The Sunday School Teacher's Network Newsletter - Great ideas for children's ministry!


Issue #14 - May 4, 2010 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. ~ Jesus
What's on your mind? Scroll down the page to view articles. 1) Summer Time Ideas 2) Summer Planning 3) Summer Ideas: Voice of the Martyrs 4) Summer Planning Support the Network--learn how--Click here. 5) Five Finger Prayer 6) Summer Change It Up 7) Summer Praise, Skits, Choir... 8) Mother's Day...what are you doing? The Red Button indicates a teacher who needs your help. TITLE your email to reflect the content of your message. When replying, highlight the text that is pertinent to your response, then hit reply. Invite your friends and coworkers to join us. CLICK HERE!	Home Search for Ideas Support SSTN PCM Discount 15% OFF Ministry Resources Bible-4-Life Curriculum Gospel Fun Activities Holidays & Holy Days Make N' Take Downloads E-books F-R-E-E Resources Bible Games Christian Crafts Christian Skits Missions For Kids Object Talks, Sermons Recycling Ideas VBS & Bible Clubs NEED PRAYER? Visit our Prayer Board. Scroll down.

1) Summer Time Ideas Just a suggestion... During Vacation Bible School, we always have Arts & Craft time each night. We purchase the Stick on Letters (Foam with sticky back) from Wal-Mart and purchase the door hangers/book marks/ sun visors all made out of same material. We Put Bible Verses or the children put their names on it. It is a real hit. As far as Bible Study, We have been teaching the youth about Prayer and The Power of Prayer/ Building a Lasting Relationship With Our Lord and Savior. It is very powerful. Also, we let the youth pick a number and the number they pick has a key word on the inside. The definitions are already defined by the teachers. But, we ask the youth to tell us what that word means to them. It is fun. The youth really enjoy telling us what they think it means and how they use it in their every day life. Try these. I hope that my suggestions work. Lisa McBeth-Massenburg


2) Summer Planning Because our attendance numbers are down during the summer, many of our classes are combined. This allows some of the Year round teachers a break. I have found that doing easy crafts and handouts (word search, mazes, find the object, etc) that are related to the Bible lesson really helps. I established a buddy system whereby an older child is responsible for a younger child. This gives the older kids a sense of responsibility. They really enjoy having someone look-up to them. I've already had several of my students ask if I was doing the "Buddy system" again this year. Some have even come up with craft suggestions. Many crafts stores such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby and even JoAnn Fabrics carry packaged crafts at a reasonable price or purchased with discount coupon. Hope this helps.

3) Summer Ideas: Voice of the Martyrs Last year we were able to purchase from Voice of the Martyr's one of their children's Bold Believer's material on Iran ( they have many countries to choose from). You can copy all the material, they don't copy right it so the church can use it more freely. We set up one room as a view from outer space, with stars, planets, galaxies, and to show the children how God planned it all out from the beginning of time. He knew we would use outer space for communications and satellites. and that is how most Iranians are converted to Christianity. We also set up a sand box, in a near by garage, where they could try to build houses, and see the difference of working with sand vs building on a rock. We had a story each week of children who were willing to share their faith with others. We had memory verses to match the stories. We had maps to show us how to get there from here. And how the Bible show us how to get from here to Heaven. We learned what their culture was like. We learned the character of God and what He is like. We learned what their greatest needs are, so we can pray for them. We also learned we are never too young to share our faith. Some of the elementary students were so excited about what was happening there, they passionately began sharing their faith with their family, Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. It was amazing to hear the feed back. It was exciting to see them so excited. We did it as a whole group, combining the classes, and the older children helping the younger, it works great. This year the LORD willing we are going to set up, Pilgrim's Progress, and the place he visited. --from SSTN: you can find many of the Voice of Martyrs materials in our affiliate bookstore by typing the title into the search box at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/bookstore.html

4) Summer Planning Our church is small and our Sunday School is smaller. For the summer, we usually purchase a VBS package and spread it out over the 13 weeks. If the VBS only has 5 lessons, we spread them out over two weeks. The first week has a story, memory verse and a game. The second has the memory verse, craft, and snack. The last Sunday of each month, we call Intergenerational Sunday. We invite everyone, all ages, to join for a story, craft, game, and lots of singing and dancing. For the three extra Sunday's, we have reviews, a picnic, and a 4th of July Celebration. This system has been working beautifully for about 5 years now. Karen Merlak
5) Five Finger Prayer This was sent to me by a friend. I had never heard this before, but I thought it was beautiful, and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives. 1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty." 2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers. 3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. 4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. 5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. --from SSTN: this prayer prompt can also be found in our Archives from a previous SSTN--it's a goldmine of ideas! Check it out: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/archives.html
6) Summer Change It Up For the past several years, during the summer months on Wednesday nights, our children act out Bible stories using the Lights, Camera, Action Bible Skits from SundaySchoolNetwork.com: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/curriculum_gospelfun.html. We also videotape the kids, and at the end of the summer we give the parents a "Living Bible" DVD of their children acting out the Bible stories. This summer we will be choosing Bible games from SundaySchoolNetwork.com and working on one lengthy Bible Memory verse. I'm thinking of condensing a passage such as John 1:1-14.
7) Summer Praise, Skits, Choir... At my church every year we have kids praise, where the children do skits, the children choir perform, the children take over its there time to worship, we have family night out, we have bible quiz.
8) Mother's Day...what are you doing? I would like to know what activities you have planned for mother's day. Ronalisha --from SSTN: you can find some great ideas @ SundaySchoolNetwork.com by using the "Search For Ideas" link in the bright, green box at the top of this newsletter.
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