Inside/Out Kidz Page

Inside Out Kidz Vision:

Imagine raising kids who are growing toward full devotion to Christ, who can meet the challenges their generation faces and be leaders for the Kingdom! Think of a place where children have so much fun learning about how awesome God is that they don't want to miss a single week. Imagine a place where the music is so contemporary and engaging that children leave humming the tunes and singing the words that help them remember biblical truths all week; where video and drama are effectively used to teach this media-driven generation about how to live the Christian life at home, at school, and in their neighborhoods. Think of a ministry where children are intentionally shepherded in small groups where they are known and loved; where adult volunteers serve with great joy and passion knowing they are influencing the next generation of Christ's followers.

There are many things that contribute to a vibrant, dynamic children's ministry like the one described above. A child-targeted environment, solid, Bible-based, relevant teaching, strong leaders, committed volunteers, a clear vision and mission, and core values are a few of those things.

Our desire is for a child's faith to grow from the inside-out. The Message in Romans 12:2 says, "Fix your attention on God. You will be changed from the inside out." "Inside-out" means to start with the most inside part of self - the heart, the character, and the motives. It is a process - an upward spiral of growth that leads to progressively higher levels of faith and understanding of God and His Word.

When children enter at the Kindergarten - 1st grade level, we want to teach them that Jesus loves them. Kids become acquainted with who Jesus is, why He is so great, and what that means to them personally. By 2nd - 3rd grade, kids learn how to apply God's Word to their lives. By the time 4th - 5th graders graduate to the Junior High level, they have a firm belief in God's love and His Word. The biblical truths kids learn throughout their time during Inside Out Kidz equips them to live out their faith in the world around them.

Inside Out Kidz Ministry Focus:

Inside Out Kidz ministry focus is to "partner with families in reaching kids and helping them become authentic followers of Jesus Christ."

Grace Evangelical Free Church is committed to ministering to the whole family. A variety of ministries are available for all ages including Adult Bible Fellowships, Youth Groups, Preschool Sunday School classes, and AWANA.

Parents are encouraged to be involved with the Inside Out Kidz ministry. Become a volunteer and offer an extra pair of hands to serve kids.

CORE VALUES:
Inside Out Kidz is a child-targeted ministry.

We need to be very clear that we are trying to reach children! Just as missionaries immerse themselves in the culture of the people they are trying to reach, we want to immerse ourselves into and know the culture of children today. We will do what we need to in order to reach this generation for Christ. We need to plan activities that are age-appropriate and engaging to children. The decor in the classrooms needs to communicate that children are treasured. Songs and Bible lessons need to be taught in ways that will best reach and teach children. We must look at everything we do through a child's eyes to create a ministry that reaches, teaches, and loves that child. Our commitment to be child-targeted is absolutely non-negotiable.

Inside Out Kidz values lessons that are relevant to kids.

Every lesson, example, and activity must be relevant to kids in their life NOW. We ask, "How does this lesson apply to our culture and world today?" and "How can the Bible truth be relevant in the life of a child today?" For both Christian kids and seeker kids, relevancy is an important key to moving them across the line of faith in Jesus and growing them up into fully devoted followers of Him. Our lesson objectives are designed to help children discover the relevancy of the Bible. The first objective focuses on KNOW WHAT - the goal is that the kids will know the Bible story presented.

The second objective focuses on SO WHAT? - the goal is that the kids understand the Bible truth in the story. Finally, the third objective is NOW WHAT? - the goal is that the kids leave with a relevant and personal application of the Bible truth taught. "What does the story have to do with me? How does it relate to my life? Now what am I supposed to do?"

Being relevant means helping kids see that God's Word is written for them and can be applied to every one of them.

Inside Out Kidz values teaching the Bible creatively.

In order to keep pace with the various learning styles of children today, we need to vary how we communicate our lessons each week. The biblical message is so powerful and effective - the same yesterday, today, and forever. In order to teach in a way that's relevant to our target audience, we've updated our methods of presentation. Our goal is for children to become so fascinated with the Bible stories that they want to learn more.

Inside Out Kidz uses curriculum that teaches the Bible lesson creatively through realistic drama sketches, video clips, creaive storytelling, contemporary music, and other various teaching methods. We use surprises, games, and fun activities, which vary from week to week. We want our children to keep coming back for more. Since we have the most incredible message to tell about the AWESOME God of the universe, how can we allow Sunday school to be boring? We must teach the Bible creatively.

Inside Out Kidz values intentional shepherding of children through Small Groups.

Intentional shepherding means modeling Christ to a group of children. Volunteers of Inside Out Kidz strive to creatively provide important biblical information that is relevant to a child's life. They also understand that building a relationship with a child may be the most effecive teaching tool of all.

We have the incredible privilege, as authentic Christ followers, of representing Jesus and modeling what it means to be a follower of Christ to children each week. Kids are greatly influenced by adults who believe in them, encourage them, and guide them. Volunteers commit to stay with a group of children to care for them, know them, disciple them, and help them become more like Christ.

Within that context, we can help our children develop spiritually as we lay a foundation of key biblical principles that will guide them for the rest of their lives. We have an opportunity to build a lasting legacy of faith each year as we shepherd our children.

Inside Out Kidz values keeping children spiritually, emotionally, and physically safe.

We want Inside Out Kidz to be a safe place for children. We understand that safety and security are among a child's highest needs. Children cannot learn well in an environment where they are afraid and don't feel safe emotionally, physically, or spiritually. As children arrive, they need to feel a genuine warmth and immediate comfort level with the adults who are responsible for them. We need to assure parents and children alike that we have their best interests as our top priority at all times. That's why safety is a must.

What does it mean to offer a spiritually safe environment? Children are in different places spiritually. Seeker kids need to have a place where they will not be put on the spot to "know" the Bible or understand a Christian living concept. They will not be coerced into making spiritual decisions that they are not ready to make. They will be allowed to move in their spiritual journey one step at a time. All kids, seeker and Christian, need to have a safe place where they know that it is okay to ask hard questions about faith.

Emotional safety occurs as leaders who are positive, welcoming, and sincere surround children. Kids are accepted and affirmed for who they are. They are nurtured through kind words and actions by all volunteers. Studies show that kids grow best in environments that are positive!

Physical safety is reflected through having room environments with age-appropriate equipment, C.A.P. training for all volunteers, security tags for all volunteers and staff, name tags on all children, registration processes outside of the Inside Out Kidz rooms, and the enforcement of check-in and check-out procedures.

Children have to face scary situations too often in their lives. We want our kids to be able to know without hesitation that they are safe at Inside Out Kidz and safe in their church.

Inside Out Kidz values FUN!

Our goal is to have our children come back week after week because they enjoyed their visit so much they can't wait to return. We want them to have FUN at Inside Out Kidz. While kids keep coming back for the FUN, we can accomplish our mission by continuing to nurture and teach them spiritually. In order to make our children's ministry the best hour of a child's week, we have to remember to add the FUN! And remember, the fun factor affects adult volunteers, too!