"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Jesus
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SSTN # 66 - August 21, 2006
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
1)
W.H.A.M. 2) Shake Up Youth Dept 3) Monkey VBS? 4) Teen Icebreaker: The Color of My Week 5) Styrofoam paint
>> Have you told them?
6) Battle Zone VBS? 7) After school Bible group? 8) Good Computer Program? 9) Taking prayer seriously 10) Note on Gossip
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1)
W.H.A.M.
I did a junior high group for several years. We decided to call the group W.H.A.M. which stood for We Have A Mission! The kids loved having a program geared to their unique age group. I used curriculum that I found at our local Christian book store. I am a big fan of Group Publishing...they have excellent materials. There are many good materials available through different publishers that deal with grade specific topics. Talk sheets are also a good method to get kids discussing different topics. The kids always knew they could discuss any questions or concerns in WHAM, which is vitally important at that age. That is a very important age, and many times churches lose teens because there is nothing at church to really help them. May God bless your endeavor!
Dear Vicki, I think you have two issues here to be asking God's direction on. As Sarah has said if the leadership is closed to addressing real problems, that is your major concern - will they diagloge with you and other parents about the purpose and direction of the youth group? Sometimes one group will only see part of what another is doing and not see the big picture. Do they have a plan? They might and are just not good at sharing their vision - or it could be as you say that it's being poorly lead. Inquire, don't attack (I'm not saying that you have, only that it's easy to do)
Secondly, if you get involved with the youth, you need to have an attitude of wanting to serve them and to build real relationships with them, not just "shake them up". Are you and others willing to make a committment to them. One of the hardest things for youth ministries are finding those willing to make long term committments - it's difficult for kid's to trust the leaders if they are changing every 6 months. And not having committed help can cause a overwhelmed Youth leader to only offer "chocolate milk". An Associate Pastor I worked under had a sign in his office that said "They won't care what you know, if they don't know that you care." And that is what helped direct our Children's and Youth Ministries
I praise God that you have a heart for these young people and their relationship with Him. I'm praying that this will work out for all be resolved with little conflict.
Blessings, Linda in Edmonds
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3) Monkey VBS?
Hello everyone, I just want to start by saying how much I enjoy this newsletter, it is always full of great ideas.
VBS for this year is just barely over and I am already on the hunt for next year. I am changing from a weeklong VBS to just Thur, Fri and Sat. I am not going to buy a kit this next year, I've come up with my own theme, and would like everyones input if they have any. I have chosen a tropical theme because the kids love the decorations, but I'm going with monkeys, and using the ideas of "See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil" (3 days worth of lessons).
I have found many "monkey" snacks and crafts, and even a game from SSNetwork, but I am looking for monkey songs and lessons to go with #1. See no evil #2. Hear no evil #3. Speak no evil or ANY ideas you might have to help me out.
Thank you so much for you help...keep op the GOOD work!!! Michele - NAC Galesburg, MI
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4) Teen Icebreaker: The Color of My Week
Ask each person to say their name and describe what colour their week was...they don't need to explain what the colour means: that is between themselves and God. This works great with teenagers who want to be private or are that embarrassed age. It's interesting to watch their faces as they silently review their week and assign a colour to it that means something only to them and their Lord. Lovely!
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Have you told them?
Have you told your kids the story of Jesus? Have you captivated their attention? Have you told them in a way that makes sense to them?
You can when you use, "Tell Me the Story of Jesus", a two-semester, hands-on Bible lesson series on the life of Jesus, from childhood to Pentecost.
You can purchase water based spray paint which will not eat the styrofoam.
Teresa
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6) Battle Zone VBS?
Hi I am the Sunday School teacher for a very small church in Morehead, KY. We don't have a big budget to spend on VBS each year. Next year we wanted to create our own theme instead of buying the ones that are in the bookstores. We decided on the theme battle zone and thought we would focus on putting on the armor of God, soldiers working for Christ etc. Some of the stories from the Bible would be about David, Joshua and others. Some of the songs we know we can use would be "I'm in the Lords Army", "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho". Anyone have any suggestions on songs or stories, games, crafts etc. We are wanting the KJV lesson plans for this. My email address is adkins5@alltel.net. Peggy Adkins
Have a blessed day!
--from SSTN: there is an entire series in the site based on the armor of God. You can find it in the Lessons & Sermon's section at: http://www.SundaySchoolNetwork.com
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7) After school Bible group?
I was considering starting up an after school Bible study group - but similar in format to a VBS. I would like it to be a fun place for the children to come, and not a place where you just sit and read the Bible. Does anyone else do something like this? If so, share your ideas and any type of fees you would charge. Thanks!
--from SSTN: make sure you check the archives for "after school programs", as well as the Lessons page. As to fees, if you must charge, determine your costs and then charge accordingly. Depending on your population, the kids might not be able to afford coming. If that's the case, maybe you can find sponsors to scholarship those children.
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8) Good Computer Program?
Can some one tell me what is the most user friendly program to get to do projects for my sunday school class. I have brought the print perfect fonts by cosmi which is terriable. User friendly but freezes up the computer alot. I am new with a computer and just need something basic, with fonts and christian pictures. Thank you :) Becky
#65 Regarding the section on children not taking prayer seriously, prayer must be taught carefully to the children, it is nothing that should be taught exclusively by rote. Also, it would be a good idea to keep track of answers to those prayers. I have taught children the value of prayer by making prayer booklets and keeping track of answered prayer, so that the children see that God does indeed hear each prayer and answers it by "Wait" "Yes" or "No". If we take the teaching of prayer as a vital important part of our Walk, then the children can see it for themselves. If we simply pray as a "to do list", then they think it's just not important. Please remember to teach children to pray in their own simple way, not to use fancy and huge words.
Hope this helps. Nancy
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10) Note on Gossip
Please let this lady know that its not just in her Church or State This is going on in alot of Churches...and so much more as the time for Christ return is closer then ever..the sad thing is these "Christians" will be stand before the Lord one day to account for the things they say and do...we are to love one another and win others to Christ...all you can do is pray for them...you will Never find a perfect Church...(However if its that bad) move on and try to find a Church that is winning souls...judi
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