Christian Education for Children & Youth

From engaging Bible stories and interactive lessons to music, crafts, and meaningful friendships, our programs are designed to help your child grow in their relationship with God in fun, supportive, and age-appropriate ways.  

Opportunities are available for children of all ages!

A group of parents and their young children sit in a circle on the floor of a playroom, participating in a family ministry class for ages birth to 3.

Little Lambs

Birth to Age 3

Little Lambs playtimes provide an opportunity for adults to find friends and community with others in your stage of life or caregiving, and for infants and toddlers to experience church as a safe and fun place to be. Connect with other grownups – parents, grandparents, or other caregivers – in a casual and welcoming setting while the little ones explore the nursery, chill on a blanket, or rest in your arms. Target age range is birth through 3 years , and older siblings are welcome to join. Facilitated by Family Ministry Director Katie Strand and Children’s Ministry Director (Pre-K/Kindergarten) Ty Seline.

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A group of young children and a teacher sit at a red table in a classroom, coloring and doing crafts during Shepherd's Kids Sunday School.

Shepherds Kids

Preschool - Grade 3

Shepherd’s Kid’s Sunday School is our fun, creative, and interactive Christian education program that runs during the school year. There are two programs separated by age. Children ages 3 - Kindergarten gather in the nursery for learning, play, and circle time to hear new stories each week.  Children Grades 1 - 3 meet in small groups in the classrooms before gathering in large group to explore worship and dive deeper into the stories. New students are welcome to join throughout the year until we reach capacity.  Senior high youth and adults volunteer their time as leaders to help children grow in their faith. To ensure a quality program, we:

  • Utilize our talented staff to create and enhance curriculum 
  • Train our volunteers and offer ongoing support 
  • Complete background checks on all adult volunteers 
  • Supply age-appropriate Bibles for all participants 
  • Incorporate music, crafts, prayer, and service to reinforce the biblical message
  •  Provide resources to grow in faith at home
Registrationmore information
A group of smiling children in biblical costumes pose on a small stage for a play, with a 'ZONE 45' logo in the foreground.

Zone 45

Grades 4 - 5

Zone 45 is the gap between Shepherd’s Kids and Confirmation. It truly is its own zone! Although, this program incorporates familiar styles and activities found in both Shepherd’s Kids and Confirmation, it is tailored specifically for this age group, and is highly adaptable based on student, parent and leader feedback!

In Zone 45, we believe in fostering strong relationships and building community through exciting activities and sincere communication. We operate on a dynamic model that combines both large and small group interactions, allowing children to connect with peers and dedicated volunteers, whom we fondly call ‘Crew Leaders.’

RegistrationMore information
An overhead shot of several students in a confirmation class gathered on the floor, pointing to locations on a world map with Bibles and small lights nearby.

Confirmation

Grades 6 - 9

Confirmation on Wednesday Nights is one option for students grades 6-9. This program is designed to help students name and grow their unique, God-given gifts, with the invitation to use those gifts for service in the church and in the world. At baptism, parents and sponsors said, “Yes, God!” on the child’s behalf. Confirmation is the opportunity for a young person to grow, question, and explore so they may make the decision to take ownership of their faith and continue to say, “Yes, God!”  If you're looking for an alternative option, check out Confirmation: Service Track below.

Registrationmore information
Three young women kneel in a wooded area, digging in the dirt with small shovels during a Service Track Confirmation volunteer event.

Confirmation Service Track

Grades 6 - 9

Confirmation: Service Track is one option for a highly-relational faith formation program for students in grades 6-9.

Service Track will allow youth to experience different types of service projects and be able to reflect on their service within small group. Service track will meet 2 times a month. One of the meetings will the service project which will alternate between being at church and off-site. The other meeting will be the small group meeting at the church. This meeting is to focus on scripture within the Bible to cover important aspects of serving including leadership, compassion, vocation, and servanthood. Along with discussion around scripture, the small group will have time to reflect on service projects they are partaking in.  If you're looking for an alternative option, check out Confirmation above.

Registrationmore information
A group of smiling high school students takes a selfie on a grassy lawn in front of a brick building. A logo for 'The Gathering Grades 10-12' is in the corner.

The Gathering

Grades 10 - 12

The Gathering is a faith formation program for students in grades
10 - 12. The program is designed to help students deepen their understanding of
their own faith and who God is to them. The Gathering will allow them to
explore their own thoughts, questions, doubts, or ideas about faith alongside
peers. 

The hour will contain music, Bible study, discussion, and
fellowship! The timing of the group is designed so students who may be
volunteering on Wednesday nights (at 5:45 or 7:00 pm) can either come 15
minutes late or 30 minutes early so they can still attend The Gathering and
volunteer at another program! The Gathering will be led by adult ministers.
Please register and feel free to invite friends to register as well! If you are
interested in being an adult minister and leading high school Bible studies,
contact Rose Bentley at rose.bentley@sotv.org.

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Join Our Children's Choirs & Handbell Groups

Any children interested in music groups, please consider registering for a Children’s Choir or a Children’s Handbell Choir. For more information, and to register follow the links below.

More Information

About Year Round Programs

At Shepherd’s Kids, children age 3(by September 1) Through Kindergarten will begin building their identity and sense of belonging in our church community. They will be given tools and opportunities to begin exploring their faith in Jesus. The goal of this program is for children to feel loved and at home at church.

Registration

Preschool – Kindergarten Shepherd’s Kids Hours:
Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 AM

Children will experience Jesus in the following ways…

Large Group
  • Music
  • Bible story presentations
  • Offering
  • Prayer
  • Games and activities

Small Group Time
  • Bible reading
  • Caring conversations
  • Relationship building
  • Crafts and activities

    Squiggles Bible Reading Program Coming Soon


Questions? Contact Ty Seline, Children's Ministry Director Pre-K/Kindergarten

Children in Grades 1-3 will explore what it means to be a child of God. They will grow in faith as they wonder about stories from the Bible, build Christ-centered relationships with their peers and leaders, discover spiritual practices like prayer and offering, and learn how they can use their skills to serve God in their church and community.

Registration

Grades 1 - 3 Shepherd’s Kids Hours:
Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 AM

Children will experience Jesus in the following ways…

Small Group Time
  • Caring Conversations
  • Relationship Building
  • Bible Reading
  • Crafts, Games, and Activities
  • Prayer

Large Group
  • Music
  • Offering
  • Bible Story Wondering
  • Prayer and Blessing
  • Worship Exploration

Shepherd's Kids Bible Reading Program (Grades 1-3)

Kids in Grades 1 – 3 Shepherd’s Kids Sunday School are encouraged, but not required, to participate in our Squiggles Bible Reading Program. This is self-led and done entirely at home. This is a way for kids and their families to engage in faith at home. There are 10 different bookmarks, with 15 bible stories on each. Once they’ve read the 15 stories, an adult signs the bottom of the card, they turn it into their leader, and they can move their name on the banner to show their progress. Then they pick up the next bookmark and continue through the program at their own pace. Once they’ve completed all 10 bookmarks they turn the last one into Andrew and receive a prize!


Questions? Contact Andrew Kane, Children’s Ministry Director, Grades 1 - 3

In Zone 45, we believe in fostering strong relationships and building community through exciting activities and sincere communication. We operate on a dynamic model that combines both large and small group interactions, allowing children to connect with peers and dedicated volunteers, whom we fondly call ‘Crew Leaders.’

Registration

Grades 4 - 5 Zone 45 Hours:
Wednesdays at 4:30, 5:45 or 7:00 PM

To ensure a vibrant and impactful program, we prioritize several key practices:

  • Open communication: frequent, consistent and clear communication is key in Zone 45. 
  • Active Training: Two – leader training sessions per year with weekly check-ins and review communication between the Leaders and Program Lead. 
  • All adult volunteers undergo thorough background checks to ensure the safety and security of our participants.
  • We incorporate a variety of activities, including music, crafts, prayer, games, yoga and meditation, and service projects, to reinforce biblical teachings and make learning enjoyable and relatable. 
  • Each child receives an age-appropriate Bible to support their spiritual growth.

Questions? Contact Christa DeVries, Children's Ministry Director, Grades 4 - 5

Confirmation is a highly-relational faith formation program for students in grades 6 – 8. This program is designed to help students name and grow their unique, God-given gifts, with the invitation to use those gifts for service in the church and in the world. At baptism, parents and sponsors said, “Yes, God!” on the child’s behalf. Confirmation is the opportunity for a young person to grow, question, and explore so they may make the decision to take ownership of their faith and continue to say, “Yes, God!”

Registration

Weekly Program Hours: 
Wednesdays at 4:30, 5:45, or 7:00 PM

  • Class time will be half in large group half in small groups (8-10 students, 1 leader). 
  • Students will experience a mix of large group teaching led by SOTV staff (Video, presenters, etc.) and small group time led by volunteer leaders. 
  • Programs will be 60 minutes. 
  • We will have pizza available for purchase. 

Questions? Contact Marissa Bachtel, Youth Ministry Director Middle School

Confirmation Service Track is a faith formation program based in service for students in grades 6-9.  This program is designed to help students connect acts of service to their faith, to recognize their God-given gifts, and learn how to use their gifts to better their communities and the world.  At baptism, parents and sponsors said, “Yes, God!” on the child’s behalf. Confirmation is the opportunity for a young person to grow, question, and explore so they may make the decision to take ownership of their faith and continue to say, “Yes, God!”

Registration

Program Hours:
2x/Month, Mandatory Introduction Meeting September 13, 1:00PM

  • Service Track will allow youth to experience different types of service projects and be able to reflect on their service within small group. Service track will meet 2 times a month. One of the meetings will the service project which will alternate between being at church and off-site. The other meeting will be the small group meeting at the church. This meeting is to focus on scripture within the Bible to cover important aspects of serving including leadership, compassion, vocation, and servanthood. Along with discussion around scripture, the small group will have time to reflect on service projects they are partaking in. 

    • Questions? Contact Rose Bentley, Youth Ministry Director High School or Marissa Bachtel, Youth Ministry Director Middle School

    In 9th Grade Confirmation, students have the opportunity to explore their own faith through Bible studies and a special project called, My Life and Faith. Students will also learn about what it means to live out their faith in their day-to-day life, their communities, and the world through a big service project and other special lessons. Throughout the year, students prepare their hearts, souls, and minds for what it means to be confirmed and say 'Yes!' to continuing their faith journey at a special ceremony called the Rite of Confirmation (which happens in fall of 10th grade).

    Registration

    Weekly Program Hours:                                                                                                                           Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

    • Class time will be half in large group half in small groups (8-10 students, 1-2 leader).             
    • Students will experience large group teachings, guest speakers, and worship, as well as small group time where faith conversations and prayer occur. Small groups are led by both adult and high school student ministers.
    • Questions? Contact Rose Bentley, Youth Ministry Director, High School

    The Gathering is a faith formation program for students in grades
    10 - 12. The program is designed to help students deepen their understanding of
    their own faith and who God is to them. The Gathering will allow them to
    explore their own thoughts, questions, doubts, or ideas about faith alongside
    peers. 

    Weekly Program Hours:                                                                                                                           Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

    • The hour will contain music, Bible study, discussion, and fellowship!            
    • The timing of the group is designed so students who may be volunteering on Wednesday nights (at 5:45 or 7:00 pm) can either come 15 minutes late or 30 minutes early so they can still attend The Gathering and volunteer at another program! 
    • Questions? Contact Rose Bentley, Youth Ministry Director High School