"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Jesus
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SSTN # 66 - July 27, 2005
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
--> Amazing Miracles of the Bible
1) Two Year Olds' Attention Span 2) Survivor Temptation Island Song 3) Watermelon lesson
--> Last Minute Ideas!
4) In Case of Emergency 5) Speaking to Adults 6) Fear Factor VBS 7) Fear of Speaking...Anxiety 8) Speaking to Adults 9) Watermelon Gospel 10) Speaking to Adults
God’s glory and love are revealed through the miracles he performed and were fully realized when he came to earth in the form of a man to save mankind. By studying the miracles of the Bible children will gain a better understanding of God’s love and faithfulness and how he continues to be loving and faithful in miraculous ways to his people today. Great for rotation-type programs!
I was a bit shocked by the comments that have been made in recent issues of SSTN concerning two year olds. The idea that two year olds cannot be taught to sit still, listen, and so on is so untrue. Two year olds are at a very crucial age, and it is important that children be reached early on in life, to develop morals and decisions about church and the world that will carry them through a lifetime. Studies have shown that by the time a child is 4 years old, they have made their decision about whether or not they feel safe at church, whether or not they are loved at church, whether or not they feel safe at church, and whether or not they feel "in the way" at church. As such, it is so important that we create a safe, loving, caring, and God filled environment for these children from the time they are born. The two year olds at our church have the same curriculum as the pre-kindergarten children at our church. Sure things are a bit simpler, and they need a bit more help, but they do crafts, sing songs, sit through a story, and do coloring pages. They laugh, have fun, socialize and fellowship with their friends, and have a really good time. That being said, I personally do not have the patience for two year olds, I love the pre-kindergarten age, but the people that work in our two year old classroom are absolutely awesome with the children. I was amazed with our new curriculum, which requires the kids to sit still (2- pre-kindergarten in the same room for large group) for 15-25 minutes (depending on the curriculum for the day) how well the two year olds sit still and listen to what they are being taught, all because of the way that they have been "trained" in their classroom. I was dreading the two's joining us for large group, and now I think it has been an asset to all of the classes, because the two year olds watch how the three year olds and pre-kindergarten children behave, and follow their example, and the pre-kindergarten children in particular behave to set the example for the younger children.
There are lots of crafts you can do with two year olds, check the archives for preschool and toddler ideas, there are great ideas there for "general activities", and probably some themed ideas as well. If you need help with any ideas, I wrote a newsletter about ideas for preschoolers (more theme appropriate ideas then anything else) that I would be happy to share with you. I commend your efforts at wanting to get the two year olds started on the right track. It is a tough job, and some people are truly blessed with the patience that two year olds require. It also makes preschool teachers in the three year old and older classrooms have an easier time with the kids as they get older, because the children have developed a sense of security, love, respect, and routine. Love in Christ, Sarah in California
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2) Survivor - Temptation Island Song
We chose your Survivor Temptation Island as our VBS. It is tomorrow (later today, as it is after midnight ) & I am praying it will be a success and someone will make a decision to live for God. We've come up with a song to use your Temptation Island Survivor Camp & thought you might like to offer it to everyone.
Temptation Isle ( to the theme from Gilligan’s Island)
The Devil tempts me with evil thoughts And lures me into wrong The Bible says to avoid his traps So listen to my song, so listen to my song.
If you’ll follow God’s word each day And Jesus, you will trust, He’ll keep you on the narrow way, But follow Him you must, yes, follow Him you must
When lust is conceived It bringeth sin And sin will bring forth death And after death, the judgment comes You’ll hope you’ve done your best, hope you’ve done your best.
Jesus has made a way, for you to live with Him, You’ll have to make the best of life, And live it just for Him. The world ‘round you will make it rough, but do your very best Help others see the love of Christ, and you will be blessed, yes, you will be blessed.
The Devil plans to tempt us, And doom us to the end, But redemption & salvation Can save us all my friend, can save us all my friend.
I hope you’ve learned from our song, There’s reason now to smile, For we’ve learned how to live for God Here on Temptation Isle!
Written by : Candace Shelton & Myra Harris
--from SSTN: this is AWESOME!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent. I wish I had your song when I originally taught the lesson! For those wanting to know more about the lessons, click into the VBS & Bible Club section at: http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com
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3) Watermelon lesson
The lesson Laura wants was published by Child Evangelism Fellowship. She can probably get it from Today's Child.com. Helen Setser
I understand that this has been on the news, but in case you were not aware thought this would be useful and warranted passing on.
Following the disaster in London . . . East Anglian Ambulance Service have launched a national "In case of Emergency ( ICE ) " campaign with the support of Falklands war hero Simon Weston.
www.eastanglianambulance.com/content/ice
The idea is that you store the word " I C E " in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".
In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do.
For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
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5) Speaking to Adults
To Sarah in California: Bless your heart! I too have a fear of speaking in front of adults and I have been a teacher for 15 years. This year when it was time to address the parents in the church...I mean 100s of them...I started my talk with....How many of you are afraid to talk in front of a big group of people>? ALOT of hands went up...and so I continued with..."well, me too, so I just know you will understand if I stumble, mumble or pass clean out...once the giggling had stopped..things seemed much easier for me. You mentioned your lesson on shepherds coming into your class. Have you considered, since you are the leader..of assigning someone to lead talks instead of you having to do it? I am sure that some of those volunteer shepherds talk to groups at their workplace...you might have a real conversationalist right in your midst. Also, remember to call on the Holy Spirit before you have to speak in front of a group. Ask for help and for reassurance. God never lets us down. I will pray for you Sarah. Patti in Texas
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6) Fear Factor VBS
We did fear factor VBS this summer. Our theme verse was Joshua 1:9. We taught it to the children in song.
Made a whale out of black plastic sheeting and duct tape, then inflate w/a box fan - had the kids go inside and talk about how was fear a factor for Jonah as well as watched a movie clip of Nemo. Gave them glow-in-the-dark necklaces to wear while inside the whale. (rotation.org can get you to plans to make one.)
Used Esther, Jesus Calms the Storm, Jonah and Noah as our stories and talked about how fear was/was not a factor for them - and how it might/might not be a factor for us. Used a parachute w/pre-school kids and the bounced beach ball fish on it. Had hissing cockroaches (harmless but large!) for the older kids to 'pet' - made a maze to race the cockroaches.
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7) Fear of Speaking...Anxiety
Hi Sarah (in CA): A few weeks ago I heard Dr. Billy Graham say, before his last crusade, that he is always nervous before he speaks. My thought was, "Wow, Billy Graham gets nervous? That's encouraging! I'm not alone."
Being nervous before we speak in public is very normal. I think for childhood educators nervousness is more pronounced when we speak in front of adults because we are more experienced with kids and kids are usually less judgmental about a speaker. It's important to remind ourselves that we are doing what we do as "unto God" and not to impress others, then focus our attention on getting our message across to the audience at hand.
A couple of years ago, out of the clear blue, I started having panic attacks. It got so bad that I couldn't even speak in front of kids for a while! To make a long story short, I haven't had a major panic attack in almost one year. PTL!
I now thank God for those panic attacks, because they help me to rely on God's power and not my own when I speak, whether it be in front of kids or adults. Also, I came to realize that my panic attacks are nothing compared to the anxiety that Jesus felt when he sweat drops of blood before being crucified (now that's a major panic attack!). Jesus is truly able to identify with ALL our weaknesses, even our panic and anxieties! I find this to be a great comfort and hope you do too.
Your Webservant, Sarah Keith <>< ChristianCrafters.Com
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8) Speaking to Adults
Hi Sarah! I'm another Sarah in Chrisitian Ministyr (in Indiana). I tend to have the same fears as you. I would suggest a speech class, or joining a group like toastmasters, but even though I have aced those speech classes, I still get nervous! My real suggestion is to join a small gorup (I joined a women's bible study) & practice on them. After you have led a group discussion a few times, or led the group in prayer, you may feel better about it. Our group has no facilitator, we just take turns leading, so it forces me to speak in front of them. I have also found that right before I have to make an announcement in front of the congregation, it helps if I recite this "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me" - but I say it over & over, giving each word emphasis each time, so it would go like this " I can do all things..." then "i CAN do all things..." then "i can DO all things..." etc etc until all of the words have been emphasized. It really seems to help. Good luck & keep praying for the right words to come to you while speaking.
Sarah in Indiana
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9) Watermelon Gospel
This message is in response to the person who posted about watermelon. The only thing that I have seen that was even remotely close to what you described is using a watermelon to tell a Watermelon Gospel. There are instructions for doing so at: http://www.gocampus.org/alliance/lead/lead-Watermelon%20Gospel.htm Hope this is what you are looking for. Love in Christ, Sarah in California
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10) Speaking to Adults
This may sound inappropriate on a Christian Newsletter, but I felt exactly as Sarah in California felt at one time. I am a Nurse first, a Nurse Practitioner second, so come from a caring profession that deals with all aspects of human function. After delivering a speech to 200 medical students, Residents, and Nurses that was scheduled for 30 minutes, but because of my anxiety took 15, one of my mentors advised me to think of all the folks looking the same, regardless of their titles, on a toilet seat. After that, I have never had a problem.
I believe Jesus would understand the love in this message.
Sylvia S. Gardner
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