2012 James Gang

Download your songs today! jamesgang.calvarygr.com

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Calvary Church Children’s Ministry Memorization Program 2012-2013

Program Summary Quick Overview Howdy kids! Get ready to join our Scripture memorization program “James Gang” this year in Kingdom Kids! Listen to fun songs designed to aid memorization, complete family serving opportunities to put your faith into action, and be in our James Gang poster on the “Wall of Fame” at the end of the year (picture will be taken on May 8, 2012 here at Calvary Church).

Introduction Parents, our society is on information-overload: we know a little about everything. And because we like to know the latest fact “right now,” information is bite-size, not meant to be consumed, digested and evaluated before moving to the next exciting thing as fast as possible. How often does our own Christian life resemble our fast-paced, information-crazed society? Even our memorization of Scripture tends to be picked-over, smaller portions from various books of the Bible, taken out of context to remain bite-size and relevant. Nothing wrong with being broad, but let’s remember to go deep too — and more importantly, to apply the things we memorize in life. After all, we are responsible for the things we know, to put them into action.

Explanation We have decided to dig deep in memorization, and commit our Elementary memorization efforts to memorizing through an entire book of the Bible — James — one chapter a year.

This links memorization to the context in which it was written, goes “deep” instead of “broad,” and builds upon concepts and themes presented successively in each new chapter. This year is James chapter 4, a perfect place to join us! All children who memorize James chapter 4 and complete 5 serving opportunities will be pictured on our James Gang “Wall of Fame!”

Why memorize the book of James? James challenges our cultural fix on information, and instead calls Christians to be responsible to act on what we know and memorize. “Faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26) James is a short book, with an average of 22 verses each year…not bad! That gives time to dig deep, memorize and take action!

Tools In this packet, you will find the following tools to aid in memorization: • SONGS! We have created songs of James chapter 4 set to various styles of music to enhance memorization, and they are free for download at jamesgang.calvarygr.com (CDs are also available for a small donation; contact media@calvarygr. org). Memorization with music makes learning Scripture fun!

• EXPLANATIONS! Read the introduction to the book of James and check out the “dictionary of difficult words,” suggested by parents, for tips to help explain some of the more difficult concepts to your kids!

• SERVING OPPORTUNITIES! A list of serving opportunities is on the back of this guide to put your faith into action. Complete 5 serving opportunities (even simply repeating an opportunity 5 times in a year, such as visiting the elderly, will count) to join the James Gang!

• MAY 8 RECOGNITION EVENT! – Ice cream, and a group picture! Join our end-of-the-year celebration on May 8 at Calvary Church to recognize children who memorized James chapter 4 and completed 5 service projects. Celebration will include initiation into the “James Gang” by way of a group picture and printed certificates as well as a large poster hung in our Elementary hallway.

When do you review these verses with children?

• Our Wednesday night programming (Kids N Action) breaks down the memorization into a series of songs, sings them during large group each week, and each night explains a piece of the verse. Kids N Action also provides incentives (James Bucks) to keep kids motivated.

• Our Children’s Choir LUMIN8 learns and professionally records the James memorization songs at the end of the year and performs a concert in the Spring.

Are there some mature topics in James that parents might want to exercise caution in teaching to their children?

Yes. James does reference such topics as murder, adultery, hate, etc. However, the book of James only briefly mentions these topics without going into a lot of detail. Furthermore, we know that our kids will at some time be introduced to all of these topics, and more, from unsacred perspectives in our world. As parents, we want the Bible to be the authoritative perspective for our kids, so allowing Scripture to raise topics can actually be a great way to introduce a Christian perspective. However, we do understand that we must walk delicately. For this reason, we have provided a “dictionary of difficult words” from the perspective of parents just like you!

Contact childrensministry@calvarygr.org for more information.

Contact Info: 1. Sara Tibbe (serving projects) 956-9377, ext. 5073 stibbe@calvarygr.org 2. Joel Shank 956-9377, ext. 5194 jshank@calvarygr.org

Book of James Introduction Author: The author of this New Testament epistle (letter) is James, who is thought to be the brother of Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). James may not have been a believer until after the resurrection (John 7:3-5; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19). He became a leader of the Jerusalem church and is mentioned as a pillar of the church (Galatians 2:9).

Date of Writing: The Book of James may be one of the oldest books of the New Testament, written perhaps as early as A.D. 45, before the first council of Jerusalem in A.D. 50. James was martyred in approximately A.D. 62, according to the historian Josephus.

Purpose of Writing: The Book of James is directed to “the twelve tribes” of Israel (most likely Jewish Christians) scattered among all the nations (James 1:1). James’ teaching on good deeds complemented Paul’s teaching on faith. While Paul’s teachings concentrate on our justification with God, James’ teachings concentrate on the works that demonstrate that justification. James was writing to Jews to encourage them to continue growing in this new Christian faith. James emphasizes that good actions will naturally flow from those who are filled with faith, and challenges whether someone may really have true faith if the fruits of the Spirit cannot be seen, much as Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23.

Brief Summary: The book of James encourages Christians to show true faith in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Instead of bailing out during times of trial, having faith in God means not taking “easy outs” to escape trials or temptation. These “easy outs” might be favoring the wealthy over the poor, lying, gossiping, uncontrolled anger, etc. James says it takes great “perseverance” and “wisdom from above” to stand faithful in the middle of a difficult circumstance, and remain obedient to God. James gives a particularly severe rebuke to the rich who hoard and those who are self-reliant. Finally, he ends with encouragement to believers to be patient in suffering, praying and caring for one another and bolstering our faith through fellowship.

James 4 James chapter 4 carries on themes presented in James chapters 1, 2 and 3 – namely, that faith must be demonstrated by action. Or another way of saying it would be, if you really trust God, then you should obey Him too! Your actions demonstrate what you truly believe. Chapters 1 and 2 focus on the way we treat people, especially the rich vs. the poor. Essentially, as servants and brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, we shouldn’t show favoritism, and should take care of the poor. In chapter

3, James switches gears slightly by saying we shouldn’t use our words to exalt ourselves. The issue is still favoritism, because the root of favoritism is self-love that promotes those whom we think can benefit us most.

In chapter 4, James begins to identify quarreling and fighting as problems that are caused by selfish ambition (3:18). This selfish ambition gives birth to sin (1:15), and results in fights and unfulfilled prayers in 4:2. The false wisdom in chapter 3 that produces disorder causes fights among so-called believers who really only want to “spend what [they] get on [their own] pleasures” (4:3) which is the exact opposite of what James commands in the previous chapters (such as caring for the poor, the orphans, and widows). This kind of selfish fighting is “of the devil” (3:15) and in Jesus’ own words in Matthew 5:21-22, is similar to murder.

So why is fighting and selfishness such a problem in the church at that time? James suggests that his audience is more concerned about making friends for themselves that can benefit them – this is likely referencing favoritism towards the rich (chapter 2).

This is not acceptable because friendship with the world is “hatred towards God!” Once again, James is unmasking selfish favoritism. This worldly pride in favoring the rich is referenced all of the way back in chapter 1 – “pride” belongs to the “rich man” who should instead take “pride in his low position” by humbling himself. Submitting to God (and being patient in difficult circumstances) is the remedy for selfishness and quarrelling (4:7), and James commands his readers again to stop being “doubleminded” in that they are confessing Christ while stillseeking friendship with the world (1:8; 4:8).

In the middle of chapter 4, the subject of hurtful words comes to the forefront, mirroring James chapter 1 through 3 - the tongue is a “restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James’ audience is fighting and quarrelling and not showing mercy as commanded in chapter 2 (“mercy triumphs over judgment”). Even worse, their arguments were escalating so much that they were seeking justice from non-Christian sources to resolve their quarrels! James points out how offensive it is to hatefully judge one another after experiencing Christ’s forgiveness of our trespasses (4:12).

Finally, James identifies arrogance as the main problem that needs to be dealt with: arrogance in knowledge (13-14), attitude (15-16), and behavior (17). This arrogance and pride, especially in business endeavors, is selfish, and sidetracks what James earlier lists as most important in a Christian’s life – love for others (1:27, “pure religion”). James concludes this chapter by reminding his audience that talking about taking care of widows, orphans, and the poor is not enough – matter of fact, faith without deeds is not only useless and dead – it is “sin!”

Dictionary of Difficult Words (from a parent’s perspective) Judged – To be graded or evaluated, like taking a test at school and getting a grade for it (A, B, C, etc.).

Students don’t grade…only teachers do! In the same way, God is our teacher and judge, so it is His job to evaluate, or“judge” others, not ours!

He is the one who is able to save and destroy.

Boast – Boasting is bragging about or praising yourself. Boasting is something we do with our words, when we try to make others like us. Boasting is praising ourselves instead of praising God. Wrong motives – wanting something only for myself, being selfish Adulterous – To be adulterous is to be an untrue friend. It is like saying you are a person’s friend, but then treating them like they are not your friend.

Grace – Getting what you don’t deserve – for free!

Submit – Living like God is my boss. To submit is to obey instructions, even if that means not doing what I want to do.

Double-minded – Someone who has not decided to obey God instead of Satan. If one is double-minded, they sometimes obey God and sometimes don’t obey God – and that is not living like God is boss.

Grieve – To be sorry for disobeying and to decide to follow God’s commands.

Slander – To make fun of another person, to say hurtful things about someone when they are not around to defend themselves.

The Lord’s will – What God, our “boss,” desires and wants us to do. If we obey the Lord’s will, we are doing what He wants us to do instead of deciding to do what we want to do.

Service Opportunities One of the best ways to teach children to serve is to model it in your own family. Listed below are several opportunities your family can engage in together. You may participate in any option at any time you are available (assuming it is not related to a certain date, like Spring Clean-up Day).

To join the James Gang, each child must complete five serving opportunities. You may substitute other projects your family is involved in throughout the year. Each serving event counts as one opportunity – so if your family visits someone in the nursing home on five different occasions throughout the year, that counts!

Activities Throughout the Year October 11, 2012 Fall Clean-Up Day at the Jones’ We have planned another Fall clean-up day for the JonesJohnson family! Throughout the years, this wonderful family has adopted and fostered over 75 children and adults, many who have special needs. Several families participated last year in the clean-up, and kids just loved helping! We have a “to do” list and we will be raking leaves, weeding, and other kidfriendly projects! Please contact Alisa at alisa.wilde@comcast. net or 616-365-8069 if you would like to join us for this work day. (Parents must be present.)

November 2012 Operation Christmas Child Join us again this year as we seek to bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world. Make a difference in their lives through the gift of a simple shoebox filled with small toys, and items the rest of us take for granted. Use a standard size shoe box, or a small plastic container – boxes will not be supplied. As you are filling your box, pray for the child who will be receiving it. To find the nearest collection site or get more information, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

December 2012 one heart for the City This Christmas, Calvary Church will again focus on our urban church plant, Take Hold Church on Division Avenue. Shane & Heather Cox have been serving the Heartside District here in Grand Rapids and have reached and loved a group of people that normally would not go to “church.” God has blessed them in many ways, and this young church is thriving. Many from Take Hold struggle financially, so the church also finds itself without a way to meet its own needs. We are hoping to show this young church Christ’s love through financial and material gifts, both for the members, and the church. You may contact the missions department at missions@calvaryr.org for Shane’s Wish List, or watch for information in the weekly worship folder and Calvary Life.

January 2012 sanctity of life sunday

Other Suggestions

During the month of January, as a way to celebrate Sanctity of Life Sunday on January 20, children will be collecting supplies for our local Pregnancy Resource Center. Here are items that would be especially helpful: Enfamil milk-based formula, diapers, sizes 5 and 6, wipes, new diaper bags. Donations can be brought to bins by the elementary check-in desk by Wednesday, January 23.

Adopt a Grandparent

April 2012 Food Pantry April is Calvary’s food collection month for families in need.

Families from Calvary and the surrounding community can receive much-needed food and clothing that are donated.

This would be a good time to talk to your children about helping those in need. Consider having your children shop with you and help pick out food items to fill the bags handed out in church. If you are interested in helping provide food or clothing, please contact Regina at rscovill@calvarygr.org for specific needs.

May 2012 Spring Clean-Up Day at the Jones’ (Date TBA) We have planned another Spring clean-up day for the JonesJohnson family! Throughout the years, this wonderful family has adopted and fostered over 75 children and adults, many who have special needs. Several families participated last year in the clean-up, and kids just loved helping! We have a “to do” list and we will be weeding, spreading mulch, etc…perfect for any kid and parent to help with! Please contact Alisa at alisa.wilde@comast.net or 365-8069 if you would like to join us for this work day. (Parents must be present.)

Adopt a Calvary Church “Grandparent” in a nearby retirement home and plan visits throughout the year. Contact Rich Dyer, Calvary’s Shut-in visitation coordinator, at 616-822-4991 for more information on how you can get your family connected.

Caring Hearts Ministry Caring Hearts is a year-round program in our Children’s Ministry to provide help and care for families in which a member is experiencing a long-term illness, medical difficulties, or other special/urgent needs.

Your involvement in caring for these families can be as simple as providing a card or sending a meal, or can extend to more in-depth involvement if desired. Contact the Calvary Kids Office at 616-956-9377, ext. 5067 or childrensministry@calvarygr.org.

Urban Serving opportunities If you would like to reach out to families who live in an urban setting, consider partnering with Calvary-supported Urban Family Ministries to find family-friendly ways to serve. Contact the Missions Office for more information missions@calvarygr.org.

Yellow House The Yellow House, Calvary’s Pastoral Care Ministry, runs a food pantry and clothing closet. Please see the Calvary Life for a list of their current needs. Contact Regina at rscovill@calvarygr.org for more information.

When your child completes five projects and memorizes all of James 4, complete the online report at www.JamesGang.Calvarygr.com.