Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Nothing is Impossible with God

Yesterday, I (Bethany) was thinking about all the challenges that are facing myself and others right now. Then the Spirit brought that song to mind by Hillsong: "Nothing Is Impossible for you, Nothing is Impossible, you hold my world in Your hands". And He gave me faith that He will work all things for good!
So this morning as I was putting on silver jewlery for work to match my fun sandals, a particular silver necklace came to mind. This necklace was a gift from one of my precious children in my previous church where I was the Kids' Minister. This pretty, cross necklace reads : "With God, all things are possible" and I am proudly wearing it as a reminder today! God often speaks to me in "themes". And I believe this is my theme for the week: Nothing is Impossible with God!

This game will help kids know that with God, all things are possible...
Form groups of four. Give each group a bag of Hershey’s Kisses. Say: Your group can eat as many Hershey’s Kisses as you want -- as long as you don’t use your hands to unwrap them.

Allow time. While this is a near-impossible task, applaud your kids’ creativity and efforts.

Afterward, ask: Would you say this was an impossible task? Why or why not?

Read aloud Matthew 19:26.

Ask: What are things that are impossible for us to do that God can do? Is there anything that is impossible for God to do? Why or why not? What’s something you’re facing that seems impossible? What do you think Jesus would have you do about that “impossible” thing?

Game Idea from Gary Lindsay-Children's Ministry Magazine Article

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

Plan a surprise for Mom (or if you're the mom, show this to Dad) since Sunday is Mother's Day. Dig out the construction paper, markers, stickers, etc. and make a card for Mom.

Then choose two things that Mom would like you to do (clean your room without complaining, pick up toys, cook dinner, sort or do laundry—will vary according to the ages of the kids) and make a "coupon" saying that you will do each one. (Example: Good for unloading the dishwasher.) Put these inside the card to give to Mom on Mother's Day.

Make a special breakfast or lunch for her, also.

Ideas taken from Splink D6family.com
If you like Splink, you'll love D6 Devotional Magazines for the entire family!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Leadership

The following are some great learning experiences to use at Community Group or with your own family throughout the week-enjoy!


How Can You Be a Good Leader?

Esther was a great example of a leader. She was courageous and stood up for what was right, even being willing to risk her life for others. A leader doesn’t give in to peer pressure to do wrong, but leads others to do what is right.

Brainstorm how one can be a good leader in each situation:
• Some boys are watching a movie and one of the boys wants to put in a R-rated movie
• Some girls were making fun of another girl on the playground
• The principal announced that the school was collecting items for the earthquake victims
• You are playing video games with your friends and your friend’s mom calls you for lunch
• Your teacher goes out of the room and the others start bullying a student




I Timothy 4:12

Go to http://www.youtube.com/seedsfamilyworship and learn First Timothy 4:12 together. Watch the 2-minute video and sing along.

Ask:
What does it mean to be an example? (It means to be a model, a pattern others can go by)
How can you be an example to others in speech, life, love, faith, or purity?

A good leader does what is right and is a good example to others.






"Tell a Story Day"


April 27 is “Tell a Story Day.” In order to help your kids develop some leadership skills (creativity, organization, working with others), give each one a chance to plan an activity to celebrate the day.

Ideas:
One can gather random items and make up two bags with three items in each bag for a storytelling game. Let them divide the family into two groups, give each one a bag, and have each group make up a story to share using the items in the bag.

One can choose a story and make a food that goes with the story (Give a Mouse a Cookie–cookies; Goldilocks–porridge). Read the story and eat the snack together.

One can collect supplies and set up a station where each person can make and illustrate a story and bind it into a “book.” Younger children could dictate their story to an older sibling or parent.

Let your kids come up with and implement their own ideas.


Ideas taken from Splink d6family.com

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Church Has Left the Building

I remember a rhyme my mom use to say to me when I was a kid. She would weave her fingers together and say, "Here is the church, here is the steeple..." and then she would open up her hands and wiggle her fingers and say-"the Church is the people!" Our Church Has Left the Building Sunday is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to our children how to be the church and not just go to church. It creates a teachable moment with our children. When we invite our kids to serve alongside of us, it gives us a shared experience and a place to connect with our kids on a real, spiritual level. Kids learn by what they see modeled. If they see you modeling a heart of service and compassion, then that is what they will learn. Then you won't only be teaching them the rhyme, but you will also be teaching them the way of life: that the church is the people!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Easy Wins for Parents

God's command in Dueteronomy 6:7 is to repeat His commands again and again. The following are two simple opportunities that you can use to influence your child's faith.
1. Family Room Chalk Board-Frame an inexpensive chalk board and hang it in a prominent place in your family room where the message is unavoidable. Choose a scripture to write on the chalkboard once a month where your kids will read it over and over again. Toward the end of the month, ask your kids if they know the verse. If they don't know it quite yet, practice together and then switch the verse when they know it. This is a great way for your child to memorize at least 12 verses a year!! Talk about an easy win!

2. Bedtime Blessings-Pray biblical blessings over your child each night with bedtime blessing cards. You can keep these cards in your child's room and as part of his or her bedtime routine, pull out a card and read or pray the blessing over your child. You can checkout the bed-time blessing cards from the JF coffeehouse or you can order A Father's Guide to Blessing His Children by David Michael (complete with blessing cards) at childrendesiringGod.org

-Ideas taken from Children's Ministry Magazine by Brian Haynes

PURPOSE

-Activities you can do at Community Group-


"What is this used for?"

While you’re in the kitchen cooking dinner, pull some utensils (potato masher, pizza cutter, grater, etc.) out of the drawer. Hold up each one and ask:
What is this used for?
Each of these utensils has a special purpose–it was made to do something special (mash potatoes, cut pizza, grate cheese, etc.).

Say something like this:
God made each of us for a special purpose–to do something special. Before we were even born, He knew all about us and what we could do to serve Him.






Guess What's in the Bag

Ask each member of the family to bring an item to the dinner table in a bag; don’t let anyone else see it or know what’s in the bag. Take turns guessing what’s in the bag by asking questions about the item that can be answered with a yes or no. (Would I use this in the kitchen? Do you use it outside? Could I use it at school?)

We could guess what was in each bag by finding out what each item is used for. God made each of us to bring Him glory–to lift Him up so others can find out more about our amazing God.






Finding Purpose

The Bible is the best place to find God’s purpose or plan for us. We must KNOW God’s purpose before we can DO it.

Have a Bible sword drill (if your kids are old enough) or write the following Bible references on slips of paper and let each child read one to find out some of God’s purposes.

Psalm 100:2 (serve the Lord with gladness)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (give thanks)
Galatians 6:10 (do good)
1 John 4:11 (love others)
Proverbs 3:5 (trust in the Lord)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Acts Chapter 16 Lesson

Bible Verse Activity:Tell the children to form a circle. Give one child a large ball. Tell them to throw the ball to another child in the circle. When the second child catches the ball, they will say the first word in this week's memory verse-Matthew 5:10. That child will then throw the ball to a third child who will say the first word and add the second word in the verse. This continues until all the words of the verse have been repeated.
Tell the story of Acts 16, starting with verse 16, in your own words. Then follow up with some questions:
*Do you think Paul and Silas were surprised?
*Why do you think they did not run away after the earthquake?
*Paul and Silas were in prison together. What difference does it make in overcoming problems/obstacles by having a trusted partner/friend by your side rather than facing it alone?
*Have you ever encountered a problem because you were telling others about Jesus?
*What can you do when you encounter a problem?
Wall of Obstacles Activity:
Put a sign on a wall that reads "Wall of Obstacles". Have the children write on a sticky note an obstacle or problem they are facing or the name and problem of someone they know who is facing a problem. After they finish, have them post it on the wall.
End by saying something like, "Obstacles can build until a wall is created. It must be broken down before people can accept Christ. But sometimes obstacles can turn into opportunities. That is what happened with Paul in Acts 16".

Acts Chapter 15 Lesson

Activity-Live in Harmony Line
Hang the rope /clothesline across some chairs or room and hide the cards with the Bible verse in various parts of the room. Do not make it too difficult for the children to find. Show the children the rope stretched across the chairs or room. Tell the children that the words to the Bible verse, 1 Peter 3:8, are hidden around the room. Send a few at a time to find one card, and bring it back to the group. Once all the words have been found, have the children hang them in order on the rope using the clothespins/paperclips. Have the children repeat the verse together. Ask two or three children to share a time when they were treated badly. Ask a volunteer to read how the verse says we should live with each other. Share that today they will learn what happens when two christians disagree and how God wants us to act even when we disagree.
Then tell the story of Paul and Barnabas from Acts 15:36-41 in your own words but have the Bible nearby as you tell the story.
Share with the children your experience of disagreeing with a fellow Christian friend and how God helped you handle that. Ask the kids to share any of their own experiences.
Then have kids complete a Christian Anagram with the word C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, vertical down the left side of the paper and have the children fill in descriptions that begin with each letter of the word CHRISTIAN. For example, next to the letter "C", they could write "Christ-Follower" and for the letter "H", they could write Heart filled with the Spirit, etc.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Good Time for New Habits

This is a good time to start new habits. Teach your children to submit (another word for obey) to your family's rules by giving them a chart to mark their progress and make a habit.

For example: First, give them guidelines. Put toothpaste on the brush. Brush while you hum "Mary had a little lamb" or brush up and down, etc. Put your toothbrush in the holder. Then praise them when they do what they are told. Finally, put a sticker on a chart.

Ask:
What might happen if you don't obey and brush your teeth? What if you just pretended to do it every night? (Eventually, you would get cavities and your teeth would hurt, etc.)

Why is it important to obey Mom and Dad's rules? (They want what is best for me; they want to take care of me, etc.)

Learning to submit to or obey one's parents is the first step to obeying God. Actually, when you obey Mom and Dad you are obeying God.

This idea taken from D6 Family:Splink