"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Jesus
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SSTN # 65 - August 18, 2006
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
JOIN the SUPER HERO TEAM
1) Watermelon lesson? 2) Taking Prayer Seriously? 3) Gossip Sessions? 4) Senior High Dilemma 5) Large Jewels
Why is Jesus' Story Important?
6) Children's Church Pews? 7) Fifth & Sixth Grade Boys? 8) Teaching 2 year olds 9) Books of the Bible? 10) What if we...?
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JOIN the SUPER HERO TEAM!
Get your kids on the Super Hero team when you teach them about the "Super Heroes of the Bible"; one of the great choices you'll find in our "Bible-4-Life" curriculum series at:
I was wondering if anyone knows where to get the story about the watermelon and what the different parts represent. I heard it a few years ago and can’t seem to find it on any book/story sites. Also, I recall a story about a little city boy who went to stay in the country with his grandparents, and didn’t like it much, until he made friends with another little boy. But when he came back the next summer found out that the little boy had drowned. The grandfather gives a really good explanation to him in the form of a story. I know I am not giving much information, but it is all that I can remember in my old age (losing my mind). I just remember my son listening to these stories very intently and I was hoping to use them for some of our younger children. Thanks, Cindy from Pa.
I pray with a handful of elementary-age girls during the Wed. prayer meeting. We pray for the requests that were mentioned by the adults right before we break up into groups. Then we take some time to share our own requests. I noticed that most of the girls are not very serious during the time of prayer. And their prayers are not very sincere. They say the prayer mindlessly.
I try to encourage them by telling the important of prayers, but didn't really work. Any ideas for making the time of prayer more precious to those girls? And how can I get them excited about praying for others? Thanks!
Blessings, YK
--from SSTN: are you doing anything else with them? If not, I would encourage you to do more than praying. Rather than praying right after the adult requests, do something else such as a craft, game or skit, then pray with them afterwards. You might also have them make and decorate a large box to hold prayer requests. Then have them place their written prayers in the box without names on them. The kids can take a prayer out of the box and pray for that prayer at your meeting, and then take it home to pray over it during the week. I would also recommend teaching them about prayer. Check out "The Prayer of Jesus".
Our pastor just announced yesterday that he will be leaving in 2 weeks. Our youth minisiter resigned within the last year and our music / worship minister resigned 2 or so months ago. We are not a large church but there are a group of people in the church who want to run things. When our pastor announced yesterday his plans of leaving and going out of state he addressed the situation of the few people who want to run the church and who do not look to the Lord for guidance.
This group of people, young and old teach classes, are deacons, and lay people, yet they do not support the church in worship attendance, by tithing, or in any other way. Their classes are just gossip sessons and gripe groups. We have lost members and some visitors due to their actions during business meetings and other services. What are we to do? I teach young girls and even my girls are being affected by the happenings around them. It is so sad that people are letting things and personal feelings getting in the way of the Lord's guidance. I am totally committed to Jerimiah 29:11........These people have formed their own committees and even help put people they can control on the teams.
Any suggestions other than lots of prayers? Please pray for our church and others who are going through this. So many churches in our state are going through the same......
Oklahoma Baptist Churches need lots of prayers
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4) Senior High Dilemma
I have read these posts with interest. Our son, who is a youth pastor, has kids excited about coming to Sunday school and youth service. In fact, younger kids say they cannot wait to be in the youth group. He lives in another state, but had the same affect when he was in our church. I think the answer is:
a. He gets involved with the kids. Gets to know them and finds out what is important to them. Gets with them outside of church when he can (he is not a full time pastor). b. He has firm rules (everything from dress to behavior) and they respect the rules. Many of them come from homes where rules are unheard of, and certainly not enforced. c. He prays for them. They know he is available if they need a listening ear or someone to share a request with. d. They have a balance of fun and spiritual stuff. Hope this helps.
TJB
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Why is Jesus' Story Important?
Do your kids know why the story of Jesus is so important? Help them learn by teaching, "Tell Me the Story of Jesus", one of the series in our Bible-4-Life curriculum section at:
Several years ago, I created a pattern to make large jewels for VBS. I still have the pattern, & if anyone is interested, please email me at jlhart76@hotmail.com, subject Gem Pattern.
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6) Children's Church Pews?
I am looking for a pattern to use for building pews for our children's church room. Does anyone have a plan that works? Thanks Kathy Shipley kshipley000@centurytel.net
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7) Fifth & Sixth Grade Boys?
Hello, do any of you have some creative ideas for 5th-6th grade boys classes? We are starting with a 12 week class on the Tabernacle but I am not sure what to do after that. This is the first year we are splitting the boys this age from the girls. Thanks, nancy
--from SSTN: Nancy, this is one of my favorite groups to teach. Many of the ideas in the site were developed just for them! Check out the games and sermons section: at:
http://www.SundaySchoolNetwork.com ysic, sarah keith <><
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8) Teaching 2 year olds
For several I was a teacher of our two year old class.As part of my teaching I wrote and sent home a monthly newsletter to let the parents know what were we learning in class. I also reminded them of any upcoming activities in my news letter.
I had three goals for my class:
#1. That they learn that church was a safe and happy place.
#2. That the learn that Jesus loves them.
#3. That they begin to learn how to share and get along with others.
I filled a basket with age appropriate stories and with a Bible story book for their parent to read with them.I included our class mascot for them to keep for the week that they had the basket. ( I also kept a backup basket in case they for got to bring it back that week.) I included a devotional book for parents.
Several major christian publishers have age appropriate books available.
I set up a prayer area with carpet samples for them to sit on. I then moved them to a story area (for no more then 10 minutes) and finally a song and play area.
My helper and I made sure diapers were changed or if they were potty trained they had a chance to go to the bathroom.
I kept Kleenex and hand wipes handy.
Most of the major publishers have age appropriate material available for your teaching.
May God bless you as you work with His little ones. Giving them a firm foundation for Sunday school is so important. Judy Farrar
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9) Books of the Bible?
I am interested in having the kids in my 5th & 6th grade Sunday School class memorize the books of the Bible. Does anyone know of a tricky song or a fun way I could teach this to them?
What if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it as we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency? What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!
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