Tag: Christian

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Yes, This Counts at Home

Published on by Mary2 Comments

 

The best lessons are not what goes on in my Bible class.  The best lessons are what the children take with them when they leave.

Years ago I was teaching children about the Fruit of the Spirit.  One young child was in total agreement with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.  These were great concepts and he loved learning about them and exploring how they apply in church and in school and with his friends.  But I’ll never forget his reaction when I mentioned that the Fruit of the Spirit should also be displayed to our brothers and sisters in our family.

This young man, moments before, had been enthusiastic when talking about these concepts in various other settings.  Now, he looked at me in shock and horror and said, “What! This counts at HOME too?”

This child realised a truth that is for all of us.  It is God’s intention that we apply what we learn to ALL parts of our lives.

Prayer Cards are one way to help children understand this important truth.

I was able to use these recently when teaching about Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery.  As we explored the tense relationship between Joseph and his brothers I asked the children in my class to consider relationships with their own siblings.  Even if we do not always get along we should want the best for them.  One way to do this is to pray for them.

I supplied paper, scissors and pens.  As we talked about our siblings we wrote their names on cards.  In class we prayed for each one.  Then, the children took the cards home so they could remember to pray for their siblings.

Yes, prayer counts at home, too.

Full instructions for prayer cards

 

 

The One About the Cross

Published on by MaryLeave a comment

“Teacher, when you tell stories, do you think sometimes you could tell me the one about the cross. I keep wondering what that cross is about.” I will never forget that question from a little boy who attended church and my Bible class for the first time.

This little boy had loved the Bible story and learning activities that day. He told his parents and me that he wanted to come back every Sunday (and he did). What he experienced that day with us was extremely important in his faith journey but it was clear that we were not the beginning of his journey. God had been planting seeds in his heart all along the way. Seeds were planted every time this young man passed a church building with a cross on it. Seeds were planted when he would see jewelry and billboards and bibles with crosses on the front.

Seeds are planted at Easter time. Children see the crosses people are putting up on signs and in decorations. The words “Christ”, “Christian”, “Jesus”,”resurrection” and phrases like “He is risen” are uttered by many people whether they understand deeper truths or not. Many children (and adults) wonder, “What does it mean?”

Any day is a good day to share the story of Jesus but Easter time creates a perfect opportunity to answer the questions children are wondering about.

Resources for Telling the Story of Jesus

The One About the Cross

And yes, I shared the story of the cross with that little boy that first day. It was a condensed version but I wanted to make sure he knew that this was one of the most important questions anyone could ever ask.

I told him that God created the whole world and he wanted everyone to be happy and love him. Sadly, people made bad choices and that has made lots of bad things happen in this world. Sometimes people even die. God was very sad that people had caused the earth to be so bad. Even though many people did not follow him he still loved them. So God sent his son, Jesus, from heaven to earth to show everyone how to obey God and make good choices.

But many people did not believe Jesus and got so angry that they made him die on a cross.

But guess what!? He was dead but after 3 days Jesus came alive again! Jesus showed that he is stronger than death and stronger than any bad thing that can ever happen.

Soon after he came back to life, the time came for Jesus to go to heaven to live with his Father again in heaven. Before Jesus left he told his followers to be sure and tell other people the good news. The good news is that “Jesus died but he came alive again!” God says that Jesus dying on the cross means that people can change from being bad to being good. People who follow Jesus do not have to be afraid of dying. If you follow Jesus then you will also come alive again to live in heaven someday!”

And THAT is the one about the cross!

Touring Mission Bible Class

Published on by Mary1 Comment

Here’s a quick video tour of the features of the Mission Bible Class website.  Please feel free to pass the link on to someone who teaches or wants to teach children about God.

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Booster, Booster!

Published on by MaryLeave a comment

Snapshot 1 (27-07-2016 11-29 AM)

I’ve just spent the last couple of days uploading some new “old” songs onto www.missionbibleclass.org.  I was reminded again of how songs add a lot of joy to Bible Classes and any gathering of children.

People often tell me about their favourite songs that they sang as a child in Sunday School or with their parents.  I remember long ago singing Booster, Booster Be a Booster like the girls in the video above are singing.  Songs stick!

I’ve been blessed by a lot of people singing songs for the website.  How about having a listen to a few of them.  Perhaps you can sing them with the children in your life.

Click here for Songs for Bible Class

The Puzzling Attraction of Puzzles

Published on by MaryLeave a comment

Puzzling_Mitch_5294339220_687c49b375_b

Disorder and exposed edges cause us to be tense and unsettled.  We fervently scan for those straight edges to establish a boundary and begin to sort things out.  We aren’t satisfied until everything is in its proper place and the picture is complete.

It is no wonder we say we “work” puzzles.  The process doesn’t seem like “play” at all.

It is work.  Yet, even when there is no outside competition involved, we find pleasure in that work.  It is a quest for the solution.  A desire to find the answer to the problem.  Figuring out how the pieces fit together.  Consciously or not, all of us are looking for answers.  God, in his wisdom has created us curious and hungry to ‘know’.  It sometimes feels like very hard work and yet we still seek.

As teachers we can walk alongside children and guide them in the important Christian-life-skill of looking for answers and seeking truth.  Throughout their lives truth will always be found in God.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.  Psalm 63:1, NIV

A good lesson plan for Bible Class should include challenging and pleasurable learning  activities that motivate children to think.

Challenges don’t have to be complicated.  One simple activity is an adaptation of jig-saw puzzles.  Click here for written instructions and links to good online teaching pictures you can use.

Or watch this 2 minute training video below.

May God bless you as you help children seek answers.

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Photo Credit (top of page): “Puzzling” by Mitch used through Creative Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/