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"For where two or three come together in my name,
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SSTN # 86 - September 26, 2005


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


Chalk-It-Up ... Gift Book For Kids

1) Your snack ideas
2) Love Boxes
3) Kid's sound effects?
4) Building the Bible?
5) Why Have Sunday School
6) Why Have Sunday School

--> Easy-to-teach Lessons

7) Why Have Sunday School
8) Why Have Sunday School
9) Why Have Sunday School
10) Continuing Sunday School
11) Ideas for clear plastic tubes
12) Snacks


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Chalk-It-Up ... Gift Book For Kids

Have fun with 22 Awesome Outdoor Games Kids Draw With Chalk.
Fun and wholesome activities for parties, icebreakers, and friendship
building! Use them at church, school, youth groups or for family time
get-togethers! The book comes with a pack of giant sidewalk chalk, a
recipe to make your own chalk and directions to make some unique game
accessories. Includes games for older and younger kids (K-5th grade)!
Get two sample games and learn more at:

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



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1) Your snack ideas

To all who wrote me about snacks... 
Just want to say thank you for all your wonderful ideas on how to make my
snacks cheap for Sunday School. Alot of great ideas came my way, and its
true, if you are hungry its very hard for children to concentrate. With
the Lords help, I can make cheap snacks that the kids will enjoy!
thanks again.
Blessings..
Debbie


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2) Love Boxes
 
My Sunday School class puts together Boxes of Love for our Pastor to take
on his visits to sick, elderly, people in need.  This year the box will
include a small first aid kit, a package of tissue, lotion, 2 different
cracker snacks a pen and a note pad.  We place all of these items in a
plastic container with a handle so that it will be easy for the pastor to
transport.  On the outside of the Box I create a label that states:
 
Box of Love
A new commandment I give unto you
that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:34


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3) Kid's sound effects?

I am looking for a web site for f-ree kids sound effects. Thanks


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4) Building the Bible?

I love the idea of Building the Bible and want to use
that idea for Fruit of the spirit somehow..however I'm
a bit confuzzled about the code and how and what that
was? Any clarification would be so appreciated thanks.
Hen


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5) Why Have Sunday School

>I just found out our church is going to be discussing
>whether to continue having Sunday school classes. 

The very verse says it all.  "For where two or three come together in my
name, there am I with them." -- Jesus.

We have a small church, smaller than most.  We only have 2, yes 2 kids in
our sunday school class.  We feel if we only have one child, they are
worth our attention and devotion.  How else are they going to learn?  I happen
to be one of 4 teachers.  We take turns teaching, each one teaching for a
month at a time.  I offered to teach over the summer because, as you, I
enjoy it. I get alot out of it.  I also prefer teaching only a few because
I know that I can talk to them individually and I have their attention
versus teaching a room full of kids not knowing if they are even
listening.

So my point is, regardless if you have 2 or 20, it is for the kids
enjoyment as much as yours.  It might do more harm than good to take away
sunday school.  I hope this helps.
Andrea


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6) Why Have Sunday School

Karen,
  One of the best reasons to never give up on having Sunday School, no
matter how small, is because we are called to make disciples of all
people.
Even if we are able to reach one or two children, we are accomplishing our
mission.  I am a member of a small church.  Our first Sunday School class
only had three children present; they were quiet and not really
responsive.
I was very depressed because I had planned a great lesson from the
Parables of Jesus.  I brought this up at our Stewardship meeting.  However, this
Sunday I had 10 children present!  I was once again energized. Please do
not discontinue your Sunday School class, even if it's with "just 10
children". Think of all the good you can do.  Keep the faith.
Peace,
Marla in Massachusetts


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--> Easy-to-teach Lessons

KID-tested and teacher approved! One book is all you need for an entire
class! Choose from: "Super Heroes of the Bible", "God's Top 10", "Amazing
Miracles of the Bible", "Spirit Gifts", and "His Name Shall Be Called...".
Learn more at:

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



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7) Why Have Sunday School  (response)

Our church went thru a "dry spell" with our Sunday School as well.  We
decided to cancel for a couple of summers, but started again with the
new school year.   My argument for keeping Sunday School open is simply
this.. letting the kids know your there for them.  Our tiny country
church had about 2 kids for a while, then 5 .. and now we are at back to
our former attendance of 28 or more. I understand the thoughts and
reasons behind cancelling, but Christ stated "where 2 or more are
gathered in my name" .. not where 20 or more are gathered.
On second thought, there is another positive to staying open with
smaller numbers.  Better connection!  With smaller numbers it is harder
to "ingore" or "miss" someone.  The kids know you care about them
individually and you can get a better grasp of how much they are
understanding and adjust your lessons accordingly!
God Bless You!
a friend in Christ


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8) Why Have Sunday School

> I just found out our church is going to be discussing
> whether to continue having Sunday school classes...

I think the reason to continue SS classes is right there in your posting.
You are not the only one who's children cannot attend Wednesday eves, and
not the only one attending Sunday class.  If your class is the way to
reach even one child and bring him to Christ, the opportunity must be there.
Personally, I can't even imagine a church without Sunday School.  My class
never has more than 8 students on Sundays, but I know perfectly well, if I
wasn't there, they would never set foot in the church.  Life for school
age children is so busy now with sports and other groups, I think Sundays
should remain available for such important ministry.  I pray your church
decides to keep it going..

In Christ,
Joanna


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9) Why Have Sunday School

I come from a small church as well, and we had the same problem a few
years ago. the best argument that I can give for keeping Sunday School is
that our children are the future of the church. If we do not instill the
gospel into these young lives, in just a few short years, there will be no
church!  We made some alterations, and now Sunday School is held on Sunday
morning during the morning service. Church begins at 11:00 a.m., and at
11:45, the children are summoned to the front of the church, for a song
and prayer and then dismissed for Sunday School. Teachers alternate each
week, so no one  teacher misses church every Sunday. We must emphasize the
importance of our children and we must pray that Sunday Schools stay open.
My belief is that if only one child comes to Sunday school, it is still
important for that child to realize that he/she is special, and deserves
to be taught the bible on his/her level. My prayers are with you. I do ray
that your Church board recognizes how valuable those 10 children are.
 


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10) Continuing Sunday School

I would say yes and amen!  I am concerned they are even thinking about it! 
First, it shouldn't matter how many children are or aren't there. 
Second, these precious children are the future church-we as parents and
teachers should be doing our utmost to raise them in the Lord.  And a
perfect way to do that is through bible class.  Not only do they learn
about God's word on a level that fits their age group but they are
interacting with other children of the same faith and who they will most
likely grow up and be close to as adults.  Why would that be something so
vital and yet taken away so easily.  As adults, we sit through worship,
but that is mostly on a level for adults.  So, that means the adults are
being fed the word and the children are being left behind. 
Thirdly, you never know what is going on in that child's home.  Maybe this
is the only spiritual food that they receive all week; if their parents
aren't have devotionals, reading the bible to them or singing praises with
them. I hope your members will reconsider.
Lisa


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11) Ideas for clear plastic tubes

a. Use these instead of toilet paper rolls for Compassion (Good Samaritan)
Rolls
b. Fill with beans or rice for musical instrument (if strong enough)
c. Use to hold beads or small craft items
d. Use to hold pencils, markers, etc.  You can give one to each student
and let them decorate the outside of them.
e. Object lesson-take the ends off and use as a telescope and explain how
God can see all the way to our heart without using anything.

Lisa


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12) Snacks

This is in response to Debbie about snacks in Sunday school. It is the sad
truth that most kids do not eat breakfast in the mornings, unfortunately,
many times that means that they get dropped off at Sunday school, daycare,
or even school without eating anything, and probably not getting to eat
anything until lunch time. If you really do not want to have a snack
because it takes away from class time, then I would say just don't have
one. 3rd and 4th graders are old enough to understand that a snack is not
always provided. Younger children probably do expect a snack. The church I
was teaching at up until recently, served snack to two year olds - first
graders. This snack would usually consist of graham crackers, goldfish
crackers, pretzels, cookies, and other similar treats. Most of the times
these items were purchased at stores such as Costco in very large
quantities, so it was not all that expensive. However, there were times
when I provided snacks for my class. I found that Wal Mart and the 99 Cent
Only stores are excellent places to purchase snacks. Wal Mart sells
generic cookies in a variety of flavors for under $1.00 (I think it was 78
cents or something like that) a pack, including sugar cookies (great for
kids to decorate, they are round), oatmeal raisin, and chocolate chip. 99
Cent Only Stores sell everything from Fruit Roll Ups and Fruit Snacks to
candy, cookies, even goldfish crackers, graham crackers, and name brand
snacks. If you do purchase items at the 99 Cent Only Stores for snack,
just be sure to check the expiration dates, some of the things expire
within a couple weeks of purchase, but most things are just not "top
sellers" in major retail chains and are good for a long period of time.
 
Hope this helps
Love in Christ,
Sarah in California


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