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Welcome to THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S NETWORK

**** A service of ChristianCrafters.Com ****

"For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them." -- Jesus


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SSTN # 88 - August 14, 2003


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> NEW! Jesus Ascending Mini-Movie

1) Talking with teens   
2) Stomp   
3) Joshua 3-5?
4) Sixth - Eighth grade S.S.?

--> NEW Midweek Series: "Super Heroes of the Bible"

5) Religious Sign Language Dictionary
6) Church in Turmoil
7) Paid children staff        
8) Women's Retreat   

--> NEW Midweek Series: "His Name Shall Be Called..."

9) Ideas for Younger Kids
10) How To Handle 3-5 Year Olds?
11) Apostles Coloring Pages?
12) Jungle/Safari Ideas?   


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--> Jesus Ascending Mini-Movie

A unique flip-card pattern that children color and assemble, then watch
the resurrected Jesus ascend into the clouds. Kids make it and take it
home!  Print out as many patterns as you need for a onetime fee. To see a
picture and to learn more, follow this link:

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


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1) Talking with teens   

I found another good resource for the person who was trying for find
issues pertinent to teens, this is another free newsletter filled with
statistics and references to music and television that kids today are
influenced by. Some stuff for devotions but basically stuff that will
enable you to understand your youth and the world they live in.
Go to http://www.cpyu.org/culture.htm

God bless,
Dania

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2) Stomp   

Ask one of the girls if they are on a team at school and if they would
like
to teach the group some simple steps. We have a 15 yr. old that just
started a group at our church , an adult attends the practices. Here is a
simple on that even i learned ,
R. foot stomp
clap
slap r. side chest
slap l. side chest
slap r. upper thigh
stomp r. foot
clap
slap both upper thighs
You will probabely find that you have a youth that is gifted with
choreography and leadership in your group, since God is restoring the arts
to the church.
J. Mallin

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3) Joshua 3-5?

I need an object lesson for the book of Joshua chapters 3-5 for Sunday.
Can you help me out?

Thank you
Debra

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4) Sixth - Eighth grade S.S.?

Help! I am now going to be in charge of the 6th through 8th grade S.S. I
have never taught this age and I know I need allot of information quickly,
can you help me out?

Thank you
Robin

--from SSTN: Use an established curriculum. Check out the Christian
Education section in the Bookstore for some great curriculum choices: 
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 

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--> Super Heroes of the Bible

This special midweek program examines the lives of some famous
and not-so-famous people who had willing hearts to obey God.
And by obeying him, they were used in miraculous and powerful
ways to help change the course of human history. It is the goal of this
series to build FAITH, COURAGE, and OBEDIENCE in the lives of children,
and to change the world for Jesus Christ.

To learn more, go to this page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 
(you may need to copy and paste this address to your browser)


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5) Religious Sign Language Dictionary

I found a great website with over 250 religious words in American Sign
Language. The site even has video clips to show the motions!
Check it out at:  http://valleybible.net/deaf/asl.shtml

Two other important sites to visit are:
http://www.lessontutor.com/eesASLdictionarylinks.html
and
http://donaldshores.com

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><


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6) Church in Turmoil

I just wanted to say that I agree with the response given by Teresa in
Michigan.  Make sure you let the congregation know that help is needed,
and
I also agree with cancelling children's church unless you get help.
Sometimes people who are not involved in church activities have no idea
what is done behind the scenes. Maybe if there is the possibility of
classes being cancelled, then maybe more people will come forth to help.
Best of luck to you.
Donna, Burbank, IL

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7) Paid children staff        

I have been reading the responses to the question of whether children
staff
is paid.  I just want to say hats off to all people who work in children's
ministry.  I belong to a very small church (40 families at the most).  I
joined the church and year and a half ago, and started helping with
children's activities six months after I joined.  Because we are so small,
I
would never think about being paid, although a tremendous amount my time
goes into preparing lessons and crafts.  But I have to admit, that no one
on
the children's staff gets paid, and we all work very hard.  I don't know
about anyone else but me.  My motivation is my six-year-old twins.  They
love going to children's church.  Their VBS ended last Sunday, and they
are
very disappointed.  They loved every day of it.  One thing I can say about
my church, big or small, we are very family oriented, and we do a lot of
great things for the kids.  That is why I am very happy with my church.
As
for not being paid, I can totally understand when people feel they should
be
paid.  It would be nice for me also.  But, whenever I get discouraged or
tired of all the work I do, I just think of my kids and how much of a
difference this church has made in their life -- then I know that is all
the
reward I need. 

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8) Women's Retreat?   

Hello, I would love to receive any ideas for women's retreats.  I am
currently planning one in October and we are using the Sower Parable.  The
idea behind the theme is "growing where you are planted", but I really
could
use help with a catchy title.   Also,  I would like to have each day have
a
focus, ie. Friday: preparing the soil, Saturday: tilling the soil and
Sunday, the fruit.  Any and all ideas would be helpful.  We will have
speakers talk on prayer, faith, family, prodigal daughter, etc.  Any other
help on this is truly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  If you would
like
to email me personally, please do so at imes@gem.gonzaga.edu.  Please put
in
the subject box that you are responding to the women's retreat.  God
bless.
D. Imes

--from SSTN: please send your ideas via SSTN so all may benefit.
ysic, sarah <><

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"His Name Shall Be Called..."

The God of the Old and New Testament is known by many names. These names
help us to understand his nature and reputation. They define him as
Protector, Defender, Friend, Advisor, Judge, and Savior to name just a
few. The Third Commandment says, "Do Not Misuse God’s Name". "His Name
Shall Be Called..." contains fun crafts, games, and lessons to teach
respect and honor for God to the children in your ministry. Free USA
shipping!

To learn more, go to this page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 
(you may need to copy and paste this address to your browser)


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9) Ideas for Younger Kids

I would be glad to share some of my ideas with all of you.  In return I
would appreciate ideas from others.

One thing that goes over very well with the little ones is things made
with cottonballs.  I have found that you can buy all different colors of
large cottonballs, pink, blue, purple, green, besides the usual white.  (I
have found them at Wal-Mart.  You can't just go in and always buy them, so
when I see them I usually stock up.  They are only about $1.00 a bag for
100 large cottonballs.)  I have taken medium weight cardboard and cut out
crosses, lambs, rainbows, butterflies, etc.  The teachers and helpers
applied the glue and even little 3 year old fingers can add cottonballs.

I cut out a large heart out of colored posterboard (I got about 2 hearts
out of one large piece of posterboard) and took a saucer and cut a hole
about the size of their face for them to look through the heart.  I wrote,
"Look Who Jesus Loves" on the posterboard.  Each night at VBS or each
Sunday they added seals or did something special to their heart.  We used
it as a way to record their attendance for VBS.  Then each night the idea
was re-enforced of "Look Who Jesus Loves".

We did a handprint poem where each hand of the child was placed on a the
paper under the poem.  The poem can be purchased preprinted or you can
make it yourself  by typing the poem and printing it off on 20 lb weight
paper.  You probably have seen the poem but if anyone wants it, I'll
gladly put it on the site or you can contact me.  It's two paragraphs long
so I won't do it now.  The mothers particularly appreciate this.

3 yr olds like to do anything that includes food.  Have a tree drawn with
some branches and let them add air popped popcorn to the tree.  Also you
can take the long licorice laces and let them string fruit loops to the
licorice and make a necklace.  It is surprising how good a three year old
can do that.  You can always go with the thought that all things good come
from God.

Crowns or visors, or any kind of head wear is also something that is
popular with a three or four year old.  That can be
pre-purchased or made from poster board.  The other year I made lambs ears
out of light weight cardboard.  They glued white cottonballs on the ears,
and the ears with then glued to a ring of cardboard to fit the childs
head.  They were "Jesus's Little Lambs" and it was a real hit.

One year I took a large 3 lb coffee can for each child and covered it with
contact paper.  I drilled a whole in each side and added cording for them
to put it around there neck.  The teacher helped them apply a piece of
paper to the can that said "Drumming For the Lord".  The lid was added and
they had spoons and they marched around their room and took a walk outside
"Drumming For the Lord."  It was a lot of work on my part but it was worth
it.

One year I made a flower.  It was about  a 3 to 4 inch flower out of
colored poster board.  They decordated their flower and added a 1" colored
pom-pom of their choice and then a string was added for a necklace.

I rambled on enough.  I hope some of these ideas are helpful to you. It
anyone wishes to contact me my email address is khelman@superpa.net .  All
ideas would be appreciated as I am always looking for new ideas.  Thanks.

Karlene Helman

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10) How To Handle 3-5 Year Olds?

Dear all,
We have just started our Sunday School in our church, with a 3yr old boy
and a 5 yr old girl. They emotions are still up and down. Sometimes they
don't want to pray, don't want to sing, and cannot concentrate while the
teacher is telling Bible-stories. We try to use puppets or other toys to
make them become more interested. Could you tell me how to handle them?
Thanks in anticipation.
(Susan, Taipei)

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11) Apostles Coloring Pages?

Thank you so much for the WONDERFUL teacher's network.  It has been
extremely helpful over the years.  I teach 3rd grade Sunday School and we
are beginning a study of the 12 Apostles in the fall.  I am having the
children make their own Apostle Journal.  I have looked everywhere and I
cannot find coloring books/pages for each of the Apostles.  HELP!  Also,
any resources you can recommend for the Apostles would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you,
Joy Payne
Indianapolis, IN

--from SSTN: check the Archives. Try keywords, "coloring" + "apostles":
http://christiancrafters.com/archives.html

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12) Jungle/Safari Ideas?   

I am looking for ideas for a jungle/safari VBS.  Any ideas for crafts,
decorations, music, etc. would be appreciated. 

Thanks!

Kim in WV

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To help keep SSTN going and to learn more, go to this webpage:
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Or, mail your US check or US money order to:

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ChristianCrafters.Com
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Lake Park, FL 33403
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Please include your email address.)

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><

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