Dear Parents, please take a moment to sit with the younger ones in your family and encourage them to plug into some WithOut Walls content, specially made for the kids.
This week we’d like to encourage all our Urban Kids to use the time we have in lockdown to keep learning memory verses. Why is it important to memorise scripture? Well we all know that when life brings us challenges, we see what is really going on inside – or what is in a person’s heart. We want our kids’ hearts to be filled with the truth of who Jesus is, what he’s done for us and what he says about us. Here are a few more helpful thoughts about memorising scripture from https://churchleaders.com/children/childrens-ministry-articles/333556-7-reasons-kids-still-need-to-memorize-scripture.html
Last term Shout and Buzz learnt the first half of John 3:16 – we’d love the littlies to learn the rest of the verse…with the following actions:
“God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life” John 3:16, using the following actions:
‘God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise your arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch your arms out as far as possible) that he gave (place your hands together with palms up in front of you as if you’re offering something) his only son’ (hold your arms as if you’re cradling and rocking a baby), that whoever (open both your arms in a wide circle) believes (hands crossed on chest) in him (point up) will not perish (both hands swipe down and outwards strongly) but have eternal life (raise both hands up to the sky) John 3:16. (Open your hands like a book.)
“God het die wêreld so life gehad dat hy sy enigste seun gegee het, sodat elkeen wat in hom glo, nie verlore sal gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe sal hê” Johannes 3:16
“UThixo ulithande kakhulu ihlabathi kangangokuba wanikela unyana wakhe okuphela kwakhe, ukuze bonke abakholwayo kuye bangatshabalai, koko babe nobomi obungunaphakade” UYohane 3:16
Echo and Remix started learning John 11:25 at the end of term 1 – we’d love them to learn it in all 3 languages (and use Benjamin’s actions if it makes it easier to learn).
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25
“Ek is die opstanding en die lewe. Enige iemand wat in my glo, sal lewe selfs nadat hy gesterf het. ” Johannes 11:25
“Ndim uvuko, ndim ubomi. Lowo ukholwayo kum, wodla ubomi nokuba ebefile.” Yohane 11:25
And then finally we want to challenge all our kids to consider trying this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItMXcfInZCk
Now his accent might be a little difficult to follow but it is amazing that he’s learnt 26 bible verses – one for each letter of the alphabet…are you up for the challenge? Here’s a suggested list:
A – And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20)
B – Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
C – Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)
D – Do not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6)
E – Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17)
F – For it is by grace that you have been saved (Ephesians 2:8)
G – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)
H – He is not here, he is risen! (Matthew 28:6)
I – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
J – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)
K – Keep yourselves in God’s love (Jude 1:21)
L – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30)
M – My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2)
N – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37)
O – O God, you are my God (Psalm 63:1)
P – Praise the Lord, oh my soul (Psalm 103:1)
Q – (The) quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded (Ecclesiastes 9:17)
R – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
S – Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne (Rev 7:10b)
T – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)
U – Under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield (Psalm 91:4b)
V – Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life (John 6:47)
W – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3)
X – May I never boast, eXcept in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14) !
Y – You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
Z – Zion hears and rejoices! (Psalm 97:8)
Phew, I will be so impressed if any of our Urban Kids (or leaders 😉) can learn all of those. Prizes for the best efforts next time we’re together.
Parents if you need a few ideas for making learning memory verses more fun the following link should help…
We are so looking forward to seeing who is brave enough to take this challenge on…
Keep safe, ‘til next time…
Love the Urban Kids Team
