On December 28th and 29th, we're excited for the opportunity to experience church outside of our walls. While we won't be meeting in person, Church In the City allows us to worship and to experience God's presence in new ways. Here, you will find activities for every age and learning style to help you draw near to God and each other. Experience this with your family, life group, or on your own. We hope you will feel connected to God and to our community even when we can't be together.
Work your way through the activities and resources we've provided below for your Church in the City experience. Feel free to do as many as you like as an individual, with your family, or your life group.
You can choose to experience our discussion/message via video or podcast by clicking on the links below. We have also provided a Worship playlist for you to enjoy as you spend time away from the church building this season.
1. REFLECT, READ and RECORD
As you consider the thoughts expressed in the video/podcast above, take some time to read the verses found in Lamentations 3: 22-27.
What stands out to you within these verses? What words or phrases speak to you and why?
Take a few minutes to record your thoughts in a journal and/or discuss them with the group around you. Feel free to draw connections between the ideas presented in the podcast and the Lamentations verses.
2. DISCUSSION
Our podcast explored the concept of waiting, particularly in the context of transitioning from one year to the next. We talked about the idea of "liminal spaces" - those in-between moments where transformation often occurs. The conversation emphasized that waiting, while sometimes challenging, can be a powerful opportunity for growth, deepening faith, and experiencing God's presence in profound ways.
Discussion Questions:
a. Share about a time when you had to wait for something significant in your life. How did you handle the waiting period?
b. The discussion mentions "liminal spaces" - times between what was and what will be. Have you experiencedsuch a time in your life? How did it feel?
c. How does the idea that "transformation always happens in liminal spaces" challenge or encourage you?
d. The speakers discussed waiting well versus waiting poorly. What are some characteristics of each approach?
e. How can we maintain trust in God during difficult waiting periods?
Family Reading:
Watch the video and then read the passage together
Read Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11
The wise men travel a long way to show Jesus they believe He is special. After Jesus is born, God puts a special star in the sky. The wise men follow the star a long way until it stops right over young Jesus’ house. When the wise men see Jesus, they bow down and worship Him to show that Jesus is special. Then, they gave Jesus gifts to show that Jesus is special. Jesus is special because Jesus is God’s Son.
Family Conversation:
1. What did God put in the sky? (A Star)
2. Why was the star in the sky special? (It showed the way to Jesus)
3. What did the wise men do when they saw the star? (Followed it)
4. What did the wise men do when they saw Jesus? (Bowed down and worshiped him)
5. Do you enjoy giving gifts at Christmas? (Allow kids to respond)
6. Why is Jesus special? (Because Jesus is God’s son)
7. Who loves you? (God loves me)
Worship Click on the Links to access the videos
Memory Verse with Motions
Practice the memory verse together several times
“God (flat hand with thumb to forehead, pull down)
has given (pretend to give a gift)
a son (rock baby)
to us,” (point to self twice)
Isaiah 9:6. (Open hands like a book.)
Prayer:
Since the wise men gave Jesus gifts,let’s make a list of gifts for Jesus. So, think about it. If you could give Jesus any kind of gift, what would you give Him? What gift would you give Jesus?
Dear God, Jesus is so special. If we could give Jesus gifts to show how special He is, we would give Jesus things like (read the list the children made). Thank You for giving us Jesus. Jesus is the best gift. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Family Activity: Wise Men Follow a Star activity
Print the Wise Men Follow a Star activity page and Wise Men Cut Out (You will only need one from the page)
Parents use a blade to create a slit on the dotted line of the activity sheet.
Adhere the Wise Men Cut Out to a craft stick.
Have children color the activity sheets.
Place the craft stick into the slit of the activity page. Have children follow the star to
Jesus’ house.
Wise Men Follow a Star activity print
Every week at church, we talk about God’s call for us to give back to others out of the abundance He has given to us. Pull out your calendar and find a day or two in the next month when you can practice living out the abundance of God through giving back to your community. Below are links to several ministries with volunteer opportunities.
You can also brainstorm some ideas as a family/lifegroup for ways to serve. For example, maybe you have an elderly neighbor who needs help with housework, or perhaps you can go through your closets and find clothing to give to the Full Circle Marketplace. There are so many ways we can help others in need as we start this new year together.
