Greeting
 Parents and children are greeted as they sign in for the day at the self check in kiosk or guest registration desk and are given a security tag to enter the Startown hallway.

Large Group Environment
Children are brought to the Theatre for large group, a time of meaningful praise and worship with the best worship team around, they are challenged by a creatively hilarious host and see a Bible story come to life using drama and props with amazing storytellers.

Small Group Environment
Children are placed into small groups where the small group leaders build a relationship with the children through discussion, activities and prayer. Each of these activities are centered around the bottom line of the Bible story for that particular week. Small groups and activities vary to meet the needs of the children in that class.
Startown Schedule

9:00 AM and 10:45 AM Registration for everyone

9:15-9:45 AM Large Group
9:45-10:15 AM Small Group

11:00-11:30 AM Large Group
11:30-12:00 AM Small Group
 
 
What happens in Startown?
Kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade are challenged every Sunday in Startown to trust God, make wise choices, and build lasting friendships. Here's what a typical morning in Startown looks like.

What are Sunday's at Bethlehem like for kids?
Welcome: Each child checks in and gets a security tag and heads down the street to the Theatre for large group.

Large Group: Kids sit by age group with their small groups in the Theatre where they hear the Bible story and worship together.  We use costumes, props, and characters from the story - anything that makes the Bible come to life. We also carve out time each week for kids to sing as loud as they want and tell God how much they love Him.

Small Group: After participating in worship, kids travel to their small group classroom where their leaders help them understand how the day's bottom line can fit into their everyday life. Small group leaders in Startown are serious about having fun with kids and passionate about teaching the TRUTH.  We want kids to see how God's Word fits into their lives, to learn how to talk to Him, and to build friendships that will last.  Every Sunday they connect with the same small group of kids and the same small group leader.  That way they get connected and we have the best chance to establish a relationship that's going to matter when they need it most.

How is Startown different from a Typical Sunday School Class?
Startown brings kids in to a wonderful high energy worship program but them takes them to small groups where we believe is the best chance for disciplining and growth. We focus on the small group environment. Small group leaders really get to know the kids and use learning activities that meet their needs to involve kids in meaningful dialogue and hands on activities.

What time are services for children?
We offer full children's programming for the 9:15 and the 11:00 AM services.

What curriculum is used?
We use 252 Basics, a web-based curriculum for K-5th graders.

Based on Luke 2:52, the curriculum is built around our Three Basic Truths: 1. Wisdom: I need to make the wise choice. 2. Faith: I can trust God no matter what. 3. Friendship: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

Three Basic Truths are amplified through 36 monthly virtues (such as kindness, generosity and faith) and 150 Bible stories. Every week there is a key TRUTH or bottom line that we drive home.  It's the ONE THING we want kids to understand and grab onto during their hour in Startown.

252 Basics provides tools that will help you take what we've talked about in Startown home with you so that you can talk about it all week long.

GodTime Cards (for Kids) Four short devotions for children each week to focus their attention as they spend time reading the Bible and talking to God at home. Kids pick up their GodTime cards during small group time in Startown to help them establish a lifelong habit of spending regular time with God.

Refrigerator Door (for Parents): When you pick up your kids at their Startown classrooms, we'll give you a printed piece that gives you the virtue and its definition, a monthly memory verse, the bottom line, a question to prompt discussion and a preview of what we'll be talking about next week.