Children

We aim high in our ministry to children to be intentional and serious about building a vision of God in the younger generations. We pursue this passion for our children not only with our words, but also with the curriculum we use, the way we recruit and train our teachers, to the very way we design our programs for children.

“Teachers at Grace take their calling seriously and are inspired by a vision of what our children can be. They labor with joy and with a sense of calling on their life — not feelings of obligation and duty.”

Three Pillars of Ministry

There are three pillars that support Grace’s philosophy of ministry to parents and children, rising from the book of Deuteronomy where Moses gives his final instructions to Israel. Chapters four and six especially provide illustrations of some of the Biblical footings beneath these pillars.

  1. Jesus Christ is central in all parenting and teaching
  2. Children need to learn how to love and fear the Lord
  3. Parents are responsible for disciplining their children

To learn more about the three pillars and the Children’s Ministry, download the following position paper:

A Heart for Ministering to Parents and Children (PDF 63K)

In Partnership with Parents

It is our conviction that there is much we can do to nurture the faith of the children who have been entrusted to us. We have an urgency for parents and for our church to cultivate a God-centered outlook in the lives of our children. Our passion for children in having a God-shaped outlook must be greater than the pull of the pressures of the world in their lives. We want parents to experience the joy of knowing the love and grace of Jesus Christ. He is our treasure.

We believe families need to be together and not constantly separated into age groupings. Children are part of the fabric of our church life. They must be included in our activities not always, but often. They should minister alongside their parents and other adults. Children can minister in ways that adults cannot. Including them in church life not only will cause the church to benefit from the uniqueness of children but will also give opportunity for teachable moments. We are a church that believes disciplemaking is inherent within the family and we will do all that we can to help parents cultivate grace-needy, truth-oriented lives.

Teaching Curriculum

Childcare is provided for infants through kindergarten during the worship service. After the service, the following Bible studies are offered for children:

6 Weeks - Walking

The Fragrance of the Knowledge of Christ This nursery provides care for infants. It offers nap areas, infant swings, age-appropriate toys, and safe spaces for exploration. Teachers cuddle, rock, and play with children. Worship music is played and sung. Monthly prayer themes are used as a guide for teachers to pray for your child.

Walking Toddlers

The Fragrance of the Knowledge of Christ The morning activities include quiet supervised play, singing, cuddling, reading books, and large/small muscle activity. The teachers model praying by praying for your children. Age appropriate worship music is played. Lesson time consists of repeating biblical truths and talking about our great God.

2-3 Year Olds

His Praiseworthy Deeds This class begins with supervised free play which consists of activities like puzzles, blocks, coloring, play dough and even playing outside on the playground! Lessons are presented to the children in group format. Parents receive a weekly lesson handout. Children are introduced to scripture memory as they are given one verse per month to memorize. Teachers pray for and with your children each week.

Preschool 3-4 Year Olds

He Established a Testimony – OT He Has Spoken by His Son – NT The children in these classes begin the morning with supervised free play. A music teacher comes into the classroom to lead the children in worship through song. The lessons are presented in large group and small group format. Parents receive weekly lesson handouts to go over with their children throughout the week. The lesson is also reinforced with a weekly coloring page and the children receive one verse a week to memorize. The Old and New Testaments are alternated each year.

Kindergarten

Jesus, What a Savior We were created to enjoy the glory of God. But as sinners we fail to treasure Him as we should. We are horribly sick in heart and stand in need of a Savior. This chronological study on redemption explores the incomparable greatness and worth of God, the desperate condition of helpless sinners, and the all-sufficient work of Jesus Christ to redeem sinful people.

First Grade

The ABC’s of God Right thinking about God is essential for the life of faith. Using the alphabet as a framework for teaching the attributes of God, this study explores the delight that God has in Himself as the source, means, and purpose of all things. Each lesson asks and answers three key questions, "Who is God?", "What is He like?", and "How should I act toward Him?" as it presents a theology of God for children.

Second Grade

Faithful to all His Promises God’s promises are gifts to the believer. The challenge of the Christian life is not to simply know the promises of God, but to place unshakable confidence in them. This study teaches children that God’s character is trustworthy; therefore, His promises are true and reliable.

Third Grade

In the Beginning Jesus The Bible is one complete true story. It progressively reveals God’s redemptive plan, which comes to complete fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. In the Beginning…Jesus begins with a historical mystery—Jesus’ death on the cross—and asks In the Beginning…Jesus the questions: "What really happened here?", "Why did Jesus die?", and "Who did it?" To find the answers, the study goes to the beginning of the Bible narrative in Genesis and then moves chronologically through the Old Testament text as students search for clues that foreshadow the coming of Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross. Special emphasis is given to show that the Bible is God’s story from beginning to end and that Jesus is the key to understanding the story.

Fourth Grade

To Be Like Jesus What is salvation? How does someone become a Christian? What does it mean to become like Jesus? This curriculum helps answer these important questions by explaining elements of the Gospel message, its purpose, and promise. A major portion of this study focuses on the doctrine of sanctification – the process by which a Christian becomes more and more conformed to the likeness of Jesus.

Fifth Grade

How Majestic Is Your Name The names of God are wonderful revelations of His majestic character. This study presents the Hebrew names of God in the Old Testament and the names of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Each lesson encourages children to see and rejoice in the goodness and greatness of God as they explore the meaning of His glorious names.

Sick Policy

It is the goal of Grace Fellowship to provide an environment where the children in our care are healthy and free from recent infectious illness.

Download Sick Policy