DIG/Tweens—What’s Happening?


How FPCA has transformed children’s faith formation BY JOANN JONES


DIG—the name we associate with FPCA’s Sunday morning Faith Formation opportunity for children in kindergarten through fifth grade—now tumbles off the tongue automatically. How did we get to this level of recognition?


A tender seedling of an idea for children’s Faith Formation was planted three years ago as a response to an ever-changing world. Te idea of having a Vacation Bible School-like Sunday School existed as a faint glimmer of possibility at that time. Leadership in the form of DIG station leaders, content developers, shepherds, and hands-on creation experts banded together on a journey into a new, exciting way to learn about God’s love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


Anytime one embarks on a new trail, the terrain can present joys, discoveries, and challenges (see page 5). All those involved in shaping DIG are prepared to continue navigating the terrain, fueled by


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the love of Jesus while enveloped in the grace of God. Tis fall, DIG celebrated year three of sharing the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness while experiencing God’s word though art, drama, music, and/or mission.


What exactly is happening in DIG? What keeps children coming? DIG is short for “Digging Into God”—learning God Truths and applying them in our daily lives so we can put our faith into action.


Pattern for Success


Early on, we knew that DIG’s success would be directly connected with building strong relationships with peers, shepherds, and leaders. Children gather for Buddy Building activities with grade- level shepherds prior to the start of Faith Formation weekly. DIG begins with a lively mini worship, followed by music led by Brandon Remp, which leads into children visiting a specific station


adapted for an age group.


Since DIG follows the same themes that our entire church family hears each Sunday, children dive into “Living Christ’s Love” through Scripture revealed at Creation Station through art; Holy Word Studio through drama; Destination Discipleship through mission projects; and Spirit Studio though rhythm, movement, and music.


Learning Parables


Our first and second series this year explored God’s grace through the study of parables. We dug into the parable of the leaven in Destination Discipleship, where we explored the science of yeast and the making and sharing of Amish Friendship Bread to represent the expanding nature of God’s kingdom and our role in that. Perhaps you donated to local mission in exchange for a loaf of DIG’s Amish Friendship Bread.


We studied the parables of the lost sheep


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