Kids at Hope

The spiritual growth and development of children is a BIG deal at Hope Church.  We don't want to just provide childcare for your kids during our City Gatherings and during Hope Community meetings.  We have a group of volunteers that seek to grow your children in the knowledge of Christ and His Word. 

 

But even more important than that, we offer you the tools and the mentoring community you need to bring up your children to love and serve Christ.  Yes, you!  We believe God has given parents the primary responsibility to teach children how to know, love and serve Jesus.  We will not take that responsibility from you.  We want to help you to be the spiritual leader and guide of your children.  The times they are in our care we will supplement what you are doing to disciple and lead your family.

 

DISCIPLING YOUR KIDS AT HOME 

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Eph. 6:4

 

  • Weekly Family Worship:  We encourage families to set aside some time one evening a week to learn, pray, worship and grow spiritually together.  Here is a practical guide to leading family worship:  CLICK HERE.  
  • Regular Prayer:  We encourage families to pray regularly together.  Make it a normal part of the ebb and flow of your day.  Pray at meals, pray at bed time with your kids, pray with and for your kids as a part of moments of discipline leading them to ask God to forgive them and help them to obey. 
  • Regular Scripture Reading:  We encourage families to read the Bible together.  Most families read books to younger children at bed time.  Think about incorporating a Bible story each night.  We really like "The Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd-Jones.  It is published by Zondervan Kids.  You can purchase it on the web or any Christian bookstore or you can pick one up at one of our gatherings for free!
  • Memorizing Scripture Together:  We encourage families to memorize bible verses.  We believe scripture memory will be the activity that you do with your children that will have the most lasting impact on their spiritual lives.  Take time during family worship, evenings before bed, in the car on the way to school or running errands or maybe some time around the breakfast table to work with your kids to memorize scripture verses.  Here is a list of 100 verses that would be a great start: CLICK HERE.

 

PRESCHOOL KIDS IN HOPE COMMUNITIES

  • Pre-School Kids:  In each of our Hope Communities we have set up a rotation of adults to care for the kids in a separate room.  Of course you are welcome to keep younger children in the community group meeting if that works better for you. The children will be read a bible story and will play during the meeting.

 

PRESCHOOL KIDS DURING CITY GATHERINGS

  • Pre-School Kids: Immediately following our pot luck meal volunteers will be ready to check in your preschool aged children to Hope Kids.  The Children will be read a Bible story, they will work on a memory verse and will do an art project that goes with the Bible Story.  We will spend the remaining time playing with your kids.

 

Elementary School Kids: Children 1st grade and up will sit in with the adults when Hope Communities and City Gatherings.  We will provide an activities packet for the younger elementary school kids that can help them be occupied.  We do not see the normal movement and activity of children as a disruption.  We desire for kids to learn at an early age to be attentive in the community group dynamic.