Last week, I shared these thoughts with students and their parents, and Pastor Thomas felt it might be encouraging for others as well.
PREPARING FOR WEDNESDAY
Elementary Kids study personal and missional applications from the previous Sunday morning Gospel Project lesson. Parents can help them prepare by using the questions on the activity sheet and the LifeWay kids’ app throughout the week to discuss the lesson with their kids.
Students and adults have a New Testament Reading plan that will guide you through the week in reading and studying God’s word. Each day, you’ll read, depending on the length of the book, 5-10 verses or up to a full chapter.
As the Families Minister, my desire is to resource and help parents to be the primary disciple-makers of their children. To that end, adults and students will be using the same bible reading plan. This will make it easy for your family to be learning and discussing the same scriptures all throughout the week together!
Most often, mornings are the most effective time to carve out 15-30 minutes to read and pray, at least for me. Sometimes, if you wait till the responsibilities of the day (school, work, sports, homework, hobbies, etc.) have begun, it is difficult to find time to slow down and study the bible.
Parents, I know many times Wednesday night discipling will feel more like a rushed chore than a joyful opportunity; whether it’s student ministry or adult discipling. Responsibilities, work, and Ubering kids to sports practices can all feel overwhelming at times, and trying to fit Wednesday discipling in can feel impossible or even unnecessary. I implore you, fight back against that temptation! Make the time for your family to be spiritually trained, discipled, and encouraged on Wednesday evenings by gathering and fellowshipping with the body. What your family needs most is not sports practice, a hobby, or a break, they need a love for Christ and His church consistently modeled for them.
Students, know upfront, if this is not a habit you have already built, it will be difficult. Your body will want to stay in bed or engage in other things. Your mind will wander. Temptations, distractions, and genuine responsibilities will draw you away. Fight for your time with the Lord! His word has been written for us so that we might know the Creator God of the universe!
WHAT TO EXPECT ON WEDNESDAYS
STUDENTS
Prior to Bible study, we will spend time fellowshipping and playing games indoors and outside at times (especially as it’s warming up).
We will spend 30-45 minutes engaged in small group bible study discussing the passages from the reading plan from the previous week. To participate well, students should bring their bibles, study notes/HEAR Journals, and applications/questions from the previous week’s reading to share and talk about with their small group.
Student ministry typically ends between 7:45 and 8:00 pm, depending on when the discussion ends in each group.
ELEMENTARY KIDS
Elementary children begin by gathering upstairs withs several leaders to play group games, participate in lesson-related activities, and fellowship with one another. This is always a fun time for the kids!
They are then lead in an application-focused lesson based on the previous week’s Gospel Project lesson. They discuss ways the biblical story applies to their life, to the fulfillment of the great commission, and how they should respond to the text.
They normally end the night out at the newly arranged playground area to blow off some steam and enjoy time playing together. Most Wednesdays, families end their evening circled around the picnic tables at the playground, talking and enjoying the fellowship of one another.
Wednesday evening discipling is a wonderful time for everyone to engage in small group Bible study and enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters mid-week.
Grace to you,
Cole Barnes, Worship and Families