It's Worship Wednesday here at Flabby Mom to Fit Mom! Here are just a few verses and images that have spoken to me this past week! Have a blessed week! <3 I LOVE this image...it says to anyone and everyone, the Lord can USE YOU no matter what because His grace is sufficient. Do not worry your heart about what anyone else thinks because He is the only one that matters! When I was overweight, I was a fearful, timid person. I was constantly worried about what others thought and that worry caused me to EAT and lack the self-discipline that I needed to accomplish my goals. I was reading a devotion one night, early in my fitness journey and this was the verse that was part of that devotion. Ever since, I have had it posted in my house. It gives me strength! Something that I have recently taken on is teaching a Youth/Teen Bible Study on Wednesday nights at our church. I may not be the most qualified, but the Lord put it on my heart to do it and I am loving it! (I don't know about the kids so much...lol) It has been a blessing to become involved with these young adults. I was broken and now I'm amazing. ;) Thank you, Lord, for your never-ending love and strength!

1 Thessalonians 2:4b NIV “…We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” How does that verse strike you? I am forced to stop and examine myself. I am a people pleaser. Performance is big with me. The better I perform the more people will like me. Can you identify with […]

Teaching kids to worship God because of his character is important in a growing relationship with the creator of the universe. The deeper our children as well as ourselves understand the amazing qualities of the Lord, the more authentic our worship becomes. This lesson for kids is another piece of my character development series, which...Read More

It’s Grade School Wednesday here on KidMin Mama and I am happy to share a new series with you! Our Kid’s Ministry has recently started our “Grow Series”. A series all about how to grow as a follower of Christ. […]

There’s no denying it: We live in a visual age. Statistics show that only 10% of people remember things they hear and only 20% remember things they read. But, a remarkable 80% of people remember things they see and do. ( source ) Visuals play a huge role in how we learn and process inform

Too often children understand worship as a long program or play which is put on by others and which they do not understand. They see their role as being quiet, patient, and wondering if the adults are right when they say “you’ll understand it one day.” A different vision can make a big difference. Children can be told that a worship service is like a soccer game. The people in the pews (including them) are the players on the field. The preachers, worship leaders, choirs and instrument players are coaches. The people “up front” are calling in plays and directions, but is the people in the pews who actually do the worshiping. The challenge for children (and all worshipers) is to get in the game rather than just sit there. For young worshipers there are four basic plays to worship: 1. Singing – We sing songs that remind us of who God is, what God does, and who we are. To hone this skill children need to learn the repeated songs so they can sing along. And, they need to be introduced to new songs with the expectation that some songs will become their favorites and others will be just there. Just like we prefer some plays but learn to play all the plays, we sing all the songs. 2. Praying – We talk to God about whatever is going on in our lives and in our world. Each of us has our own list of things to pray about each Sunday. We also hear what other worshipers are praying about and pray with them. 3. Listening – We listen to the reading of the Bible and what the preacher says about the Bible. We listen for what God might be saying to us through what we hear. 4. Thinking – We think about things that are important to us as we sing, pray and listen. If your preacher begins the sermon praying about the words of his/her mouth and the meditations of our hearts, point that prayer out. Explain that the preacher is not trying to impress us, but to give us things to think about. Note that sometimes people listen to every word a preacher says. Other times people hear something that makes them think about something else that is important to them. When this happens they think about that for a while, then tune back in to the preacher when they are done. And, occasionally people come to worship so worried about something that they spend the whole sermon time thinking about that thing. All are good ways to think in worship because sitting in the sanctuary with lots of other people thinking about God is one of the best places to think things through with God. When singing, praying, listening, and thinking are seen as plays in the game of worship, children can be asked how they were involved in the plays of a given worship service. They can also be coached on skills for the game of worship. The youngest worshipers can do drills on finding hymns, learn the Lord’s Prayer and other repeated pieces of the worship liturgy. Parents can ask children what they heard in worship today. They can share what they thought about and ask what the child might have thought about during the sermon. NOTE: for many adults a game is a pastime, not the center of life. Talking about worship as a game seems disrespectful. But for many children the best things in life are games. They want most to succeed at games. They learn about life by playing on teams under the leadership of coaches who want them to be able to play their best. So, seeing worship as a game makes it more interesting and calls them to participate rather than endure.

Want to do more than just keep your kids quiet in church? Let's help them know they are capable of worship with intentional tools.

Learn about Solomon, his gift of wisdom and building the temple. Free printable preschool Bible lesson. Included worksheets, coloring pages, crafts, lesson and more.

Lesson helps and handouts for LDS Primary 6 Lesson 41: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

🐑Baatism🐐

These 20 Activities and Lessons that Teach Obedience to Kids will help equip you to teach kids to obey. This is part of my character building series, a great resource for parents and teachers everywhere. The word “obey” has gotten a bad wrap over the years. Before you jump into this post and all it...Read More

These 12 spies Bible crafts are easy to make. All the projects use common household items or craft supplies.

Last weekend we had our annual Women’s Retreat. This is one of the best weekends of the year! It’s always full of delicious food, sweet

VERSES: 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 11:20-29; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Ephesians 5:19; Acts 20:7 MEMORY VERSE: John 4:24 "God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." BOOK TO REMEMBER: Review all 27 books of the New Testament. Keep them fresh in the students' minds. PRAYER: Pray that we will always worship the Lord His way and not our way. Pray that we will always study the Bible, so we will know what the Lord wants us to do. SPECIAL SONG: How Do Christians Worship God? (See May 2014 - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #5 on this blog. Click on orange circle to hear tune.) VISUAL AID: Large Activity (see below under Activity) BULLETIN BOARD: As a reinforcement to this lesson, here is an easy bulletin board for your consideration: LESSON POINTS: We have studied in the past how God wanted to be worshiped in the Old Testament. He was very specific in his commands to Aaron and the priests. If anyone did not follow God's plan in worshiping Him, there were grave consequences (see Lesson - Nadab And Abihu - May 2014 on this blog). Nadab and his brother, Abihu, who were Aaron's sons and also priests, did not follow God's instructions and were killed for doing what they thought God wanted. They should have known better and were not excused with a simple scolding for doing the wrong thing. They died for their presumptuous attitude or thinking they knew better than God or perhaps thinking that it did not matter to God. Worship mattered and still matters to God. Not one time, not two times, but three times in Leviticus chapter 1 (verses 9, 13, and 17), we can read that a burnt offering made by fire was a sweet smelling offering to God. That meant that God was pleased. We have recently studied in the book of Romans and found that, under the New Testament Law, God is now pleased when His children (Christians) are living sacrifices. The lives that Christians live here on earth are living sacrifices to God (see Lesson - A Different Life - October 2015 on this blog). God has always known how He wanted to be worshiped and He knows today as well. God has always had a plan for creation, for the family, and also for worshiping Him. We need to read His Word to find out how to please Him. WHEN TO WORSHIP: In times past, we have read in Acts 20:7 what day the Lord wants to be worshiped and that is on the first day of the week. Do we know when the first day of week is? On Sunday! How many "first" days are there in a week? Only one. We know the first day of the week is Sunday. Do we know what the Christians did on that first day of the week in Acts 20:7? (Read verse.) In this verse we have book, chapter, and verse for how the church met on the first day of the week, for breaking bread or partaking in the Lord's Supper, and for preaching God's Word since that was what Paul was doing; in fact, Paul continued to preach until midnight! All acts of worship are equally important. One act of worship is not any less or more important than the other. GIVE TO THE LORD: We find in 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 that Paul addresses the collection of the saints or the Christians. He specifically identifies the day when Christians are to "lay by in store" or put money aside for the purpose of giving it to the Lord. When we look at 1 Corinthians 16:2, can we find what day? The first day of the week. Sunday. As God prospers Christians, they are to give back a portion of what the Lord gave them back to the Lord. They give in a proportionate manner. Christians are not to give because they must give out of duty or grudgingly; they are to give with a cheerful heart! God loves a cheerful giver! PRAY TO THE LORD: Christians are a prayerful people. They have prayerful attitudes (1 Thessalonians 5:17). They thank God for the good things that He gives them (James 1:17) and for His blessings (Philippians 4:6). They pray when they are happy (James 5:13). They pray for one another, especially when they are sick, knowing that God listens to a fervent prayer of a righteous Christian (James 5:16). SING TO THE LORD: We are told what kind of music that God wants to hear and in Ephesians 5:19 it tells Christians to sing! They are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. They sing with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15), knowing it is important to understand what they are singing (Colossians 3:16). Colossians 3:16 also tells Christians to make melody in their hearts to the Lord. Nowhere in the New Testament are there instructions for the Christian to play an instrument to praise God. This is not what the world believes, but it is what the Truth-seeking Christian finds in these verses. What were Paul and Silas doing while the were in prison in Philippi in Acts 16:25? They were praying and singing. There are many 'singing' verses in the New Testament. PARTAKE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER: Christians follow Christ's instructions concerning the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20). The unleavened bread represents Christ's body as He died on the cross and the fruit of the vine symbolizes the blood He shed. As Christians partake in this supper or communion, they think back and remember Jesus death (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). They realize that partaking of the Lord's Supper is a very serious matter; each Christian examining his or her own self (1 Corinthians 11:27, 28), so they will not eat and drink in an unworthy manner. The instructions for partaking of the Lord's Supper is very clear. It is not a great meal where any food can be eaten. No, Paul says twice that Christians have homes in which to eat their meals (1 Corinthians 11:21, 22), saying if Christians are hungry, they should eat at home (1 Corinthians 11:34). Unleavened bread (bread that has no leavening like eggs, baking soda, baking powder, or yeast) and the fruit of the vine (grape juice) are what Christians partake of when eating and drinking of the Lord's Supper. PREACH THE TRUTH: We have already mentioned that Paul preached on the first day of the week in Acts 20:7. Christians should always hunger and thirst after righteousness and want to hear God's Word spoken (Matthew 5:6). Turning to 2 Timothy 4:1-4, we can read what Paul told Timothy to preach to the people. He was to preach the Word when the people wanted to hear it and when they did not want to hear His Word. He said Timothy should reprove (scold), rebuke (warn), and to exhort (build up) the people with patience and doctrine. Paul said that there would be a time coming when the people would not endure sound doctrine or they would not treasure God's Word. They would would look for people who only wanted to preach something nice and pleasant to them. He said they would in time turn their ears away from God's Word and listen to fairy tales or fables. Preachers preach God's Word to the people in order to please God. ACTIVITY: Acts Of Worship Materials needed: 12" x 12" yellow construction paper, crayons, Bible sticker. Hand out yellow paper. Place yellow paper in a diamond shape (with a corner at the top) on the table. Fold two corners together. Fold other two corners together. Keeping paper folded, write 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the corners. Open all folds. Trace lines with a black crayon. Write "PREACH" on one open corner. Write "2 Timothy 4:1-4" on the "PREACH" corner. Draw a Bible on the "PREACH" corner. On another open corner, write "SING". Write "Ephesians 5:19" on the "SING" corner. Draw a musical note on the "SING" corner. On another open corner, write "PRAY." Write "1 Thessalonians 5:17" on the "PRAY" corner. Draw praying hands on the "PRAY" corner. On another open corner, write "GIVE." Write "1 Corinthians 16:1, 2" on the "GIVE" corner. In the middle of the blank square, write a "5". Write "THE LORD'S SUPPER" in the middle of the square. Write "1 Corinthians 11:20-29" in "THE LORD'S SUPPER" square. Draw a cup of grape juice and unleavened bread in the middle of the square. Turn paper over and write, "HOW DO CHRISTIANS WORSHIP GOD?" in the middle of the square. Turn paper over one more time, fold all corners together. Where the four corner meet, place a Bible sticker.

Children play an important role in the life of the church. And while I don't think every aspect of the worship service needs to be tailored to children, I do think it's important to create a welcoming and inviting space and plan experiences that include them. And I'm not talking worship bulletins and coloring pages.I'm talking about real, tangible ways for children to actively participate in worship, as leaders. Here are four reasons why I believe this is an important ministry for the church:Inviting. Welcoming children (and their parents) into the church and into worship is one of the greatest, most sincere ways to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.Inclusive. Creating a place for children in worship and giving them opportunities to participate offers a message of inclusivity and acceptance and gives children responsibility, ownership, and a renewed sense of belonging. Intergenerational. Inviting children to participate in worship gives them a unique opportunity to serve alongside older teens, young adults, middle age members, and seniors, creating a new sense of community for all.Inspiring. Watching children lead worship - through song, word, and action - is inspiring to all involved. Everyone benefits.

Enhance your children's learning of Bible stories with these free Bible coloring pages from the Old and New Testaments.

ABC's in Acts: T is for Tent Paul Made Tents with Aquila and Priscilla These lessons can be used without the alphabet theme. Consider these an update with new ideas and printables! This file folder game has a tent for Paul and one for Aquila & Priscilla. The question cards will be laid on the correct tent. If you prefer, these can be inserted into a 10x13 envelope with the cover glued to the front instead of using a file folder. Each card has a number with the verse to help you find the answer easy. Click here to download the file folder game. To remind students to teach others about Jesus, students can color or paint the designs on the banner, door hanger and bookmark. Stickers can be added. String or ribbon can be added to the banner to hang and on the bookmark. These are plain black & white intentionally to inspire students to decorate them in their own style and want to actually use them. They are designed so they can be used with any lesson you choose and are not limited to this lesson. These work best if printed on cardstock or heavier paper. Click here to see more of these with different designs. There is a tent color-by-number, maze and Word Search included. The first is a Reader Worksheet. The wording from the scripture is as easy to read as possible with sight words while keeping to the key points with 5 easy to answer questions. The second is a fill-in-the-blank worksheet. Color and black & white are included for both. I designed the Trip Strip to be a cut & glue timeline. This one shown has lines for the students to write about each event. Or, they can write the scriptures. There is another worksheet without the writing space. These can easily be used for mixed age groups. Cut and glue according to directions. This is not included in the application pack. Click here to download. These Event Cards can be used as smaller visuals and they can be shuffled for the student to re-tell the events and lay them in order. The same full-page size visuals and pictures-to-color can be downloaded below. There are alphabet mazes and worksheets included. These are half-sheets and can be used in Interactive Notebooks. Click here to see a free video on how to make and use Interactive Notebooks. There is a set of 5 and 10 piece puzzles. Click here to download the lesson and application pack. There is a one-page foldable book in color and black and white. These pages can also be cut apart and used as flash cards to put the events in order. Click here to download. Click here to download the visuals. All visuals for Acts 18 are included and all are not shown. (These are not included in the application pack.) Click here to download the pictures to color. (These are the same as the visuals but are black & white.) A passport and passport stamps were created to be used with these lessons. Click here to see these. Click here to see the other lessons in the ABC's in Acts series.

Psalm 23 is possibly the most well-known psalm in the Bible. Psalm 23 is full of God's promises to care of His people (sheep). We will explore this psalm through our free printable lesson pack with lesson guide, story pages, crafts, coloring pages, worksheets and more,

Use Dr. Seuss' whimsical books to set the stage for introducing biblical wisdom to children with these 6 Sunday School Lessons Based on Dr. Seuss Books.

The Bible Project: The Book of Matthew https://thebibleproject.com/explore/matthew/ What Is The Bible Project? The Bible Project is a non-profit animation studio that produces short-form, fully animated videos to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. my prayer: Father, Thank U 4 the gift of the Bible Project! Bless the hands and souls of Tim Mackie and Jonathan Collins! May the seeds cast B fruitful and glorify U oh Lord! So-B-It! Amen! #BAnimated&FulloftheHolySpirit #SaintandSinnerSimultaneously

Use this Jahaziel and King Jehoshaphat lesson to teach how God gives directions and protection to His people.

This free printable David and Goliath Preschool lesson is based on 1 Samuel 17:1-50. It includes activities, worksheets, games, coloring pages crafts and more.

The Beatitudes are part of the Sermon on the Mount that we can read about in the book of Matthew chapter 5. These are essentially short,...