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

This week's newsletter is brought to you by Creative Imaginations

Issue #3 - January 21, 2010 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. ~ Jesus
What's the buzz? Scroll down the page to view articles. 1) Teaching Adults 2) Teaching Adults 3) Teaching Adults 4) Ten Commandments Song? Your participation makes SSTN a success! 5) Story Telling Methods? 6) Haiti Relief, what we can do 7) Terrorist Cells in Churches 8) Easter Skits 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) Teaching Adults > I need help teaching adults in a creative way... Fellow teacher, I have only substitute taught for the adult class at my church (taught teen class for many years), so I may not have any answers for you, but after reading this, I feel impressed to give you a few things that I have done in those classes. I did a lesson on the armor of God and actually took a coloring sheet of the armor that I found online. May sound silly, but it was a great visual for the class....It opened a great discussion about wearing the armor in the first place and showed that no armor worn on the back, sometimes we tend to forget that....I also had a lesson was from Ps 145:4. I am in my 30's and was teaching senior adults that day...One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I told them that since they were a generation ahead of me, I wanted to put that verse to the test. I made up slips of paper to pass out that had suggestions on them, such as "Tell me one way that God made Himself real to You", "Tell me one way that God has provided for you", Tell me one way that you know beyond a shadow of doubt that God made a way for you when there was no way". That lesson was one of the most moving ones that I had with that group. We all learned things about each other that I didn't know....If these are the kinds of lessons that you might be looking for, I would gladly share lessons that I have done with teens in the past, that you might could adapt for adults. (tmorrow@firstbanktn.com is my email address.) I pray you get many responses too.
2) Teaching Adults I've found that adults enjoy many of the same things kids do (think of them as big kids). Object lessons, activities, drama, and even some games work well and liven up the class.
3) Teaching Adults I don' think you necessarily need to think in terms of having fun, although I agree with the first two postings, it can be useful (and fun) to play games or activities. The use of maps or short video series can also be advantageous. One such DVD series with lesson book and discussion book is Timothy Keller's Prodigal God. It is fantastic! However, I think a lesson that consistently encourages interaction and discussion is the best way to engage adults in Bible study and then seeking to apply it to our daily lives. One of the best studies I have ever been involved in is one where we discuss a book w/Bible, and along the way we discuss any other spiritual rabbit trail that comes to mind. This group has been meeting together for years and has been a means of great spiritual growth in my life! If it takes four weeks to get through one page, then so be it. We are delving deep...it is very challenging...and for that matter, fun! First and foremost, you want to make sure that your lessons are grounded in the Word of God. There are many great resources to choose from such as the Lifeguide Bible Studies series, How to Study Your Bible: The Lasting Rewards of the Inductive Method, and as mentioned before, the Prodigal God book, workbook and DVD. All these can be found in our affiliate bookstore by typing the titles into the search box at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/bookstore.html. Also, our Beatitudes lessons for adults is useful and can be found at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/curriculum_beatitudes.htm I hope you find these resources helpful in your ministry to adults! Your webservant, Sarah Keith <>< P.S. please keep us posted on your progress!	Can you answer the following questions? __________________ + Are there any holidays that are more important to Christians than Christmas and Easter? + Does God want us to celebrate any particular holidays? + Why should children in the church study the Feasts of the Lord, today? Click here to discover the answers to these questions and sample a lesson!
4) Ten Commandments Song Re. song from 50's and 60's "First I must Honor God, etc" I too have been looking for this song for many years. I actually emailed (my school) St. Turibius School in Chicago to see if they could give me any help. They have yet to reply. I will keep looking until I come up with some information. As soon as I do, I will let all of you know. Mary Anne
5) Haiti Relief, what we can do Christians across the world must continue mobilizing their time, talent and money to help the people of Haiti. However, in the coming days be careful that you are not scammed into donating by unscrupulous organizations; donate to well-established ones who have the resources to make a difference, such as the ones I've listed below: American Red Cross: The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by the earthquake in Haiti. You can also send $10 by texting the word "Haiti" to # 90999. Clinton Bush Haiti Fund: 95.9% of your donations go towards the actual programs. You can also send $10 by texting the word, "Haiti" to # 20222. Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity International is addressing shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the earthquake. Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations. Missionary Flights International: maintains regular passenger service each week to and from the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Mission personnel such as families, medical teams, and work teams are transported at a substantial savings of time and airfare costs. The Lord has led us to "stand in the gap" in meeting the air support needs of Biblical missions in the island fields of the West Indies. Salvation Army: following the severe earthquake that struck last Tuesday. The Salvation Army has already dedicated $50,000 in direct aid to the country, and it is in need of additional donations. Samaritan's Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the earthquake that devastated Haiti by providing critically needed assistance, including water, temporary shelter, blankets, hygiene kits, medical aid, and other essentials. I live in a community with a large Haitian population. We have a close family friend who's extended family lived in Haiti. She received word that all of them were killed--including her 70 year old grandmother who had gone for a short visit and was found dead in the street. She and thousands of others need our prayers. Their grief is unbearable. Only God can give them peace in the midst of this unimaginable devastation. Your webservant, Sarah Keith <><
6) Story Telling Methods? Please share any unique story telling methods or techniques you've used when teaching Bible stories. For example, how have you used the tried and true flannel board methods, puppets or buzz word techniques? I once heard of someone using different hats to represent the Bible characters and even using small action figures to tell the story. What other methods or techniques have you used?
7) Terrorist Cells in Churches Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy. However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ.. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return. NO CHURCH IS EXEMPT! However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin!
8) Easter Skits Are you preparing a drama for this coming Easter? Find some ideas in the Easter Skit resources section at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/skits.html
Prayer Board: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, enter his courts with praise!" Need prayer? You may submit your requests, but while you're there, pray for others too! We ask that you guard this area and monitor it for abuses that could arise. It is not a place for gossip or for marketing products. Please respect this area. It has been set apart for you! Follow this link to begin posting your prayer requests and praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ across the world: http://sstn.org/corkboard/index.html
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