Preteen
Fourth – Sixth grade (10-12 year olds)
Preteens at Morningside are servants in the church. We teach this emerging generation of kids that Jesus came to earth to serve and not be served (Matthew 20:28). We want them to understand that each of us, upon accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are given unique gifts meant to edify the church (Ephesians 2:11-12).
What is a preteen? Many in the church are quick to define a preteen as a “tweenager” a young person that is in transition between the children’s ministry and the student ministry. Research tells us that preteens are not in transition between two stages in life, but that they are their own identifiable stage. We understand that fifth graders feel they are too mature to be grouped in with the children’s ministry and sixth graders are not developmentally ready to be grouped with juniors and seniors. So what is the church to do? Morningside is leading the way in reaching this emerging generation of 10-12 year olds.
At Morningside, Discipleship is not taken lightly. We believe, in His Great Commission Charge to churches in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus makes it clear the we are to “make disciples.” We understand that families are busy and have lives outside of church too. That is why we strive to use every teachable moment with your child to reiterate the importance of knowing God and loving Him. Whether it’s Bible Fellowship Groups or one of our Wednesday night programs, we are intentional in our discipleship approach to children’s ministry.
Bible Fellowship: Sundays at 9:45 a.m., Downstairs Building E
Growing up I didn’t like school at all. It was boring, institutionalized and stale. We don’t want kids to associate their experience at school with Sunday mornings at Morningside. We make Sundays fun and exciting for kids of all ages. We reach children with the gospel of Jesus Christ on their age level or developmental stage.
Summit: Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., Building B
Programming for the Summit preteen ministry will be located in Building B next to the library (the old kidz worship room). It will include the 5th and 6th grade. In January any 4th grader that wishes to move up will be able to do so. We will accelerate the AWANA curriculum to allow for this mid-year shift. AWANA will continue to be offered to any 4th grader that wishes to finish out the year. This move is not mandatory. Why move in the middle of the year? Studies show and we believe that it is during the 4th grade year that kids begin to naturally make the shift mentally and developmentally from the children’s ministry. Wednesday night activities will include worship, games, Bible study, small group discussion and application. Because preteens are transitioning from concrete to abstract thinking, we will begin to teach more culturally relevant apologetics (what we believe and why we believe it).
We want our preteens to have a strong Biblical foundation to stand on when they enter Middle school.
What will your preteen learn in their two and a half years at the Summit?
Spiritual Disciplines (1st Timothy 4:7)
- Learning about God (Bible study)
- Worshiping God (reflecting praise to God)
- Serving God (service)
- Giving to God (tithing)
- Sharing God (evangelism)
World Views
- Other worldviews
- Creating a biblical worldview
