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August is the Real New Years by Pastor Kevin

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August is many things to many people. It is filled with things that make us excited and sad. Swimming, family vacations, the State Fair, camping, warm weather, to name a few. Those are exciting, by the way. On the other hand, Summer is the funnest season of the year and August is when we see the beginning of the end of that: back to school sales, pools begin to close, beaches begin to close...sometimes leaves begin to change! Even if you love fall thinking of trees with no leaves on them is a little sad. 

Having said this, August brings the excitement of a new beginning. Even though we celebrate a new year on January 1st, any kid or anyone with kids will admit that September 1st feels more like new years than January 1st does. A new school year, a new curriculum, new classmates, new teammates, new teachers, new clothes! Lets face it, most of the most important shapers of a student’s life begin in August, not January. To the extent that this is true, August is truly the real new years. 

Here is a chance to think about your child’s upcoming year in relationship to your church. It isn’t likely that your child will receive a scholarship for doing well in Sunday school, and they probably won’t be able to transfer those credits to their freshman year in college. This might be why church classes aren’t typically treated with as much priority as school classes. I understand this.

Yet at the same time let me remind you that the GCF teaching ministry is a means for your pastor to oversee your soul, both yours and your child’s. Hebrews 13:17 says. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Parents are indeed the primary theological instructors of their children but that relationship exists beneath the greater covering of the church. Ultimately, the truth of God’s word is entrusted to the church, which is led by pastors. This is the key role of the elder, to pray for the flock of God and to guide them into truth. In other words, the pastor’s main role is not to make hospital visits or organize programs, it is to see that the word of God is properly formed among the people he oversees. The curriculum that is taught to children and youth is carefully selected and it expresses the shepherding intentions of your pastor who is called to oversee your soul. It is designed to help your child grow spiritually but it is also guard rails offered to parents that will guide them in their parenting. 

With that, here is a snapshot of what your children will be learning this year (provided we are able to execute our plan). You are not sinning if you choose not to participate in Sunday school or youth ministry. Still, I invite you to consider ways you can partner with church as you build your child’s plan of discipleship this "new years:"

Preschool/Kindergarten:
Old Testament Stories with an emphasis on the Bible as one big story that climaxes in Jesus Christ. There are special passages of Scripture that we have selected for this age group that are age appropriate for their spiritual formation.

1st - 3rd Grade:
The name of the curriculum is titled “Faithful To All His Promises.” Students will learn and memorize many promises that God makes to his people and learn how their faith is shaped according to what God has revealed. 

4th-5th Grade:  
The name of this curriculum is titled “How Majestic Is Your Name.” Students will learn and memorize many of the names given to God in Scripture which  reveal His glorious character. We believe true worship happens upon beholding the greatness and worth of God. 

Grade 6-12:
Grades 6-8 and 9-12 will have their own classes but will study the same content. This year students will dive into doctrine and memorize section three of The New City Catechism which covers the topics of The Holy Spirit, Restoration, and Growing in Grace.

In year’s past we have incorporated the catechism questions for those not studying the catechism. This year we will only ask students studying the catechism to memorize the catechism. The main reason for this is that we prefer to emphasize Scripture memory, not catechism memory, for younger students who are not studying the catechism anyway. 

The Scripture passages that align with each study can be accessed in a companion book that I have created titled I have Hidden Your Word and it is available on Amazon.com. 

I pray this year will be a great year of formation in you and your family as we grow in these amazing truths together. May God be pleased to reveal himself to us and to the next generation, for our joy and His glory. 

In Christ,

Pastor Kevin

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