WRK 4th-5th Grade
New City Catechism Intro

This week, we spent time introducing our 4th to the New City Catechism. “A catechism is a collection of biblical doctrines, assembled into a question-and-answer format. The term comes from the New Testament word katecheo, which simply means ‘to teach or instruct’.” We explained the “why” behind the catechism curriculum: By working through these questions and answers, we are learning biblical doctrines that help us grab on to the truth of who God is and how he desires those who love him to live as revealed in his word.

Our kids’ brains are like sponges. They are constantly soaking up information through what they learn and experience. As their brains absorb what they spend their time on, they begin to form a framework for what they believe. As the church, we know it’s important for the kids in our care to have a biblical framework. This will give them a foundation of truth that allows them to interpret the world with a faith foundation.

To follow along with your kids, you can purchase a catechism book here. Additionally, check back here each week for the overview of each Sunday’s lesson.

Each week we will focus on one question and answer that ties into a larger unit.

  • The units are:

    • Theology (The study of God)

    • The Law (The commands given by God for holy living)

    • Sanctification (A Christian’s gradual growth in righteousness)

    • Lent/Easter (Emphasis on our need for a Redeemer)

    • The Sacraments (Partaking in baptism and the Lord’s Supper)

Our goal is that we would all grow, through the work of the Spirit, to better love, know, and honor God with our lives.

While memorization is not our goal, nor the main focus, it is a great discipline for us all to engage in. To that end, we will have opportunities for kids to get prizes for memorizing catechism question and answers, as well as scripture memory verses. Memorizing the catechism Q&As are worth 1 ticket each, and the scripture memory verses are worth 2. They’ll have an opportunity to redeem their tickets at the end of each semester.

WRK Kinder-3rd Grade
Gospel Project

Scripture Memory

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 A second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37-39

Click here for some motions to help with memorization. Click here to print off the verse.

Jesus Gave His Followers a Mission (Acts 1)

Bible Story Summary: At the end of Jesus’ time on earth, He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem. He said they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would give them power to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Then Jesus was lifted up back to heaven. He will come again.

Big Picture Q&A: How does the Holy Spirit help Christians? The Holy Spirit comforts us, shows us our sin, and guides us as we live for God’s glory.

Christ Connection: Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, but He did not leave us alone. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us and help us do God’s work. One day, Jesus will return to make all things new and to rule as Lord over all.

Family Discussion Starters:

  • Who is the Holy Spirit?
  • Why did Jesus promise to send the Holy Spirit?
  • How is the Holy Spirit our Helper?

Family Activity: Host a competition for your family to see who can lift the most weight, do the most jumping jacks, or stand on one foot the longest. Discuss how these events require strength and dedication. Remind kids of the mission Jesus gave His disciples and how He promised the Holy Spirit would give them power to complete the mission.

WRL 3-5 Year Olds
God to the Rescue

Pg. 84-91 | Exodus 3-13

Introduction: Israel had fallen into slavery under the Egyptians. God worked through Moses to rescue His people. In this, God displayed His power so that both the Egyptians and Hebrews would know that He was God. The Israelites’ firstborn sons were saved through the blood of the lamb and they were able to escape Egypt. While the lamb saved them physically, Jesus is a greater “lamb” who offers eternal salvation.

Big Truth: God sent a Savior.

Our hearts are broken and our world is broken. Because we can’t fix things, we need a Savior to make things right and restore relationships. Thankfully, God sent Jesus and the victory over sin and death is already won! 

Activity: Sing “My God is so Big”. Explain that God is powerful and He used power to rescue us and raise Jesus from the dead!  

WRL 2 Year Olds
How can I pray?

Today we read How can I pray? by Steph Williams and learned that God loves for us to talk to him. This book is taken from Matthew 6:5, 7-13.

“This story contains a well-known prayer that Jesus taught his followers, called “The Lord’s Prayer”. Although the prayer is often prayed word for word as it is recorded in the Bible, we know from what Jesus said just beforehand that it is the meaning, and not just the words, that are important.

Jesus used two examples of people praying to explain that we cannot earn God’s help or favor with special words or the length of our prayers. Neither is prayer a ritual to keep in order to look or feel religious. In striking contrast, Jesus said that we can have a close and genuine relationship with God as our loving Father.

How could Jesus make such a claim? Because he had come to stand in our place, by dying on the cross, to take away God’s judgement of our wrongs, and give us the privileged status of God’s children. This is how imperfect people can know the perfectly good, almighty God, and enjoy his love and blessing forever.” – A note to the parents

Sing: Sing and dance along to The Lord’s Prayer by Saddleback Kids.

Create: Talk with your two year old about what he or she needs prayer for, who else y’all can pray for, and what your family needs prayer for. As you discuss, write each prayer request on a strip of paper. Continue to pray for these requests and as you experience God meet needs and answer prayers, close the strips into rings and connect until you have a chain of answered prayers! A wonderful visual representative of God’s faithfulness.

WRL 1 Year Olds
From Eden to Bethlehem: An Animal Primer

Our lesson for Sunday was “God made animals, birds and fish too,” and we read From Eden to Bethlehem.

This book presents different animals and scriptures that relate to them throughout the Bible. Go through the different animals with your littles and see which animal noises they can make. Snake (Gen 3:15); Ram (Gen 22:16, 18); Wolf (Isa 9:6; 11:6); Lion (Isa 11:7, 9); Donkey (Lk 1:30-32); Sheep (Lk 2:10-11, 13-14); Camel (Mt 2:11). Help you Littles with their animal sounds and talk about how God created animals!

WRL Babies
God cares for other people and me.

This week’s biblical concept for our babies is “God cares for other people and me.” We can teach our Littles about God’s care for our community and the world through this lesson. As you talk with your babies, tell them how much God cares for each of them, their families, friends, etc., and sing Jesus Loves Me.