Happy October, team! While kids and students are busy planning their best costumes for Halloween, we hope you take a second or two this month to trick-or-TREAT yourself (maybe with an extra nap or your favorite snack?), because you are the greatest. Thanks again for serving with us this year.

Here are a few things coming up in our ministry . . .

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: PARENT & SMALL GROUP LEADER BREAKFAST
This month, we're creating an opportunity for all of our small group leaders to connect with the parents of their kids so we can better love, lead, and influence teenagers together. Don't miss it! Get all the details on our website.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: VOLUNTEER MEETING(S)
Now that the school year is off to a great start, it's time to learn and grow together at our very first volunteer meeting of the year! We hope to see you there as we learn about [add your own topic(s)] together.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: THE INCREDI-BOWL BOWLING BALL
This quarter, we're getting families together for a super fun event -- it's bowling like you’ve never seen it! We hope you can join us! Get the details on our website!

ROAD TRIP: A 4-WEEK SERIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ON TEN COMMANDMENTS
WEEK 1 BIG IDEA:  WE OBEY GOD BY PUTTING GOD FIRST.

SERIES OVERVIEW:

Have you ever been on a road trip? When we think of road trips, we might think of gas station snacks, singing along to our favorite songs, and taking in the sights — but when the Israelites went on a "road trip" of their own through the wilderness, it was a little less glamorous. Okay, it was a lot less glamorous. In this series, we'll introduce kids to some of God's "rules of the road," from Moses and the ten commandments all the way to what Jesus called the Greatest Commandment — to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Together, we'll discover that we can love God and others by putting God first, worshiping God, loving our families, and loving everyone.

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK'S PRESCHOOL LESSON GUIDE
DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK'S ELEMENTARY LESSON GUIDE

Kids love stories. They love telling them and, most of all, they love hearing them. That's because stories are one of the primary way a kid learns! So if there's something important you want a kid to understand, don't think like an adult — think like a kid, and wrap that truth in a story.

If you're subscribed to Grow Your Ministry, now would be a good time to attach Volunteer Tip Video #3 from your Volunteer section.
At least once this month, choose a volunteer to celebrate. Add their picture and a few sentences about what makes them awesome!

If you're a small group leader, you're the best link we have between our church and your family. So here's a question: How many parents have you connected with so far this year?