We are pleased to once again offer a Takeout Church resource this year! This page contains all the information you need to put together a family resource kit to bless your families with. You have the option of either offering this as a physical kit that you distribute or you can post links to the family faith conversations on your webpage or social media, or send by email to your families. Our Instagram posts will expand the themes of this resource this summer. There is a form to complete to access all the print resources following the “What to Expect in this Resource” section below.

What to Expect in this Resource:

Downloadable Resources for Print:

• 9 Family Faith Conversations “Blueprints” based on the theme “Digging In”. Each conversation contains 4 main sections (chat questions, Scripture passage, building challenge, foundations identity statement reflection) and a Flat Jesus picture prompt.
• Set of 26 “Identity Cards”
• Welcome letter with some kids and parents app suggestions
• Flat Jesus template
• Reel Family Time Conversation Card
• Set of 12 “Car Games”
• Set of 3 Activity Cards (I Wonder Rock, Bubble Blessings, Pinwheel Praise)
• Ministry Leader Instruction sheet that contains everything you need to know to put together this resource for the families in your church
• The Takeout Church logo and 3 construction truck logos are also included in the download folder for you to use

F.A.Q. for Ministry Leaders

Q: Why Takeout Church?

A: I first came across this idea in 2016 when I read this post from a church that had come up with the idea as a way to engage families over the summer. The idea stuck with me and as I have reflected on it over the last couple of years I decided this would be a great resource to create for our churches to support them in equipping families for faith formation. We launched it in 2019 with a pizza box theme. In 2020, due to the ongoing pandemic uncertainties, we pivoted to a fully virtual resource. In 2021, we created a hybrid version that can be created as a physical kit you distribute to families, or a virtual resource. This year will also be a hybrid version.

Q: What does it cost?

A: It all depends on how you might want to customise the resource for your community! If you follow just the basic resource here you will need to purchase some kind of box/container to put the materials in, a package of microwave popcorn, bubbles, a pinwheel and the cost of printing the resources.

Q: Do I have to create this exactly as described for my families?

A: No! You can create it exactly as is or customise it in any way that makes sense for the families in your church! This is not an original idea to CBOQ Kids but has been based on the idea from the church that originally created it.

Q: Do I have to put it in a pizza box or a pail?

A: You do not have to use a pizza box.  The year we launched it we used pizza boxes because it was a good way to communicate the theme of ‘takeout’, and makes for an easy way to store and travel with the resource. Last year we recommended a pail. This year we use a construction theme and have created it in a pizza box for our example but you can use any type of box, container or bag that makes sense for your community. If you want to use pizza boxes, here is where we ordered from.

Q: What is the age range for this resource?

A: This resource has been created to be used intergenerationally. The Bible stories chosen, along with the discussion questions and activities are suitable for young children through older adults and can easily be simplified or expanded depending on age and biblical understanding.

Q: Is there a teaching theme this resource uses?

A: Yes! The theme of the resource this year is “Digging In”. We are inviting families to explore 9 themes throughout the summer: Who is God?; Who is Jesus?; Who is the Holy Spirit?; What is Prayer?; What about the Bible?; What is worship?; What is forgiveness?; What about church?; What about serving others?

Q: What are the hashtags? Why use them?

A: A hashtag is the # symbol followed by a word or phrase, used on social media like twitter, instagram and facebook. It is a way of categorising messages or pictures that allows it to be discovered by others. We are inviting people to use #cboqkids and #takeoutchurch and #flatjesus (all 3!) so that we can connect with and see everyone making use of this resource and to join with other churches that have used this idea over the last several years. You may want to add a hashtag for your church or ministry as well!