During our Sunday gatherings in Lake Forest, kids experience a safe, joyful, and gospel-centered environment that fits our rhythm: learning together around tables instead of sitting in rows. While you are exploring Scripture and conversation with your community, your child is doing the exact same thing at their own kid-sized table.
You don't have to figure out how to talk to your kids about Jesus alone, that's exactly what the Kids Table is here for. Join us this Sunday and discover what it looks like for your whole family to grow together.
We know that trusting someone else with your child, especially for the first time, is a big deal. We have designed Sunday mornings to be welcoming, safe, and stress-free for families.
Warm Welcome: Our friendly volunteers will help you get registered and settled in just a couple of minutes. We begin our service all together, and dismiss the kids after the worship time.
Come As You Are: Jeans, a t-shirt, or whatever is easiest for a Sunday morning with kids in tow is perfect.
Table Time: Every Sunday includes name games, icebreakers, singing, a visual Bible story pointing to Jesus, and age-appropriate conversation guided by trained leaders.
Just like the rest of our church, everything we teach flows out of one mission: we exist to love people like Jesus, form them into His image, and commission them to do His work. Here is how that looks for a 5-year-old or a 10-year-old:
1. LOVE: Kids Table starts with being loved. Before kids can love God or others, they need to know they are completely loved by Him.
God’s love is unconditional: We use stories like Jonah and the Prodigal Son to show what God’s patient, forgiving love looks like.
Jesus is the center: The Bible isn't just a collection of random stories; it's one grand narrative leading to Jesus.
Loving God: Our first response to God's goodness is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
2. FORM: Kids Table shapes character. Once kids know they are loved, we help them grow into who God made them to be through simple, memorable truths.
Put others before yourself: We practice kindness, sharing, and serving together (Mark 12:31).
Tell the truth: Honesty builds trust with God, family, and friends (John 8:32).
Do the right thing: We talk about real-life choices at school, online, and at home (Deuteronomy 6:18).
Seek wisdom: Kids are encouraged to ask big questions and listen to God’s Word (Proverbs 4:5).
3. COMMISSION: Kids Table sends kids out. Discipleship was never meant to stay in the room where it happened. We want children leaving each Sunday with a real way to carry their faith into the week, whether that is a memory verse, a story, or a specific way to show compassion to someone at school. Kids don't just belong at the table someday; they belong there now.
Children learn best when they are fully engaged. Our approach includes:
Repetition: We repeat key phrases and set Scripture to music to help hide God’s Word in their hearts.
Hands-On Learning: Crafts, art projects, building blocks, and Play-Doh help kids engage with a lesson physically, not just listen to it.
Interactive Storytelling: We bring the Bible to life with pictures, drama, movement, sound effects, and props. Kids participate, they don't just watch.
Modeling Faith: Our leaders pray with kids and share age-appropriate stories from their own walk with Jesus, showing that faith is a lifelong journey.
When you drop off your child, you are trusting us with what is most precious to you. We take that trust incredibly seriously.
Screened Volunteers: Every Table Church Leader and Kids Table volunteer completes a Live Scan background check and application process before ever stepping into a classroom.
The Two-Adult Rule: We maintain a minimum of two screened adults in every classroom and ministry space whenever kids are present.
Secure Check-In and Check Out: Your child will be checked in-by you, and only checked out by you or someone you designate. At the end of the service, the kind are brought back all together into our main worship space.
Health & Wellness: We collect allergy and special-needs information at check-in so we can care for your child thoughtfully. Classrooms are kept clean, organized, and sanitized.
Where do I check my kids in? Head to the Kids Table check-in table just inside the MPR lobby. Our team will help you get registered your first time and show you exactly where your child's room is.
Is Kids Table available for the whole service? Yes! You can check your children in right before the 10:00 AM gathering begins, and we will all be together for worship. They then have their own program for learning and fun while you attend the main service. We all join back up together at the very end.
What if my child has allergies or specific needs? We want to provide the best care possible. Please let our check-in team know about any allergies or specific needs when you arrive, and it will be securely printed on your child's name tag for their leaders to see.
Is there a cost? No, Kids Table is entirely free for every family who joins us.