we not attended. I want to encourage other parents to take advantage of these moments. Our children really need us to be examples to them .The KIDStuff shows offer situations that may not be part of our everyday lives, yet it is in a safe and fun environment. See you at the next show, which is Sunday, April 11, at 2:00.

Hello Preschool & Toddler Friends!

In February we will be teaching our young children “With God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26). Through the stories of Jesus doing miraculous things like walking on water and calming the storm, we hope to show children that Jesus can do anything. Jesus is God’s son, and He has the power of God behind Him. When Jesus is our friend, we have an amazing friend who can do anything.

Luke 5:11
Jesus tells Simon to put out his nets to catch fish after he’s been fishing all night with no luck. Amazingly, this time the nets are full of fish.

Mark 6:30-44
Jesus fed 5000 with two fish and five loaves of bread. There were even leftovers!

Mark 6:45-51
Jesus is so amazing. He even walked out onto the water and met his friends who were on a boat.

Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus was asleep on a boat during a huge storm. His friends were very afraid. They woke Jesus up to help them, and He stopped the storm. Jesus can do anything!

When was the last time you really thought about the miracles Jesus performed while here on earth? Spend some time in the gospels. You will be in awe all over again. Imagine your child knowing and trusting ~ Jesus can do anything!

Our team will be praying for you to have moments filled with wonder as you give toddlers and preschoolers a ‘first look’ at the God who loves them, made them, and wants to be their friend forever.

Is anything too hard for JESUS? Jesus can do anything!

Want to hear the writers give you the ‘why’ behind the curriculum?
Go to http://www.myfirstlook.org and play vision video #2. (Note: the videos change as each month passes and a new bible truth is introduced.)

When was the last time you used the word honor in an everyday conversation with a regular Joe? Does it strike you as outmoded, a little archaic perhaps? For instance, when did you last slay a dragon from the back of your trusty white steed, lay your cloak over a puddle for a lady, bow in deference to others at court, or swear undying fealty to your king? (more on that later) After all, that stuff was around in the Middle Ages.

On the other hand, that stuff has been around since the Middle Ages. What student hasn’t read of King Arthur (first written about in the 1130′s) or Don Quixote (published in 1605, 1615)? Who among us hasn’t seen a Robin Hood movie (the first of which came out in the early 1920′s) or Shrek? If you’ve visited a museum and seen a suit of armor, haven’t you marveled at how small those guys were?

But, with all due respect, it wasn’t Geoffrey of Monmouth or Cervantes who invented honor. Nay, honor is older than, well, dirt. Noooo, it was God who created honor. Check out what David says about honor in Psalm 8:1-5 (NIV):
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise … When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

Can you read that and not be awestruck that the King of kings and Lord of lords, who deserves glory over all others, would esteem us, even a little? Yet He does. David’s life, in fact, is chock-full of honor-related examples and principles. Think back to what you know about David, like:
… his encounter with Goliath. God said, “Those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30, NIV). David honored God, and God honored David, even though he was the little brother, a mere boy, and overlooked at every turn. Honor those who are overlooked.

… his friendship with Jonathan. God says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10, NIrV). David honored Jonathan, certainly; but think how remarkable it was that Jonathan (the heir apparent to the throne) should honor David (who would eventually become king) more than himself. Honor others more than yourself.

… his turbulent and tragic relationship with his son Absalom. God says, “‘Honor your father and mother’–which is the first commandment with a promise–’that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’” (Ephesians 6:2-3, NIV). What a contrast Absalom is to Jonathan! Honor those who are over you.

… his unself-conscious worship of God: “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this” (2 Samuel 6:21-22, NIV). Honor God out LOUD.

So come February, we’re going to camp here, with David, Goliath, Jonathan, Absalom, and Michal, and examine some things God says about honor and what it looks like to live in honorable ways.

Now back to dragons and puddles. You may not have slain a dragon from the back of your trusty charger, but have you cheered the underdog or said thank you to the teenager taking your order at the drive-thru? You probably haven’t spread your cloak over a puddle for a lady, but have you held the door for one? You may not have bowed in deference to others at court or sworn loyalty to a king, but have you obeyed your parents without rolling your eyes or stood in heartfelt praise to honor THE King?

See, honor doesn’t live just in legends! Therefore, prithee don thine armour and thy cloak and henceforth seek to impart the ways of honour to thy probies thusly. Thy labour shalt not be for naught.

Huzzah,

Melanie Williams
The reThink Group

WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT FEBRUARY’S VIRTUE?
Go to http://www.252basics.org. On the video player, select Virtue Video #2 to hear Reggie Joyner speak on HONOR (Note: the videos change as each month passes and a new virtue is introduced.)

2010 in Kid’s Quest! Do you know what our children have been learning in January? If you want to know God better, sometimes you need to do more, like:

Read His Book. Can you think of a more foundational, first-step way to get to know Him? Plus, “God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIrV). What better example of the importance of engaging in God’s Word than Jesus as a 12-year-old in the temple? (Which happened to be the Bible story for week 1.)

Remember His words. “By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing” (2 Timothy 3:17, NIrV). Jesus showed us (particularly that time He was tempted in the wilderness) we not only need to (Step 1) read God’s Word, we need to (Step 2) memorize it, internalize it, and take it to heart so that we’ll be ready for whatever comes our way.

Talk to Him. “Don’t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him” (Philippians 4:6, NIrV). To get to know someone and to strengthen your relationship with that person, you have to talk him or her, right? It’s the same way with God. You gotta talk to Him. Week 3, kids learned to better understand Jesus’ answer when one of the disciples asked Him how to pray.

Talk about Him with your friends. “I pray that you will be active in sharing what you believe. Then you will completely understand every good thing we have in Christ” (Philemon 1:6, NIrV). Saying what you believe out loud helps solidify your beliefs. Could this be one reason Jesus asked the disciples, “But who do YOU say I am?” (The story for week 4.)

Make Him more important than anything. “Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve” (Deuteronomy 6:13a, NIrV). This week (week 5) we’ll be taking a look at what Jesus said about “the widow’s mite” and how it helps us to worship the only one we should serve.

These are all priorities and habits — disciplines — that can help us (A) get to know God better and (B) grow stronger. Kids need to understand that they don’t have to wait till they’re older to get to know God; God wants them to start now. He’s ready to help them, every step of the way, NOW. So this January, 252 Basics is designed to help kids see how DISCIPLINE, “which is doing what you need to do now so you can grow stronger”, can help strengthen their relationship with God.

But that’s not all. In addition to helping kids understand and experience discipline as a godly virtue, each week in January will also offer practical experiences in the 5 Faith Skills we think every kid should master:

1. Navigate the Bible (survey and locate)
2. Personalize Scripture (memorize and apply)
   
3. Dialogue with God (public and private)
   
4. Articulate faith (share and defend)
   
5. Worship with your life (praise and give)

So get your shoes on, lace up, and let’s step it up!

by LeAnne Smart, Director of Kid’s Quest @ MBC Loudoun

Love God; Love People: Preschool/Toddlers in 2010!

This month we are teaching our preschoolers to “Love God with all your heart,” (Matthew 22:37, NIrV). What an important truth to tuck into those tiny hearts. We are to love God with our “everything.” And who better to show us how to do that than Jesus? By sharing how Jesus loved God while here on earth, we show preschoolers how we too can love God with all our hearts. Our preschoolers have heard how Jesus taught us to love God and love others. They have learned how Jesus prayed to God and how He prayed for others. Jesus is our greatest teacher, and we can love God like Jesus did. In Matthew 6, the Bible says that some people asked Jesus how to talk to God. Have you ever thought about how to talk to God? There’s no better person to ask than Jesus! Let’s see what He said.

Jesus told the people that when we talk to God, we should tell God how special He is. (Hold arms up and wiggle fingers.) “God, You are special!”
He also said we should tell God that His way is always best. (Hold arms out and give two thumbs-up.) “God, Your way is always best.” Jesus said that we should ask God for the things we need. God knows what we need, and He is the one who takes care of us. We need food, clothes, and a place to live. We also need people who love us. (Hold arms out and cups hand together.) ‘God, please give me what I need.’

Jesus said we should ask God to forgive us when we do something wrong and then ask God to help us not to do it again. I know I have made wrong choices. How about you? Have you ever made a wrong choice? Maybe you did something that God told you not to do? Me too. Jesus said that God wants us to ask Him to forgive us. He also said we should ask God to help us do the right thing. I want you to give yourself a big hug. We’re hugging ourselves because when God forgives us and helps us do the right thing, He is showing us BIG love. (Hugging yourself) “God, please forgive me and help me do the right thing.”

God, you are special. (Hold arms up and wiggle fingers)

God, your way is always best. (Hold arms out and give two thumbs-up)

God, please give me what I need. (Hold arms out and cups hand together)

God, please forgive me and help me do the right thing.” (Hug yourself)

Prayer is a great way to talk to God. Do you know we can talk to God when we sing too? Sure we can! Singing is a great way to tell God how special (hold arms up and wiggle fingers) we think He is. Preschoolers have been singing “Talk to God”, this month’s worship song on www.amberskyrecords.com

Amen. :)