August & September in River Kidz
*Your God Time Cards and Fridge Cards will be handed out each week. Parent Resources: Check out our newest resource for families, the "First Step" booklet located at check-in areas at both NRCCN and NRCCS. For more info, click here.
August
What in the World Are You Doing?
In the world = Can refer to planet Earth; the earth, including all its inhabitants and the things in it; society as a whole; or particular areas of human activity.
Are you = Meaning an individual you're conversing with or people in general.
Doing = This agile little word can refer to things that one does every day, as in "Everyday doings." It can suggest actions that require more out of us than the everyday stuff, like "That will take a great deal of doing." It can also mean a position of accountability: "This is your doing, your responsibility."
Put it all together and you get: Tell me more about our nature and purpose here and what we're meant to do and be. Sounds like a big hairy philosophical question, doesn't it?
But there's more than one kind of "natural resource." Because God created each of us in His image, we have certain qualities like His and certain abilities like His. Therefore, each of us has talents, abilities, and possessions that God has entrusted to us and that He wants put to good use. Jesus even told a parable about that (Matthew 25:14, the Bible lesson for week 2). So what in the world are you doing to use what God gave you?
Words, like talents, abilities, and possessions, can be used wisely or unwisely. They can be leveraged to build or to tear down. Ephesians 4:29 (the lesson for week 3) says, "Don't let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen" (NIrV). What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words?
Jesus said, "'You are the light of the world'" (Matthew 5:14, NIrV). That's what God means for us to be: lights atop a dark hillside that draw people in, to God. In week 4 we'll explore what that looks like in a kid's world. What in the world are you doing to show others God's goodness?September
What in the World Are You Doing? Part 2
In August (Part 1), we will have focused on the virtue of responsibility, which is showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you. We'll have introduced the idea that God's gifts to us come with some expectations, or responsibilities, that He entrusts to us. In September (Part 2), we'll continue the line of thought by focusing on service, which is lending a hand to help someone else. There's what you HAVE to do (Part 1) and what you CHOOSE to do (Part 2). What you SHOULD do and what you COULD do. What you NEED to do and what you WANT to do. We think putting responsibility and service back-to-back will produce a powerful 1-2 punch.
So here's the line-up for September:
What in the world are you doing to help someone others won't help? Jesus always saw people and met their needs, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality. He wants us to be "good neighbors," too (Luke 10:30-37). Every day we have the choice of living more like the Samaritan and less like the Levite. When we LOOK and DO for others, what does that reveal about how Jesus sees them? What does it reveal about what He's done for them?
What in the world are you doing to put others first? Jesus put others first in countless ways, and He wants us to do the same (John 13:1-17). Me first or you first? Our words and actions answer that question every day. Do our words and actions help others experience Jesus' love?
What in the world are you doing that only God knows? Jesus said that motives matter. The reason behind our service counts. If we serve in order to show off, that's all the reward we can expect (Matthew 6:1-4). But if we serve "secretly," then what will happen?
So, help kids think about what in the world they are doing.
