Children's Ministry

Wonder Questions for the Week of November 26:
SHARE the Faith Word: BLESSING Our faith word is BLESSING: All the things God provides.
ASK: What makes you feel blessed?
WONDER: What do you think it would it be like to live a day in a peaceful kingdom today? Why do you think our Bible story uses animals to describe a peaceful kingdom?
WONDER together: Why do you think it’s sometimes hard for animals that are different from one another to get along?  Why do you think it’s sometimes hard for people who are different from one another to get along?  Do you think it’s possible for all people to exist in peace? Why or why not?
SAY: We should all seek peace in every situation.
WONDER: What are some ways we can make a more peaceful world in our daily lives?

Wonder Questions for the Week of November 19:
SHARE the Faith Word: BLESSING
Our faith word is BLESSING: All the things God provides.
ASK: Can you name some things that are blessings?
WONDER: Why do you think God blesses us?
What is your favorite part of the story?
WONDER together:  Why did Jacob rest his head on a rock?  Do you think Jacob regretted stealing Esau’s blessing? Why or why not?  Do you think Jacob ever apologized to Esau? Why or why not?
SAY: After seeing God and angels in his dream, Jacob marked the place where he slept as a holy place using a rock. Why did Jacob use the rock to mark the place where he slept instead of something else?

Wonder Questions for the Week of November 12:
SHARE the Faith Word: BLESSING
Our faith word is BLESSING: All the things God provides.
ASK: What have you learned about blessings this month?
What blessings has God given you?
WONDER:  How do you know you are blessed?  Who was blessed in today’s Bible story? Does everyone deserved to be blessed?  How do you feel when someone hurts you? How do you respond?
WONDER: Who do you relate to in this story?
SAY: God gives us family as a blessing, but sometimes we make hard or wrong choices in our family. No matter what, we are still a part of God’s family and God loves us.

Wonder Questions for the Week of November 5:
SHARE the Faith Word: BLESSING
Our faith word is BLESSING: All the things God provides.
ASK: What blessings do you have? How did God bless the characters in our Bible story?
WONDER: Why did Esau choose to give his birthright to his brother Jacob?
WONDER: What would you have done if you were Esau?
WONDER together: Who was blessed in the Bible story?  Does everyone deserve to be blessed?  Who did the right thing in the story?  Is it hard to know what is the right thing to do? Why or why not?
WONDER: How would you have changed the way today’s Bible story turned out?

Wonder Questions for the Week of October 29:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY
Our faith word is FAITH: To believe in God’s presence and to hope.
ASK: What Bible stories remind you of God?
ASK: In our Bible story, Rebekah showed faith by praying to God. What do you think helped Rebekah keep faith in God through all of her struggles?
WONDER: Do you think Jacob and Esau ever wished they had more in common? Why or why not?
Wonder together: Why do you think God made the twins in the story so different?  Do you think Jacob and Esau got along growing up? Why or why not?
What do you imagine Jacob’s lentil stew tasted like?
SAY: A baby book is where a baby’s adult writes down all the things that make a baby unique as he or she grows.
WONDER: What kinds of things might have been written down if Jacob and Esau had, had baby books?

Wonder Questions for the Week of October 22:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY
Our faith word is FAITH: To believe in God’s presence and to hope.
ASK: How do stories like the story of Isaac being born help us feel confident in our faith in God?
ASK: Can you think of something amazing that God did in your life or in the life of someone you know?
How did it make you feel?
WONDER: Do you think Abraham and Sarah were more confident in their faith after Isaac was born? Why or why not?
Wonder together: Why do people laugh when they are happy? Do you think Sarah and Abraham were nervous about being parents at such an old age? What do you think Abraham and Sarah would have said to the visitors who told them they’d have a baby if they saw them again after Isaac was born? SAY: When we think of the story of baby Isaac’s birth, we can remember that God always keeps God’s promises whether they are big or small.
WONDER: What are some other things that help us remember that God keeps promises?

Wonder Questions for the Week of October 14:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY Our faith word is FAITH: To believe in God’s presence and to hope.
ASK: Have you ever had a hard time having faith? If so, why was it difficult?
ASK: What helps you have faith even when it’s hard to believe something is possible?
WONDER: Do you think Sarah and Abraham were surprised by what the visitors said to them? Why or why not?
Wonder together: Why do you think Abraham didn’t ask the visitors who they were? We know that Sarah laughed when the visitors mentioned the baby, how do you think Abraham reacted? How do you think Sarah felt when the visitors reminded her that nothing is too hard for God?
SAY: Abraham and Sarah showed great hospitality to their visitors in the story.
WONDER: How might we show great hospitality to visitors today?

Wonder Questions for the Week of October 8:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY
Our faith word is FAITH: To believe in God’s presence and to hope.
ASK: What helps you have faith in God’s promises?
ASK: How do you show faith in God? Why do you show faith in God?
WONDER: Do you think Abraham and Sarah were surprised by God’s promise? Why or
why not?
Wonder together:  What did Abraham tell God he wanted?
Why did Abraham trust in God’s promise?
Do you think it was hard or easy for Abraham to trust God to fulfill such a big promise?
SAY: God showed Abraham stars because there are so many of them. God wanted Abraham to know that God’s promise
to him would be fulfilled in a way that was bigger than Abraham could ever imagine.
WONDER: Why do we believe in God’s promises still today?
Is it sometimes difficult to have faith in God’s promises? Why or why not?

Wonder Questions for the Week of September 30:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY Our faith word is FAITH: To believe in God’s presence and to hope.
ASK: What helps you have faith in God?
How did Abraham and Sarah show their faith in God?
ASK: What is your favorite part of today’s Bible story?
There are many ways to show faith in God. One of them is by doing what God asks you to do.
Wonder together: How do you think Sarah and Abraham felt moving to a new place?
Why did Sarah and Abraham choose to go on the journey God told them to take?
How do you think Abraham and Sarah felt when God first told them to move?
Do you think their journey was easy or hard? Why?
WONDER: Why do people sometimes not follow God’s direction? Is it sometimes difficult to follow God? Why or why not?

Wonder Questions for the Week of September 24:
Our faith word is CREATIVITY: The process of imagining and making something, just like God imagined and created the world.
ASK: What does creativity mean to you?
SAY: God created each of us unique and special, and God made us to help care for the rest of God’s creation.
ASK: What is your favorite part of today’s Bible story?
Wonder together:
What are ways you can help God take care of the earth?
What are some things in the world that need our attention and care?
What are ways that you see people helping and making a difference?
SAY: God was creative in creating you and me.

Wonder Questions for the Week of September 17:
Our faith word is CREATIVITY: The process of imagining and making something, just like God imagined and created the world.
ASK: Is it easy to be creative?  Why or why not?
SAY: God was creative in creating everything on the earth, from plants to animals and finally to people. God was creative in making you and me.
Wonder together: What do you think it means to be created in God’s image?
What do you think God looks like?
Why do you think God created so many different kinds of people and living things?
Why do you think it’s important that God rested on the seventh day?
SAY: God made us all different and God made us all beautiful!

Wonder Questions for the Week of September 10:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY
Our faith word is CREATIVITY: The process of imagining and making something, just like God imagined and created the world.
ASK: What kinds of things do you like to create?
Wonder together:
Do you enjoy observing nature?
Why did God create so many different colors?
Why did God create living things before humans?
If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? Wonder: What is your favorite plant or animal?

Wonder Questions for the Week of September 3:
SHARE the Faith Word: CREATIVITY
Our faith word is CREATIVITY: The process of imagining and making something, just like God imagined and created the world.
ASK: What did God create?
Wonder together:
What does creativity mean to you?
How do you show creativity?
Are you creative? How?
Is God creative?
Wonder: What other things did God create?

Wonder Questions for the Week of August 27:
SHARE the Faith Word: CELEBRATE
Our faith word is CELEBRATE: To honor God in a special way.
ASK: What have you learned about celebration?
SAY: We have been celebrating so many things. We give our thanks and celebrations to God. Wonder:
What do you think the booths looked like?
Where is God in the story?
What does it feel like when you celebrate?

Wonder Questions for the Week of August 20:
SHARE the Faith Word: CELEBRATE
Our faith word is CELEBRATE: To honor God in a special way.
ASK: What would it be like to celebrate for seven days?
ASK: Is it important to celebrate? Wonder:
Why might we celebrate the gifts God gives us?
Where is your favorite place to celebrate?
What does it mean to celebrate the harvest?

Wonder Questions for the Week of August 13:
SHARE the Faith Word: CELEBRATE
Our faith word is CELEBRATE: To honor God in a special way.
ASK: What special holidays remind you of God?
SAY: Today we learned about a celebration called Passover.
ASK: What do you remember about Passover?
ASK: How often was this celebration supposed to occur? (every seven years)
Wonder: Who celebrates Passover?
What is the best part about a celebration?
Have you ever seen or eaten a Seder meal?

Wonder Questions for the Week of August 6:
SHARE the Faith Word: CELEBRATE
Our faith word is CELEBRATE: To honor God in a special way.
SAY: What do you think it means to forgive someone of a debt?
ASK: What makes you want to celebrate? SAY: Today we learned about a celebration called the Year of Jubilee.
ASK: How often was this celebration supposed to occur? (every seven years) Wonder:
What does Jubilee mean?
How can you help others?
What is there to celebrate in the Bible story?

Wonder Questions for the Week of July 29:
SHARE the Faith Word: BIBLE
Our faith word is BIBLE: The stories of our faith that teach us about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
SAY: We have heard many stories about Daniel and others in the kingdom of Babylon.
ASK: What does this story tell us about God?
How did Daniel feel in the story?
Why was Daniel saved?
How would you have felt if you were with the lions?
WONDER: If the king had not had a pit of lions, what would have happened in the story?

Wonder Questions for the Week of July 23:
SHARE the Faith Word: BIBLE
Our faith word is BIBLE: The stories of our faith that teach us about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Wonder: Were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego afraid? Why or why not?
WONDER: What is your favorite part of the story?
ASK: Why do you worship God? How did the three friends worship God?
Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego choose to worship God?
How do you think Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego felt?
Do you think King Nebuchadnezzar was nice or mean? Why?
WONDER: What are things that keep us from having faith in God today? Is it sometimes difficult to worship God? Why or why not?

Wonder Questions for the Week of July 16:
SHARE the Faith Word: BIBLE
Our faith word is BIBLE: The stories of our faith that teach us about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
ASK: What is the hardest decision you’ve ever made?
What hard choice did Daniel have to make?
Do you think it was hard for Daniel to choose?
What would you have done in the Bible story?
Could you only eat vegetables and drink water? Wonder:
What does this story tell us about God?
What does this story tell us about ourselves?

Wonder Questions for the Week of July 9:
SHARE the Faith Word: BIBLE Our faith word is BIBLE: The stories of our faith that teach us about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
ASK: Do you have a favorite Bible story?
Why did God choose Jonah?
Why did Jonah run away?
Why did the fish swallow Jonah?
Wonder: What does the story of Jonah teach us about God?

Wonder Questions for the Week of July 2:
SHARE the Faith Word: BIBLE
Our faith word is BIBLE: The stories of our faith that teach us about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
ASK: Have you ever seen a rainbow?
Why did God choose Noah?
Have you ever been on a big boat?
Do you think the animals were scared?
Wonder: What does the story of Noah teach us about God?
What do you think of when you see a rainbow?

Wonder Questions for the Week of June 25:
SHARE the Faith Word: IDENTITY
Our faith word is IDENTITY: To know you are a child of God.
ASK: Do you know that you are a child of God?
SAY: In our Bible story today, God’s identity reminds us that God’s love never ends.
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, or the beginning.
Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, or the end.
How has God been a part of your life?
Does God ever die?
What is the best part of today’s Bible story?

Wonder Questions for the Week of June 18:
SHARE the Faith Word: IDENTITY
Our faith word is IDENTITY: To know you are a child of God.
ASK: Jesus is identified as the Son of God.
SAY: Your identity is the special things that make you you. This is a gift from God.
How is God like a father or parent?
Why is it important to pray to God?
What would have happened if the disciples had stayed awake? How does God feel about you?
How do you feel about God?

Wonder Questions for the Week of June 4:
SHARE the Faith Word: IDENTITY Our faith word is IDENTITY: To know you are a child of God.
ASK: What does identity mean to you?
SAY: Your identity is the special things that make you you. This is a gift from God.
Why does God use the name I Am?
Why do you think Moses asked what God’s name was?
How would you feel if God spoke to you?
SAY: Today, we can name God as I Am. We will learn new names for God each week.
WONDER: What do you like to call God?

Wonder Questions for the week of May 28:
SHARE the Faith Word: MINISTRY
Our faith word is MINISTRY: To answer God’s call and serve the world.
WONDER together: What is Pentecost?
Who can be in ministry?
SAY: Today we are learning about Pentecost.
What languages do you know? ❍ Who is the Holy Spirit?
Where is God in the Bible story?
SAY: The Holy Spirit is like the wind. We can feel it, but we can’t see it. When the wind blows a chime, we hear a beautiful noise, and we know God is near.

Wonder Questions for the week of May 21:
SHARE the Faith Word: MINISTRY
Our faith word is MINISTRY: To answer God’s call and serve the world.
WONDER together: Who do you know that is in ministry?
What have you learned about ministry?
SAY: We have been learning about Peter. Prayer was an important part of Peter’s ministry.
What have you learned about Peter?
Why was Peter in prison? How did he feel?
What did the community do in the Bible story?
WONDER: Do you know the Lord’s Prayer?
SAY: The community prayed for Peter, and it made a big difference. One important prayer is
the Lord’s Prayer. Sometimes we might not know what to say when we pray, but this prayer
is something we can learn to help us when we want to reach out to God.

Wonder Questions for the week of May 14:
SHARE the Faith Word: MINISTRY Our faith word is MINISTRY: To answer God’s call and serve the world.
WONDER together: What do you think the word ministry means?
Is God calling you to ministry?
What kind of ministry do you feel called to do?
SAY: Today we are heard how Peter ministered to Tabitha and her friends.
ASK: How did Peter help? How did Tabitha help her community?
SAY: There are many ways to be in ministry.
What happened to Tabitha in the story?
Why did the community call on Peter?
How can you help your community?
SAY: The community called on Peter to use his gifts and talents to help Tabitha. They didn’t have phones in Bible times, but they knew where to find Peter when they needed him.
ASK: Who can you call on to help you?

Wonder Questions for the week of May 7:
SHARE the Faith Word: MINISTRY Our faith word is MINISTRY: To answer God’s call and serve the world.
WONDER together: Why did Jesus choose Peter? Does Jesus choose you?
ASK: What does the word ministry mean? Do you know anyone who is in ministry?
SAY: We can do ministry when we listen to God and others. ASK: Do you listen to God? How?
How is Peter a minister?
Why is ministry important?
What kind of ministry can you help with?
SAY: Peter helped spread the message of Jesus and began what we know to be the church today.

Wonder Questions for the week of April 30:
SHARE the Faith Word: RESURRECTION
Our faith word is RESURRECTION: Hope in God’s promise for new life in Jesus.
WONDER together: Why did Jesus bless his followers before he left?
How would you have felt if you were in the story? ❍ What happened in the story?
How do you worship?
SAY: The disciples gathered with Jesus before he went to be with God. After Jesus left, they continued to follow Jesus’ teachings and praise God. Even though Jesus is not physically with us anymore, we can continue to worship and be blessed by him.

Wonder Questions for the week of April 23:
SHARE the Faith Word: RESURRECTION
Our faith word is RESURRECTION: Hope in God’s promise for new life in Jesus.
WONDER together: Have you ever been surprised?
Why did the disciples not recognize Jesus?
How would you feel if you saw Jesus?
Why is the Resurrection special?
What helped the disciples recognize Jesus?
SAY: Jesus walks with us wherever we go.

Wonder Questions for the week of April 16:
SHARE the Faith Word: RESURRECTION
Our faith word is RESURRECTION: Hope in God’s promise for new life in Jesus.
WONDER together: What makes it hard to believe?
Why do you think it was hard for Thomas to believe that Jesus had risen?
How did Thomas feel in the story?
What is something you have a hard time believing?
Is it easy or hard to believe in God?
SAY: Sometimes we have to use more than our eyes to see and understand faith. 

Wonder Questions for the week of April 9:
SHARE the Faith Word: RESURRECTION
Our faith word is RESURRECTION: Hope in God’s promise for new life in Jesus. WONDER together: Why is the story of Easter important?
What makes Easter so special?
How do you celebrate Easter?
What happened in today’s Bible story?
Why didn’t the disciples believe the women?
What is new life? SAY: Today is the resurrection of Jesus. Happy Easter!

Wonder Questions for the week of April 2:
SHARE the Faith Word: RESURRECTION
Our faith word is RESURRECTION: Hope in God’s promise for new life in Jesus.
WONDER together: Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday?
Where do palm branches come from?
Why did the crowd celebrate Jesus?
What makes Jesus special?
SAY: Today we celebrate Jesus and all he has taught us.

Wonder Questions for the week of March 26:
SHARE the Faith Word: PARABLES
Our faith word is PARABLES: The stories Jesus told that teach us how to live.
WONDER together: What have you learned about the Last Supper?
What is something special you know about Jesus?
Why do we celebrate the Last Supper?
What makes Jesus special?
What foods do you like to eat?
SAY: When we share a special meal, we can remember Jesus.

Wonder Questions for the week of March 19:
SHARE the Faith Word: PARABLES
Our faith word is PARABLES: The stories Jesus told that teach us how to live.
WONDER together: What does this Bible story have to do with faith in God? What did you learn?
What plants have you grown? ❍ What helps plants grow?
What kind of soil helps plants grow the best?
What helps you grow?
What helps your faith grow?
SAY: When we nurture our faith and give it what it needs, our faith in God and Jesus can grow and grow, just like a plant.

Wonder Questions for the week of March 12:
Our faith word is PARABLES: The stories Jesus told that teach us how to live.
WONDER together: What does it mean to be wise? What does this story teach us
about wisdom?
What makes you wise?
Was Jesus wise? Why or why not?
If you could build anything, what would it be?
SAY: What was Jesus trying to teach in this story?

Wonder Questions for the week of March 5:
Our faith word is PARABLES:  The stories Jesus told that teach us how to live.
WONDER together: What does it mean to be a good neighbor?
What makes a good neighbor?
Who is a neighbor?
Do you know any good neighbors?
SAY: Where do you see yourself in this story? 

Wonder Questions for the week of February 26:
What is important in God’s kingdom? What can you give to God’s kingdom? WONDER together:
What is a widow?
What questions do you have about this story?
What kinds of coins were there during Bible times?
What are other ways you can serve God or serve your church?
SAY: It is important that we all are a part of the kingdom of God.

Wonder Questions for the week of February 19:
What does it mean to be lost?
Have you ever looked for something that was missing?
What do you like most about this story?
SAY: It is important that we all are a part of the kingdom of God.

Wonder Questions for the week of February 12:
What is the best part of the story?
What confuses you about this story?
What does God’s kingdom look like?
SAY: People of all ages are a part of God’s kingdom.

Wonder Questions for the week of February 5:
Have you ever been in a storm? What did you feel?
What did you learn from the Bible story?
What makes you afraid?
How do you know God is with you?
SAY: We can always walk with Jesus when we are afraid.

Wonder Questions for the week of January 29:
Did the disciples believe in Jesus in the Bible story? Who believed?
What food would you share with five thousand people?
How did Jesus feed that many people?
How do you think the young boy felt after sharing his lunch?
Where do you see yourself in this story?

Wonder Questions for the week of January 22:
What is the most important part of the story?
Why did Jesus eat with people who had made bad choices or made mistakes?
Who would you like to eat with? Is there anyone you would never eat with? Why?
WONDER: Levi was a tax collector. In the Bible, tax collectors were cheaters. But Jesus helped Levi change his ways.
Do you think people can change? How does Jesus help us change?

Wonder Questions for the week of January 15:
Why do we use water when we are baptized?
Who is John the Baptizer?
What makes baptism special?
Have you ever seen a baptism?

Wonder Questions for the week of January 8:
Are wise men special? Why?
Why did the wise men follow the star?
Have you ever watched the stars?
What do you think the wise men believed?