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SSTN # 13 - January 31, 2003


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> The Armor of God Playing Cube

1) HELP ME!!! Burned Out   
2) Books of the Bible
3) Rotation Pros and Cons?
4) Teen Service In Church

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

5) VeggieTales...use with caution
6) Adult bulletin board   
7) Extra Sunday School Lesson Material   
8) Western-Frontier VBS 2003?

--> Fun and Easy Easter Pageants

9) Explaining Dinosaurs?   
10) No Eggs...Easter idea
11) The Presentation Of Jesus for K-1
12) Children's Songs that are Upbeat   

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The Armor of God Playing Cube

Kids can make it and take it home. A great memory tool!
Only $3.00 to 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) HELP ME!!! Burned Out   

Please Help Me,
I attend a very small country church. I have been involved
in teaching youth and children for the past 26 years.  I love my Lord
and enjoy the fellowship with my church family.  Last year I decided to
give up my class and concentrate on Childrens Corner ( a small devotion
during our church service) and only that job.  Since that time, our
Nursery worker left our church and I somehow got that job because no-one
else would take it.  Also because no one would take the nursery on
Wednesday night,  I also somehow got that job.  I feel like every time
I go to church I am babysitting children.  That is not a good way of
putting it, but I feel that way.  I have expressed this feeling to my
Pastor and he tells me to pray that someone else steps forward.  Maybe
God is trying to tell me something here.  I haven't prayed for a
replacement but I pray for compassion and the ability to plant seeds to
small children.  I tell my husband maybe God is preparing me for
Grandchildren, which I don't want right now.  I teach 2-2year olds and
2-3 year olds.  They absolutly exhaust me. I sometime think maybe I
expect them to behave like youth do.  I have a bad habit of taking on
classes that no one else will take.  I feel like someone has to do it.
I constantly get praises from the parents about thing the small children
are learning.  They are great kids but I don't want to be there.
Please help me with your ideas.  I feel like a younger teacher could offer
the small children some fresh ideas.  I am 45 and I feel like
I need to be taught at some time.  I know God has a plan for me and if
this is it, I pray I will have the desires of God in my heart soon.

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2) Books of the Bible

I found a great book and CD set to teach scripture.
The music is very upbeat and easy to learn.
Also a bonus is, the book has after each song a page with just the
words...a few pictures to make transpariencies.
The Book is called; Tuned In by gospel Light Network 34
there are two Cd's and each of the CD's have the Books of the Bible song.A
Very catchy tune. We started with the words on the overhead and after a
few weeks started to sing them without.
Another thing about this book and CD is that all are reproducible!
Dian

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3) Rotation Pros and Cons?

I am intrested in the Rotation Sunday School Model. Would your please
share your experiences pros and cons.   BeBop-Grace UMC East Texas

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4) Teen Service In Church

>From SSTN Newsletter, 1/20/03
>I have to teach teens about service in the church ...

Henry Blackaby's Bible Study, "Experiencing God - Knowing and Doing the
Will of God", is also available in a Teen Edition. The study is wonderful
and brings all that do the study on to the "same page" in the purpose and
direction for serving the Lord. The last few chapters is the biblical set
up for church government. Not only will this help your teens understand
the way God wants His church to function - it will also prepare them as
they enter adulthood and may look for a church themselves in which to
serve - such as when they are away at college, etc.

I have a nephew that is a Pastor, he has insisted that all of his deacons
go through this study with him, once a year. Their church is alive! and
growing in an incredible way, because the leadership all understands the
direction the Lord has for their church and how to make it happen.

Joyfully Serving HIM,
Emmalea Butler
Trafalgar, IN

   
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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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5) VeggieTales...use with caution

While I love the VeggieTales movies and videos, I do think it best to read
the story from the Bible first (or after) so that my children know the
real story. At an early age they find it difficult to distinguish fact
from fancy and some believe that what they've seen for themselves is the
truth. The story of Esther makes it very clear that the Jews' lives were
in danger (and not that they were going to the "Isle of perpetual
tickling"). Poetic license and humor are wonderful and those of us who
already know the story enjoy it tremendously. Please make sure your little
ones hear the story from God's perspective and understand that VeggieTales
is not " the rest of the story". In discussions with my own child I have
found areas that have to be re-explained because VeggieTales have muddied
the waters for him. I even find this to be true when they watch movies
with actors portraying Biblical events. They see real people doing things
and assume that that's how it really happened. I often say, " The Bible
says this... and we don't know how it really happened. It may have
happened that way, but that's just how the person making the movie (or
writing the script) thinks it may have happened."


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6) Adult bulletin board   

the photo idea that was mentioned is a great one - but just a suggestion
on the color scheme - keep it earth tome colors - brights are great for
the kids but not as eye catching to the seniors.!

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7) Extra Sunday School Lesson Material   

My name is Karen Tholotowsky and I live in Lemont, Illinois. I
just started teaching Sunday School at my church (preschoolers) and it has
come to my attention that we have an abundance of leftover unused
curriculum from past years.  I remember seeing on your site awhile ago
that there are churches in desperate need of any kind of material they
could get...Can you link me with someone or put this on the message
board...it would be free for the asking.  I had been on your mailing but
somehow got dropped off...so I will put myself back on the
list...especially now that I'm teaching!  Just love your site and
God Bless you...Karen Tholotowsky
Heyklt@aol.com

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8)  Western/Frontier VBS 2003?

Our church will be using Baptist Press VBS this year and the theme
is Western/Frontier. I'm looking for any ideas I can pass on to our
teachers for teaching, decorating, and most importantly- relating the
message of Christ through this theme.
Thank you!
Melody

--from SSTN: check out the "Reward Chart" in the crafts section at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 

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--> Fun and Easy Easter Pageants

Get "Fun and Easy Easter Pageants- with Soundtrack CD",
in the Games and Skits section of the Bookstore at:

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

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9) Explaining Dinosaurs?   

I teach 3rd & 4th graders, and had a student ask about dinosaurs, I know
the bible story of creation does not include dinosaurs, is there a way to
include them without accepting the evolution theory? Several students in
our church saw the Discovery program on animals of the future, I was able
to explain to them the show was the product of unsaved people making
guesses at the future, without asking God, and they were pleased with
that, but dinosaurs are different, please any help or advice is
appreciated!
--
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with
God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27
Tom Moretti

--from SSTN: I have selected some great resources on this subject. One I
really like using is entitled, "The Great Dinosaur Mystery and the Bible"
it explains how dinosaurs fit into the Biblical story of creation. You can
find it listed in the Christian Education section at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 
ysic, sarah keith <><

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10) No Eggs...Easter idea

> from SSTN # 9 - January 22, 2003

I sat here with my mouth open as I read this idea!  I posted it on a
children's ministry website a few years ago.  It is an idea I had shared
about that I came up with 20 years ago!  It's so awesome to see that
people are using something that God gave me so long ago!  I've done it
several time, at different churches, and it's always been so awesome to
see the kids "get it".  Last year we did it, and I had 10 salvations!! 
-Shelley

--from SSTN: that's the wonder of the web! ;o))
thanks for sharing it!! ysic, sarah <><

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11) The Presentation Of Jesus for K-1

This lesson is available in the current Toddler (ages 2 & 3) Teachers
manual from Pentecostal Publishing  House (www.upci.org/pph).  I just
taught it and it is a great lesson.

Teresa 

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12) Children's Songs that are Upbeat   

> I was wondering if you have any resources for new children
> songs that are up beat and the kids would really enjoy?

I use a couple of CDs from Vineyard Music that come with resource CDs that
have the instrumental tracks, overhead transparencies, guitar chords, hand
motions, etc.  The two that I have are Great Big God and Fruit of the
Spirit.  Our kids love the songs and they are a lot of fun for me to teach
and sing as well ;)
Heidi

--from SSTN: you can type "Vineyard Music" into the bookstore search box
to find some of their songs:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 

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