January 2025

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Our next parents night out will be Saturday, January 11th from 5-9 PM at the church. The cost is $10 per child. For more info/to sign up, click here before Saturday, January 4th. Spots are limited, so sign up soon if you would like your children to attend.

December’s themes (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Elijah and the prophets of Baal

• Elijah is taken up to heaven

• Elisha’s Ministry

• Naaman is cured

Memory verse:

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Here’s a video with what hand motions we’re using to teach the verse.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

December 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Awaken kids will be doing another Christmas program this year during the Christmas Eve Service. Elementary and middle school ages are invited to participate. Sign up was due by 11/24 and is now closed, but here are the dates and times for practices/performance: 

• Sunday, December 1 (6-7pm)

• Sunday, December 8 (6-7pm)

• Sunday, December 15 (6-7pm)

• Sunday, December 22 (6-7pm)

• Tuesday, December 24 (4:30pm-end of Christmas eve service)

December’s themes (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Weekly lessons will be focused on various readings connecting to the earthly arrival of Jesus. Like previous years, we’ll be using the “A Jesus Christmas” by Barbara Reaoch; feel free to snag a copy for your family to do at home- we will just be doing the four Sunday dates at church, Dec 1, 8, 15, 22.

• We’ll also do a New Year’s lesson on being a new creation in Christ based on 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Memory verse:

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Link to song for this month’s verse (will open on Spotify). Here’s a video with what hand motions we’re using to teach the verse.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

November 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Awaken kids will be doing another Christmas program this year during the Christmas Eve Service on (you guessed it!) Christmas Eve. Elementary and middle school ages are invited to participate. More info and sign up at this link. Register by Sunday, 11/24

November’s themes (pre-k, elementary rooms):

• David the Psalmist

• Solomon and the Temple of God

• The Kingdom is Divided

• God Provides for Elijah in Miraculous Ways

Memory verse:

Psalm 34:1-3

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Link to song for this month’s verse (will open on Spotify). Here’s a video with what hand motions we’re using to teach the verse.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

October 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• No news this month other than the lesson updates!

October’s theme (pre-k, elementary room)

• Saul Disobeys the Lord

• God chooses a new king

• David and Goliath

• The Ark of God

Memory verse:

Psalm 121: 7-8

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Link to song for this month’s verse (will open on Spotify). Here’s a video with what hand motions we’re using to teach the verse.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

September 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Retreat is Labor day weekend! If you are attending the retreat with your spouse and have a child between the ages of 1-9, you have been assigned a childcare shift. Please see the email from John Marette for more details.

• Our next parents night out will be Saturday, September 21st from 5-9 PM at the church. The cost is $10 per child. For more info/to sign up, click here before Saturday, September 14th. Spots are limited, so sign up soon if you would like your children to attend.

September’s theme (pre-k, elementary room)

• God hears Hannah’s prayers

• God calls little Samuel

• The God of Israel cannot be captured

• Israel demands a King

Memory verse:

Psalm 121: 5-6

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

Link to song for this month’s verse (will open on Spotify).

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

August 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• If you're interested in volunteering for the 2024-2025 school year, please text Beth Steckel (614) 530-0412

July’s theme (pre-k, elementary room)

• Gideon’s victory

• God Gives Samson strength

• Samson loses his strength

• Ruth

Memory verse:

Psalm 121: 3-4

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

July 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Reminder-for those of you who currently volunteer or would consider volunteering for Awaken Kids’ in the 24-25 school year, please fill out this form to indicate your commitment for the upcoming 24-25 year.

July’s theme (pre-k, elementary room)

• Rahab’s help

• Jericho falls

• Israel and Ai

• God calls Gideon

Memory verse:

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Here is a quick video with hand motions to teach. The full song is linked here from Spotify. Don’t have Spotify? Download the Verses free app (apple here, Google here) or learn more about the project  at this website.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

June 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Reminder that beginning June 3rd, we’ll have some shifts in age groups. Please see the email from John Marette for more info. Below are the classrooms that will be in effect just for the summer beginning June 2nd:

• Kids entering 6th grade and up- sit in church service

• Elementary 2 (E2)- 2017 born through 5th grade

• Elementary 1 (E1)- 4 years old (as of 6/01/2024) through 2018 born

• Toddler room- 2 years old through 3 years old

• Preschool room- Under 2

• Infant room- This will be used as an infant care room for mothers

• For those of you who currently volunteer or would consider volunteering for Awaken Kids’ in the 24-25 school year, please fill out this form to indicate your commitment for the upcoming 24-25 year.

June’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• The people of Israel complain

• Miriam

• Israel spies out the land

• Moses disobeys God

• God heals Israel with a bronze snake

Memory verse:

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?

Here is a quick video with hand motions to teach. The full song is linked here from Spotify. Don’t have Spotify? Download the Verses free app (apple here, Google here) or learn more about the project  at this website.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

May 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• For the summer, we’ll have some shifts in age groups. Please see the email from John Marette for more info. Below are the classrooms that will be in effect just for the summer beginning June 2nd:

• Kids entering 6th grade and up- sit in church service

• Elementary 2 (E2)- 2017 born through 5th grade

• Elementary 1 (E1)- 4 years old (as of 6/01/2024) through 2018 born

• Toddler room- 2 years old through 3 years old

• Preschool room- Under 2

• Infant room- This will be used as an infant care room for mothers

• Our next parents night out will be Saturday, May 18th from 5-9 PM at the church. The cost is $10 per child. For more info/to sign up, click here before Saturday, May 11th. Spots are limited, so sign up soon if you would like your children to attend.

March’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments

• The Tabernacle

• The Golden Calf

• God Has Mercy on Israel

Memory verse:

Deuteronomy 7:9  Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps

covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a

thousand generations,

Here is a quick video with handmotions to teach. The full song is linked here from Spotify. Don’t have Spotify? Download the Verses free app (apple here, Google here) or learn more about the project  at this website.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Team

April 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Thank you in advance for all who came out to the Easter Egg hunt! Also, thank you to those who helped stuff eggs and set up the hunt. 

March’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• God sends plagues against Egypt

• The last plague and the first passover

• God parts the Red Sea

• God provides food and water for Israel

Memory verse:

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Here is a song to teach this month’s verse- this link will take you to Spotify. Don’t have Spotify? Download the Verses free app (apple here, Google here) or learn more about the project  at this website.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

March 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• March 23rd 10:30-12 will be the Easter Egg hunt at Awaken, rain, shine, or snow! Hope you can join us.

March’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms):

• Joseph and his brothers in Egypt

• God protects baby Moses

• God calls Moses

• Moses confronts Pharaoh

• God sends plagues against Egypt

Memory verse:

 Jude 20-21 

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Here is a brief video talking about it and teaching the hand motions

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

February 2024

GENERAL NEWS/UPDATES THIS MONTH:

• Cozies, Crafts, and Cartoons- this will be Sunday, February 25th 9-11 am (basically, wear PJ’s, watch some cartoons, do some crafts, eat some cereal, spend time with other Awaken families). It was such great fun last year- hope you can join us!

• Save the date for Wednesday, February 28th- this will be a whole church prayer night. Details for childcare:

  • Awaken kids will provide childcare for 2nd grade and under. There will be a toddler and under class, and a 4 year old to 2nd grade class.

  • Older kids (3rd+) will start in the service, then they will be dismissed to the kids’ area for their own prayer time led by some parents.

February’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Joseph’s dreams

• Joseph is attacked by his brothers

• Joseph interprets the dreams

• God provides for the Israelites during a famine

Memory verse: 

•  PreK and E1-    Proverbs 3: 5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

• E2- Proverbs 3: 5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body  and nourishment to your bones.

• Here’s a video with the hand motions we’re using to learn the verse

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

January 2024

General news/updates this month:

• Thank you for everyone who encouraged their kids in participating in the Christmas Eve Children’s choir. We had such a great time singing about Jesus with 30+ kids on Christmas Eve!

• Cozies, Crafts, and Cartoons- this will be Sunday, February 25th 9-11 am (basically, wear PJ’s, watch some cartoons, do some crafts, eat some cereal, spend time with other Awaken families). It was such great fun last year- hope you can join us!

• Vision night for the whole church will be Wednesday, January 17th at 6 PM (more info to come); there will not be childcare provided for this event.

• Date change-Parent’s night out will now be February 3rd 5-9; first come first served for this event. $10 per child, RSVP at this link.

• Save the date for Wednesday, February 28th- this will be a whole church prayer night (more info to come)

January’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Jacob’s dream

• Jacob and Rachel

• Jacob flees from Laban

• Jacob’s wrestling match

Memory verse: 

    Psalm 138:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

December 2023

General news/updates this month:

• Christmas Eve service is December 24th at 6PM. We are excited for the kids to have a special Christmas Eve children’s choir, for those who signed up! 

• Thank you for all those who generously participated in the Operation Christmas Child this year- we ended up packing 55 boxes, which exceeded our goal of 50!

December’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Weekly lessons will be focused on various readings connecting to the first earthly arrival of Jesus. Like last year, we’ll be using the “A Jesus Christmas” by Barbara Reaoch; feel free to snag a copy for your family to do at home- we will just be doing the three Sunday dates at church, Dec 3, 10, 17. This is a great resource to help connect to the meaning of Christmas together as a family.

Memory verse: Galatians 4:4-7

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

• PreK- verse 4 only

• E1+E2- all verses

• Please use these hand motions when you teach/reinforce the verse for this month 🙂 

• Pre-K, E1, E2 (song is “When the Fullness of time Had Come” by Slugs and Bugs- listen to on Youtube)

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

November 2023

General news/updates this month:

• AKM is doing Operation Christmas Child service project and family event coming on November 11th from 10 AM-12 PM at Awaken. Want o get involved? Here are some ways to do so:

  • Attend the Packing Party with your box you’ve committed to and have been working on at home. We have plenty of supplemental items to add if you feel your box needs a little extra before it’s sent off. 

  • If you can’t make it to the Packing Party, fill a shoebox (or a few!) at home and return your box by Sunday November 5th. Here’s info on what to put in boxes.

  • If you didn’t commit to a box but want to come to the Packing Party, please do! There are several ways to be involved at the party, including helping others pack their boxes, praying over the boxes/children receiving them, and helping the children color and fill out activity sheets that will explain to the child receiving the box who packed it for them.

  • If you can’t fill a box OR attend the Packing Party, you’re welcome to donate towards the event! Each shoebox costs $10 to process and ship to its final destination, and we’d love help covering some of those costs. 

• AKM is doing another parents night out, November 18th from 5-9 PM- spots are limited to 22 children this time due to number of volunteers available to serve, so reserve your spot before they’re gone by filling out this link.This only has a few spots!! If you’re interested in being added to the waitlist, email Christine Ramser at christine@awakencolumbus.org and she will contact you if spots become available last minute.

November’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

Weekly lessons will be on:

• Abraham is tested

• God provides a wife for Isaac

• Jacob and Esau

• Jacob’s lie

Memory verse: John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

• PreK- verse 1 only

• E1+E2- all verses

• Please use these hand motions when you teach/reinforce the verse for this month 🙂 Please excuse the video quality! Pre-K, E1, E2

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

October 2023

General news/updates this month:

• Stay tuned for details about an Operation Christmas Child service project and family event coming on November 11th. Save the date!

Nugget of discipleship:

• Christian Cavanaugh recommended copying verses as a way to practice handwriting and verse memorization at the same time. Here’s one free resource for short passages, and here are the PreK/E1+E2 verses (had to be broken into chunks to fit on pages): Psalm 138: 1-2, 3, 4.

• You can make your own in the future by using this website

October’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Weekly lessons will be on:

• God Makes a Covenant with Abram

• God Gives Abram a New Name

• The Lord Appears to Abraham

• God Rescues Lot 

• Isaac & Ishmael

Memory verse: Psalm 139:1-4

• PreK- verse 1 only: O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

• E1- Pre K plus verse 2-3: You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

• E1+E2- Pre K plus verse 4: Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

• Please use these handmotions when you teach/reinforce the verse for this month 🙂 Please excuse the video quality!

• Pre-K video (verse 1)

• E1 video (verses 1-3 and explanation)

• E2 video (verses 1-4 and explanation)

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

September 2023

General news/updates this month:

• This is the first month we will be splitting elementary into two rooms! Thanks to Anna Reyes, Beth Steckel, and John Marette for all their work on the new room 🙂 All Elementary kids (E1 and E2) will still do worship with their families then head back when dismissed.

• Rooms starting first week of September:

• E2: 3-7th grades staying in the current room

• E1: 5 year olds-2nd grade in the room immediately to the left of current elementary room. 

• Also, please take this 6 question survey so I can make these updates serve you better!

• No nugget of discipleship this month. As you can, remember to pass along any helpful discipleship nuggets to Christine Ramser or John Marette so that we can share them for the encouragement of others!

September’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms):

• Weekly lessons will be on:

• God Chooses Noah 

• The Rainbow of God’s Promise

• The Tower of Babel 

• Abram & God’s Promise

• Memory verse:

• Psalm 119:89-94

• Pre-K Psalm 119:89 ONLY- “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”

• E1 Psalm 119:89-92 the verse above and… “Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.”

• E2 Psalm 119:89-94 all of the above and…”If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.”

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

August 2023

General news/updates this month:

• In case you haven’t noticed, Awaken is growing in the number of children, and the children continue to get older (shocking information, I know!). Due to this, we need to make some shifts in age groups for each classroom and when children will shift to the next class. Any questions, please see John Marette or Ally Short. This will all begin next month, the first Sunday in September.

• Nursery: birth through 18 months

• Toddlers: 19 month through age 2

• Pre-K: 3-4 year olds

• E1: 5 year olds through 2nd grade; kids will move up into E1 after they’ve turned 5, on the next closest of these two dates:

• First Sunday of September 

• First Sunday of March

• Example: Chirstine turned 5 on April 2nd. She won’t go to E1 until first week of September

• E2: 3rd through 7th grade; kids will move up into E2 on the first week in September the year they enter 3rd grade

• Volunteer training is August 13th, right after church for an hour upstairs! All volunteers for next year, old and new, should plan to attend. If you can’t make it, please let Ally or Christine know. There will be pizza and childcare for those attending.

• Parent’s night out will be these Saturdays, 5-9:

• August 26- form open! Please submit by August 18. First come, first serve for up to 40 kids.

• November 18

• February 10

• May 18

Nugget of discipleship:

• From the Bice Family: They use Our 24 Family Ways: A family devotional guide by Clay Clarkson. They are enjoying that it is straightforward and has prompts to guide brief discussion based on daily scripture reading with an overarching weekly theme. There are also coloring pages to go with each theme. It takes 10-15 minutes and is received well by all of their kids, especially their 7 and 9 year old.

• Also, from Tom Short (it’s Tom Short week at Awaken!) this encouragement about if family devotions aren’t working for you. Thanks, Christian, for telling me about this!

  August’s theme (pre-k, elementary rooms)

• Starting this month, we are covering the same themes in the pre-k classrooms and elementary room( with an “s” in September!). Classes will be learning from the Bible with activities adapted to each age group’s development, and also have the same memory verses adjusted in length to match the age.

• We are beginning a new theme in these rooms-the Old Testament. :

  • God Creates the World

  • God Creates Man

  • Adam & Eve Disobey God

  • Cain & Abel

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

July 2023

General news/updates this month:

• Thank you for the nuggets of discipleship submitted last month-we had 3 families submit ideas. Please continue to send our way so that we can share. We are excited to encourage each other with how to raise up godly children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6)!

• The new 5 year old-2nd grade classroom is coming along and is almost ready for our elementary room multiplication! Due to needing more volunteers to staff the two elementary rooms, we will not be able to start separating elementary into two groups until September. So, all elementary kids will continue to be together in the upstairs rooms for July and August.

• We’ll have our yearly volunteer training on August 13th right after church for an hour. Pizza and childcare will be provided. All volunteers/people who would like to become a volunteer should plan to attend.

Nugget of discipleship from the Cavanaugh family:

• We try to incorporate music into the Memory Madness verse memorization framework.

• I search Spotify, and/or scripture song app from the Florida churches, to see if anyone else already has music I like for the assigned verse. (If the songs don’t play for you, clear your browsing history/cache). HOT TIP: they have Hebrews 11:6, Psalm 23 (songs the elementary kids are working on) in the scripture song app!

• If it doesn’t already exist I try to set the verse to the tune of a familiar song (like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or Ode to Joy). 

• If they memorize the verse, they get a sticker on a chart. We memorize the verse along with them.

July’s theme (Elementary room)

This month we’ll finish up the review of the parables and verses we’ve done this 22-23 year. We’ll also play an outdoor game each week (weather permitting!) so it feels a bit more like summer camp time. So, your child can bring a water bottle if desired!

We’ll be reviewing:

• Matthew 18:10-14, Parable of the Wandering Sheep

• Matthew 13:31-33, Parables of the Mustard

• Luke 6:46-49, Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

• Luke 15:11-32, Parable of the Lost Son

We are continuing the summer verse review challenge! See last month for info😊 we’ve had a handful of kids eagerly remembering verses they did 8 months ago-great job kids and families, keep it up!

Questions/at home Activities

• Spend time memorizing the summer verse review challenge verses as a family-make it fun by making it into a song that you sing in the car, before bed, or make memorizing the verses into a family competition if that’s something your kids would enjoy!

• Pray: Pray as a family to be able to apply the ideas from memory verses, and for opportunities to share these life-changing words with others!

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

June 2023

General news/updates this month:

• Attention Elementary families- does your child/family have a favorite parable they’d like to share? Would your child(ren) like to create a craft, game, song, skit, activity to help teach the class a parable? If so, click on this link to submit your idea before June 26! 🙂 We are looking for kids to help us choose the last 4 parables to learn about this August

• Also, the 2nd elementary classroom is under construction. The hope is that this space (to the left of the current elementary room) will be ready to use in July. This space would be the K-2 room, with 3-6 staying in the current room.

• All families-we’d love to hear you share a nugget of discipleship so that families can continue to encourage one another. We know you’ve got ‘em! See last month for an example/more info. Any ideas/parental reflections you’d like to share going forward can be sent to christine@awakencolumbus.com and jmarette.1@gmail.com.

• Thanks for everyone’s promptness getting their children within 10 minutes of the end of service with their guardian receipt! We really appreciate everyone’s efforts in this.

June’s theme (Elementary room)

• Review of the parables and verses we’ve done this 22-23 year. We’ll also play an outdoor game each week (weather permitting!) so it feels a bit more like summer camp time. So, your child can bring a water bottle if desired! We’ll be reviewing:

• Mark 4:1-20, Parable of the Sower

• Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Talents/Bags of Gold

• Luke 10:25-37, Parable of the Good Samaritan

• Matthew 18:21-35, Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

• Summer verse review challenge! How it works: 

  • During snack each week, kids will get a chance to come over to the kitchen table and tell a teacher 1-2 verses.

  • The teacher will check it off when the kid has mastered the verse.

  • We’ll keep an updated list by the door so that when you come in to pick up your kids you will see whether or not they said any of the verses!

  • When they say all 6, they will get a prize.

22-23 verses they’ll get to review/say over the summer (printed version will come home with your child):

Mark 4:9-11 9 And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 10 And when he was alone, those who were about him with the twelve asked him concerning the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,”

Psalm 23:1-4 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Matthew 13:34-35 34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 6:9-13 This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Questions/at home Activities

• Share: What is something that has stuck with your child about the Parable of the Sower, The Parable of the Talents/Bags of Gold, Parable of the Good Samaritan, or the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant?

• Pray: Pray as a family to be able to apply the lessons learned from the parables, and for opportunities to share these life-changing stories with others!

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

May 2023

General news/updates this month:

Greetings! We would like to introduce a new initiative to our family ministry that is meant to encourage and spur our families towards connecting and discipling our children. It will be under the “nugget of discipleship” section from here on. Here is the catch: We need your help!! Please send in short excerpts of routines your family engages in, that focus on spiritual connections and discipleship. They will be used in subsequent newsletters! Here is our first example courtesy of the Marette house. Any ideas you’d like to share going forward can be sent to christine@awakencolumbus.com (and John@awakencolumbus.com if you remember to CC him!).

Also, logistical piece here- please remember to pick up your kids within 10 minutes of the end of church- the sooner the better! If you’re receiving prayer or are otherwise engaged, please give your guardian receipt to a trusted friend so that we can continue to honor AKM volunteer’s time. Thank you!

May’s Nugget of Discipleship:

“A few months ago, we began a habit of giving an interactive bedtime blessing to our boys. Bedtime is a special time at the end of the day where the boys often quiet their minds and bodies and opportunities for deeper connection can help remind them that God loves them, and they can rest in His grace. This bedtime blessing practice has been transformative in our family, helping the boys replace lies and anxieties with the truth of God’s unconditional, gospel love for them. I pray it can bless your family too!”

-Bekah Marette

A favorite bedtime blessing from the book, Habits of the Household:

Parent: Do you see my eyes?

Child: Yes.

Parent: Can you see that I see your eyes?

Child: Yes.

Parent: Do you know that I love you no matter what bad things you do?

Child: Yes.

Parent: Do you know that I love you no matter what good things you do?

Child: Yes.

Parent: Who else loves you like that?

Child: God does.

Parent: Even more than me?

Child: Yes.

Parent: Rest in that love.

May’s theme (Elementary room)

Luke 6:46-49, Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

May’s verse

1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Questions/at home Activities

• Share: Share a time when your Mom or Dad or someone forgave you. Ask them what they think would happen if they decided to not follow God’s way, then wanted to go back to God. What would God’s reaction be to them?

• Pray: God is always forgiving. No matter what we’ve done, he wants us to come home. Thank God for that amazing love, and pray that your children will accept God's free gift of salvation.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

April 2023

General news/updates this month:

•  Easter egg hunt will be Saturday, April 8th 10:30-12. Save the date, hope you can join us! Please invite others as you can. We’ll have a short Easter object lesson kicking off our time at 10:45 before the hunt.

April’s theme (Elementary room)

Matthew 18:21-35, Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

We will also connect forgiveness, a key theme in this parable, to the gospel and Easter! Please invite your children’s friends to Easter service, we’d love to have them hear a gospel presentation.

april’s verse

Matthew 6:9-13 This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Questions/at home Activities

• Explore: Do you have monthly credit card debt? A car loan? A mortgage? Talk to your kids about

  one of these debts. Tell them how much they are, how much you pay monthly, and how long

  it will take to pay them off. Don’t forget to tell them what happens if you can’t pay. Ask

  your kids why it’s important for us to forgive the “debts” of others and what debt God

  has forgiven.

• Here are some great discussion starters:

  - How much debt did the king forgive?

  - Why did the king change his mind about the debt?

  - What debt has Jesus forgiven for us?

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

March 2023

General news/updates this month:

•  Easter egg hunt will be Saturday, April 8th 10:30-12. Save the date, hope you can join us!

March’s theme (Elementary room)

Luke 6:46-49, Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

March’s verse

Matthew 13:34-35 “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Questions/at home Activities

• Explore: take a walk around your house/apartment this week. How was it built? How did the builders give your home a good foundation? How is Jesus like a firm foundation for our life?

• Here are some great discussion starters:

•  Why did the wise builder build his house on a rock?

• What are some of the storms of life that can affect us?

•  Why do we need Jesus to be our foundation?

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

February 2023

Hey, Awaken Families!

General news/updates this month:

• Cozies, Crafts, and Cartoons reminder- this will be Saturday, Feb 11th 9-11 am. Excited to see you there!

• For you planners, the Easter egg hunt will be Saturday, April 8th 10:30-12. Save the date, hope you can join us!

• We do apologize with inconsistencies with the check in printers and not always being able to print off the guardian receipts- thank you for your patience always with this as we furiously handwrite each lovely child’s name in 5 minutes when this happens! We still want to strive for the best safety practices, so please remember to present the guardian ticket whenever possible (worried you’ll forget? Stick the ticket on you/the person picking up as soon as you get it- fail-proof tip right there)

February’s theme (Elementary room)

Matthew 13:31-33, Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

February’s verse

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Questions/at home Activities

• Let the kids help this week if you make homemade bread or pizza dough. Be sure they get a look at the before and after. Ask them how faith in God is like that yeast making the dough expand.

• Ask your child what they learned about this week on the drive home. The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast teach us that God’s kingdom is growing, overtaking the garden, even though it might seem tiny at first. Because of that, kids don’t have to wait until they are older to make a decision to live God’s way. In fact, Jesus uses our tiny Mustard seed faith to do amazing things to glorify Him (Matthew 17:20-21). Jesus told this parable to let us know that God is strong and powerful so we don’t have to be, that we can be a part of his kingdom and ask for his kingdom to come in us and in His world!

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

January 2023

Hey, Awaken Families!

General news/updates this month:

• Thank you so much for all of the families and kids who participated in the Christmas Eve performance- it was precious to see each child singing, acting, smiling, sharing the good news of Jesus. What a special gift to honor Him!

• Mark your calendars for the morning of February 11th where we’ll have a cozies, crafts, and cartoon time (basically, wear PJ’s, watch some cartoons, do some crafts, eat some cereal, spend time with other Awaken families). More details to come soon!

January’s theme (Elementary room)

• January 1st we’ll have a short discussion about remembering last year, and making a prayer calendar for his upcoming year- feel free to use this at home to develop habits of prayer for others

• The parable we’ll discuss is the Wandering Sheep, Matthew 18:10-14

January‘s verse

Psalm 23:1-4 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Questions/home activities:

• When something goes missing this week (a shoe, a phone, etc.), take a moment as you try to find it with your kids to talk about how Jesus went after the lost sheep, too, and that we all are like lost sheep, Isaiah 53:6, until we repent of our sin and choose Jesus as the king of our life, accepting his sacrifice

• Play hide and go seek as a family (in the dark is the best and is especially easy this time of year)- talk about what it was like to know someone was trying to find you- what was it like if they didn’t find you for a long time? Use any opportunity to talk about God’s pursuit of us, his desire for us to live in his good shepherd care, not lost and in danger outside of where his rod and staff can discipline and protect us

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

December 2022

Hey, Awaken Families!

General news/updates this month:

• Kids in elementary room/pre-k will be putting on a skit and song on Christmas Eve during the 6 PM service; anyone involved in skit/song will also be attending the dress rehearsal at 3pm on December 18th, right before church 

• Mark your calendars for the morning of February 11th where we’ll have a cozies, crafts, and cartoon time (basically, wear PJ’s, watch some cartoons, do some crafts, eat some cereal, spend time with other Awaken families). More details to come next month!

• Registration for Faithwalkers has been extended to December 9th. Hope you can come!

  December’s Verse

  No verse this month as many kids are practicing their skit/play lines for Christmas Eve

  December theme (elementary room)

• Advent! We’re taking a break from the parable series and will resume in January. We’ll be reading advent devotionals from “A Jesus Christmas:Explore God’s Amazing Plan for Christmas” by Barbara Reaoch.

  Follow up activities/questions:

• Elementary room kids will be making an advent banner to take home and adding to it each week-they will draw a picture that relates to each advent reading we do that Sunday at church. Ask them about what they drew on their banner and how it relates to Jesus.

• Looking for ways to refocus on Jesus this Christmas as a family? Advent scripture readings are a great routine to develop if you aren’t already. There are several resources out there, however you’re welcome to do the same one the Elementary room is doing (see above). We’ll be reading the daily advent devotional, for example on Dec 4th we’ll read December 4th, so reading other days wouldn’t interfere.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

November 2022

Hey, Awaken Families!

General news/updates this month:

• No new updates!

November’s Verse

• No new verse! You could take this opportunity to review previous months’ verses (see below for other months’ verses) or, for kids in the elementary room, the parable of the talents/the parable of the sower.

November Theme (Elementary Room)

We’re keep on working on learning and reflecting on Jesus’ parables. Kids will be learning about one story for a whole month, reinforcing with games, skits, activities, and even learning to tell the story to themselves and others. This third month is the parable of the good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37.

Follow up activities/discussions:

• Do you have any Good Samaritan stories of strangers who helped you? When have you had to sacrifice your time, plans, and/or resources to help someone? Share these stories with your kids this week. Ask them if the have any similar stories that remind them of being a Good Samaritan or being helped by a Good Samaritan.

• Pray for and look for an opportunity to be a Good Samaritan with your kids this month!

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

October 2022

Hey, Awaken Families!

General news/updates this month:

• Thanks for everyone’s support in keeping/showing your guardian tickets!

• Thank you for those of you who were able to attend the father/son event yesterday at the Resolute Athletic Complex! Minute to win it games, Zorb ball face offs, and, of course, the OSU game made for a great time. Thank you, Bice family, for letting us use this great space. Stay tuned for our next family event!

September’s Verse

Mark 4:9-11 9 And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 10 And when he was alone, those who were about him with the twelve asked him concerning the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,”

October Theme (Elementary Room)

We’re continuing on our new yearly theme- Jesus’ parables. Kids will be learning about one story for a whole month, reinforcing with games, skits, activities, and even learning to tell the story to themselves and others. This second month is the parable of the talents from Matthew 25:14-30.

Follow up activities/discussions:

• Talk with your kids about the unique gifts you and your children have. What special talents do each of you have that no one else in the family shares? Discuss what you can do as individuals and as a family to serve God with those gifts.

• Part of this parable we’ll be focusing on is that God is not as concerned with how much or how little you have as much as He is concerned with how faithful and obedient you are with what he has given you. When disappointments come up over what they have/don’t have, use this as a teaching point to think about how they can be faithful with what God has given them.

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

The Awaken Kids Ministry Team

September 2022

Hey, Awaken Families!

General news/updates this month:

• As a reminder, starting this month, we will require parents to have their guardian ticket to pick up their children/go into the classrooms. As Awaken kids ministry grows, not everyone knows which kids belong to which guardians, so this is helping to keep kids safe. Thanks for your patience and collaboration as we implement this new safety procedure.

• Save the date for the Father Son time on Saturday, October 1st. It will be held at The Resolute Athletic Complex at Easton. Games and activities will be from 2-3:30, with the OSU v. Rutgers game showing afterwards for those who are interested. Pizza and game snacks will be provided.

September’s Verse

Mark 4:9 Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever has ears should listen.’

September’s Theme (Elementary Room)

This month we’re starting a new yearly theme- Jesus’ parables. Kids will be learning about one story for a whole month, reinforcing with games, skits, activities, and even learning to tell the story to themselves and others. This first month is the parable of the sower from Mark 4: 1-9.

Follow up activities/discussion ideas:

• Take a walk through the yard/neighborhood/a park this week. Where do you see plants

  growing well? Do you see any struggling? Use the plants to talk with the kids about what they can do to help their faith will grow.

• Ask your child the following discussion starters:

  - What is a parable?

  - Why did Jesus teach in parables?

  - What is the message of the Parable of the Sower?

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

Awaken Kids Ministry Team

August 2022

Hey, Awaken Families!

Happy August! Last month we announced we’ll post an update once a month to inform you of the topic we’ll be studying in the Elementary Classroom. The purpose is for families to have opportunities to help their child spiritually develop in concepts that they’re learning about on Sundays. As a reminder, the 3-4 ages and under have their separate lesson plans and won’t be always studying the same theme.  Doing the verse as a family is always great though, no matter the age of kiddo you have!

general news/updates This month:

• We will have training for all volunteers for the 22-23 Awaken Kids ministry year (Sept. ‘22-Aug. ‘23) on August 7th from 5:45-7:45. Childcare, pizza and drinks will be provided. 

• Starting in September, we will require parents to have their guardian ticket to pick up their children/go into the classrooms. As Awaken kids ministry grows, not everyone knows which kids belong to which guardians, so this is helping to keep kids safe. Thanks for your patience and collaboration as we implement this new safety procedure.

August’s theme

We’re in the month of our spiritual discipline study.  This month is all about celebration and thanksgiving.  The kid-friendly definition we’re using is “having joy and delight always.”  We’ll focus on using obedience as key to joy, giving thanks to God in the good and the bad, and joy in trials

August’s verse

John 15:10-11 10 If you keep my commands, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and I abide in his love.  11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

*For ages 3-4, try memorizing just verse 10!

August’s questions/home activities

• Talk to your child about how obeying God has brought joy in your life. Give concrete examples of times when you needed to obey God instead of go your own way, and how that produced joy in you.  Talk to them about ways that they are called to obey, and how obedience to God is how we stay in God’s love.  When they obey you, make sure to point out that they are acting in God’s love, and the joy of Jesus is in them!

• Activity idea: Find and read age-appropriate biographies/Bible stories about people suffering for God, enduring trials with joy.  Do a search for Bible verses about joy/joy in suffering- there are tons to look at/read! Stories help kids to internalize truth, too- read a biography about a missionary (Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson; the “Heroes for Young Readers” Series; for older kids- “Christian Heroes:Then and Now”

August’s prayer for kids and families at Awaken

• For kids and families to be obedient to God, to know Christ’s joy in obedience

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• For kids to choose Christ as their Lord and Savior

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

Awaken Kids Ministry Team

July 2022

Hey, Awaken Families!

Starting this month, we’ll post an update once a month to inform you on the topic we’ll be studying in the elementary classroom as well as general updates and news related to AKM. The purpose is for families to have opportunities to help their child spiritually develop in concepts that they’re learning about on Sundays. Our prayer is that you’ll feel more connected to what your child is learning and supported through prayer, scripture, and intentional conversation starters. The goal is also to keep this super brief and purposeful- this one is longer since it’s the first update.

As a note, the 3-4 ages and under have their separate lesson plans and won’t be always studying the same theme.  Doing the verse as a family is always great though, no matter the age of kiddo you have!

general news/updates This month:

• We will have training for all volunteers for the 22-23 Awaken Kids ministry year (Sept-Aug) on August 7th from 5:45-7:45. Childcare, pizza and drinks will be provided. 

July’s theme- Elementary

We’re in the second to last month of our spiritual discipline study.  This month is all about discernment.  The kid-friendly definition we’re using is “the ability to decide what is/act in God’s way.”  We’ll focus on using God’s word to discern, identifying Godly people in our lives that can help us discern, and praying for discernment.

July’s verse

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

July’s questions/home activities

• Talk to your child about decisions you’ve had to make recently.  How did you practice Godly discernment? Were there verses or Biblical concepts you used to help you decide? How did you pray? This could be something small like making dinner when you were tired and didn’t want to.  Or something big like what job to take.  Ask your child what kinds of decisions they made today and how they made that decision.  If they didn’t make a decision that used discernment (deciding and acting based on God’s way), think together about what verses would be good to help them decide something better next time.

• Talk to your child about how having Godly people in your life has helped you to discern and decide something.  Ask them who they think are Godly people in their life that they could ask for guidance from. Guide them on why those people would/would not be good choices.

July’s prayer for kids and families at Awaken

• For kids and families to build solid understanding of God’s word and God’s way

• For kids to choose Christ as their Lord and Savior

• For the Holy Spirit to reveal to families and kids what God’s way is in their daily decisions

• That Awaken families would be able to guide and encourage others to correctly discern God’s way

The Lord bless you and gently guide you (Isaiah 40:11) as you bring your children to Him (Mark 10:13-16),

Awaken Kids Ministry Team