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SSTN # 46 - May 21, 2004


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


1) Slime
2) VBS Prizes?
3) Slime Recipe
4) Where to Start?

The Parables of Jesus:  6-12 Week Series

5) Bad language
6) Construction VBS Theme
7) Construction VBS
8) Book of Job?

Fruit of the Spirit Spinner

9) Teacher Appreciation
10) Teacher Appreciation
11) Can anyone help?
12) Offering and TEN song?

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1) Slime

This message is for the person requesting slime recipes. Apparently, you
have never been slimed before...the stuff is an absolute nightmare to wash
out of clothes, and especially long hair. However, should you still want
to brave making your own slime, and what kid wouldn't love to be slimed,
after all they don't do the laundry *laugh*, I would recommend that you
check out the website: http://www.ycdtotv.com/swp/recipes.html that has
numerous slime recipes. I've been told the easiest one to wash are the
recipes that use Jell-O instead of food coloring. Regardless of which
recipe you decide on. Good luck!
Love in Christ,
Sarah in California


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2) VBS Prizes?

I was wondering what other churches are using for awards for VBS?  Last
year we used a ticket system and drew tickets at our closing program to
give away prizes.  We gave gift certificates for a Christian Book store,
but I don't think that it went over too well.  I would like some
suggestions...
Thank you
In God's love,
Sharlene

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3) Slime Recipe

Here is a recipe which I used and worked REALLY well.

1 and 1/2 cup water
2 cups Elmer's glue (must be Elmer's)
Food Coloring
1 cup water
3 T. Borax detergent

Nancy F

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4) Where To Start?

I am working with a group of kids who are good kids but totally new to
just about anything in the Bible.  I really have a clean slate to work
with, but I am trying to decide which direction I should take this?   I
was going to try and go chronologically through the Bible, then we came to
Easter and I realized I needed to do a lot of teaching in this area and
now I'm thinking about doing the life of Christ since that is really
fundamental.
 
However, now I am wondering if maybe I should just deal with topics until
they get a little more Bible knowledge under their belts?  Or would it be
prudent to do topics during the summer and go back to something else in
the fall.
 
Advice would be appreciated.
Karen

--from SSTN: it sounds like you need to teach the basics in a systematic
way. You didn't indicate the age of the kids, but a study of the book of
John, Romans or Galatians would be a good place to start. The life of
Christ is certainly a good starting point as well. For older kids, check
out the Club 56 series in the Christian Education section of our bookstore
at: http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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The Parables of Jesus:  6-12 Week Series

Parables are "earthly stories with heavenly meanings”. This 12 week series
examines six parables that focus on "Faith", "God's Mercy", "Being
Merciful", "Obedience", "Prayer", and "Evangelism". Through the use of
hands-on Bible lessons, crafts and games, children will gain a better
understanding of these important truths. Can be incorporated into
rotation-type programs!  Learn more at:

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


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5) Bad language

My husband and I are youth leaders and our church currently has about
30-35 youth in it.  Of these numbers, approximately 5 have parents who
attend our church.  The rest are children from 4-18 who come from split
homes and live on what some would call the wrong side of the tracks.  We
have contact with all the kids, but teach the teen class in our respective
sexes.  Though I have been a volunteer for five years, just this year has
opened some eyes. 
We took the time to get personally involved in our kids' lives.  We told
them that yes, we are responsible for picking them up for church and
getting them back home in one piece, but when we volunteered to be youth
leaders, we made a commitment to these kids completely.  Some of these
kids have no one who is interested in their lives and no discipline at
home and react badly to discipline anywhere else.  I read Hebrews 13:17 to
them and we repeat it often.  It says "Obey them that have rule over you
and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must
give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that
is unprofitable for you."  To me, this means that I am responsible for
these kids at all times.  My husband and I have told them that if we catch
them away from church into something they aren't supposed to be into, the
reaction would be the same as if they were in class with us.  We reach out
to these kids and hug them and tell them we love them and the results have
been amazing.  As a matter of fact, one kid whose first few trips to our
youth night, I would have guessed that the next time we saw him would be
in juvenile dentention, is one of six getting baptized Sunday night.  He
reaches out to us for hugs now!   If you can't spend time with these kids
other than during class, find someone who can and is willing to mentor to
them.   We are having a revival among our youth and God is definitely
working through them.   Keep in touch with me and let me know how things
are going.  lakeviewbaptist@hotmail.com.  God's blessings to those who
work with youth.

Anita  Joshua 24:15


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6) Construction VBS Theme

>Our theme will be based on construction and our main character is Rick
>the brick.  We have VBS classes for ages 2 to adult. I would appreciate
>any ideas on crafts, decorations, music or anything else you may think of

If you know of anyone who uses the Lifeway dated music program for
children, the yearly theme for 2000-2001 was about being built up in
Christ.  If you could find copies of the books and cd's, you should be
able to find lots of ideas for Bible stories, activities, decorations and
songs.  I hope this helps.

In His service,
Donna in Arkansas


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7) Construction VBS
 
Milk and juice cartons stuffed with newspapers make great building blocks.
Little ones can use them to build life-sized buildings that they can go
into. It will take a lot of cartons, though. Paper lunch bags make cute
houses when children draw doors, windows, etc on them and stuff them with
newspapers. Or you can cut door & window shapes out of construction paper
and glue them on.
 
Legos and Duplos are great building toys. Why not have a competition with
older children for the most original, sensible or sturdy house. No prizes,
just the satisfaction of winning the game. Lincoln logs and craft sticks
could also be used.
 
You could pay a game with craftsticks. See who can build a house the
fastest that won't fall down.
 
Bob the Builder is popular with chilren, perhaps he could be used somehow.
 
The Israelites had to make their own bricks in Egypt. That opens up a
whole realm of possibilities.
 
Amos 7:7-9 speaks of a plumb line. A plumb line tells construction workers
if the wall is straight or "right". Children can make plumb lines by tying
a heavy washer on a piece of string. God's word is our plumb line to tell
us if we are "straight" or in line with God's standards.
 
Eph. 2:10 tells us, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
 
The children's song, "He's still working on me" would be great to use with
this theme.
 
Dollar General stores, as well as other discount stores sell very
inexpensive plastic toy tools and hardhats. These would be great for
decorations, prizes, treasure hunt finds, etc. You could attach Bibl
verses to the toys, then hide them and provide clues for children to find
them. To practice Bible skills older children could just be provided the
reference so they could look up the verses themselves.
 
If you use the house on the sand and the house on the rock a demonstration
is always effective. Make a hill of sand in a dishpan and put a toy,
(monopoly) house on top of it. In another dishpan place a large rock with
another toy house on it. The rapidly pour water around the base of the
sand hill and the rock. What happens to the houses?
 
Scrapbooking is the new fad. Adults and teens can scrapbook what they are
learning. Stickers and paper cutouts with construction themes can be used
in page layouts. Use titles like "We are His workmanship.";  "God at
Work."; or "God is building his character in me."; "Construction zone",
etc.
 
To the lady about the bell song,
Where does one get these bells? They sound really neat.
Denise

--from SSTN: type "8 note colored bells" into a search engine AND read an
upcoming SSTN for more details. ;o)
 
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8) Book of Job?

At my church, we tend to teach the same lesson across all
grades (elementary through adult classes) to encourage family discussions
of the Sunday School lessons. Usually, this works out well for the
families. However, I'm having trouble find material that is geared for
1st-3rd graders on the book of Job. Anyone know of any?

Becky Connell     

--from SSTN: for those responding, please include ISBN for our bookstore.

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Fruit of the Spirit Spinner

Children will learn the Fruit of the Spirit in a fun new way. Each
characteristic is illustrated with a whimsical cartoon fruit for kids to
color, cut, and spin.

Get a lesson and learn more here:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/lesson_spirit_fruit.html 


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9) Teacher Appreciation

I have an idea we will be doing in 2 weeks and thought I would share:

This year we are doing something a little different.

We have a member of our Praise Band who has a truly wonderful voice. After
bringing my idea to him he was thrilled to help.

He will be performing the song "Thank You" (I can't remember the artist).
The children will be singing the songs chorus and putting it to sign
language. The chorus goes like this.... Thank You for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed. Thank You for giving to the Lord, I am so
glad you gave.

If you have ever heard the song throughout the song there are small
pauses. It is during that time that I will be announcing the names of the
teachers / helpers / and Parents ( I will be asking them in the beginning
to stand until the end of the song).

My thought behind this is... This was all done for the children and THEY
need to thank the teachers/helpers and their Parents for bringing them
every Sunday.

This will be done at the beginning of the church service on May 23rd.
After service we will be having cake and coffee. The cake says... Thank
You for giving to the Lord, We are so glad you gave.

Nancy
SKC Director

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10) Teacher Appreciation

I have seen really cute things done with Lifesavers, either rolls,
lollipops or individually wrapped candies. For instance print labels
(like you would use for return addresses) with "You are a Lifesaver for
Jesus" and stick them on a full size roll. Or, on the blank side of a
3x5 card turned vertically, tape a lollipop and write "Jesus wants you
to be a Lifesaver" in marker.

God's Peace,
Carmie

--from SSTN: you can find more ideas like this in the Archives section at:
http://christiancrafters.com/archives.html 
Type "appreciation" into the search box.

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11) Can anyone help?

Hi,

I belong to a very small church that's just starting and has less than
twenty members so far. We are currently having church in a simple,
one-room building with no classroom.  

We have two kids coming, and I actually have two needs:

a. We have a three year old who speaks almost no English and I'd like to
know if you know of any sites where I can find bilingual computer print
outs, simple lesson plans, etc, that I can print out for him to color
during church. Our church is about half English speaking and half Spanish
speaking. This little boy and his mom speak almost no English (the other
Spanish speaking members translate for her) and those of us who speak
English are trying to learn Spanish. We'd like to be able to converse with
him when we get a Sunday School classroom and can start a class. But
for now, a bilingual childrens' Sunday School site would be an answer to
prayer! 

b. We have a boy coming who's about 11 years old and very bright. Since we
don't have a Sunday School classroom I've been printing out a Bible lesson
plan off the internet for him to do during church with crossword puzzles,
fill in the blank questions, etc, but he's gotten bored with th at. I'd
like to find something he can do himself during church that would
entertain and touch his heart for Christ at the same time. Any help you
can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Does anybody have any ideas for me?

Thanks, and God bless!
Sharon

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12) Offering and TEN song?

Some one was asking me about a song.  It is an upbeat tune about the
scripture Luke 6:38  about pressed down, shaken together and running over
men shall give unto my bosom.   I think that is how it goes, but anyway
this person was wanting me to see if I could find this song......does
anyone know the name of the song or who sings it?  Or if it even exists!
 
I would appreciate any info.  anyone
could give us on this subject.
 
Also I have been trying to download the
song "The Ten" by Alan Root
and I have not been successful in doing so, any suggestions on this and
what I may be doing wrong?!
 
Thanks and God Bless

--from SSTN: you probably aren't doing anything wrong. Make sure you have
a recent version of Media player. Then download the song from this page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/lesson_nogods.html 
(You'll need to scroll halfway down the page)
If you still have trouble, you probably need a faster connection.

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