Tag: FaithKidz

  • Creativity and The Creator-Week 2

    Creativity and The Creator-Week 2

    Week Two

    Masterpiece in the Sky: The Story of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

    Craftivity

    Supplies needed -Help kids cut out shapes from the construction paper and glue colored tissue paper behind them to create a stained glass effect.

    You can also use black construction paper. We used colored tissue paper, scissors, and glue sticks.

    Our Focus verse was

    Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

    This week we looked at Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel.

    Our focus was to Discover Michelangelo’s life and artistic achievements, specifically focusing on his masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

    Here’s the video we created:

    I segued from the Sistine Chapel to Stain Glass windows and discussed this week’s craft. We watched this video about making stain-glassed windows.

    We discussed the craft, walked over to our sanctuary, and looked at and touched the stained glass windows. We talked about the story the images are telling in the glass.


    Returning to the Cafe room, where we teach on Wednesday nights, we jumped into the craft. My team designed seven different stain-glass layouts for the kids to use. We didn’t give them a choice, per se, but randomly handed them out. You can see and download those here.


    We then took the bathroom and snack break. And did the final craftivity. And, as often happens—the one you think won’t go over as well—ends up being the favorite! I had random images created, and they had to color in or, in some cases, complete the image. (You can see/download all those here.) HERE was the twist: just like Michelangelo—they had to complete/color the pictures while lying on their backs holding the papers above them (on a clipboard). So, we went into the gym and spread out on the floor; each lid took color markers and had to lay on their back looking up, holding and coloring, or completing the images. Kids like this so much; most did it at least twice (getting new images), and some did it four times.

    Here’s the breakdown/timeline of the evening:

    6:15-6:35 GYM FREEPLAY
    6:30 COUNTDOWN SLIDE
    6:35 OPEN w/ SPACE WARM UP SLIDE (GAME)
    6:37 OPENING C&C SLIDE
    6:39 REVIEW LAST WEEK’S VERSE
    6:40 INTRO TOPIC: MASTERPIECE IN THE SKY: Michelangelo
    6:41 VIDEO: MASTERPIECE IN THE SKY
    6:45 DISCUSS THIS WEEK’S CRAFT; WATCH THE STAINED GLASS VIDEO
    6:50 WALK TO SANCTUARY and LOOK at STAIN GLASS WINDOWS
    7:05 RETURN & COMPLETE CRAFT
    7:35 RESTROOM/SNACK BREAK (ALL THINGS BRIGHT)
    7:45 FINAL CRAFT/MOVE TO GYM
    8:00-8:15 DISSISMAL.


    It was a good week! Again, simple, but the kids loved/liked it. Next week we’ll look a the Art of Faith!

    Thanks for being on this journey with me!

    Sharing his Wonder,

    Scott Humston

  • Creativity and The Creator

    Creativity and The Creator

    A Creative Kid Min Journey with Scott Humston

    Hello, magnificent leader of small humans! Thanks for following me on this journey of sharing deeper ideas of creativity for kids! During the last two summers of ministry here, I’ve created a game-themed program—which was fun—, but I’ve been praying that God would give me a “fresh” start. So, just a couple of weeks ago, during lunch with a young man, new believer, and artist, I believe God showed me this idea, Creativity & The Creator, a weekly program to plant seeds into young hearts. So, while there is MUCH more than can be said…thanks for following along on this journey!

    (I’ll be posting weekly—or as I can. As the family & connections pastor, in addition to being a professional comedian & illusionist (I know, I know…), my schedule can be really hectic, especially during the summer. A lot of my writing here is not edited, so please forgive spelling or grammar, I am trying to get the information for you quickly. 😁)

    Week One

    Creation & God’s Handiwork

    The Set Up

    We prepared for 50 kids at long tables facing the large-screen TV. For the most part, everyone was FACING the TV so that kids weren’t across from one another. I liked that. I will keep doing that each week. We covered the tables with white plastic tablecloths, and in the middle, we had a small container with colored markers.

    Creative Lesson

    Drawing God’s Creation

    The goal of this week’s lesson:

    Kids will learn to appreciate the beauty and diversity of God’s creation and understand the role of creativity in reflecting God’s handiwork.

    Creation and God’s Handiwork

    The focus this week was Genesis 1:1. We created a simple presentation in Keynote and we started with that. You can see that below. I took my time with the Keynote, using examples and reading scripture from the Bible. You’ll notice the words on the presentation share the story—but I think reading the scripture is vital.

    After we went through the teaching from the Keynote, we jumped into the activity. Our craft this week was very simple; This was the setup: We provided drawing paper, colored pencils, and markers. And then “Encouraged kids to draw their favorite aspects of God’s creation.” We spent about fifteen minutes doing this. Some children got very creative—without any adult prompting, such as one boy drawing seven boxes and a drawing the days of creation. Because it was completely open—they could draw ANY aspect of God’s creation—many drew family members, pets, and rainbows.

    When this piece ended, I had them turn over the creative drawing and trace their hand. Adult helpers were needed for some. Once their hand was drawn, I asked them to write five things they liked about themselves—one for each finger. This was eye-opening—as some of the children had no problem, several did—this was a chance for the helpers and me to say something positive about them—which brought smiles & giggles.

    After that piece, we took a break for restroom & snacks. (I kept these simple, too. Water, goldfish, cookies, etc.). After we wrapped up snack time, I showed a video from The Gospel Project, The Creation Story. It recapped our earlier teaching. You can view that here. — and then the classic song, All Things Bright & Beautiful. I LOVE the version from Rain For Roots. You can view that here. We watched it together, and I am sure that none of the kids had seen or even heard that song before.

    It was a good moment.

    We moved into the final segment, a coloring sheet. As they prepared to color in the image, I asked, “think of a way you can color this in that would be different from what you might always do.” Then, I played the video of All Things Bright and Beautiful while they colored. You can download the coloring sheet we created here. (BTW, while I was leading, two of my helpers were putting each child’s name on the take-home piece—a bookmark. Here’s what that looks like:

    We closed in prayer and then went into the gym and played games during dismissal time. Overall it was a great night. Simple. But effective. Next week, we’ll look at Michaeango and the Sistine Chapel, “Masterpiece In The Sky.”

    Thank you for going with me on this journey! I’ll post more here after Lesson 2.

    Sharing his Wonder,

    Scott Humston

    P.S. Thank you for going with me on this journey! Unless otherwise stated, all the art creations and pieces are created by New Dimensions Evangelism and our FaithKidz project. We are a small ministry doing BIG things. (Did you know we produced the world’s first and largest VBS? WOW! VBS, during 2020 & 21? It was all FREE and FANTASTIC!) If you feel led to support our mission, you can learn more here.

    If you are looking for a live outreach event for your community, send me a note, and let’s talk.

  • December Kneemail-Scott Humston

    Dear Prayer Partner,

    December is quickly slipping away, and another year of confusion and chaos will be behind us. These are undoubtedly unprecedented times for each of us. Unexpected for all of us, as we balance life, health, & family against the uncertainty of government, media, and culture. Yet, let us savor the reality they are not confusing days for God, our heavenly Father!

    Amid danger for him on the mission field, I once heard a missionary say that he was in the center of God’s will. And he went on to proclaim, “That is the safest place to be. No matter what may be happening around us.” Such truth in those words! I am reminded of the vital fact in Romans, 8:38— ” For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    May God guide and direct you in 2022. May this season allow you to know God’s grace like never before, and may this coming year be the best for you!

    As we head into the new year, I have no doubt that the best days of this ministry are ahead. Our God is able! I’ll have more details in our upcoming end-of-the-year review—but I want to encourage you with some exciting news now!

    As you may be aware, Steve Pennington, our FaithKidz director, has been on staff at some fantastic churches for the last 25 years; Saddleback Church (Orange Co, CA), Highland Park (Lakeland, FL), and the previous ten years, Trevecca Community Church in Nashville. So I am excited to announce that he’ll be full-time working on our FaithKidz projects in January! This is a BIG leap of faith for him, me, and New Dimensions. Of course, we need significant support to succeed, But we believe it will happen.

    Steve will be able to focus all his efforts through the FaithKidz project to create a kids’ curriculum for churches; Resources and training for teachers and leaders, both live & virtually; Host regional conferences for church leaders, and much more.

    We will multiply our influence by training leaders, creating curriculum and content, and encouraging local churches in children’s ministry. The powerful impact that this can produce can not be overstated. We have the opportunity to increase our impact for the Kingdom through teaching and training like never before.

    Steve’s entire salary will be supported through gifts to this project
    If you’d prayerfully consider supporting our FaithKidz Project as we wrap up 2021, I’d be most grateful. (Here’s a link for your donation for this project.)

    This is one of the most significant steps of faith the ministry has taken. Thank you for walking with us each step of the way.

    Look for our end-of-the-year review in your mailbox in January.

    Until then, may you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

    Sharing His Wonder,

    Scott

    P.S. Please prayerfully consider a year-end donation to New Dimensions so we can continue reaching the lost, encouraging the faithful, and training new leaders! Thank you!