CHILDREN
Overview
What to Expect on Sunday
What to Expect on Wednesday
What You’re Kids are Learning this Month
Overview
Raising a child is a unique, and very interesting, experience for every parent. And as the child grows, changes are close to follow. Many questions regarding raising a child are brought to light. How do I respond to this? What should I do if they do that?
The heart and desire of the Children’s Ministry at Olive Branch Community Church is to come alongside parents training children not only in their own adventures, but their adventures with the Lord. From newborns to sixth graders, children learn about the Lord through the Bible, worship through music, and discover prayer. What better way for your child to grow – in a safe, encouraging, and fun environment learning about God!
If you would like to know more about the Children’s Ministry, please contact Stephanie Baumgardner.
What to Expect on Sunday
Children’s Church is offered at all Sunday services for newborns through 6th grade. In an age-appropriate environment your children will study the Bible, worship with music, pray and learn how to serve our Lord. They will be with leaders who are trained and, for the safety of your child, have had their backgrounds checked through fingerprinting. From the loving arms and care in the nursery through sixth grade your child will be cared for in a safe, encouraging and fun environment.
(Information Map 9 am) (Information Map 10:45 am)
Birth – 35 Months
Expect a well-staffed, safe Nursery. When packing a diaper bag for your child, please include the following items:
1. A few disposable diapers.
2. Pacifier or other item, should your child need it for security.
3. A complete change of clothes, “just in case.”
4. A bottle of milk, formula, juice or water.
Nursery Check In:
Go straight to the Nursery/Toddler area inside the main building to sign in your child. You’ll receive a pager and two sticker name tags with your child’s name and the pager number. Apply one sticker to your child’s back, and one to the diaper bag. The pager has an identifying number on it. If you need to return to your child’s classroom the pager will vibrate, so please hold or wear the pager at all times. Present your pager to pick up your child. A child will not be released to a parent without the assigned pager.
Age 3 – 6th Grade
Expect a safe and welcoming environment with leaders who will teach Biblical truths and the love of Jesus Christ. Children will explore God’s Word in fun and creative ways, through worship, Bible stories, activities and crafts. Snack is provided.
Check In: Potty-trained three year olds through sixth graders are checked in at the gazebo on our front courtyard. Your family will be given a stamped number. If your child needs you during the service this number will flash on the screen. The adult with the matching stamped number is the only person who may pick up your child. As an extra precaution, preschool – first grade will require additional information when you drop off your child in the classroom.
What to Expect on Wednesday
Nursery is provided for infants through age three in our main building.
Age 4 – Kindergarten meet in our Preschool Modular. Our midweek program digs deep into the Word of God understanding scripture and how it applies to everyday life in an age appropriate and fun environment.
1 – 6 Graders: Destination God meets in the Children’s Auditorium. This is a discipleship program that strengthens children as they fellowship together, read and study the Bible, pray and serve. We start together with Bible study. Then the children break into small groups that are led by the same teachers every week as they go deeper into God’s Word and prayer. Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is not for a moment in time but transforms young minds and changes lives for eternity. Our Destination God program encourages children to make Jesus their life, their destination. Children wanting to join our program will receive a notebook, prayer journal and Seeking God page. They will be expected to bring those items along with their Bible and memory verse every week and they earn points or a small candy of their choice.
What Your Kids are Learning this Month
February 26:
Sunday: Jesus Heals the Blind Man (Mark 10:46-52)
Key Verse: “He saved us, not because of righteous thing we had done, but because of His mercy”
(Titus 3:5a)
Bible Point: Jesus meets our needs
Destination God: Wednesday, Feb 29 – The Parable of the Sower
March 4:
Sunday: Jesus Teaches About Commitment (Mark 8:31-38)
Key Verse: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16)
Bible Point: Following Jesus takes commitment.
Destination God: Wednesday, March 7 – Parables
March 11:
Sunday: Jesus Clears Merchants from the Temple (John 2:13-22)
Key Verse: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:6)
Bible Point: God wants sincere worship.
Destination God: Wednesday, March 14 – Parables
March 18:
Sunday: Jesus Explains Why God Sent Him (John 3:12-21)
Key Verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
Bible Point: God sent Jesus to save us.
Destination God: Wednesday, March 21 – Parables
March 25:
Sunday: Jesus Notices a Widow’s Giving (Mark 12:41-44)
Key Verse: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Bible Point: God wants us to give cheerfully.
Destination God: Wednesday, March 28 – Seder
April 1:
Sunday: People Rejoice as Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11)
Key Verse: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Bible Point: We can honor Jesus with actions and words.
Destination God: Wednesday, April 4 – Seder
April 8:
Sunday: Jesus is ALIVE! (Mark 16:1-8)
Key Verse: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26)
Bible Point: We celebrate Easter because Jesus is ALIVE!
Destination God: Wednesday, April 11
April 15:
Sunday: Jesus Appears to His Disciples (John 20:19-31)
Key Verse: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1)
Bible Point: Faith is believing in Jesus even though we can’t see him.
Destination God: Wednesday, April 18
April 22:
Sunday: Paul Teaches About Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:4-27)
Key Verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10)
Bible Point: God gives people different gifts for serving him.
Destination God: Wednesday, April 25
April 29:
Sunday: Peter Tells the Sanhedrin About Jesus (Acts 4:5-14)
Key Verse: “Have I no commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)
Bible Point: Trusting in God makes us courageous.
Destination God: Wednesday, May 2
May 6:
Sunday: Philip Tells the Ethiopian About Jesus (Acts 8:26-40)
Key Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Pro 3:5-6)
Bible Point: Follow God Where He Leads
Destination God: Wednesday, May 9
May 13:
Sunday: Peter Visits Cornelius (Acts 10:1-44)
Key Verse: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Bible Point: We should turn to Jesus when we’re afraid
Destination God: Wednesday, Feb 15 – The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
May 20:
Sunday: Barnabas Encourages Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26)
Key Verse: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13)
Bible Point: Christians should encourage each other in faith.
Destination God: Wednesday, May 23
May 27:
Sunday: Jesus Sends Power From God (Acts 2:1-21)
Key Verse: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26)
Bible Point: God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us.
Destination God: Wednesday, May 30
