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


Issue #12 - April 13, 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) Mother's Day Gift 2) Easter, a Pagan Word? 3) Los Discipulos (The Disciples) 4) Teaching Manners? 5) Christian Women Stand Trial Support the Network--learn how--Click here. The Red Button indicates a teacher who needs help. Your ideas keep SSTN going! 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) Mother's Day Gift For one of our newest entries for Mother's Day Gifts, look for the "Hugs & Kisses Gift" link on our Crafts-Holidays page at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/crafts-holidays.html

2) Easter, a Pagan Word? Dear SSTN, WE often heard that the word EASTER is a pagan word, can you give a brief explanation to this? In our church (in the Philippines), we prefer to use Resurrection Sunday, rather than EASTER Sunday. I am also a Sunday School teacher and a curriculum writer. I have to clarify this term to my learners so that they will not be confused. Thanks and God bless. Aida --from SSTN: There are only seven holidays in Scripture that God commanded his people to celebrate. The first three, Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits is what "Easter" is really all about. Jesus rode into Jerusalem before Passover on Lamb Selection Day--what we now call Palm Sunday--and died on the Feast of Passover; he is our Passover lamb. He was then laid in the grave during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He did not decay in the grave. He is our sinless, without leaven, sacrifice. On the third day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called Firstfruits, Jesus came back to life. He is the first one to be raised from the dead to live eternally, “the firstfruits of eternal life,” never to die again; now, whoever believes in him will also have eternal life! Today, the Feast of Firstfruits* celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, what we now call “Easter Sunday.” Originally, during this feast, Israel's priest waved barley grain before the Lord to demonstrate that Israel trusted God to provide the rest of the harvest. In the same way, if we believe and trust in Jesus, then we too can be part of the harvest of those who will be raised to life after death! Explanation used with permission from the curriculum book "Come Celebrate the Feasts of the Lord--They Show Us Jesus!" http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/curriculum-feasts-of-the-Lord.html As to your specific question regarding the word, "Easter," the following link provides a useful and concise explanation: http://www.victorious.org/churchbook/chur71.htm Another idea to consider is by taking a once-pagan holiday, Eostere, and redeeming* it--by celebrating Jesus' defeat over sin and death--Christians are participating in the work of Christ.
3) Los Discipulos (The Disciples) Los Discipulos (The Disciples) are a "gang" of ex-gang-bangers that have received Christ as Savior. Now they rescue kids at risk or that are in gangs - through the love and power of Jesus Christ. Break dancing and rap are their venue that opens the opportunities to then give their testimony of a changed life through Christ. They follow up and lead Bible studies in some of the poorest areas of San Salvador. They are also furthering their education by attending a Bible Institute that trains nationals to be pastors and church leaders. My sister and I met them and worked beside them for 7 days of mission work. We grew to love them and respect and appreciate their Christian hearts and determination to serve God. http://WWW.youtube.Com/watch?v=ibd-M-is4p8&feature=email I did want you to know how much fun I had with the 10 commandment signs on my trip to Central America. The first week my sister and I gave instructions on basic ideas for Children's ministry in 4 churches and also spoke in a Christian school. The kids in the high school really took to the commandment help, as did the ministry leaders we spoke to in some of the churches. Also a Jr. church in one of the churches learned very quickly through this method. My favorite was at the end of week 2 when we introduced it to the ex-gang guys...They LOVED IT! The more I reviewed, the better they got and the more they wanted to review it again! Even a boy on our team, 19 years old and a student at Purdue University here in Indiana, joined in with the guys and learned the 10 commandments. The next day, I didn't go with them, but they all worked together painting at an orphanage. The Purdue boy said the gang and he kept challenging each other all day through the 10 commandments review - just calling out a number to see who could remember it first. That was such a blessing to hear. The guys from the gang said this would not only help them teach the kids the commandments, but also help them show the older teens how they can see clearly that they are sinners in need of a Savior.	Great for Summertime Lessons! *Set designs included!*
4) Teaching Manners? I am Ashish from Delhi I want to know more about SUNDAY SCHOOL i want to know how to teach children and give them manners
5) Christian Women Stand Trial Today Continued prayers are needed for two Iranian women. Read more @ http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2010/s10040054.htm
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Copyright 1997 - 2010 / d.b.a. "S. A. Keith of Creative Imaginations Reproducing in any medium, commercial or noncommercial, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. SSTN has contributors from all over the world who share their ideas. If you reprint any of the ideas from SSTN, SundaySchoolNetwork.com or ChristianCrafters.Com in any medium (websites, magazines, newsletters, etc.), you must contact the submitter, and website for reprint permissions. Any materials used must also include the submitter's name and where the ideas were gleaned from. The opinions expressed or advertisements displayed in the SSTN e-Newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by SundaySchoolNetwork.com or any of its affiliates. SSTN reserves the right to edit and or exclude information from the SSTN e-Newsletter. SundaySchoolNetwork.com \| SSTN.org \| ChristianCrafters.com \| Bible-4-Life.com ChristianTeachersNetwork.com \| Sunday-School-Lessons.com \| Bible-Lessons.net \| FreeCraftsAndGames.com