Kingdom Kids is the name affectionately given to our Children’s ministry in the Glasgow Church of Christ and throughout our fellowship of churches. Its goal is to support the children of members and those visiting with us in helping the children grow in their knowledge of God and in their own personal faith.
We see from scripture as far back as Deuteronomy 6:4-9 that parents are entrusted with teaching their children about God and His will for their lives. But as a fellowship of believers, we are of the mindset that it takes a community to raise a child. For that reason, they are Kingdom kids. Children raised in a church environment that feels like family to them, where they can build unique relationships with one another and with the members who are very much like aunties, uncles and grandparents. An incredible blessing in our fragmented world.
The friendships that the children form in their younger years provide much fun and enjoyment. Church on Sunday is not a quiet place in fellowship, with games to be had after children’s ministry classes are finished and there is cake to be eaten. Things which are the making of many happy memories to be enjoyed as the children carry on together into the Teen, Student and Singles ministry.
Children’s Classes
Children’s classes happen during the service after communion is taken, allowing our children’s ministry volunteers to remain centred on Christ, enabling them to share their own faith in an age-appropriate manner, making use of song, bible stories, games and crafts in our class for children aged 3 to 9 years of age. Younger children are able to join in with their parents in the class to play with the toys and soak in the fun, song and learning.
Online Children’s Bible Class
During this time of “lockdown,” we are currently working through the Character Builder’s bible each week with songs and craft attached. This can be found on our Youtube channel:
Prior to this time, we were using the Jesus Storybook Bible with its colourful illustrations and each story pointing back to Christ. Our goal is to make the class engaging, inclusive and age-appropriate. The children’s workers will continue to communicate with the parents on the child’s learning and engagement to help with the development and managing the class to ensure it is an encouraging place for all.
When the children are between 10 and 12 years of age they graduate into the Preteen class where they are able to engage in deeper and more appropriate learning to support them as they transition into Secondary School and the challenges and opportunities that come with that. We enjoy making use of a variety of learning resources and try to foster a growth mindset in the children to support them through change.
Here are a few thoughts from the children about what they get from Kingdom kids:
“I enjoy the teen and preteen stuff because I hang out with my friends and learn more about God.
– Iona, 12 years old“It’s fun!”
– Daniel, 8 years old.
More Than Just A Sunday School Class
In addition to our Sunday services, we enjoy participating in the Llama club which is our monthly boy and girls club where we have had fun with activities such as baking, orienteering, team building games, visiting Lamont Farm Project, movie night and wild camping.
Families also enjoy our annual fun days like our Easter Egg Hunt, which was run in Castlehead, Paisley last year with the Birr’s, our Duck Race and picnic in Quarriers Village with the Cagienard’s, and the creative Nativity plays like last years, “Judea’s Got Talent!” kindly written by Rachel Middleton of the North London Church of Christ.
In all our congregational meetings our children’s ministry currently coordinated by Adam and Kirstie Birr, seek to support the young people. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or want to know what’s going on.
The relationships that the children build is not just encouraged in Glasgow but with a UK wide focus. Our annual Preteen camp held in Norfolk, England, is not just a fun outward-bound holiday! It is led by a great team of volunteer Preteen workers, many who are qualified teachers. It is faith-based and enables the children to build great memories and friendships. A great highlight for our young people and one sorely missed this year with the Covid-19 restrictions.
But we shall ensure the children get another opportunity to see their friends from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Dublin, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Parenting Class
For the parents, we have been participating in parenting classes on a monthly basis for the past year, and are currently working through, “How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk,” by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. This thanks to the consistent initiative of Andy and Helen Torbet has been a great forum for learning and supporting one another in our parenting, both for members of the church and our friends who are parents. Please ask for more information from.
All our Kingdom kids’ workers are PVG checked with Disclosure Scotland or DBS checked in England and safeguarding is important to us as a church. If you ever have any concerns regarding this our Safeguarding Officer is Mike Jarvis and you can contact him at the following email address (mike (at) glasgowchurch.org.uk).
We hope you are inspired to join us. We will love your children and we hope you will love us too.
