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SSTN # 18 - February 12, 2003


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> Armor of God Playing Cube - $3.00

1) Jesus lesson ideas   
2) Palm Sunday Idea   
3) Ways to congratulate our youth
4) Disruptive Children Saga

--> Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards

5) Diverse Ages and Involving Others
6) HELP ME!!! Burned Out
7) Need New Ideas?
8) Burned Out

--> W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers

9) Burned Out
10) Rotation Pros
11) Burned Out
12) Colored Bells


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Armor of God Playing Cube - $3.00

Kids can make it and take it home. A great memory tool!
Only $3.00 to download and print out as many as you need!
Go to the following webpage to get the free lesson and to learn more: 

http://www.christiancrafters.com/game_armor.html 


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1) Jesus lesson ideas   

Since this is such a "high-tech" generation, whenever I can, I use movie
or cartoon clips to illustrate a lesson.  The kids love it.  For example.
whenever I teach a story about Jesus, I like to use a short clip from the
movie "Jesus" to re-enforce the story.  That version of the life of Christ
is so touching it really portrays Jesus as a "real" guy who likes to have
fun and speaks in such a way the kids relate to.  For example, one scene
shows Jesus standing by a water cistern in town with his disciples, and he
starts to playfully splash his disciples with water engaging them all in a
splashing game!  The kids love it because it's just the kind of thing that
"real people" would do, and they develop a greater love and appreciation
for Jesus.

Shirley
N. Georgia, 6-9 year olds


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2) Palm Sunday Idea   

On Palm Sunday - we have done this for years.

Beginning of service, have children with palms, marching from the back of
the church down the center of the isle, waving their palms.  Our children
also sing a song.  If you want the words I can look for them.  Don't know
the words on the top of my head.

Note:  Give the palms to the children right before they march down the
center isle, or they will get broken before the service starts.

RS
Dillsboro, IN


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3) Ways to congratulate our youth

For our youth SS prizes the last 2 years, the teens have been given a
Christian music CD - as most of them won't read books. I make sure they
are lively songs with a good message and you can usually find some good
CD's if you pick thru the bargain bin at your Christian
bookstore.

Sandy - Australia

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4) Disruptive Children Saga

Another thought on this issue and possible solution might be to allow the
disruptive child to be your assistant  This way the child is given a
sense of worth and in order to be helpful to you, he/she must pay
attention.  Helpful tasks may be holding a storybook and turning the
pages, passing out the crayons to other children, etc.  You decide how
this child can best help you instead of being a hinderer.  I have
personally used this approach in the past and when the child graduated to
the next class, I missed him!

Yours in Christ,
Ahreita Griffin
Charlotte, NC

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Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards

Ten Egg-shaped cards that tell the Easter Story - When the cards
are cut, colored and assembled, players can play Easter Egg Scramble and
learn the Easter Story! Reproducible so your whole class can make a set!

In the Curriculum section: 
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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5) Diverse Ages and Involving Others

Have you considered a puppet ministry?  Children of all ages (even
adults) enjoy puppets.  Short skits could be written or made up by
yourself to incorporate a lesson to the children (i.e., sharing, love
your neighbor, obeying your parents, etc.).  I am sure that
christiancrafters.com has skits as well.  If you think the cost of a
puppet may be too expense, you can also make your own puppet. 
Hope this helps!

Yours in Christ,
Ahreita Griffin
Charlotte, NC

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6) HELP ME!!! Burned Out

This is in response to the lady who is burnt out in her Children's
Ministry.
  I was in her position a couple of months ago and I know exactly what she
is going through.  It is not easy.  I wanted to respond to tell her that I
will keep her in my prayers.  I taught Children's church during the
worship service and I taught the children on Sunday and Wednesday evenings
during Bible Study as well and I truly felt like I was a glorified
babysitter as well.  I kept trying to get people to help me, but it was a
lost cause.  It was so bad that I would come home from church and cry
because I felt guilty for feeling that way.  Finally, in a last ditch
effort to save my sanity, I went before my pastor at the church business
meeting and admitted that I was burnt out and I didn't have it in me
anymore.  I told them I was going to stop teaching the kids on Sunday and
Wednesday evenings so that I could attend bible study.  Everyone was very
understanding.  A couple at the meeting volunteered to take over
Children's Church for the month of December so that I could attend worship
services.  What a difference that made!  I was able to focus on worshiping
the Lord for that month instead of serving him and now I am back teaching
Children's Church with a new vigor and a new attititude.  We now have
rotating schedules for Children's Church as well.

I don't want to write a novel here, but just wanted to offer some hope.
If you want to discuss it with me more, feel free to e-mail me at
s_elfritz@hotmail.com.  I will be more than happy to help you any way I
can.

Thanks and God Bless,
Samantha Elfritz

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7) Need New Ideas?

I attend a small country church and I am the Youth Sunday School Teacher
there.  I have a small class of 10 - 12 ranging from the age of 5 through
15.  I am burnt out on teaching the traditional Bible stories over and
over again.  The children are looking for new and exciting ways to learn
and I am looking for new and exciting ways to teach them.  Any ideas would
be very much appreciated.

Yours in Christ,

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8) Burned Out

My Pastor does not allow someone to be in a class or babyland for all
services.  If someone works on Sunday morning, they cannot work Sunday
night or Wednesday night.  You need to hear the Word of God also.  You
just need to learn to say no, and then mean it.  It does not make you a
bad Christian to know your own limits, and then stick to them.
Evelyn

Jesus is Lord

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W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers

There's something much worse than cooties...it's called sin!  Now kids can
make Gospel Catchers rather than Cootie Catchers! A fun and innovative way
for kids to learn to share their faith with their friends!  Includes 4
Gospel Catcher patterns to make: the Colors of Christ (Gospel Colors), the
Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Promises of God. Follow this
link to learn more:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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9) Burned Out

It may be it's time for you to step down.  I believe it is a must that the
teachers get teaching.  I too teach in a small church and it started out
the first year like your church.  I just told the parents they needed to
help in Nsy and had 3 more teachers help with the other 2 classes.  We all
rotate every other week we get to sit in the congregation.  We need
it!!!!!!  We also have a Bible study that we go to.  How can we continue
to teach when we are not getting fed?  The bible says forsake not to
gather yourselves together.  Yes we must go to the Father on our own, but
he has a body for a reason.  If people will not help on their own it may
be they need a push from their Helper.  If there is no teacher the
children can sit with their parents during service.  Your church needs to
function like a body, and start stepping up to meet the needs in the
church.  I will join you in prayer that the Lord will direct your
footsteps... as long as you do it all there is no need for any one else to
do anything.

Now I look forward to my days as a teacher and the Lord has been in
control
(how Awesome!!!)

Your Sister in Christ
Chris - UT

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10) Rotation Pros

I cannot express how wonderful Rotation has been for our Children's
Department!  We just began this model in September, and have seen
significant improvement in the retention of Bible facts and stories (even
in our 3 and 4 year olds).  The teachers LOVE it (and I'm never at a loss
for teachers!!!), and parents are always telling us how excited their kids
are about coming to church now! (My own daughters actually cried the two
weeks we were out of town and had to go elsewhere to church!) It is an
amazing model that presents amazing results!!!!  Their website is also an
incredible help!

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11) Burned Out

Hi This is in response to "Burned Out" (#13). It seems that most
establishments have a few people who do "everything" while the rest of the
people benefit for free.  We certainly find that to be true in our church!
I seem to be the person who makes alot of "temple talks" to the
congregation in order to get more people to step forward.  That is one
strategy you could take.  It seems from your letter that you no longer
have young children, therefore there seems to be no reason for you to
babysit them.  I would let everyone know that you are not doing this job
anymore, and put up a sign up sheet for other people (i.e. parents of the
small children) to each choose a week or more that they will volunteer.
We also have a system where youth members earn volunteer points towards
confirmation by doing things like babysitting.  I wish you luck!
Melissa from Vernon Lutheran in Mukwonago, WI


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12) Colored Bells

Kristal Bell Method,  sells the bells as well as awesome arrangements that
the children play chords as the leader holds up corresponding colored
cards. they only play when their color is shown. I use these bells for
every special occasion or even to teach about the Body of Christ! Noe
practice is necessary and it is an instant success.  1-800-KRISTAL.

Kay Williams

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