Children at Shipyard
Kids belong here. We open the same Bible they'll carry their whole lives, and we read it together.
We want our kids to love Jesus, to delight in his Word, to know God is near, and to grow up among friends who point them to him.
Parents lead. We come alongside. God’s Word does the work, and the Holy Spirit does the convincing far better than we ever could.
A Typical Sunday
We begin all together. Kids and adults gather in the sanctuary for thanks, prayer, and worship. Then our kids ages 6 to 12 head into the library for their own time in the Word.
They open their Bibles and read the passage together, taking turns or just following along. Kids then pray for one another, some out loud and some just listening. They work on a verse to memorize, and review last week's. They talk about what they read and tell it back in their own words. Simple. We let the Word speak.
Any child is welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their family.
Once a month, everyone stays together in the sanctuary for the whole gathering, with a few quiet things to keep young hands busy. This fall: September 6, October 11, November 22, December 27.
Our Simple Core
Open the Bible.
We read the text itself. Not a paraphrase, not a video. The real thing, together.
Pray together.
We pray for one another, and we let the kids pray too. Out loud or quietly. However they're ready.
Memorize the Word.
One verse at a time, reviewed each week. Scripture they'll carry for life.
Tell it back.
After we read, the kids put it in their own words. That's how it sinks in.
Point to Jesus.
We teach the text. We don't moralize Scripture. We point to Christ and let the Spirit do the transforming.
As the Lord leads, our time may also include art, a craft to share with others, a game, or time in the garden.
Eager to Serve With Us?
You don't need to be a trained educator or a Bible scholar. You need a love for kids and a heart for God's Word. Everything else, we'll walk through together.
- What we ask.
- Read the week's passage ahead of time, and know the verse. That's the prep.
- What to expect.
- You won't be on the hook to perform. There's a simple rhythm you'll know by your second Sunday. You'll have mentors who serve in rotation, so no one carries it every week.
- A few things we hold to.
- Parents are always welcome in the room, and hard questions go to a leader rather than getting improvised. Simple guardrails that keep our kids safe and our teaching faithful.
Come and see.
Curious about our kids' ministry, or want to serve? We'd love to talk.