The Sunday School Teacher's Network Newsletter - Great ideas for children's ministry!



Issue #3 - January 19, 2011 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. ~ Jesus

Suggest an idea...Ask a question...Give an answer! Scroll down the page to view articles. 1) Christmas Unwrapped - After Christmas Talk 2) Encouraging Attendance 3) Excluding Others? 4) Congrats 5) Congrats & Permissions 6) Where'd You Get That Name? Support the Network--learn how--Click here. The Red Button indicates a teacher who needs your help. Invite your friends and coworkers to join us. CLICK HERE! TITLE your email to reflect the content of your message. When replying, highlight the text that is pertinent to your response, then hit reply.	Home Search for Ideas Support SSTN PCM Discount 15% OFF Ministry Resources Bible-4-Life Curriculum Gospel Fun Activities Holidays & Holy Days Make N' Take Downloads E-books Affiliate Bookstore Creative Teaching Seminar F-R-E-E Resources Bible Games Christian Crafts Christian Skits Missions For Kids Object Talks, Sermons Recycling Ideas VBS & Bible Clubs NEED PRAYER? Visit our Prayer Board. Scroll down.



1) Christmas Unwrapped (After Christmas Talk) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Object: large stocking or gift bag full of used Christmas wrap, bows, tissue paper, etc. Today’s object is a little hard to explain so let me show you. Remove the contents of the bag or stocking and throw it on the floor. Did your house look like this after Christmas morning? You know mine did because all this stuff came from my house. Sometime Christmas presents aren’t what we really expect. A couple of years ago, I got my son a remote control helicopter that wouldn’t fly. This year, one of the gifts we gave my grandson was a stick horse that made real horse sounds. Well, it quit working before the day was out. If Christmas is all about the gifts we get, it can be a real let down. The good news is Christmas is about the gifts God gave us. He gave us his only son who was born to die to save us from the punishment of our sins. And when we accept His gift, he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us. Unlike video games that you might beat in one day, the Holy Spirit never runs out of levels. And unlike toys that get broken, God’s plan of salvation through the gift of Jesus is perfect and never breaks. Let’s pray now and thank God for his gifts to us. In His Love, Tanya Roberts, Children's Director www.tolarbaptistchurch.com



2) Encouraging Attendance Hello, Barb. To encourage Sunday School attendance we advise our 5/6th grade students at the beginning of the year that they will receive "Sundae Points" for: (a) their classroom participation (how often they answer questions, be seen leading by example, clearly explaining a summary of the day's lesson) AND b) for being on time to church (not class). In our parish, we have trouble with families attending church on time. After they have amassed a certain amount of "Sundae Points" (about 300-400 depending on class size that year), my co-teacher and I reward them with a "Sundae Party" of vanilla ice cream sundaes with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top! One year I sent out email invitations to the students about a Valentine's Day party just for them, and that met with a great response. Students seems to love to work toward parties in their honor. Lydia Pearson



*An excellent Easter resource...sample Lesson One...click here!*



3) Excluding Others? I am an assistant SS teacher for a class of 10 students ranging from ages 6 to 12. We asked them what we could do differently this year to make SS more fun and to encourage attendance. One 12 year old suggested having a pizza party once a month and only the kids that attend Sunday school could participate. All the kids loved the idea. What do you think?



4) Congrats You have a been a fountain of blessing for me and the children of this area in our neck of the woods. Thank you, congratulations on another year of wonderful ministry, and may God continue to bless you with creativity and the Holy Spirit! -- Working in His Kingdom, Amy Siegert, Potosi WI --from SSTN: thank you, Amy, for your encouraging words as we enter our 12th year!! Sarah Keith <><



5) Congrats & Permissions Dear Sarah Keith, Congratulations on the 11th Anniversary of SSTN’s Anniversary. May God continue to bless this mission with faith filled and committed people. Also would like to wish everyone a Very Happy Holy and Blessed 2011! May I please have permission to use whole or in part ‘Our Mission: “Children”’ written by Roger Fields Copyright 2011. He seems to have written it for me. Kind regards Mariola --from SSTN: hi Mariola, thank you for your encouragement. As to Roger's writing, we were given permission to reprint it for SSTN. Beyond that, I do not have the authority to grant your request. Sarah Keith







6) Where'd You Get That Name? Have you ever wondered how we got our last names or what they mean? For example, the last name, “Miller,” originally described a person’s job. A miller owned or worked in a grain mill grinding corn, wheat, or some other type of grain. Someone named “North,” was originally a description of where a person lived--he or she lived “north” of a certain town. The name “Smith” described a metalworker, or “Brown,” someone with brown hair or skin. People would refer to others by saying, John the miller or Mike the smith or Rebecca from the north or Jim with a brown beard, is coming here or doing such and such. Eventually the titles were dropped and they became known as John Miller, Mike Smith, Rebecca North and Jim Brown. God too is known by many names. His names define him as Protector, Defender, Friend, Advisor, Judge, and Savior to name just a few. The Third Commandment says, “Do Not Misuse God’s Name”. Through the study of "His Name Shall Be Called..." it is my desire that children will learn new respect and honor for the God we serve! To download Lesson One, follow this link: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/curriculum-names-of-God.html I'd love to receive your feedback! Your webservant, Sarah Keith <><



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