All Church Series

[Staci Inskeep]

So our team is working to have 2 all church series -- where everyone pretty much speaks on the same topic. Our first series is coming up in April. Here are the topics for our theme, Gray Matter (tough questions/issues):
April 11: Is Jesus a Republican or Democrat?
April 18: Where's God in tragedy?
April 25: Is homosexuality a sin?
May 2: Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?

Ok, so I am having a bit of trouble coming up with the kids part of the series -- any thoughts or help would be wonderful!

Thanks ...
Staci

[Wayne Stocks]

I think #2 and #4 will work well for kids and are critical for kids to understand. For week 2, you could focus more on the issue that God is always in control (good and bad). I think that would be easier for kids to understand than God in tragedy, but it's essentially the same lesson. I think for week #4, I would teach it just like that - Jesus is the only way to God. Sounds like a great "pure gospel" message for kids. The song "One Way" from Hillsong Kids keeps running through my head. #1 and #3 look like they will be a little bit trickier. Maybe for week #1 you can focus on the importance of knowing the Jesus of the Bible and not creating him in our own image. Remind the kids that God's ways are not our ways and explain that people sometime project their own images of what Jesus should be like onto him and ignore what the Bible says. Perhaps examples like "God helps those who help themselves" or "cleanliness is next to Godliness" would be good age appropriate examples. For week 3, maybe you can build on this theme of "it's in the book" with a lesson on what sin is and how we determine what represents sin. The Bible gives clear guidance on what sin is generally (anything that separates us from God) and specifically (by way of Old Testament laws). You could point out that everybody sins and many people in society try to minimize sin by arguing that certain actions aren't sin. We must go back to God and the Bible to determine whether or not something is sin, it's not up to us.

Those are just some quick (and rambling) thoughts. I hope they help. Best of luck to you! By the way, I applaud your efforts to line up all level of the church. I think it is a great way to encourage conversations between parents and kids.

[Jason Martin]

I agree with Wayne's assessment. A bit much on 1 & 3 for elementary students. Also we have done some all-church series and they seem to be real effective.

[Joe McAlpine]

I would try and shift 1 and 3 to something like Honor Authorities and Stay Pure.

Try and take your Pastors notes on his messages and draw some point from that but make sure you stay with what your Pastor wants.