SUNDAY SERMON BAGS
Sermon bags are for kids in 2nd grade and up.
Bags will include:
A flier with ideas for kids on how to engage with the sermon
Pens, Pencils, Colored Pencils, or Crayons
Age-appropriate Sermon Notes page
A kid's bulletin that corresponds with the sermon
A coloring page (refreshed each week)
A new "treat" such as a starburst candy or mint (parents can choose to opt-out or bring their own)
They may find a fidget toys, a ticket to win a prize from the prize box, a note from me, or other fun surprises.
Older kids will get mini notebooks for note-taking
Kids will receive one punch for returning their bag and one punch for turning in a completed worksheet from their bag.
ministry philosophy
At Restore, WE LOVE KIDS! Our church is often filled with more children than adults, and we take pride in creating an atmosphere that keeps them engaged and enthusiastic while also allowing parents to worship with limited interruption. We know the importance of providing children with age-appropriate environments to learn and thrive on Sundays, and we also understand the significance of teaching them how to worship alongside their families.
The reason we believe so strongly in this approach is because children are naturally more “hands-on” learners with shorter attention spans. The themes discussed during worship services can often be too complex for young children to fully comprehend and a traditional sermon delivered as a monologue is not as effective in holding their attention or helping kids relate what they’re hearing to their own lives as an age-appropriate lesson in our classes.
This is also true when it comes to worship. Kids love to sing! They will sing along to most songs for a line or two. But songs that are designed to benefit adults will simply not resonate with kids the same way a song designed for kids will.
the Problem with distractions
When children can’t engage well in what they're hearing they can begin to daydream or get fidgety. Then, parents get frustrated and are unable to focus on the message or worship that is intended for them. Their focus can be drawn away from meaningful worship or a deeper focus on the sermon while trying to keep their kids from being too much of a distraction. At this point, parents start providing children with random distractions (usually anything within arms reach) or children start to wander or play. By getting caught in this cycle we are essentially teaching our children to tune out in big church! This approach does not encourage engagement or active participation in worship, and it does not contribute to their spiritual growth. Being told to sit still and be quiet can create negative feelings towards church which will make it increasingly more difficult to get kids to engage in any form of church life as they get older. Which is the exact opposite of what we set out to do!
This is why RestoreKids has a tiered approach to kids ministry. As students advance to the 5th grade, they transition from participating solely in children's ministry to attending regular church services.
Our childrens’ programs start with age-appropriate lessons and worship time, as well as games and activities to encourage community. We value teaching children how to love and communicate in a safe and nurturing environment with trusted adults, as much as we love sharing Biblical lessons. As children grow older, we gradually introduce them to the main church service to encourage their active participation.
An intentional transition
In order to better facilitate that transition we will be offering something new for kids who are newly transitioned and who are transitioning from kids ministry to big church.
Each week, you will find “Sermon Bags” located in the upstairs hall outside the gym doors. The bags are meant for children to actively engage in the sermon, not for the sake of distraction. Our expectation is for parents to guide their children in utilizing the bags, helping them stay focused during the sermon. And, if you think your kid isn’t capable of paying attention…well…you’re wrong! I talk to your kids Sunday after church and see some of the things they pick up on and it’s AWESOME! With a little more encouragement and guidance, I bet they can pick up on so much more!
Why do we encourage note taking
We remember more when we write things down rather than just listen. This is why your teacher has you take notes in class. It’s an effective memory aid.
Listening for specifics to “fill-in-the-blanks” helps you focus and concentrate on what the pastor is sharing.
You are setting up excellent habits for the future & practicing important skills that you'll need as you get older and mature in your faith.
It helps pass the time.
sunday sermon bag FAQ
Who gets a bag? All kids 2nd through 8th grade. If your high schooler wants a bag let me know and I’ll be more than happy to make them one!!
On Family Worship Sundays bags will be available for kids in the Sprouts class (ages 5yrs -1st grade)
Why did you start this? The purpose of the bags is to help facilitate the transition from full-time “kids church” to full participation in “big church”. The bags are here to help children engage with the sermon in age-appropriate ways.
Why are the bags for some ages not available every week? Our goal is to have every child that attends Restore who has a class (available) on Sunday morning be in that class. They will not need a bag for the sermon if they are in their class
Why do some bags have different items than others? Each bag is tailored to a specific age group. Items in the bags are generally best suited for the age of the child they are given to. You can also encourage your child to bring items from home (if they would like) to personalize their bag further. This is THEIR bag!
Can/should I take the bag home? NO! These bags and the items in them are to be kept at church. Please make sure all items are returned to the bag and the bag is returned to check-in before you leave.
What if my child loses, breaks, or uses up items in the bag? We understand - it happens. Kids are rough on their things. We encourage parents to show their kids how to take good care of their Sunday bags. If accidents happen you have two choices. Replace the item with something from home, or wait for the bag to be refreshed. (We will update bags twice a year)
Will bags be the same every week? NO! Each week your child will have:
A new Sermon Notes page
A new coloring page
A new "treat" such as a starburst candy or mint
They may find that fidgets are switched out, a ticket to win a prize from the prize box, a note from me, or other fun surprises.
What if my child doesn’t want to go to their class? Can they have a bag? Probably not. In the event your child does not want to go to Sunday morning's class, please contact me and we can set up a meeting about what's happening, why your child does not want to attend, and how we can help.