Well today was the second to last day of VBS 2011 Son Surf. Our Big Question of the day was “How can Jesus help me when I mess up?” This is a great partner to yesterday’s Big Question, “Why do I need Jesus?” Yesterday we learned that it is because of His death on the cross, and resurrection from the grave Jesus is the only way to God, to Join Up with Jesus to become a part of God’s family. Today we continued on with that idea and went another step; not only do we need Jesus but he can also help us when we mess up, or sin. When we open up to Jesus about our sins, He forgives us and helps us make a fresh start. It is because of his sacrifice on the cross that we are forgiven and made new. Today’s verse: Daniel 9:9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

Today we also worked on a project for the Arbor House. The Arbor House provides housing for young girls who are homeless and about to give birth or already have a young child. At the Arbor House they are taught different skills to take with them when they are able to leave and provide for themselves.

Take It Home!

To many of us talking with children about sin can be a very sensitive issue, especially for very young children. I personally have struggled with this issue with my daughter. She is so full of joy and love for God that I have not wanted to throw a wrench into her simple, beautiful and joyful understanding. However as parents it is our job to guide our children down their course of faith and understanding in Christ and learning about sin is a part of that course. Talking to children about sin often takes much creativity on our part as parents. Often it takes some further refelction on the part of the parents as to a fuller understanding of what sin is, how to talk about it using other words that are more concrete.

Two things have helped me, one is gaining an understanding of the way things are meant to be (Shalom) and the second way I have found helpful is to use the word, “brokenness”. Kids understand concrete words, and even very young children have an understanding of things being broken, not whole or “right”.  In our house we use the word broken to understand our personal sin “brokenness” and to understand the way the world is broken. Its okay to take it slow and learn more about these deep topics as you begin to introduce them to your children.

As we explore our personal need for Jesus we also must gain an understanding for the bigger picture, that all people (not just me), and all of creation is in need the redemptive work of Jesus. That His work on the cross was much bigger than myself, but for all broken things. I was speaking with a friend a few weeks ago and she said that every day she took her kids to school, as they were getting out of the car she would say, “Don’t forget you exist to show God’s love to a broken world.” I love that she helps her children understand that we get to be a part of restoring the brokenness, and God can use each of us to show love in broken places. And that love comes from one source, God.

For further reading on this topic: Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin By Cornelius Plantinga

Playing games, having snacks, singing songs, learning more about Jesus, that’s VBS Son Surf at CCC! Today was our second day of Son Surf and what a day it was. We continued to work on our service projects. Today we learned about Christians Concern for the Community  and sent four handmade books to a woman the youth will be spending some time helping out this afternoon.

The Biblical theme for the day was Look Up to Jesus! Our Big Question was “Why can I trust Jesus.”

We read the story in John (4:43-54) about the man who’s son was so ill he was dying. When the father asked Jesus to come and heal his son, Jesus relied, “Unless you see miracles you will not believe… Your son will live.” We learned that when this father looked up to Jesus and trusted him, his son was healed. We answered the question, “Why can I trust Jesus?” with, “I can ask for His help because he is trustworthy.” The kids were introduced to Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Take It Home!

This is the second miracle of Jesus in Judea. Take time to read this story with your kids and talk about the different miracles that Jesus performed, about the many children and adults that Jesus had compassion for and healed. Allow them to ask questions about Jesus’ life on earth and how he treated all people with compassion and people saw his care for them, and his miracles and trusted that he was their Savior.

Psalm 56:3 is a great verse for your family to memorize. What a great passage to have written inside a lunch box, stuck inside a pocket, or on the fridge door.

Today kicked off the first day of VBS 2011, Son Surf. Whoo! For those of you who came out for the morning to drop off kids, volunteer, hold babies or hang out you got to experience first hand how exciting it was.

Our morning started by meeting our “fearless” lifeguard and his cool surfer buddy as they began Jr. Lifeguard camp. After singing some songs we talked about our “Big Question” of the day, “Who is Jesus?”. So through our lessons this morning we told the story of Jesus’s birth, of being God’s Son and the people who came to “Meet Up with Jesus” when he was a baby and growing into a little boy. Today’s verse is 1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

Take it Home!

Parents, throughout this week we will be doing different service projects for area non-profits that meet the needs of people throughout Gainesville. Today your kids packed boxes of food for the Bread of the Mighty food bank. Our Youth group will deliver the food and help stock shelves all afternoon.

This is a great opportunity to have a discussion with your kids at home. Talk about why its important to help out those who have less than we do. Ask your kids, what they know about poverty, hunger or homelessness. Let them tell you what they know, take the time to listen to their understanding of the topic. Let them ask questions and use this time to clear up misconceptions children might have.

For further reading, or resources for kids on learning about poverty, hunger, homelessness, compassion, ways to help etc…

Compassion International

Heifer International

Second Harvest Food Bank (talking to kids about hunger)