Resting On Christ

Children’s Ministry

Wednesday Night Resting On Christ Outreach

Our preschool through 6^th grade ministry, ROC (Resting On Christ), started on Wednesday, September 10 and is now in full swing. This ministry is from 7:00 to 8:15 in our church’s fellowship hall each Wednesday night.

We are very excited for what we’ve got planned this year. Below here is an overview of the curriculum we’re going to be teaching and the memorization program we are starting this year. Our goals are to prepare kids for their futures by:

1.) Showing them the supremacy of God in all things.

2.) Imparting to them a love for the Bible by using the excellent curriculum we’ve purchased from John Piper’s ministry: Children Desiring God.

3.) Beginning to build into their minds the basics of Christian doctrine through the memorization program. Our goal for this is complete mastery of the memorization material. We want them to walk away from ROC this year knowing these things so well that they will never forget them.

I would invite all of you to pray for this ministry. We want this Wednesday night program to be a helpful and reliable part of everything you as parents are doing to bring your children up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. Children are worshippers by nature. The question is not “if” they will worship but “what” they will worship. And if we do not put Christ in all His saving glory before them as much as possible, they will fill their hearts with idols. Pray that God would give them attentive hearts and ears to hear God’s Word. Pray for the teachers and volunteers, that we would be excited to teach and to get to know and pray for the kids. And pray that parents would take an active role in helping the kids to do the memory work.

Kindergarten / Pre-school

Curriculum Title: “He Has Been Clearly Seen”

Summary: A Study for Children on Seeing and Delighting in God's Glory

Theme: Creation proclaims a message about God. From the smallest snowflake to the largest star, all creation gives powerful testimony to the greatness and worth of the one, true, eternal Creator. With special attention given to the Genesis account, the goal of this study is that children view creation as a wonderful gift from a good and loving Creator who wants them to see, understand, and delight in His glory.

Memorization goals: The 10 Commandments / Questions 1-10 of the children’s catechism / Six Gospel Questions and Answers written by yours truly / The Romans Road (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; 10:9).

1^st & 2^nd Grades

Curriculum Title: “I Stand in Awe”

Summary: A Study for Children on the Bible

Theme: God, who is the most valuable Being in all the universe, reveals Himself with clarity and authority through His Word. This means that the Bible is precious and should be valued more than any other book. This study seeks to acquaint young children with the characteristics of the Bible and its message of redemption. The goal is for children to develop a deep affection for the Bible and learn to treasure its Author.

Memorization goals: The 10 Commandments / The 66 books of the Bible / Six Gospel Questions and Answers written by yours truly / Questions 1-10 of the children’s catechism / Bible verses (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10; 5:1-2).

3^rd & 4^th Grades

Curriculum Title: “The Way of the Wise”

Summary: A Study for Children on Wisdom and Foolishness

Theme: Proverbs is a book of great advice...and an ominous warning. The advice is to pursue wisdom. The warning is to avoid folly, because foolishness leads to destruction. However, wisdom must be pursued—-it takes effort, discipline, a teachable heart, and instruction. This curriculum uses the book of Proverbs and other Bible passages to contrast the way of the foolish with the way of the wise. Using a large banner illustrating two paths, children learn about the characteristics and destinations of the foolish and the wise, the meaning of the fear of the Lord, the treasure of wisdom, and the only way to enter the way of the wise--through Jesus Christ.

Memorization goals: The 10 Commandments / Questions 1-11 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism / Bible verses (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10; 5:1-2) / The 66 books of the Bible / Six Gospel Questions and Answers written by yours truly

5^th & 6^th Grades - BOYS

Curriculum Title: “Fight the Good Fight”

Summary: A Study for Children on Persevering in Faith

Theme: Christians must be fighters: that is, fighters in the battle for faith! This study identifies various battlegrounds of temptation, and equips children with strategies for fighting against sin. They are encouraged to fuel their faith in God by remembering that strength, help, and victory are assured in Christ. Children are challenged to memorize 50 Fighter Verses to help them in the battle.

Memorization goals: The 10 Commandments / Questions 1-11, 33-35, & 37 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism / The 66 books of the Bible / Bible verses (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10; 5:1-2) / Six Gospel Questions and Answers written by yours truly

5^th & 6^th Grades – GIRLS – Debbie Creath wants to do a book entitled, Beautiful Girlhood. I’ve reviewed it and talked to her about it. It looks really good and Debbie is passionate to teach it. It deals primarily with girl-type change issues associated with girls of that age and puts them in their proper Biblical context. This will be timely study for our 5^th & 6^th grade girls, especially in light of our sex-crazed, physical-beauty-obsessed culture they are about to enter into. This study will help them know what Biblical beauty is all about. Debbie’s hope is that mothers will read the book with their daughters and that Wednesday night will be a time of teaching and discussion of what has been learned.

By His grace and for His glory,

Patrick Hines

Any questions, please call me: 513-563-2080 or email me: phines@gracebpc.org.