Brite Monthly – Elementary: January 2025

This Month’s Biblical Theme Is: Jesus is Fully God and Fully Man

This month, all our stories reveal the hypostatic union, or how Jesus is both God and man. Jesus grew up as a human kid learning about God but also amazing everyone with His godly wisdom. Jesus faced temptations just like any human, but He resisted them and proved His divine strength and authority. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that to have eternal life, Nicodemus needed to believe in Him as God’s Son. Jesus forgave sins and healed a paralyzed man, demonstrating His divine power and authority, while also showing His compassion and care as a human.

Monthly Memory Verse: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory. John 1:14a

Boy Jesus (Luke 2:41-52)
When Jesus was a boy, He was with His family in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph traveled home, thinking He was with them. It took them three days to find Him in the temple.
Brite* Idea: Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Jesus’ Temptation (Luke 4:1-15)
Jesus, at around age 30, began teaching about God after being baptized by John. In the wilderness, He resisted the devil’s temptations, staying true to God’s Word and emphasizing worshiping God alone. He then continued teaching about God’s kingdom.
Brite* Idea: Jesus never sinned but He understands our temptation.

Nicodemus (John 3:1-21)
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, met Jesus after being impressed by His miracles. Jesus spoke of being “born again” spiritually. Nicodemus, valuing good deeds, was puzzled. Jesus said one needed faith in Him for renewal and eternal life.
Brite* Idea: Jesus gives eternal life.

Friends Bring a Man to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12)
Jesus forgave a paralyzed man’s sins after his friends lowered the man through the roof. Some questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, as only God can do that. Jesus proved His authority by healing the paralyzed man, leaving the crowd amazed and praising God.
Brite* Idea: Jesus forgives and heals

This month’s Unit Title is: Food Fight!

This month, we are having a food fight! Make a garland by stringing spatulas on twine, or hang pots and pans on plywood for a great DIY backdrop! Bring kitchen utensils and appliances from home and set them up at the front of your space like a mini-kitchen. Paint giant images of food on cardboard and prop them up around your space!

Check out our Pinterest page for more ideas at https://pin.it/6Mx3BTqKh

This Month’s Leader Training Topic is: Helping Kids Feel Safe

We work hard to make our churches a safe place physically, spiritually and emotionally for kids. But it’s not enough for kids to be safe. In order for them to fully participate and grow in their faith, they must feel safe.

Throughout the month, we’ll explore the following topics:

  • Week 1 Content: Provide Predictable Environments
  • Week 2 Content: Give Choices
  • Week 3 Content: Remain Playful
  • Week 4 Content: Responding to Big Emotions
Teaching Kids about the Gospel:

The Gospel is the good news. God wants everyone to know this good news and not miss out on this invitation!

Here’s the Gospel in four words: God, Us, Jesus, Trust.

God

God is a loving God who is all-powerful and holy. He knows and sees everything and rules over everything. God created all people in His image, and we are valuable to Him.

Us

But we have sinned, and our sin separates us from God. What is sin? Sin is anything we think, say or do that disobeys God. The penalty for sin is death and separation from God forever.

Jesus

But because God loves us so much, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus died in our place. But He did not stay dead—He rose again three days later. Because of Jesus, we no longer have to be separated from God, and we are offered the free gift of eternal life!

Trust

God gives salvation—rescuing us from our sin, to everyone who places their trust in Jesus as their Savior. What is trust? It means that we rely on what Jesus did. You cannot be saved from sin by doing good things but only through what Jesus did for you.