promise land: ABC's

B is for Boldness. We need to be bold and courageous in teaching our children. God has equipped each of us as parents to be involved in training our kids in the ways of the Lord.

C is for Curriculum. A very straight-forward curriculum is provided for every class in our teacher's boxes. This includes a teacher's guide, weekly lessons for the children (which are copied by the teachers) and many supplies for fun activities. We desire to every week have our children complete lessons that they can take home. Parents, ask your kids just what they are learning.

D is for Discipline. Parents and teachers, if one of the kids needs to be corrected during the church service, please take time to take them out away from the class. Usually we have assistants for each class. We want to covenant together as parents to help each other when things come up in class. Remember too that church isn't the time to begin basic discipline, but only to continue what we have begun at home.

E is for Early Birds. Sunday school teachers and Nursery workers will be at their tables 10 minutes early to setup. Experience has shown that if parents drop their children off and then leave, the child who might be anxious fares better. If any problems arise with a child, you'll be contacted during the service, or afterwards. The teachers will also stick around for about 10 minutes after the service to allow us to pick up our children.

F is for Frazzle. Let's try to avoid "frazzlement", either with our children or with one another. Our children are a joy and a blessing and we need to always remember this.

G is for Grown-Ups. Yes, that's right, that's you! We need grown-ups to make our programs successful. We welcome volunteers, but we also won't hesitate to draft, if necessary. If we have children involved in Promise Land or our Nursery, than we as parents need to be involved. We try to rotate several teams of parents who are then each working together to teach our various classes.

H is for Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Kids. We love all children, but only healthy children will be admitted to the Nursery or Promise Land. If children are sick, they need to be at home with you.

I is for Interesting. Our Promise Land teachings and programs are set up to be interesting and fun for our children. Stories, music and other activities will help enrich your child's understanding of God and build upon the foundation you have begun at home.

J is for Joy. Our children are a joy to each and every one of us and should also be a joy to their Sunday school class and teacher. Communicate with your teacher and help make sure that our kids are a joy and delight at church as well as at home.

K is for Knowledge. "Train up a child in the way he should go and even when he is old he will not depart from it." Have a vision for our church youth programs. We are helping to tutor one another's children and desire to help every parent be a better parent, a very Biblical concept.

L is for Love, of Course. "The goal of our instruction is love, from a pure heart." Our goal is to build kind, gentle character into our children at Prairie View, not just Bible facts.

M is for Mommies. Without Moms, we can't do what we do. Probably 60% of our Nursery and Promise Land workers are mothers. However, more of you Dads are always welcome to jump right in. And we thank God for all the parents who are teaching as a team.

N is for No. We believe in the power of "no." Promise Land provides opportunities for our children to learn what's right and to learn what is wrong. And to learn proper behavior and what is acceptable and what is not.

O is for Opportunity. Each parent in the church is encouraged to volunteer to help with our children's ministries. Take your pick. You are fulfilling your God- given responsibilities. And thank you!

P is for Parents. You are the most important part of our program. Our desire with all our youth programs is to make you, as parents, more effective. We are attempting to work with and complement your efforts at home. And if you desire to keep your children with you during church, that is "O.K." with us.

Q is for Quiet. For the most part children should be seen and not heard. They learn more by listening than by talking. As they get older, they will have more to say that is "right and pure." That is why we work towards building order in our classrooms.

R is for Refreshments. When refreshments are served during a church function, work with your children to make sure that this is not a "free-for-all" time. Treats usually excite the kids, so be alert. We like to have some refreshments left over for our fellowship time with our new church visitors. By the way, try to keep your child's face clean, yours too for that matter. It helps in conversation.

S is for Sunday Morning. Sunday mornings are a special time. Each week we look with eager expectation to see what God will do. Help instill a sense of expectation and dignity into your children as you travel to church every Sunday in your car. A quick prayer in the car is very important and helpful.

T is for Tremendous Teens and Toys. Praise God for our teens who make up the backbone of the laborers in our church Nursery. Toys and children are almost synonymous. You can't have one without the other. Toys are available in the Nursery.

U is for Umbrellas. They usually aren't needed, unless it is raining or you need to break out in a Fred Astaire routine.

V is for Violence. The Lord tends to frown on it, so let's keep it out of the church. Help keep things under control with all the kids. A sense of responsibility is healthy for all kids, whether we are five or fifty years old.

W is for Warmth. The Lord loves it and so lets have lots of it, from our children, to our parents, to our Promise Land teachers and our Nursery workers.

X is for X-Rays, Stitches, and Doctor's Visits. We trust we won't need any of these if we carefully monitor our children both before and after the church service.

Y is for Yawns. When infants get sleepy, as they often do, there are beds with clean sheets available in our Nursery. For any adults that are sleepy, we recommend a good cup of hot coffee. And you are welcome to sip your coffee even while the pastor is speaking.

Z is for Zebras. No zebras are admitted to the Nursery or a Promise Land class without a name tag.