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theme to shape the year

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the first thing i did when transitioning to a new church was to set up a goal and filter for dawson kids. i needed clarity and direction. after confidentinChristspending 3 weeks with a varied group of parents, we prayerfully came up with confident in Christ.  this has served as an amazing tool to help keep us focused on the goal of our ministry. if an activity doesn’t help kids and families become and stay confident in Christ, we don’t do it. it’s that simple. this has been a lifesaver in trying to make the most of precious time with busy families. (it is also a continual work in progress.)

sheetthis year we also took our goal a step further. working with an amazing #kidmin team, we expanded our focus into a year long theme. our theme this year is blueprint – God’s great message. so where our focus of confident in Christ filtered our ministry and kept us accountable, this year’s theme will greatly shape each program, event, or ministry we do. 

the foundation of this theme is the Gospel and each step is based on scripture. (hopefully some ones that children aren’t so familiar with.) this theme has been such a gift, because we already know what the message of our four family worships will be this year: creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration. we begin with the first one this sunday as we explore God as the uncreated Creator.   Screen Shot 2015-09-17 at 12.59.52 PM

 

because this theme spells out what we desire for the kids and families to grasp by the end of the year, planning fall retreat was easier as well. we believe individuals, families and their community need to connect to God and each other and that is what we will explore at our family fall retreat.Screen Shot 2015-09-10 at 10.52.39 AM

i am excited to see that the diligence, extra planning, and prayer at the beginning of the year has already freed us up greatly to dig into more eternal things and not time consuming busy work. this theme will also provide a cohesive, Christ-centered year for us to walk through with families.

we are excited, but i would also love to hear how some of you plan out your year in #kidmin. comment on this post and share.

 

 

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In confident in CHRIST

extreme Christmas (3of3)

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this is guest post three of three from my dear friend, nancy duggin.  (read post one of three HERE. read post two of three HERE. ) she has such a heart for parents, children, and families as a whole to experience the reality of Jesus in every day life.  i look forward to how she will challenge us all as we prepare to celebrate Christmas 2013. 

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past examples of extreme Christmases from others.

  • One year we began to pray I Timothy 6:18, “Be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” God led us to give to Lottie Moon the same dollar amount that we spent on all holiday activities and gifts. One of our children wanted to empty his piggy bank, getting a gift for a classmate who had no coat.
  • We begin our conversations about giving before Thanksgiving. It proves to be the perfect time, as we focus on giving thanks and expressing a life of thanksliving. One year God led us to several individuals we were able to bless anomalously. Jesus set the example of giving without expecting anything in return. That is hard for us—hard for our children. However God blesses us with great joy as we see others being blessed by our giving and service. We left bags of groceries on the porch of a family whose dad had lost their job, a Christmas tree and lights at the backdoor of a struggling single mom and spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve visiting those in a nearby nursing home with no family. We had to be intentionally about the giving of these gift, but oh the joy we continue to experience because of our obedience.
  • We needed acts of service because our financial means are adequate; however, limited. We decided to ask God to show us service projects we could do as a family and share the reason for the hope in us. We joined our church in Christmas caroling at the homes of those who’d experienced great tragedy in the previous year, served meals at a local homeless shelter. Each of our children chose some books and toys to leave at the shelter. My wife made a big pot of soup. We took some to a recent widower on our street, spending an evening eating, laughing, and listening to him share about his beloved wife.
  • We were tired of giving gifts that no one really needed, so we agreed to give gifts of ourselves—gifts of time, memory making gifts, or Gifts for Women that they really need. We were sharing of what God had done in our lives over the past year and what we believed He was doing in our lives as we opened His word to read the record of our Savior’s birth. All this sounds wonderful—maybe even a bit “goodie-two-shoes”; however, we knew we needed and wanted to make Christ the center of our celebration—not just talk about doing so.

Jesus was always investing in others. We never read in scripture where he told the disciples to hurry up. His every step was intentional, yet he was ever so sensitive to the needs of those around Him. Do you remember when the woman touched the hem of His garment, in the midst of a large crowd? May we be that sensitive so we might become His hands and feet in our hurting and lost world.

Love, joy, and blessings to each of you this holiday season, as we rejoice and celebrate the birth of our Messiah!

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Nancy Youree Duggin taught public school for 24 years and served on a city school board for four years.  She also is a mother to two and grandmother to three with one on the way. This October she will celebrate 40 years of marriage.  Even with her plate full with family and training teachers, she spends countless hours encouraging and mentoring young moms.  

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The Five Ps for a Successful School Year (guest post)

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confidentinChristdawson kids is on a mission to help equip children and families to be confident in Christ.  i am hoping this new category on dWELL will serve as a venue of encouragement and education for families and kid min leaders.  i am excited to share with you a post from my dear friend, nancy youree duggin. 

Years ago I was introduced to the five (5) Ps for successful living: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. A short time later, I developed my own five (5) Ps for successful and joyful living in Christ: Prayer, Practice, Perseverance, Patience, and Praise.

The beginning of a new school year provides the perfect opportunity to implement and focus on the 5 P’s of a life well lived in Jesus Christ. As the parent you will want/need to take the lead, with your elementary age children, in understanding and practicing each of the Ps.

Prayer: “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

  • Begin and end each day with prayer.
  • Pray for your teacher(s) by name. If they are not a believer, be mindful of praying for their salvation.
  • Pray for classmates—especially classmates who may not be kind to others.
  • Pray for godly friends.
  • Pray for wisdom concerning right and wrong—for a heart that longs to do right according to God’s Truth.
  • Pray for a growing desire to be pleasing in God’s eyes and NOT the eyes of the world. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23

Practice: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

  • telling the truth at all times.
  • giving your best effort in all things, at all times.
  • kindness to others.
  • a joyful attitude from morning till evening.
  • good work and study habits.

Perseverance: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

  • Don’t give up if you aren’t successful the first time you attempt a new task or learning.
  • Don’t give up because someone is better at a sport or academic subject.
  • Never give up on yourself—God NEVER will!

Patience: ”Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7

  • Practice patience with those you love.
  • Be patient with yourself
  • Be patient when things don’t go your way or when you don’t get something you want.

Praise: “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1

  • Make time to intentionally praise God for who He is.
  • You are all knowing, all powerful, all loving (Psalm 147:5).
  • You are caring, compassionate (Psalm 145:9), and changeless (Hebrews 1:12).
  • You are the Holy One (Isaiah 12:6, Lord Almighty (Psalm 46:7).
  • and You are my Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18), if your child is a believer.

Guiding your child in seeing how God is at work around him/her will cause them to focus on who they were created to be and to develop the ability to see themselves as their Creator sees them.

Take time to assist your child in setting some goals around the 5 Ps. Revisit your goals weekly, asking God to give you success in each area.

Blessings in Him throughout the 2013-14 school year!

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Nancy Youree Duggin taught public school for 24 years and served on a city school board for four years.  She also is a mother to two and grandmother to three with one on the way. This October she will celebrate 40 years of marriage.  Even with her plate full with family and training teachers, she spends countless hours encouraging and mentoring young moms.  

 

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