Romans 1:12 ‘When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.’
Kia Ora Bay Kids Whanau,
TERM 2 REMEMBER VERSES
One of our core Formational Practices across all our Bay Kids Programmes is Scripture Memorisation. Every term we highlight a Bible verse or two - or half - that connects in with our current Curriculum learning and we familiarise ourselves with it through repetition, actions, activities and sometimes just gold old-fashioned yelling. Anything to help it get into our bodies, our hearts, and our minds. We don't just memorise for the sake of competition or reward. The goal here is not to ‘parrot’ something back without context or understanding; but instead to deeply know Scripture as Truth, as a solid reference point in the midst of confusion and uncertainty.
Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”. We remember God’s words and then we carry them with us in our hearts. Beyond just knowing the Bible, we allow God's Word to be real to us, and present with us; His words change us, grow us, and strengthen us. Our Remember Verses are like little lights inside us, showing us the right way to go. When we remember what God says, it helps us make good choices and stay close to Him. Formation is primarily about relationship. Formation practices reveal to us who God is and how He sees us. When our kids remember Scripture, they get to know more about who God is—His kindness, His power, and His love for them. This builds trust. This grows relationship.
Scripture Memorisation also shapes identity and brings a tangible sense of belonging to God’s Kingdom. It is comforting in tricky times and brings real peace. I love knowing that the verses we help them learn now might stay with them for the rest of their lives. It’s one way we can keep pointing them to God, even when we’re not right there with them.
So far in this Term, in Team Bay, we have been learning this verse from Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIRV) as we journey through the beginnings of the Old Testament and the Big God Story of Redemption. “So I want you to realize that the Lord your God is God. He is the faithful God. He keeps his covenant for all time to come. He keeps it with those who love him and obey his commandments. He shows them his love.”
And in Bay Preschool, they’ve looked at these two this Term: Matthew 8:19b, “I will follow you wherever you go.” and Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.” These verses reinforce the New Testament stories of Jesus choosing us to Follow him and caring for us.
Have a go at continuing to learn these together as a family. Although I fear that in Team Bay Junior, our stellar efforts to learn this verse have resulted in perfecting the dramatic actions and mumbling through some forgotten words. Your help is needed! 😀
TEAM BAY SENIORS PRAYER CHAIR
I also wanted to let you know about a new way of praying that we’ve recently introduced to our older children to build upon the ‘drain-piping’ prayer that they have become so familiar and confident with.
The Prayer Chair is simply this: someone sits on a chair (you probably have one at home that would work quite well too), and three others stand around them and pray for them, asking God for some words, or a picture, or a verse, or a blessing for them.
It’s quite simple and also profoundly moving and encouraging.
In Bay Kids, in terms of Prayer culture and discipleship, we’ve always talked about our prayers not having to be long and not having to be fancy; as well as knowing that they will always be heard by God.
The Prayer Chair helps to encourage this as we pray beyond personal prayers and quiet prayers, and learn to become a gift to others, practicing feeling the whispers and nudges of God, and being brave as we step out and give it a go.
We will continue with this practicing in Bay Kids and at our SPARKS Prayer Meetings. Check out our photos on our Bay Kids Whanau Facebook Page.
Feel free to give this a go at home too. We’re good at saying, in the Vineyard, that ‘Everyone Gets to Play’, but may we also be bold enough as parents and whanau to believe that this starts in our homes amidst ordinary moments, with very little build-up, low-key results, and heartfelt bumblings.
ENGAGEMENT IN THIS SEASON OF PENTECOST
And finally, can I encourage you to engage as a family in this season of Pentecost, in whatever way that works best for you.
A wonderful picture book for this season is, “The Day When God Made the Church” which is read for you here on YouTube: When God Made Church: A Child's First Book About Pentecost and available for purchase at https://www.christiansupplies.co.nz/product/9781612615646/the-day-when-god-made-church-a-childs-first-book-about/
You could book a space in the prayer room, visit as a family or light a candle and read through Psalm 23 together at home - name your thanksgiving, pray your needs, share your heart for those who need God’s comfort, and pray for our city and our church. Pray out loud, pray by colouring or drawing and creating. Pray together, interrupted and distracted, or quickly when there’s space for a moment of quiet. Let’s normalise the normality of messy prayer in our homes.
The Prayer Walk may also be another option for you as a family, just out the door in and amongst your local neighborhood or during your walk to school. And we’d love you to come along to the Combined Church Service next weekend too. All of the details are available here on our website: https://www.bayvineyardchurch.org/whatson
Lots of love to you dear families. I pray Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians (chp 3) over you as you navigate this rollercoaster ride of parenting and family discipleship.
“I pray that he will use his glorious riches to make you strong. May his Holy Spirit give you his power deep down inside you. Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in him. And I pray that your love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. May you have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. And may you know his love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.” Amen