Deuteronomy 6 is the chapter that is at the heart of all Children’s Ministry.  These family ministry passages concern how we, as a people of God, can continue following Him.  God knew when He told Moses to give this passage to the people, that the next generation would be different than the last.  The first generation out of Egypt remembered what life was like as a slave.  With that knowledge, they asked to be brought back as slaves; they did not want to have the Promise Land because the people there were too big.  God saw this generation and said, fine I will wait you out.  When that generation died, God came to their kids and said now there is only Caleb and Joshua. Moses looks to this generation and says it is your turn.  The same covenant I gave to your parents is now before you to be ratified, and the people are being told all the instructions.  In Deuteronomy 5 you see the Ten Commandments stated again for the people to follow.  Then you come to chapter 6.  This passage begins with the dramatic, “Hear O Israel. . . ”  If you are not paying attention, now is the time to give your full attention to the coming words.  The Lord is one.  Love the Lord you God with all you have to give; heart, mind, soul, and body. 

As the messages of these commandments are agreed to by the people, God also provided a way for the people to pass on their beliefs.  God told the people, if you demonstrate to your children at every point in their life the Love of God, you will succeed and you will keep the blessings.  Failure to follow is a failure to keep the blessing and you will receive punishment just like your parents.  We can now look back with perfect vision and read of the failures, but God has a remnant for each generation that kept His word and followed.  They were blessed and continued what was started.  As a whole, the people failed, then repented, then failed again.

In January the Children’s Sunday School sponsored a trip to Pizza Ranch.  There were 50 from our church that attended.  In our devotion, we discussed Deuteronomy 6.  I talked to the group about many different ways we can observe this passage today: Family devotions at lunch, how to make up games using the Bible on a drive to church, etc.  The time was short, but if this generation will listen and truly follow His statutes, the next generation will have a better chance.  My question to you is, If you keep track of what you did this week with those a generation younger, would they be following the teachings of Jesus, or would they be getting another lesson?  I pray each day that we will take the time to place Jesus and His life in front of ours.  What would your kids or your grandkids say about your life? 

This year’s Fall Festival was a great success!  With Ian Jenkins leading the pack in the 5 K walk/run we had over 70 racers attend this year’s event.  Most of the proceeds went to the “Covering House.”  The Covering House is a ministry that helps women and children caught in some of life’s worst circumstances.  You all made a difference this weekend.  A special thanks to the Upward program for making the race possible by setting up the course, and the Safety Team for helping with direction, ambulance resources, and a safe environment. 

Following the race many of our ministries helped in the Fall Festival.  The College and Career ministry helped with the 4 man joust.  Solid Rock preschool ministry got us bouncing in the preschool bounce room.  Children’s Sunday school helped knock it out of the park with the T-ball blast.  WAM for children really went all out with the football toss.  We also had Children’s Church and Missions help with the face paint lines.  One Sunday school class passed out candy all day while another asked to pray with those who had a need.  In all we had over 60 volunteers helping with one of the booths. 

You can’t get much better than the five, yes five, food trucks that came to serve food.  The one group that had a station from 7:30am until 2:00pm was the drink booth posted by the Deacons of the church.  Great job for keeping everyone hydrated. 

In all we had 188 families registered, and over 250 children with candy cards.  Many of the families won great prizes provided to us by local restaurants and stores.  A special thanks to the prayer ministry, for your work in getting these great prizes.  We also had a great time working with Joy FM in their time with us, and Elite Event Services for the entertainment. 

God provided the perfect weather for our event as well.  There were so many who made this day a special time of fun and fellowship and I am sure I have missed some but, thank you!