Kid's Crossing

Welcome to Kids Crossing, the children’s ministry of CrossWay Community Church! Children are a blessing from God. As parents, we delight in the joy that Children bring, but we are also aware of our responsibility to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) That’s a big job that, at times, can seem overwhelming. But God is faithful to provide all that is needed to help us accomplish this task, and one of the primary means He uses is the church. In fact, Kids Crossing is specifically designed to help you establish and nurture the faith of your children. Our goal, in Kids Crossing, is to provide God-centered, Bible-saturated, gospel-focused instruction that displays the glorious character and work of God. Although we work with children, our desire is to serve you, the parent. So, here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions that will give you a quick overview of children’s ministry.

“What are Your Values?”

We want our children’s ministry to reflect the values we hold dear as a church. Here are three beliefs that shape us…

• Gospel-Focused – We believe that God can, and does, save children. That’s why we emphasize the gospel in all our teaching, helping children to understand and respond to God’s plan of salvation.
• God-Centered – We believe that God is the main character of the Bible. So, all of our lessons focus on helping children know about his wonderful character and his mighty works. We want stir their affections for God, to inspire them to love and to trust in God.
• Supplemental - We believe that parents are the primary teachers of their children. Therefore, we seek to structure our ministry to equip and support parents as they fulfill this God-given role to train and instruct their children in the Lord.

“What’s Available on Sunday Morning?“

We have classes for children from birth up through 5th Grade. Nursery age children are lovingly cared for in three classes; Infants, Walkers, and 2’s. Our Preschool 3’s, 4’s, and Kindergarten classes gather for worship, a Bible story, snacks, and more. 1st–5th Grade children learn about worship by participating in the worship service with their parents. Then, before the sermon, they are dismissed to their classes for age specific teaching.

“What are the Kids Studying?”

We’re very excited about the content of all of the curricula we use at CrossWay. Here’s an overview of this year’s material...

• Preschool 3’s& 4’s: “He Established A Testimony” and “He Has Spoken By His Son” present the main stories of the Old and New Testament and the Key Biblical themes that can be seen in these stories. In each lesson we try to answer the questions, “What does this story teach us about God?” and “What does this teach us about how we should respond to God?”

• Kindergarten: “I Stand in Awe” teaches children Bible basics, including "God is the author of the Bible" and "The Bible is True." "He has been Clearly Seen" helps children to see, and delight in, the glory of God through all that he has made.

• 1st Grade: “Jesus What A Savior” is a chronological study on redemption. Major themes emphasize the greatness and worth of God, the desperate condition of helpless sinners, and the all-sufficient work of Jesus on the cross to redeem sinners.

• 2nd Grade: “The ABC’s of God” uses the alphabet as a framework to teach children the attributes and character of God. Each lesson asks and leads children to answer key questions, like “Who is God? What is He like? How should I act toward God?”

• 3rd Grade: “In the Beginning… Jesus” traces the story line of the Bible from the Garden of Eden to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This study helps kids see how the message of the Bible fits together and culminates in the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross.

• 4th Grade: “To Be Like Jesus” teaches children God’s plan of salvation through Jesus and how we can become more like Him as we love God, love our neighbors, honor our parents, forgive others, give generously, and more.

• 5th Grade: “The Way of the Wise” helps children learn about the characteristics and destinations of the foolish and the wise, and that true wisdom is found in Jesus Christ. “The Young Peacemaker” shows children how to use God’s way of resolving conflicts, including making wise choices, respectful communication, repentance, confession, and forgiveness.

“What About Scripture Memory?”

Yes, this is an important part of our program

Preschoolers (3’s, 4’s, and Kindergarten) are memorizing 1 verse a month from our new “CrossWay Foundation Verses.” This three-year program includes short verses that teach kids basic truths about God’s character, the gospel, godly conduct, and more.

Elementary children (1st-5th Grade) are using the CrossWay Scripture Memory Program – just like the adults. If you need more information on this program, stop by the Information Center.

“What about Safety?”

Everyone who works with children at CrossWay is required to go through a screening process which includes a written application and a background check.

A Final Word of Encouragement:

I hope this gives you a better idea of what’s happening in children’s ministry at CrossWay. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, call me - Bruce Hoffmire - at (262) 857-4488. I’d love to hear from you!