Welcome to THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S NETWORK

**** A service of ChristianCrafters.Com ****

"For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them." -- Jesus


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


To reply or to post a new topic:

When replying, delete ALL TEXT that is NOT PERTINENT to your response.
Please TITLE your message to reflect the content.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


SSTN # 4 - January 13, 2005


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


1) Bible Puzzle
2) Song Search?
3) Using Crafts in Ministry

Sample Lessons....download them today!

4) Books of the Bible song
5) Regarding Target
6) Cutesy crafts

Premium Club Membership

7) New Year's Lesson?
8) Decorating preschool classroom
9) Hymn for after the tsunami



<>< <>< <>< <>< TODAY'S SSTN POSTINGS: <>< <>< <>< <><

1) Bible Puzzle

Can you find thirty (30) books of the Bible in this paragraph? Actually,
there are 31 Bible names if you can find the variant of one Old Testament
prophet.

There are 30 books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This
is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane
seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him
occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some
friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his
john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine
Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her
weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this
puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will
be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people,
however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book
names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we
are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some
of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is
responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this
paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle,
the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new record. The local paper, The
Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one
of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it,
"The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight." Those able
to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be
shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel
may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and
spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete
really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there
is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 30 books of the Bible
lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found. God Bless.

--from SSTN: This is a great puzzle for older teens and adults. You could
use it for an icebreaker activity and divide the class into teams to solve
it. In a few weeks I might post the answers in the site. Warning...it
might make you crazy! ;o) Have fun.
sarah keith <><


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


2) Song Search?

For some time I have been searching for the musical score/sheet music for
a song of which I do not know the title, author, or first line of verse
one.  (I know I'm pretty pathetic!)  But I do know the chorus and melody
of the chorus.  I think the verses generally declare "I do not know why
Jesus . . . . ."  The chorus is as follows:
 
"But this one thing I know, that when that crimson flow
Fell to the earth below, it fell on me!
My eyes were opened wide; I saw Him crucified,
And knew for me He died, at Calvary."
 
My thought was that someone might have the song, or be able to tell me
where the sheet music might be obtained.  Of course, I am quite willing to
pay for any costs that might be incurred, including the music.
 
Sincerely,
Bob Cooper
13 Oxford Circle
West Grove, PA 19390


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

3) Using Crafts in Ministry

Sarah,
      Your website is very nice and very informative. i am a crafts person
for our church pioneer club. i use your website very often. the crafts on
here are ones that go along with lessons that are being taught. kids learn
a lot more when using a craft that goes along with the lessons. i know for
one example. we were doing a lesson. the kids didn't seem to understand,
but when I brought in a craft for them to make. It helped them to
understand.
      if someone feels that your website isn't right, then they need to go
elsewhere. I for one appreciate all your time and effort you put into this
ministry. God bless you and keep up the good work.

in Christ,
sherry

--from SSTN: thank you, Sherry.
ysic,
sarah keith <><


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


Sample Lessons....download them today!

"Lion Bites" from "Super Heroes of the Bible":
http://www.christiancrafters.com/treat_lion.html 

"Alpha & Omega Relays" from "His Name Shall Be Called...":
http://www.christiancrafters.com/game_alpha.html 

"No Other gods" from "God's Top Ten":
http://www.christiancrafters.com/lesson_nogods.html 


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

4) Books of the Bible song

>I recently heard of song that names the books of the bible.  Does anyone
>know where I can find this song or where I can get a copy of it. 

Hi Minnesota!
I (through this website a few years ago) found this website....
www.ebibleteacher.com
Go there on the left you'll find Sunday School Children and then after you
select that you'll see Songs (on the left).

There are 2 songs for the books of the Bible.   The Old Testament is to
the tune of Ten Little Indiansl.   My kids have had fun learning the books
and have no problem reciting them because of these songs.

Hope this helps!
Michelle


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

5) Regarding Target

Dear Sarah,
I have to write to set the record straight about Target.  I work for the
United Way and I talked to the Campaign Manager who works with Target and
also with my niece, who is an employee of Target.  Each told me that there
is a specific reason why Target stopped allowing the Salvation Army to
ring the bells in front of their stores.  Salvation Army was the only
not-for-profit that Target allowed to fund raise in front of their stores,
but Target received so many complaints from other not-for-profits that it
was not fair for them to only allow the Army to fund raise, that Target
has now made it policy not to allow any not-for-profit to fund raise on
their sites.  I know of other stores that only allow their choice
charities to do fund raising at their establishments.  I think maybe
someone got some bad information and sent it in.

Thanks for SSTN.  I always look forward to reading it!

Rene
Portage, Indiana

--from SSTN: Dear Rene, I was aware of Target's policy. However, many
people, including the Salvation Army, felt that because of the Army's long
standing history and past relationship with Target stores they could have
"grandfathered" them in as other stores have done. But, this wasn't the
only rejection for Christians at Target. Target stores chose to eliminate
references to "Christmas" and replaced them with "Happy Winter Solstice"
signs. Uuugh!

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


6) Cutesy crafts

I have been teaching Sunday School since 1955.  I am now teaching
grandkids of those I taught long ago and I have to say I know these kids
have remembered what they were taught by reinforcement by crafts and
games.
The most important part of my ministry has not been crafts and games. 
That is why I study the lesson every day for a week (and sometimes longer)
and pray constantly that the Lord will teach through me.  The Holy Spirit
does indeed use us to impress the lessons on the children's hearts, but He
is also the One who has given us the knowledge to use games and crafts to
help them remember what they have learned.
 
I use games as a way of setting in the kids' minds what they have
learned.  If they make a craft that helps them remember when they take it
home, it might possibly stay where they can see it and remember again. 
 
When the Lord gave plans for the tabernacle, he ordered craftsmen to use
their talents to make it beautiful and meaningful.  He could have said,
"Moses, make the whole thing brown and let the people just be quiet and
listen to Me" but He didn't.
 
The Holy Spirit isn't limited to one way of teaching. I am so grateful for
the ideas shared on SSTN and have used so many of them.  Thanks Y'all!
 
Helen Setser

--from SSTN: Amen, Helen. Your comments reminded me of the Bible verse I
have posted in the site which says, "...He has filled him with the Spirit
of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--to make
artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set
stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic
craftsmanship...and the ability to teach others...He has filled them with
skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in
blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers--all of them
master craftsmen and designers." 
Exodus 35:31ff. 

ysic,
sarah keith <><


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


Premium Club Membership

Learn how this will help you and your ministry at:

http://www.Christiancrafters.com/PM_learn.html 



<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

7) New Year's Lesson?

i'm looking for a lesson for my youth group that ties in with new years.
any ideas?
thanks
Connie


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

8) Decorating preschool classroom

I only have a summer's worth of experience w/ pk's, but this semester in
school that's all i learned about really. So this might help you or
it might not. And I don't know how much freedom you have and how you run
your class right now, but I learned that play is VERY important for this
age group. Maybe you could set up in a corner a small stage ( a taped off
area) for "dramatic" play, aka let the kids have a spot where they can act
out either the bible stories you are learning about ( with costumes/props,
etc...) or act out, for example, how can we show love to our mom, dad,
bro/sis, etc... or use puppets/dolls/finger puppets to tell
stories...and we learned that it very important for kids to see their own
work on the walls vs. store made posters/pictures...which is kinda
difficult since you want them to take home their work to their parents to
foster interaction from the parents...and if you have bookshelves, tables,
etc...they are supposed to be at kid-friendly level so it develops
independence instead of them always asking teacher can you get me the
....and if you do songs w/ hand movements or any other type of movement
activity, you should have a designated area like a rug or have the floor
taped off, etc...I hope this helps because I just subed a ss class for
pk's one summer and I didn't do any thing like this (they just listened to
me read a bible story, colored a sheet and anwered questions, then got
free time to play, then we prayed and time was up) but the two teachers
that I had this semester both taught pk's in public school for many years
before moving to the college level so I'm gonna guess that they knew what
they were talking about...


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

9) Hymn for after the tsunami

Dear SSTN,
I thought members might appreciate these words which come from a Methodist
minister in Wadebridge, Cornwall UK
 
Dear friends
I offer this hymn, which may be useful in the coming weeks.
Every blessing
Gareth

Tune: Aurelia (H&P 515) /The church’s one foundation/

When innocence is fractured
by nature’s shifting force,
and paradise is ruptured
and life is swept off course.
We come to pray our questions,
we come to share our grief;
in this, our act of worship,
to say that we believe.

As headlines overwhelm us
and make us close our minds;
as news from distant islands
brings death before our eyes.
We seek a hope to cling to,
a refuge to embrace;
lest in the grip of knowing
we lose our hold on grace.

How dare we speak of heaven
made human for our sakes,
or preach a loving Father
when seas and mountains quake?
We dare because our story
speaks of a love that came
to bear the cost of dying
and still would do the same.

In Christ our souls take refuge,
though not to hide from truth:
we face each anguished question
with faith, if not with proof.
We hear his wistful question:
“And will you leave me too?”
Though all the world should crumble,
We hope, O Christ, in you.

Gareth Hill Copyright © 2005 GraceNotes Music/
rev.gareth@cybervicar.com



<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Help Support SSTN

Only one dollar a month helps to provide the Christian educational
resources in the website and newsletter. For more info, go to this
webpage:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/ministry_support.html 

Or, mail your US check or US money order to:

Sarah Keith <><
ChristianCrafters.Com
438 East Ilex Drive
Lake Park, FL 33403
USA

(In the memo section of your check write: "SSTN Subscription".
Please include your email address.)

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


--Copyright 2002 S.A. Keith--All Rights Reserved. ----

Please read the complete copyright information at ChristianCrafters.Com.
You will find the link at the bottom of the homepage.

SSTN Posting Guidelines: http://christiancrafters.com/SSTN_guidelines.html 

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 or ChristianCrafters.Com in any medium (websites, magazines,
newsletters, etc.), you must contact the submitter, and
ChristianCrafters.Com 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 ChristianCrafters.Com. SSTN
reserves the right to edit and or exclude information from the SSTN
e-Newsletter.


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><


SUBSCRIBE--UNSUBSCRIBE - and Change of Address directions:

To SUBSCRIBE or to add a new email address to the SSTN e-Newsletter:
Go to the "Sunday School Network" page
at: http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com/page3.html 

If you are subscribing your friends, make sure you have their permission.

Return to the Archives