September 3, 2014 -- Issue #17 - Volume 15

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1) Jesus Blesses Children Activity

2) Parable of the Lost Coin

3) Autumn, "The One Constant"

4) Bible Game: Bless You, Bless You, Amen!

5) Bible Memory: Scripture Stick-It

1) Jesus Blesses Children Activity

> Does anyone have an activity or game for the Bible story of Jesus blessing the children (Mark 10:13-16)?

"People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted him to touch them. But the disciples told the people to stop.

When Jesus saw this, he was angry. He said to his disciples, 'Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them. What I’m about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God’s kingdom like a little child will never enter it.'

Then he took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:13-16).

The Greek word for bless in this passage is eulogeo, from which we get the English term eulogy. Eulogeo is a composite of two Greek words meaning "good + word." To bless is a request for God's favor. 

I'm not sure what age level you are working with, but you could act out the passage by allowing children to take turns sitting on the teacher's lap to receive a good-word blessing, and ask for God's favor over each life. 

--from SSTN: see also item #4 in today's newsletter.

2) Parable of the Lost Coin

This parable teaches us that:
* God searches for lost people - "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
* People are valuable to God.
* God doesn't give up on us--he continues to search for those who are lost.
* God rejoices when the lost are found. "...there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7).
* We are to be like God--helping those who are lost, find their way to him; rejoicing when they are found.

Get a coordinating Bible game.

3) Autumn, "The One Constant"

(Read the book of Joshua)

Change is evident-the vibrant autumn colors seem to have burst forth overnight as the warm days of summer give way to the cool, crisp temps. During this season, we are reminded of the fact that to EVERYTHING, there is a season (Ecc. 3:1). Change can be productive and effective---it is certain. In our reading for this month, we find Joshua had served Israel's great leader Moses, but change was on the horizon. Joshua eventually filled the leadership role among God's chosen people. He had been taught well and trained for this awesome task.
Our students are growing, developing, and changing everyday. The world in which we live is changing. Our students must be prepared in order to take their 'Joshua' place in God's world. Every time we prepare a lesson, stand before a class, grade a test, participate in a conference, attend an after school activity, counsel a student; we do it for the leaders who are in "the making." When God's timing is perfect, they will take their rightful place as a 'Joshua.'

In the midst of all that changes-seasons, leaders, circumstances, the One True and Living God remains changeless. Let's pause and thank the LORD for using us in grooming our students to be what He has created them to be. Let's look to Him and commit our Joshuas and the changes to Him.

Prayer Focus
Dear Lord, we hear your voice saying, "I am The Lord and I change not". (Malachi 3:6) "I am the same yesterday, today, and forever". (Hebrews 13:8). Thank you, Father for your unchanging hand in the midst of so many changes. Lord, as our students develop into leaders, may we see their potential. Help us to see them through Your eyes. Give us vision today to get a glimpse of what they shall be tomorrow. Thank you, LORD for our role in their development. in JESUS name-AMEN.

+Week 1-pray for schools (students, teachers, staff to know JESUS)
Discipline-be a witness of the love of CHRIST
+Week 2-pray for the physically challenged
Discipline-good steward over our bodies (exercise/eat properly/rest)
+Week 3-pray for the socially challenged
Discipline-befriend someone today
+Week 4-pray for those who are happy
Discipline-rejoice with them

© 2006 Penelope White
penywhite@hotmail.com
MEd.- Monthly Educators' Devotional

4) Bible Game: Bless You, Bless You, Amen!

You could play a Duck, Duck, Goose type of game whereby children sit in a circle. Choose one child to be the Blesser. Blesser begins by tapping the heads of the children as he/she goes around the circle. As the Blesser taps the heads he/she says, Bless you, bless you, bless you. . . and finally taps one player and says, Amen!, signaling to that player to chase him or her around the circle. The Blesser then races around the circle to get to the vacant seat in the circle. If the Blesser is caught he/she must sit in the center of the playing area, or if you prefer, he/she sits in the vacant spot. The player who caught the Blesser, becomes the Blesser in the next round of play. If the Blesser wasn't caught he/she goes again.  

5) Bible Memory: Scripture Stick-It

Players stand in a circle. Number the players 1,2, 3 and 4. Place a stick at the center of the circle. Teacher begins the game by saying a word or short phrase from the verse, then stopping and calling out 1, 2, 3, or 4, which signals to the players with the matching number to race to the center and grab the stick. First player to grab the stick and “stick” the next word into the verse by saying it, scores a point for that team. Play continues like this until the entire verse is stated.

This is just one of the ideas from the book, Bible Games Explosion, 52 Bible games for children's ministry.

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