Church Based After School: “Life’s A Pain”

As we walk through life with children and guide them to walk with the Triune God it is important that we teach them the full truth. . .

Life often is a pain!

What are you teaching the children you serve, or your own children, about pain that never goes away no matter how much they beg God to take it from them? This is especially important as you serve at-risk children – their lives are filled with so much pain. Just because they grow to love Jesus and walk with them much of that pain will remain.

Please don’t lie to them and tell them that if they submit to Jesus that everything will be okay. IT WON”T BE

When we try to sugar coat life we cause more pain. If you have been a follower of my Blog you have perhaps read My Heart’s Cry – the story which taught me the importance of not over protecting our children.

My pastor, Todd Rettberg, is a pastor who truly pastors – he knows what you need when you are in the midst of pain because he lives with constant, continual pain that never leaves. I know from personal experience that he walks his talk. God has my husband and me on a very difficult journey filled with physical and emotional pain – Todd is walking with us through it.

I highly recommend his new book to anyone who serves children. It is important that we teach children that God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want. You can find some answers to share not only with children – but adults who question if God cares when they are in the midst of pain and there is no relief.

JOURNEYING BY FAITH WHEN

EVERY STEP HURTS

Life’s a Pain!

But God has treasures to impart through it.

As a pastor who suffers from chronic pain himself, Todd Rettberg knows what it can do to people and families. With straight talk, humor and compassion, he shows Christians how to find God In the midst of suffering.

Available at:

Crosslink Publishing

The e-book is also available at Amazon.

Christian After School Programs: Could Satan Be Tempting You With “Good” So You Will Disobey God?

If you are reading this you most likely have a desire to see justice for kids who are suffering. Read through the following and let me know what you think.

“And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”(Luke 4:5-8 ESV)

 Good vs. God’s Will – if Jesus will bow to Satan then Satan will give Jesus authority. However, we know that Jesus’ destiny is to be King of kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15, Philippians 2:10-11). If Jesus had taken that authority, there would then have been no more war, sickness, evil on earth – but there also wouldn’t have been eternal salvation. The Father’s plan would have been thwarted – Jesus would have sinned.

Satan was offering Jesus to have immediate gratification, to bring immediate justice to all of earth. Why didn’t Jesus do it? Because if He had He would have disobeyed God the Father – that wasn’t the Father’s plan.

What is the temptation that Satan brings to those of us who have a heart for the poor?

Do you think it is possible to want to help the poor and in the end actually harm them?  Do you think that the poor can become an idol?  That we can in the end actually put them before God, all the while doing it in His name?

Jesus certainly told His followers that they must serve the poor – or else! Matthew 25:31-46

Then He said, the poor will always be with you.  What did He mean?
Mark 14:3-9

I’ve been pondering how these two scriptures fit together and have come to this conclusion looking at both passages in the context of the entire Bible.

We definitely have a responsibility to serve the poor and we will be held accountable if we don’t.  However, that does not excuse putting the poor before God Almighty.  We make the poor more important than God when in serving them we break God’s laws, or we twist His truth.

Just as the Israelites did at the foot of Mt Sinai, I’m seeing new gods created to fit each individual’s idea of who God is.  Rather than truth we want a god who will make us feel good. 

But the problem is that when we create this new god we are doing harm not only to ourselves but to those we want to serve.

God’s anger was great, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people.  Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”  Ex. 32:9&10

Moses had to fight for the people so God wouldn’t destroy them – God’s anger was great.

Do you think He is any less angry when new gods are created today?  Even if we do it in the name of social justice?  Even though we call this new god Jesus? Placing the name of Jesus on this new god doesn’t make it God.

I believe God wants us to do BIBLICAL JUSTICE; He wants us to fight for justice – but under the banner of His truth.

Let me know what you think.

After School Programs:Church Based – A Family Service Plan

“When you fail to plan
You plan to fail”
Author Unknown

It is important that we are intentional as we minister to at-risk kids and their families.

Intentionality requires planning.

In the PDF below you will find a tool to assist you plan what services you will provide a family. It will take you through a step by step process to assess what each individual family requires for lasting change.

Do not attempt to work with more than one family in this intense manner until you have developed the policies that are unique to your church.

Remember that everything begins with the building of relationship. Read last week’s post – Be Mom’s Best Friend.

A Family Service Plan

If you are a Children’s Pastor with struggling families within your church consider using this tool to come alongside of them.

If you want to use this tool to train staff write me  for the Staff Pages.
The above PDF is from the KidTrek Directors’ Training Manual.

wanda@kidtrek.org

COMING NEXT WEEK:

A Tutoring Plan

After School Programs: Church Based – What At-Risk Kids Receive From Secondary Nurturers

Third in series on “What At Risk Kids Need.”

Last week we looked at the training that Secondary Nurturers need in order to be equipped so the kids will receive the following.

• The truth of Jesus Christ taught at a level the child can understand and receive.
  • No false promises.
  • Learns Jesus has a purpose for every-thing that happens.  Our challenge is to not waste the pain.
  • The vulnerability and honesty of the SN in sharing Christ leads the child to discover the immense love of Jesus.
  • The challenge to know God and know His power.
  • Insight into how biblical truth can be applied in all areas of life.
• Learns the power of prayer.
  • As a 12 year old, Jamal couldn’t read.  His SN asked Kim if she would pray for Jamal each day.  In return, the SN asked Jamal to pray for Kim. His response, “I’ve never done anything like that, but I’ll try.”  The following week his school teacher moved him into a remedial phonics program.  In two weeks he was reading everything.  (There was a follow-up discussion with Jamal that God doesn’t always answer in this way.)
  • Jamal also learned it isn’t just about him.  Kim, a suburban mother had pain for which she also needed prayer.
• Learns how to function as a member of the body of Christ.
• Development of critical thinking skills.
  • Kids receive specially designed “money” for attendance, bringing homework, behavior, participation, etc.  They learn how to write checks, deposit money in the “bank,” and tithe.  They have the opportunity to purchase items in the store each week.  Store items may be food, hygiene items, toys, books, games, potential gift items.  Kids “pay” to attend all activities outside of the center.
  • Tyrone was looking forward to purchasing the Lego Prehistoric Creatures today.  He had been saving his “money” for months. As he approached the store, the center director asked him, “Tyrone, have you bought your ticket for our trip to the snow next weekend?”  “No” came the reply.  “Do you want to go to the snow?” the director asked.  “Yes” Tyrone smiled.  “You better buy your ticket today or you won’t be able to go,” the director suggested.  “But I wanted to buy the Legos I’ve been saving for, and if I get my ticket I won’t have enough money for the Legos.  Will you loan me some money?”  The director laughed and told him the KidTrek Bank didn’t make loans.  The director helped Tyrone go through the process of critically thinking how the outcome would differ if he didn’t buy his ticket that day.  Yes, he would have to wait for the Legos, but they would still be there when he had earned more money; if he put off buying his ticket, he would miss the snow trip, and there wouldn’t be another one this year.
• The opportunity to deal with delayed gratification.
• Instruction in all aspects of handling money.
  • We use the same tool with our Sunday Plus Children’s Ministry Curriculum.
  • Go here to see explanation of Bucks and Banking
• The opportunity to make and act on responsible choices.
• A respect for education.
• A vision for the future.
• The opportunity to have meaningful conversation around a meal several times a week.
• An education.
  • Most times it will be homework assistance and tutoring that is needed,  supplementing the school experience
  • One child was not able to learn at school due to learning disabilities.  The SN  began to home school her.  It has made a huge difference in the life of this preteen.

• Development of a work ethic.
  • Learns not to expect to receive without working for something.
  • Learns chores and responsibilities are a normal part of life.
• Opportunities to deal with feelings in a responsible manner.
• Instruction in basic life skills – eating in a restaurant, making a bed, washing clothes, how to use a bathroom, etc.
• Guidance in healthy manner of receiving criticism/correction.
• A faithful adult willing to walk through stages of Trust, Autonomy, Initiative, Industry, and Identity.
• Understanding that life does not appear fair today (Psalm 73) because we do not know how God is at work.
  • We cannot compare ourselves with others; we must walk the path God has called us to walk – Galatians 6: 4 & 5.
• Understanding that feelings can be deceptive.
  • Learns how to handle feelings.
  • Learns importance of taking feelings to Source of all Truth.
• Hope as adults, primary-nurturer/secondary-nurturer/Service Partners, work together to improve the family’s life situation.
• Vision of a future that can be his/hers – unique to the individual kid.

The following is from a Secondary-Nurturer who has walked through life with her kids for the last four years.  She has had a lot of ups and downs, but remained faithful. She has gotten up early to take a dad to work when his car broke down; she has looked for kids on the streets when they weren’t showing up; she made her home a refuge for kids.  She ministers not only to the five kids with whom she works; she also ministers to mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and grandparents. They know she is someone to trust.

We tell the kids that everything they learn, whether knowledge or skill, is something they will need to draw upon later in life. I don’t think they understand or believe this.

Last week Blanca and Henry interviewed for their first part-time job. It is only for three weeks but it is with the city helping weed and clean up the parks. The money comes from a grant for low-income kids. They both commented on how easy the interview was, basically if you show up you get the job.  I explained to them how often kids in the neighborhood don’t show up for jobs and that is why they have the pre-interview to see who is serious about work.  Two years ago, we helped a kid we know get one of these jobs, but he only showed up twice. He is almost 18 and has yet to finish anything.

I reminded them of the kids who showed up for the interview looking scared.  Blanca and Henry have had the advantage of public speaking and working with our drama teacher. The kids and parents give me a hard time about being early or on time.  At their interviews the kids were asked about whether they could be counted on to be on time. It reminded them that maybe I am not crazy after all.

Then they were asked what kind of skills they had with garden and wood tools.  Blanca and Henry have worked with me in my garden, worked with rose bushes, and removed rocks from my garden. They also have learned about wood working. In the interview they had some great experiences to share. The average inner city kid doesn’t have these experiences, nor do they have the work ethic developed like Blanca and Henry.

In my world, those are huge things, though often taken for granted because they are just part of being a productive adult. In the inner city they are huge because these are typically learned during childhood, and they fail as adults without them.

When I first started in ministry I thought the goal was to raise good, godly kids; now I realize the goal is to raise great and godly adults. This is a huge difference. You can have good kids but that doesn’t mean they will be prepared for adulthood or be great and godly adults. We have to look beyond the now and look for positive outcomes.

What are we teaching them that will make their generation different from their ancestors?

 

 

 

After School:Church Based – Why?

(For “KidTrek: Sunday Plus” – a blog on the church’s children’s ministry – click here)

“‘Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.’ But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. “
(Zechariah 7:10-11 ESV)

WHAT IS YOUR CHURCH DOING TO REACH OUT
TO THOSE IN NEED?

Then he will answer them, saying,
‘Truly, I say to you,
as you did not do it to one of the least of these,
you did not do it to me.’
And these will go away into eternal punishment,
but the righteous into eternal life.”
(Matthew 25:45-46 ESV)

Why should the church read out to those who are in need?

BECAUSE JESUS SAID TO DO SO!

In the weeks ahead we will look at what you can do at your church to make a difference through an After School Ministry.

 

Changes

By Wanda

We are making some changes!

Trying to write about After School Programs, which is outreach oriented, and Children’s Ministry, which is geared to church raised kids, at the same time wasn’t working.

Thus we have split the two.

KidTrek: Sunday Plus is a new blog http://www.kidtrek-sundayplus.org/ which will focus on ministry to children raised in the church.  We are still developing it so expect some glitches over the next few weeks.

KidTrek – After School Programs is this Blog beginning today. The URL has been changed too https://kidtrekasp.wordpress.com/ This Blog will now focus on outreach through the children’s ministry. That is actually where we began.

I’ll be interested in hearing what you think of these changes.

My passion is seeing kids discipled to walk with Jesus. I believe that the church is challenged to not only disciple their own children but to also reach out into the community and disciple kids who do not receive this nurturing at home.

Child Discipleship: A Scripture Memorization Ministry Plan

(I am now writing in regard to Children’s Ministry at www.kidtrek-sundayplus.org  I will continue writing in regard to Christian After School Programs here at www.kidtrekasp.wordpress.com)

Hugo approached the director’s office asking, “May I quote a memory verse to you?”

“Sure,” Vonnie responded, with a thrill in her voice.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2”

Hugo proudly continued . . .

“It’s a good thing I memorized that verse. A kid was calling me names today and getting in my face. I kept saying this verse to myself and kept my arms at my sides . . .

“ . . . Miss Vonnie, I was steadfast.”

What a difference when kids apply the Word of God into their everyday lives.

But if Hugo hadn’t memorized that verse the week before he wouldn’t have had it on his heart when he needed it.

Scripture memorization is a vital part of discipling children whole-istically. Sunday Plus Curriculum encourages churches to set up a Scripture Memorization Ministry which eventually engages the entire church (or almost entire church).

FORMAT:

Children will have one verse a month to memorize.  The verse will relate to the concept they are learning on Sunday morning.

Why only one verse a month?

• Children have a tendency to memorize a verse on the way to church Sunday morning and forget it on the way home. Working on a verse for a whole month, saying it weekly to the Memory Verse Specialists and then continuing to say it in the months to come it won’t be easily forgotten.
• Kids are taught the meaning of the verse in the Midweek Celebration.
• The current month’s verse may be recited to the Memory Verse Specialists between services.

Children earn Bucks for memorizing the verses.

• The Store is open once a month.
  (We teach a Biblical Worldview to stewardship; giving Bucks is much more than just a reward  https://kidtrekasp.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/child-discipleship-using-bucksbanking-in-discipleship/)

• Children will receive additional Bucks as they retain verses and recite each of the previous month’s verses.
  • Children say past months’ verses at home to their parents.
  • The parents sign a voucher which the child turns in on Sunday morning to the Memory Verse Specialists.
• The Memory Verse Specialist gives the child the allotted number of Bucks when the child quotes that month’s verse between services.
• Vouchers can be picked up at the Memory Verse tables each Sunday.
  • They could also be passed out in The Shema Focus.
  • Children may say their verses and turn in the vouchers every week.

If a parent or other adult (must always be the same adult) accompany the child to the Memory Verse Specialist and can quote that month’s verse, the child receives extra KidTrek Bucks.

• Adults may quote the verse in the translation in which they learned it.
• An adult can quote the verse for only one child.
  • If there are four children in a family the father can quote for one child and the mother for a second child.
  • Children three and four will need to recruit other adults in the church to be their scripture memorization partners.
    • This again engages more of the church body in the discipleship of children.
    • Children are connecting with more adults in the church.

4 year olds through 2^nd graders may memorize an abbreviated verse.

• A “slash” is placed in the verse to indicate the portion they are to memorize.
• Encourage them to memorize the entire verse if they are able.

• Parents should also make adjustments for children with learning disabilities.

AWARDS:

• A child receives 5 Bucks for each verse quoted.
• A child receives 5 Bucks for an adult who quotes the present month’s verse.
• A child receives 5 Bucks for each past verse s/he quotes to parents and returns the voucher.
• When two verses are given for a month and the child learns both verses, s/he receives 5 Bucks for each verse

Parental Voucher

If you would like a “Sample Voucher”  http://www.kidtrek-sundayplus.org/curriculum/  Then scroll down to the Scripture Memorization Plan pdf

Child Discipleship – Scripture Memorization Games

By Wanda Parker

(I am now blogging on Children’s Ministry at www.kidtrek-sundayplus.org  I will continue blogging on Christian After School Programs at this site.)

It is vital that we assist kids in memorizing scripture. We never know how long we will have easy access to the Bible.

I remember hearing the story of Brother Andrew meeting with a group of pastors to discuss how the church should prepare to go underground. The response of the pastors was that this is ridiculous, this will never happen in “our country.” The following weekend the country fell to communists and it was illegal to have a Bible.

Be sure the kids understand the verse they are memorizing before playing the games.

Here are a few game to use to encourage kids as they memorize scriptures.

Dizzy Drop

Materials: a penny, blindfold, small pieces of paper with 1,000; 2,000;3,000; 4,000; 5,000   written on them

PREP

• Decide the teams you will use for this game, Primary or Secondary.
• Lay out the numbered pieces of paper on the floor

THE ACTIVITY

• Select a volunteer from the first team to quote the verse from memory.
• If she is able to correctly quote the verse she is blindfolded, spun around and given the penny to drop.
• Her team receives the points closest to where the penny dropped.
• If she is unable to correctly quote the verse she does not get any points.
• Next select a volunteer from the second team to quote the verse from memory.
• To go faster have a kid quote the verse to one Discipler while a second Discipler is supervising the spin and drop.
• Don’t forget to give out Spirit Points for participation, encouraging other players, sitting quietly when it isn’t your turn.

PENNY TOSS

Materials: a plate per team, a penny per team, copies of the verses

• A Discipler from an opposing team works with a team.
• The Discipler lays the dish down approximately 6ft.from the player.
• The Discipler asks the player to quote the verse.
• If she is able to quote the verse she is allowed to toss the penny.
• If the penny lands in the plate that team gets a point.
• The players may keep studying the verse when it is not their turn.
• Make sure everyone goes home with a copy of the verse.

Duck Duck Verse

Materials: copy of The Ten Commandments for each kid

THE ACTIVITY

• Give each kid a sheet with the verse written on it.
• Give them a couple of minutes to study.
• Play the game in the two big teams from recreation.
• One player from each team is chosen to be “IT”
• “IT” goes around the circle tapping each player on the head and saying, “Duck, Duck Duck, Verse.”
• The player whose head is tapped “Verse” stands and chases “IT.”
• If “IT” makes it around to the space of the player he tagged then “Verse” must say the verse.
• If “VERSE” tags “IT” before getting to the vacant spot then “IT” must say the verse.
• If the player is able to say the verse their team gets 1,000 points.
• Give teams points for cheering on their players.

What’s The Next Word

Materials: a set of cards for each team, each set will have one word written on                            each  card, the reference stands as one word

THE ACTIVITY

• Determine if this will be played in Primary Teams or Secondary Teams.
• This is played similar to a relay.
• All the word cards are laid at one end of the room and scrambled.
• Teams are at the opposite end of the room.
• When the adult says “GO” the first person from each team runs down and finds the first word of the verse.
• She then runs back to his team and lays the word down.
• The second player then runs down and looks for the second word, runs back and lays his word down.
• If a wrong word is brought back the player must return to find the correct word.
• The team to win is the first team to have laid its verse(s) out correctly.

More Games Click Here

In this PDF are a list of games to review the verses they’ve learned in the past year  Memory Verse Review

Child Discipleship – How Children Learn

By Wanda Parker

(Now posting on Children’s Ministry at KidTrek Sunday Plus. I will continue to post here on After School Ministries)

“I had to go to the hospital because I had a bug in my stomach,” ten year old Olivia told her Sunday school teacher. When the doctor told her she had a bug his picture of the bug looked very different from the bug Olivia saw.

What we want more than anything is for children to internalize the truths that we are presenting to them. However, how can they do so when we present these abstract truths in ways that their brains can’t yet grasp?

CHILDREN THINK AND LEARN IN THE CONCRETE

They need to taste, touch, see, hear and smell what is being taught. In other words they need to experience the concept being taught. When the truth is presented in this way it is internalized, the child has an internal understanding that they still can’t put into words.

New studies show us that the teen brain isn’t as developed as once thought but they fool us because of the experiences they have had. They can communicate at a higher level because through living they have internalized concepts.

Elsa, a kindergartener, and her Mom went to visit Grammy.  Upon entering the house Mom said, “Elsa, tell Grammy what the pump is in your body.”

Elsa replied, “My heart.”

“Elsa, tell Grammy what makes you breathe.”  Mom prodded

“My lungs,” Elsa proudly replied.

Grammy quickly asked, “Elsa what does it mean to breathe?”

“I don’t know,” came the hesitant answer

Not to be outdone Mom told Elsa to show Grammy what it meant to breathe.  With that Elsa took two huge intakes of breath.  To put into words what the word “breathe” meant was too abstract.  But Elsa did know what it meant to breathe because she had experienced breathing and thus had internalized the concept. The abstract concept had become concrete to Elsa, she could use the word breathe and know what it meant but she could not explain it.

BIBLICAL CONCEPTS ARE ABSTRACT

Our challenge as we present the Biblical concepts is to make them concrete so that the children can understand them.

In Sunday Plus Curriculum we do this through what we call Reality Check. – the first portion of each Kids’ Bible Focus lesson.

Reality Check is intended to bring alive the Biblical truth being taught.  This usually means making abstract concepts concrete – allowing the child to taste, touch, see, hear, and smell the concept being taught.  You are also permitting emotions to become a part of the learning process.  In other words, you are allowing the whole child to experience the truth – bringing reality into the lesson.  The kids will actually experience the concept.

The best way to explain such learning is to give you a couple of examples.

Temptation

As the children entered the room, there was a large stack of newspapers next to the door.  One of the adults told them they could take the paper and do anything they wanted with it.  However, they were directed towards a table where there was a craft they could make out of the newspaper.

Each child came in and began working on the craft.  After a few minutes, you could almost see the wheels turning in Kevin’s mind as he looked at this “stupid” craft he was working on and then looked over at the stack of newspapers.  He got out of his chair, walked over to the adult, Miss Tish, who was welcoming the children and asked, “Did you say we could do anything we wanted with this paper?”

“That’s right,” she answered.

“You mean I could take and wad up the paper and throw it around the room?” he prodded.

“As long as you don’t hit anyone,” Miss Tish directed.

With that Kevin took one piece of paper after another, wadded it up and threw it across the room.  The other boys, after seeing the fun Kevin was having, didn’t want to work on any “stupid” old craft.  They left the table and joined Kevin in making a mess of the room with the newspaper.  When it was time to clean up the adults helped the children who had been working on the craft.   Those children got their area cleaned up quickly and were given donuts and juice.

“Hey!  How come they are getting donuts and juice?”  Kevin demanded.

“Because they got their mess cleaned up.”  Miss Tish answered.

The whole room was now paying attention to the exchange between Kevin and Miss Tish.

“But you helped them clean up,” Kevin responded

“They were working on the craft,” Miss Tish explained.

“But you said we could do anything we wanted!”  Kevin argued.

“That’s right, and that is called TEMPTATION.” Miss Tish explained.  “In the world people tell you all the time to do whatever you want.  You know what the best things are to do.  You have to make choices.  There are always consequences for the choices we make.  When we give into temptation and choose to do what looks like its more fun or easier, though we know the other choice is the better choice, we will eventually pay the consequence.”

The children were then sat down and immediately told a Bible story which related to temptation.

Honesty

Miss Marla led the kids in a game of Red Light, Green Light.

The game was played on the honor system.  Miss Marla never turned around.  The winners were given a baggie full of candy, but were told not to open it until the end of class.

Then they had the Bible lesson on honesty after which the adults brought out the video camera that had been secretly recording the children as they played Red Light, Green Light.  Upon playing the video, those children who had cheated had to give their candy back.

Reality Learning also engages the emotions. When does God teach you the most? My experience has been that it has been when he has engaged my emotions – that is when the truth moves from the head to the heart.

WHAT REALITY LEARNING IS NOT

Skits
Object Lessons

These are both abstract presentations – object lessons in particular.

If you would like to learn how to use Reality Learning in your ministry and also how to create your own I am offering a two hour free training to the first ten people to email me at wanda@kidtrek.org If you live outside the United States it may mean middle of the night.

Child Discipleship: Gathering Games

By Wanda Parker

(I am now blogging about Children’s Ministry at http://www.kidtrek-sundayplus.org  I will continue to Blog about After School Ministries at this site.)

What do you do when the kids first arrive? Here are a few games to get kids involved as soon as they enter.

• Always think of that kid who has never been to church – thus an activity that everyone is engaged in, he doesn’t have to make a choice when he is feeling insecure.
• An activity into which kids can engage as they come in one at a time.
• Nothing Biblical – again for that kid that has never been to church before. How embarrassing when everyone but you knows what the answers are, or you have no idea what the adult is talking about. There will be plenty of time to share Christ once the child is comfortable.
• Always have an adult at the door to greet kids and guide them into the game while a second adult is with the kids guiding the game.

Hidden Surprise

Materials :      lots of masking tape, pill bottle, Bucks, flat box, dice

Object:            To be the one to unwrap the pill box with the Bucks inside.

• Have the kids sit with you on the floor in a circle.
  • If there is more than one Trek Team per age group have all teams sit in one large circle.
  • Disciplers play too – except for the one greeting at the door.
• You may want to have more than one pill box wrapped so the game can be played more than once.
• Take an empty pill bottle and place any amount of Bucks in it.
• Wrap it up with layers of newspaper and duct tape, electrical tape or any other kind of tape.
  • You can even layer it with different types and make a huge tape ball.
• Take a set of dice and place them in a flat box.
• If the person rolls a double, they start working on getting the tape ball apart, while the other kids pass the dice attempting to be the next one to get a double.
• They continue unwrapping until the next person rolls a double.
• Keep going until someone wins the Bucks.

Play again if time allows and you have a pill bottle prepared

BALLOON BAT

 

Materials: Several balloons of different colors

Object of game is to keep your balloon in the air longer than the opposing team.

• Children sit in a circle.
• Number kids off 1,2,1,2 around the circle.
• Give a number 1 player a blown up blue balloon and a number 2 player a blown up red balloon.
• When the adult says “GO” the balloons are batted to another player.
• Players can only hit their own balloon.
• If a player hits the wrong balloon he is out of the game.
  • The winning team is the team that can keep their balloon up in the air the longest.
  • This is a fun game to play over and over – expect craziness.
  • Have the kids take some deep breaths and sit without speaking for 30 seconds before going into Reality Check.

Musical Spoons

Materials :  plastic spoons

• Kids sit in a circle.
• Using a permanent marker place a spot on one of the spoons where it is not readily noticeable.
• One less spoon than players are placed in the center of the circle.
  • Make sure the spoon with the dot is in the pile from the first round.
• All players are given 3 Bucks.
• Music is played or leader claps.
• When the sound stops everyone tries to get a spoon.
• The player to not get a spoon must give the leader a Buck.
• Every fifth round the person who gets the spoon with the black dot gets all the Bucks the leader is holding.

COTTON BALL CRAZINESS

Materials: cotton balls, masking tape

Object: to be the team with the least amount of cotton balls on their side of the circle.

• Kids sit in a circle.
• Cut the circle in half so half the kids are on one team and the other half are on a second team.
• Put a strip across the center of the circle so there is no question which side the cotton balls fall.
• Every kid starts off with 5 cotton balls.
• When the adult says “GO” everyone begins throwing their cotton balls to the opposite side of the circle.
• They keep throwing until the adult says, “STOP.”
• The team with the least amount of cotton balls on their side is the winner.
• Play it several times – the best of 3 or 5.
• When finished have the kids take deep breaths to relax before moving into the remainder of the morning.

Every Sunday Plus lesson has a Gathering Game suggestion.