CTK Sunday School: Week 3

Pre-K/Elementary

The story of Noah’s Ark is usually a favorite of children, because of the animals. But the story of Noah is more about a great king who walked by faith in God during a dark time in world history. Here are the class notes for review, and check out the at home guide here to discuss this with your kids, and to read about the story that comes next.

Middle School

Sal Macaluso is leading our middle schoolers in a reading and discussion of Pilgrim’s Progress. Each student has a copy of the book in the “One Syllable” version that we will be using in the class. This is for your child to keep at home; we will have copies of the same book that we will be using in class. This Pilgrim’s Progress in One Syllables is a version of what we will use, but it still has some if the “Olde English” words which have been updated in what we are using. Encourage your child to read ahead and to let Sal know if they are interested in playing the role of any of the upcoming characters that Christian will encounter on his journey. In the book we are using we will cover pages 45-59 in Class #3

This is the Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide that we will be using in the class. In the guide you will find the Memory Verses that are given out at each class. Please review these verses with your child. Please note that neither the Study Guide nor the online version will have page #s that correspond to the book we are using in the class.

This is a video study by Derek Thomas that I encourage you to use to support discussions at home.

Adults- Typology

The Bible is the story of God’s faithful keeping of his covenant promises to his people. But how does this story become our story… and where does Jesus come in? Click here for the handout, and here for a video of our discussion.

CTK Sunday School: Week 2

Pre-K/Elementary

This week, our story is from Genesis 3, and it’s really sad. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve didn’t keep the promise they made with God, and like we say every week, their sin broke God’s creation. Their sin didn’t just break their relationship with God—it broke everything. It broke our relationships: Friendships. The way mommies and daddies understand each other. Brothers and Sisters. It also broke God’s creation. This is a very important story, because it explains why sad things happen, why people get sick, why people hurt one another, and why we feel lonely. Sin isn’t just something inside us; it’s all around us, too. It’s the bad things we do, AND it’s the bad things that happen to us. Sin wasn’t supposed to be part of God’s creation. It’s like a disease or a pest that comes in and messes everything up.

But don’t get too sad! Listen for the end of the story—Even though Adam and Eve broke the covenant, God doesn’t stop keeping his promises! God always keeps his promises to be with his people and take care of them! They don’t stop being family just because they disobey. God still LOVES his people and his creation, even though everything is broken. But there are sad consequences.)

Parents, click here for a class summary, and click here for discussion questions to use with your kids at home.

Middle School- Pilgrim’s Progress

Sal Macaluso is leading our middle schoolers in a reading and discussion of Pilgrim’s Progress. Each student has a copy of the book in the “One Syllable” version that we will be using in the class. This is for your child to keep at home; we will have copies of the same book that we will be using in class. This Pilgrim’s Progress in One Syllables is a version of what we will use, but it still has some if the “Olde English” words which have been updated in what we are using.

This is the Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide that we will be using in the class. We will be lining up with the weeks in this guide, with last Sunday’s class being Week #1 in the Study Guide. Please note that neither the Study Guide nor the online version will have page #s that correspond to the book we are using in the class.

Please encourage your child to read ahead and to Sal me know if they are interested in playing the role of any of the upcoming characters that Christian will encounter on his journey. 

This is a video study by Derek Thomas that I encourage you to use to support discussions at home.

Adult- Covenants

A covenant is an agreement that God makes with his people, establishing them as his people and himself as their King. Understanding how covenants work is the key to interpreting Scripture faithfully. Click here to watch our Sunday School discussion. You can also access the handout provided during class by clicking here.

CTK Adult Sunday School- Covenant Theology: Hermeneutics

The Bible is God’s Word, his sovereignly ordained means of shaping and directing his church. But how exactly does that work, and how does our unique perspective shape our interpretations. And can we trust any interpretations at all? Check out week 1 of our Sunday School at the link attached, and use the handout to follow along.

Join us this week for a discussion of the nature of Scripture and the way God reveals himself. Here is a link to a supplementary reading that may help, but isn’t required.

CTK Elementary Sunday School Guide- Week 1

Thank you for partnering with the church and the Holy Spirit to build your child’s foundation of faith! We want you to feel confident and equipped for this important work.

Our Philosophy

Children (and adults!) learn best through stories. Too often, Bible stories are told as if each has a human hero to imitate. “David trusted God, so be like David!” At CTK, our goal is for kids to know and trust their Creator and learn to love these stories that shape our hearts. 

Over the next eight weeks, we’ll teach the Bible as one connected story about God—Creation, Rebellion, Redemption, and Restoration—and help children see how they fit into it. Like the adults studying Covenant Theology, your kids will learn about the covenants God made with His people (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant). Even if it feels advanced, trust that it’s sinking in!

What is a Covenant?

A covenant is God’s “extra special promise” with His people but more personal than a contract and more lasting than a relationship. God’s covenants show His love, draw His people close, and shape their hearts. For kids, we explain it like this:

“A covenant is a special promise God makes with His people - like family rules that help everyone feel safe, loved, and close.”

At Home

Yesterday, we passed out copies of the book we are using, NT Wright’s God’s Big Picture Storybook Bible. If you don't have one, please let me know! We have plenty of copies! To reinforce what your kids learn in Sunday School, reread the weekly story at home and a few more throughout the week. Each lesson takes about 2 minutes, and we provide discussion questions if you’d like to go deeper. If you miss a Sunday, we’ll share the lesson so you can do it at home. Attached you'll find Lesson One as well as the at home parents’ guide. 

Prayers of the People (10.6.24)

You, O Lord, are gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

You are good to all, and your compassion 

is over all you have made.

(Prayers for all of God’s creation to thrive and reflect God’s glory)

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,

and tell of your power, 

to make known to all people 

your mighty deeds.

(Prayers for the Church to boldly share God’s faithfulness with all people—regardless of race, class, or culture)

You uphold all who are falling,

and you raise up all who are bowed down.

You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.

(Prayers for someone who is suffering—from loss, sickness, loneliness, poverty, or anxiety)

You are just in all your ways,

and you are kind in all your doings.

You are near to all who call on you,
to all who call on you in truth.

(Prayers for believers to be guided by God’s truth into the work of reconciliation)

One generation shall laud your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout 

all generations.

(Prayers for someone in your family—a parent, sibling, spouse, or child) 

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,

and all flesh will bless his holy name 

forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the People (9.22.24)

Lover of mankind, 

bless all your people, the flocks of your fold.

Send the peace of heaven into our hearts,

and grant us also peace in this life.

(Prayers for God’s peace to transform our thoughts, relationships, families, and communities)

You lay bare our sins

when we cloak them with empty excuses;

In your compassionate wisdom

you remove all doubt from things uncertain,

and bring forth to light what was hidden.

(Prayers for God to expose sin and injustice on a personal and communal level)

When our evil has been brought home 

to our conscience, 

its depths exposed and its gravity felt,

Would you cause us to mourn,

and cover us in the dew of your mercy.

(Prayers for the courage to repent and embrace the forgiveness of God)

In your faithfulness,

would you amend our lives,

blot out our iniquities,

Give life to our souls,

and renew our hearts.

(Prayers for our freedom from sin and shame to reflect God’s love to the world)

By the indwelling of your Holy Spirit,

May we forever rejoice in our salvation,

and may we never cease to open our lips to declare your praise;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Meat Feast of St. Larry- 2024

St. Lawrence was known for his charity toward impoverished children, and his humor while being cooked alive. Couldn’t we do with a few more Christians like that? Every year, we remember his life, and strive to emulate him, during the Meat Feast of St. Larry. This year, we supported Over the Moon Diaper Bank, cooked meat, and made fun of ourselves. Pics below!

Prayers of the People (9.15.24)

O Merciful God,

you direct our lives.

Grant that we may ardently desire, carefully examine and truly know what is pleasing to you. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Prayers asking God for a deep desire to know and be known by him)  

Grant to us, O God,

a vigilant heart that no subtle speculation may ever lead us away from you. 

May we trust your truth over our circumstances.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

(Prayers asking for endurance as we follow Jesus where he leads)

Grant to us, O God,

a noble heart that no unworthy affection may draw us away from you. Out of your love for us, help us become a blessing to our families, neighbors, coworkers, and community.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Prayers for our church to be of united vision and affection for one another and our community)

Give us a way of life pleasing to you; 

perseverance to trust 

and await you in confidence 

that we shall embrace you at the last.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Prayers of praise that God walks and waits with us in suffering and in successes)

And finally, grant to us, O Lord, 

A mind to know you, 

diligence to seek you, 

and wisdom to find you. Amen.

Prayers of the People (9.8.24)

from Psalm 68

O God, who makes the righteous glad, 

We pray for your Church,

that you would use us to bless our neighbors and glorify your name. 

Summon your power, O God;

Show us your strength. 

You bear our burdens daily. 

You are a God who saves. 

(Silent prayers for God’s church to follow him wherever he leads) 

We pray for your creation, that you would protect it and cause it to flourish, 

that it would reflect your majesty 

and your generosity. 

The earth trembles in your presence. 

Your rains refresh what is weary. 

Your creation’s abundance provides for the poor. 

(Silent prayers for God’s creation and all that is in it)

We pray for those who suffer in body or mind, 

for those who have been oppressed, 

and for those who are searching for belonging. 

You are Father of the fatherless 

and protector of widows.

You make homes for the lonely. 

You lead prisoners to prosperity.

You provide for the needy. 

(Silent prayers for someone who is suffering)

Almighty and eternal God, 

ruler of all things in heaven and earth, 

Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, 

and strengthen us to do your will

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayers of the People (9.1.24)

O merciful God,
Fill our hearts with the graces of your Holy Spirit,
With love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

(Prayers for the Holy Spirit to shape you into a person who bears good fruit) 

We ask your kindness for all, but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. 

Love them, O fountain of love, 

and move them to love you with all their hearts.

(Prayers for a friend or loved one)

Teach us also to love those who hate us.
You make your sun to shine 

on the evil and the good,
and send rain on the just and on the unjust. 

(Prayers for one you struggle to love or forgive)

In adversity, grant us grace to be patient.
In prosperity, keep us humble.
Help us guard the door of our lips,
to give little regard for the pleasures of this world.
(Prayers for an eternal perspective regardless of your current circumstances)

God of love, whose compassion never fails;
we bring you the griefs of peoples and nations;
the necessities of the homeless;
the helplessness of the aged and weak;
the pains of the sick and injured;
the sorrow of the bereaved.

Comfort and relieve them, O merciful Father.

(Prayers for those who suffer in your neighborhood, nation, and world)

We ask all these things with confidence in your power and your goodness, 

in the name of the Father, the Son, 

and the Holy Spirit. Amen.