Shine: Living in God's Light

01/07/2025

The Shine 2025 Winter Quarter sessions in January and February explore the life of Jesus. The "Words to Live By" for Junior Youth are from Luke 12, with words from Jesus that reassure the disciples of God's care. Kudos to our fantastic designers who create beautiful posters each quarter!

01/06/2025

Shine is seeking writers for a new youth curriculum! Writers will create six-week units on various biblical and life application topics for youth in grades 9–12. To apply, visit our website at ShineCurriculum.com. Go to the "About" tab in our dropdown menu and click "Jobs." Follow the instructions to download the application and sample session documents. Choose your sample session topic from the two options given and write your sample session using the template provided. Spread the word!

01/03/2025

Here are ways to nurture faith at home based on this week's Bible story, Jesus' Family Visits the Temple. Read page 180 in The Peace Table or Luke 2:41–52. Talk about how Jesus listened to and learned from the teachers. Invite conversation about favorite teachers you’ve had.

Pray “help me” prayers. Read Psalm 121 as part of your prayer time this week.

Play a traveling game. Have a volunteer hide while others close their eyes and chant: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, we’re traveling from Jerusalem. Where is Jesus?” Everyone looks for the person hiding. Clap when you find them!

12/30/2024

As the clock winds down on 2024, so does the 20% discount on Shine's VBS kit for 2025, Waves of Wonder. Order your starter kit before the ball drops tomorrow night! Order at shinecurriculum.com. Link in bio.

12/27/2024

Here are ways to nurture faith at home based on this week's Bible story, Simeon and Anna. Read page 174 in The Peace Table or Luke 2:21–40. Talk about times when kind words of blessing have been spoken to you.

Pray a prayer of praise to God for wise and caring adults, such as teachers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Read Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems or listen to a read-aloud online. Just as Simeon and Anna waited to see Jesus and Gerald had to wait for Piggie’s surprise, we must wait sometimes. What are things you can do to make waiting easier?

12/23/2024

12/20/2024

Here are ways to nurture faith at home based on this week's Bible story, Jesus Is Born. Read page 170 in The Peace Table or Luke 2:1–20. Take turns sharing which part of the story you like best.

Pray prayers of praise to God for the gift of Jesus. God showed love by sending Jesus to earth. Talk about ways that you can show love this week.

Look at picture books about the birth of Jesus. Notice the variations in the way the story is told and shown. Search online to view “multicultural Christmas nativities” to see how people around the world illustrate the Christmas story.

12/19/2024

Writers Wanted! -

Shine is seeking writers for a new youth curriculum! Writers will create six-week units on various biblical and life application topics for youth in grades 9–12. We want to . . .

12/11/2024

Grow Faith at Home--Celebrate! -

I’ve long felt that Advent is a perfect time to deepen our at-home faith practices. There are so many fun, simple ways to celebrate at home!

12/04/2024

Elementary age children will be memorizing these verses from Isaiah 2 during the 2024-25 Winter quarter. May these words encourage each of us to work for peace and walk in God's light!

11/22/2024

Teachers Helping Teachers Shine! -

At church, December may be filled with special events and the practice sessions that go along with them. Children’s music programs, pageants, or fellowship events may affect your faith formation classes during the season of Advent. Whatever your church’s schedule during these busy December Sunda...

11/22/2024

Here are ways to nurture faith at home based on this week's Bible story, Elisha and the Shunammite Woman.

Read page 102 in The Peace Table or 2 Kings 4:8–37. How can we make visitors feel welcome in our home?

Pray “help others” prayers. Each day, focus on a different profession, such as nurses, sanitation workers, pastors, bus drivers, architects, restaurant workers, and counselors.

Make a large welcome sign to hang in your home every time a visitor comes. Use bright colors and fun designs.

11/20/2024

Teachers Helping Teachers Shine! -

When we had young children at home, Advent was simultaneously one of my favorite times of year and one of the most challenging. After Thanksgiving, our children loved opening up the box of Christmas decorations, hanging ornaments on the tree, and getting out the empty Advent calendar. Together we co...

11/15/2024

Here are ways to nurture faith at home based on this week's Bible story, Elijah and the Widow.

Read page 100 in The Peace Table or 1 Kings 17:1–16. What needs do people have? I wonder how God provides for these needs.

Pray “help others” prayers. Pray for all those nearby and around the world who do not have sufficient food to eat and safe water to drink.

Make bread! Search online for how to make bread with just flour and water.