Thank you for volunteering to serve as a student leader in the preschool KIDS’ Club class this Sunday, November 2! Please complete the preparation document below before church on Sunday. The form must be completed by then for you to serve as a student leader on Sunday.

Preschool Youth Helper Form

Name

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Student Leader Expectations

UABC Student Leaders are expected to be ready & prepared, aware of the needs around them, serve as a thoughtful ministry partner, be present and others-focused (phones are to be away during the entire class), and be a friend who speaks words of encouragement to others. After reading the expectations, please fill in the blank below: Student Leaders are expected to be _________ and others-focused.

KIDS' Club Helper Expectations

Helpers are expected to fully participate in the KIDS' Club lesson. They should be ready to help children find the story in their Bibles. Helpers should be paying attention and ready to help the teacher gather or pass out supplies when needed. If you notice children have trouble paying attention, move to sit near the children, encouraging them to engage in the class. After reading, please fill in the blank below: Helpers should be ______ to help the teacher gather or pass out supplies when needed.

Child Safety

Safety is our top priority. Student leaders are to never be alone with a child (who is not your sibling). Student leaders are never to hit (even playfully), shove, or physically harm children in any way. The AED & first aid kit are in the hallway of Koon Mission Building. When taking a child to the restroom, a student leader should stand outside of the restroom (and should never be inside the restroom with the child). Children are to not leave KIDS' Club without their parent or teenage sibling. Please fill in the blank below: The AED & first aid kit are in the ________ of Koon Mission Building.

PREPARE

Read over this Sunday’s lesson activities

This Sunday’s Lesson is a video

Throughout the 450-year history of Israel (the time of the judges), God’s people were caught in a constant cycle of disobedience and restoration. Even so, God remained present; the Lord God was their constant help. Each time the Israelites began to fall away, another nation would engage them in battle and capture the people. The Israelites would cry out to God, repent, turn from the gods and idols they'd adopted, and return to the one true God.

During one such battle with the Philistines, the Israelites took the ark of the covenant with them, hoping it would bring victory for their army. However, God did not grant them victory. The Philistines captured the ark, and the Israelites went into mourning. The ark remained with the Philistine leaders for seven months before it was returned—along with a guilt offering—to Israelite territory. Samuel spoke to the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts … commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 7:3).

Israel obeyed and returned to the Lord, and the Lord gave them victory over the Philistines. Samuel set a large stone in the ground and named it Ebenezer, which means “stone of help,” declaring, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (v. 12). The Ebenezer marked God’s help not only in the battle, but His help to the people since they entered the Promised Land so many years before.

Each time the Israelites fell away, He intervened and was their help—their Redeemer. This is also true for us today. When we find ourselves in need of help, we cry out to God, and He intervenes. It’s not only because of His holiness and mercy that God redeems, but out of His love for us.PRAY

Pray for the students in your class by name. Ask God’s Spirit to use you to show His love & truth to them this Sunday. Ask God to open their minds & hearts to understand His joy in meeting with us, and that He is always with us.

As we look at all that took place in Israel for those 400 years, the marking of that time with the stone was monumental. This Ebenezer was a reminder of God’s incredible goodness and help to His people, regardless of their trials. Throughout their journey as a nation and as a people, He was their help. He was and is so very holy.

While you’re preparing for this week's lesson, spend time creating your own remembrance to God. Think through this past week, month, or year. As you do, what stories come to mind? Which people crossed your path? Are there any events that shaped this past season in your life? Where was God in the midst of this? How was He working? How was God your help? Even in the most difficult circumstances, God’s help can be seen.

Take a handful of river rocks and a permanent marker. Mark each rock with a remembrance of God’s help in your life. Spend a few minutes talking with God about each rock as you hold it in your hands. After you’ve created this piece of your story with God, ask Him: Who needs to hear one or more of these stories? How can I be a storyteller of Your goodness and help, for Your glory? Allow His Spirit to minister to you. May you be blessed through your time with God.

PREPARE

University Avenue Baptist Church