December 29, 2015 -- Issue #42

In today's newsletter:

1) Cups N' Kisses Idea

2) Canyons Devotional

3) Resolutions Game

4) Righteous Living in the New Year

5) Learning About God's Love Should Be Fun

1) Cups N' Kisses Idea

I want to share this sweet idea with you! For almost two years, while I've been caring for my husband who is healing from a brain injury, one of my friends, Kath Doerr, has faithfully sent us a card, in the mail, everyday; most are handmade too! This past month she really out did herself by sending us "Cups n' Kisses." Using empty Keurig containers, she placed two chocolate Kisses® inside each one, along with a funny note. She then placed all 31 containers in a festive Christmas box for us to take one out and open each day during the month of December. What a treat! Pictured here are some of the ones we've opened! (Notice that she also created her own custom lids, then cut them out and glued them shut! Yes, she's awesome!)

Does this idea inspire you? What are some other ways this could be used during the year?

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><

                  Bible Lesson Plans

2) Canyons Devotional

"Canyons" was written by Eric Hewko, whose adult son, Adam, suffered a traumatic brain injury ten months ago. Throughout Adam's ongoing recovery, Eric has written hope-filled messages of what God is teaching him and his family through their experience, and has shared his insights on CaringBridge.org. Today's devotional is another testament to God's mercy in their lives, and an encouragement to all of us who struggle with the difficulties and tragedies of life. As we enter the New Year, this is a beautiful reminder that God watches over us and works all things for our good. I hope Eric's devotional encourages you: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/devo-canyons.html 

3) Resolutions Game

For 4th grade and up. 

What You Need: Index cards, pencils, small box.

How to Play: Give children a card and pencil to write down a New Year's resolution. Collect the cards and place them in a small box. Have children draw out a card and then attempt to guess who the card belongs to. After matching everyone correctly, assign prayer partners to pray in the New Year and for the successfulness of their partner's New Year's resolution.

Read about God's Resolutions.

Get a new attitude . . . 
The BE-Attitudes


Play the game that teaches
kids the Beatitudes!
Download it today!

4) Righteous Living in the New Year

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)

Bible Point: When you live a righteous life, you grow towards God. When you live a wicked life, you move away from God. Spend a few minutes talking about the meaning of righteous and wicked living. Discuss ways your students can grow towards righteous living in the New Year, and the benefits gained by seeking God. (Spend a few minutes memorizing the Bible verse.)

Set Up: The teacher stands at one end of the playing area. Players line up at the start line at the opposite end of the playing area. Before play begins, tell the players the teacher represents God.

How To Play: When teacher holds his or her thumbs up (represents righteous living) the players move by walking, running, skipping, etc. towards the teacher. When the teacher holds thumbs down (represents wicked living) the players must freeze. If the teacher sees a player(s) move when thumbs are down, that player(s) must return to the start line. Play continues until a player tags the teacher. The first player to tag the teacher takes the teacher's place in the next round of play. Play as long as time allows. 

Adapted from the book, Bible Games Explosion.

5) Learning About God's Love Should Be Fun!

Did you notice the new tag line in the SSTN logo? Learning about God should be fun, because knowing God is the best thing that will ever happen to us. It is a well-established fact that children learn through play, and playing is fun! This doesn't mean we compromise God's Word or lessen the serious parts of Scripture; Jesus dying on the cross is a sobering message. Yet, the Scriptures remind us that Jesus went to the cross for the joy set before him! 

So what do you think? Should "fun" be a goal for Bible lesson time? We'd love to know what you think!

Have you written a children's ministry resource? 
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Copyright 1997 - 2015 / d.b.a. "S. A. Keith of Creative Imaginations Reproducing in any medium, commercial or noncommercial, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. SSTN has contributors from all over the world who share their ideas. If you reprint any of the ideas from SSTN, SundaySchoolNetwork.com or ChristianCrafters.Com in any medium (websites, magazines, newsletters, etc.), you must contact the submitter, and website for reprint permissions. Any materials used must also include the submitter's name and where the ideas were gleaned from. The opinions expressed or advertisements displayed in the SSTN e-Newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by SundaySchoolNetwork.com or any of its affiliates. SSTN reserves the right to edit and or exclude information from the SSTN e-Newsletter.