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April 14, 2015 -- Issue #13

An outdoor Bible Game Event

In today's newsletter:

1) Death and Grieving Resource?

2) Thank You . . . and a Semantic Suggestion

3) Teen Programs?

4) Are You a Transformer?

1) Death and Grieving Resource?

Recently our 56 year old pastor died. Do you have any material on death and grieving process for children age 5 to17 year old?

--from SSTN: Hopefully other teachers will also share their ideas. In the meantime, having just celebrated Easter Sunday--the hope of resurrection, the firstfruit promise of Jesus having overcome death---
1 Thessalonians 4:13 is an excellent reminder for us. "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope."

Also, are you familiar with Randy Alcorn's books, Heaven and Heaven for Kids? Heaven is a reminder that we are looking forward to the prize for which God has called his children. (Philippians 3:13-14) There is more to life than the here and now.

2) Thank You for Your Ministry and a Semantic Suggestion

We appreciate receiving your carefully prepared newsletters that build up children's ministry workers around the world. Thank you for your selfless service. We pray for you and your ministry and know that one day, you will hear the words "well done, faithful servant." Thank you for being open to sharing suggestions from your readers. 

We would like to make a suggestion about the recent Bible Lesson Outline, "A Terrorist Changed, Saul to Paul" you included from a sister in the Lord. Words like "terrorist," "terrorize," and "terrorism" have taken on new meaning in our day. Images on television are difficult for even young children to avoid. Therefore, we would like to suggest that anyone who uses that outline to change forms of the word "terrorize" to "persecute." This word more aptly reflects the original Greek word used in the Book of Acts (22:4) and Paul used in his epistles to describe his former conduct. It is the word used in most Bible translations as well--not terrorize. (See Strong's Concordance G1377, "diókó," which can mean persecute, to put to flight, or pursue.) 

It is also the term found in these words of our Savior “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness 'sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10 ESV).

That the Apostle Paul's focus before coming to faith in his Messiah was to persecute the Jewish believers is clear. And that his actions would naturally cause fear or "terror" in human hearts is understandable. Therefore, perhaps more than any of his peers, he was able to comprehend--with a broken heart for his Jewish people--what misplaced zeal was all about. Yes, Paul was a persecutor of the early believers before his miraculous encounter with his Messiah--but he did not do what the terrorists of today are doing: raping, making women into slaves, burning people in cages, etc. Children are impressionable and we would not want them thinking that Paul did the things terrorists are doing today.

3) Teen Programs?

Do you have programs for teenagers?

Mrs. Walker

--from SSTN: Hi Mrs. Walker, our Bible-4-Life curriculum is primarily targeted to K-5th grade. However, there are several resources within the website that are appropriate for "tweens" (10-14), such as The Amazing Parable Race, Signs of the Times, or Lights, Camera, Action Bible Skits. You can also search our Christian bookstore affiliate link and type in the search phrase, "Christian teen curriculum."

4) Are You a Transformer?

Focus: Explain the words conformed and transformed from Romans 12:2. (To illustrate the two words you will need a lump of clay and a Transformer® toy.)

Read Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ask children if they know what it means to be conformed and transformed? 

As you explain the word, conformed, repeat the verse, "...be not conformed..." which means we are not to be shaped by the world around us (Begin pressing the clay, making it "conform" to the pressure of your hands.) We can be negatively conformed --changed by the world in the wrong ways--sometimes by the friends we choose, the shows we watch on TV or at the movies, or by . . .  Read more.

Have you written a Bible lesson, game, or skit for children's ministry? 
Send it to: submissions@sundayschoolnetwork.com 

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