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Newsletter Issue #23 --  July 19, 2016 

Mission Statement: SundaySchoolNetwork.com brings over 25 years of experience to children's ministry. Our Bible lesson plans and activities are designed to lead children to Christ, helping them grow in their faith, so they can proclaim the good news message to the next generation.  

In today's newsletter:

1) Miraculous Answer to Prayer
2) Strengthening Children's Faith
3) Focus Ball Icebreaker Game

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A Great Summer-time Resource

1) Miraculous Answer to Prayer

Last week I wrote about my concerns for the children we teach, that God would protect them from Satan's desire to "sift them like wheat," to destroy them. Today, I have an amazing story to share from, Emmalea Butler, one of our longtime contributors. Emmalea is a faithful and strong believer, teacher,  and Director of the Lord's Locker, a food pantry in Indiana. From all appearances her life is wonderful (and it is), but for many years she has carried a deep heartache for her daughter, Niki. I hope her story encourages you to keep praying for those you love, I know it's encouraged me! 

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><

Emmalea writes, "I was asked recently to speak at Metro Baptist Center in Indiana. The Lord's Locker partners with Metro; we also give them things for their ministry we no longer need. Many friendships have grown over the past three years with these wonderful people. But I had no idea it would be this very church, where I had a relationship with the pastor and the counselor that leads the Celebrate Recovery groups, where I would see my daughter again! Over the years my husband, Ted and I, confided our concerns for Niki and we prayed together for her. We also asked them to keep an eye out for our daughter, as she was known to be on the streets in the area their church was located and may come for help. 

Niki and I have contact via texts and Facebook from time to time, but we have not seen each other in a couple of years. Until last night! Just before I was to share my message, Niki walked in! However, my friends at Metro Baptist Center have known her as Andrea, her first name. For at least the last 6 months they continued to pray with us to help find Niki Butler – all they while they were answering our prayers and ministering to our daughter as ANDREA! WOW!!! GOD IS AMAZING to answer the prayers in so many incredible ways!

The three of us, Niki, Ted, and I, were in elated shock to see each other. I just wanted to PRAISE and GLORIFY GOD's NAME! WOW! What a mighty GOD we serve!

I also have shared Niki's story with most of the clients at The Lord's Locker. Niki’s story has made me a real “Corinthians person” – able to comfort because we have been comforted (2 Corinthians 1:4). I meet people almost weekly with dysfunctional families, people that are beaten through life because they have continually rescued children until they themselves are now destitute, people whose heart breaks for children they haven’t seen in years – who walked away from family and church – who KNOW better. I meet people that are bi-polar – like my Niki, or other similar illnesses. GOD allowed me to learn about mental illness, broken families, and devastated hearts, so that “I” would be trained to be a “comforter” to others that are just like me – but maybe not as mature in Christ – or with NO relationship with HIM. HE allows me to share the gospel with those who would not listen to their sorry woes and who might be looked upon as someone that couldn’t have loved their children or "raised them right" – or their kids wouldn’t DO this to them! I KNOW BETTER!!! And as sad and twisted as it may seem – I AM THANKFUL to have been through what I have with Niki– because, like the Velveteen Rabbit, worn from all the “life” it experienced with the little girl that loved it so much -- I am now REAL!

~ Emmalea Butler

2) Helping Kids to Stay Alert

Re. "Sifted Like Wheat," helping kids stay alert to Satan's attacks.

I try to relate each lesson to the children's personal experiences in their everyday living.

I just don't teach and move on, I make sure each child talks about his life, how the lessons affects him, the challenges he is facing depending on the area we are dealing with in the topic. By so doing, you can read the child's mind, know what he is struggling with, and with the lesson, correct and instruct the child with love. 

Again, I try not to condemn them when they talk about their wrong doings, rather I give them room to freely talk about it while we bring the aspect of the lesson condemning such wrong and allow the Child read it and see for himself.

When lessons are personalized, it helps the child freely talk about his challenges and is helped. The child having his mindset changed positively will not deviate from it later in life.

Thank you and remain blessed, 
Amarachi

3) Focus Ball Icebreaker Game

Set Up
You will need dozens of colored strands of yarn cut into 12 foot lengths, a hog ring (metal circle about 4 or 5 inches in diameter), a soccer ball, and a bucket to hold the ball.  

How to Play
Players begin by . . . get the directions to play Focus Ball.

The Book of Ruth is a beautiful, Hebrew short story which focuses on Ruth’s unselfish loyalty to Naomi and Boaz’s commitment to these two widows. The story is primarily about Naomi’s transformation from despair to joy due to the self-giving love of Ruth and Boaz.   

"Why is this story important for today's kids?"  I'm glad you asked! The story of Ruth is ultimately about God's love and provision for those who are part of God's family, not because of birthright, but because of their faith and loyalty in God. In this story we also learn about Boaz, Ruth and Naomi's Kinsmen Redeemer. It is he who paid off their debts and restored their relationship in the community. In turn, Jesus is our Kinsmen-Redeemer, who has brought us out of slavery to sin, cancelled our debt and has restored us, giving us a hope and joy for the future.

Learn more about teaching the Book of Ruth to children.

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