Thought Provoking Quotes

“In order to teach the Bible creatively and with authority so as to change lives, we must begin with a high view of Scripture. Such a view mandates that the Bible teacher recognize the inspiration of Scripture and understand something of the literary nature of the inspired text” 

 (Creative Bible Teaching, p.35)

Thoughtful Tuesday

"Your mission as a teacher is to help students focus on the lesson and to present information in a way in which they will remember it. The presentation of the lesson affects its staying power...The more you include the five senses in your lesson preparation, the more associations your students' brains will make with the material."

~ Regular Baptist Press, Primary Teacher's Guide

7 Questions to Ask Before Teaching Your Bible Lesson

1. Am I worried about what people think of my message or what God thinks? (Teach with fear)
Oftentimes in children’s ministry we dumb down our messages in an effort to make it age appropriate.  This is no different than trying to tickle the ears of men rather than honoring God.  To be sure, we should find age appropriate ways to teach God’s word, but we should never teach less than the full counsel of God and justify it as being “age appropriate.”  The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and should guide our teaching efforts as well.

2. Do I genuinely love these people? (Teach with love)
Do you love the kids you are teaching, or are you just going through the motions? Kids will engage and respond when they sense that you love them.  You may be the only one capable of showing the love of God to a particular child.  Make sure that you are doing just that.

3. Am I accurately presenting this passage? (Teach with accuracy)
You should prepare and invest the same amount of time in preparation as you would if you were presenting your lesson to adults – maybe more.  Just because you may not be teaching five year olds the original greek and different interpretations of a passage doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t research them and understand them.  Strive to make yourself an expert in everything you are teaching this coming weekend. Above all else, do whatever you must to make sure that you are accurately and faithfully presenting the Word of God to the kids you lead.

4. Am I depending on the Holy Spirit’s power or my own cleverness? (Teach with power)
You may be smart.  You may be talented.  You may be engaging.  No matter how good you are though, you are no match for God.  He wants to help.  He longs to work through you to impact the lives of kids in your ministry.  Ask him to.  Before you put pen to paper to plan your lesson, pray for guidance.  Before you take the stage or put on a microphone or pull the flannel graph out of the closet, pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in teaching his kids.

5. Have I applied this message to my own life? (Teach with integrity)
Ouch!  Now this one hurts.  Are you being a hypocrite.  Are you teaching kids about patience and anger ten minutes after you yelled at your kids on the ride to church?  Are you teaching them about giving when you grasp your wallet so tight that you imagine even the fingers of God couldn’t pry it open?  Are you teaching about humility one second and trying the figure out why the world is properly revolving around you the next?  God uses our ministry to point to areas in our own lives that need attention.  Be open and honest with the kids you are teaching.  Let them learn from your failures and let them see you trying to be an example.

6. Will this message draw attention to me or to God? (Teach with humility)
Are you a one man show every weekend in your children’s ministry?  Do your lessons really point kids towards God, or is all about how funny and engaging and popular can be with the pre-teen set at your church that is important?  Do your stories bring attention to you or to  God?  Is God at the center of your children’s ministry?  There is nothing wrong with being funny and entertaining and engaging if those things point kids in the direction of God.  There is something wrong if it just glorifies you and builds your ego.  Search your heart and make sure that you have not made the attention received from kids in your ministry your own personal idol.  Remember, it’s not about you!

7. Do the people really need this message? (Teach with urgency)
Are you teaching what you’re teaching because you need to fill an hour or an hour-and-a-half, or do you have a vision of what kids need?  Do they need to hear what you are talking about?  When you look out at the room on Sunday morning, are you weighed down by the fact that some of these kids don’t know Jesus and face an eternity separated from God if something were to happen on the car ride home that afternoon.  Make sure you teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ with urgency.  Make sure that you are feeding them the thing that they need most – a Lord and Savior who died for their sins and rose again to conquer sin and death.  That is the message they need.

By Wayne Stocks in Children's Ministry Encouragement & Vision

http://ministry-to-children.com/

Thoughtful Tuesday

"For all the thousands who are eager to share their knowledge and skills with others, there are just a handful who are willing to share their LIVES, who are willing to be transparent, vulnerable, and open about their successes and their failures, their joys and their pain, their faith and their doubt."


- Ron Lee Davis

Gourd Games

For rules to this game, visit "Family Fun"

Feature Friday - Thanksgiving Memory Game

Visit The Homespun Heart for this cute memory game and other Thanksgiving ideas!

Thanksgiving Coloring Page

Click here for pdf

Thoughtful Tuesday

"A teacher should make it their goal to understand each student. You teach students first, subjects second. If they don't understand, nothing will happen. What do you know about your student? Have you visited his home? If not, you probably still don't know why he acts the way he acts."

- Abb Thomas, Director of Training Master Ministries
Taken from 7 Great Ideas for Teachers

Thankful Tree

Visit Disney's Family Fun for the instructions for this project

Feature Friday - Edible Blood!

Teach your students about the components of blood by making "edible blood." Visit Teaching Mommy for the recipe. Tie in a spiritual application by discussing how Jesus shed His blood for our sins.

From my Bookshelf...

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the "Loving and Leading Conference" in Milford, OH. This is a great conference that I highly recommend. It will greatly impact your ministry if you take what you learn and apply it. The conference included 5 main sessions, over 100 workshops and 20 different nationally known speakers.

While I was there I picked up this book, Teaching Children God's Wonderful Word. This book includes 200 teaching ideas. Each idea is one page, so it is easy and fast to read to read if you are looking for new ideas without reading a lengthy book. Abb Thomas is the founder of Master Clubs and has been working with children longer than most of us have been alive. "The best teacher are those who never stop learning." Someone once said the day you stop learning is the day you stop teaching. Take some time to learn some new ideas that will give a fresh touch to your ministry.

Thoughtful Tuesday

"What America needs is not more advancement along material lines, not more development in social reform, but more knowledge of the Bible, the change of heart and life which this knowledge should bring, and the application of Bible truths to daily living."

C. B. Eavey

Thoughtful Tuesday

"Information is giving out; communication is getting through."

~S. Harris

Fall Bulletin Board Idea

Here is a great idea stolen from Rachel. (Thanks by the way!) You can check her post out by clicking here.

Thoughtful Tuesday

 I hear, and I forget;

            I see and I remember;

I do, and I understand.

            —Chinese Proverb

Feature Friday - Jr. Church Game

Find out what you can do with this cute bucket at "My Bright Corner"

Feature Friday - Tips for Classroom Management

I recently came across another teaching blog. Children's Ministry Blog has a wonderful post about discipline in the classroom entitled "Tips for Classroom Management." Head on over to their blog to check it out.

And the winners are...

Congratulations to:

Jessica @ Shepherd's Staff Acres

My Bright Corner

Sarah (Covey Family)

Please send me a quick email so that I can send your email to Mrs. McPherson. TeachingForEternity (at) hotmail (dot) com.

If you did not win, but are interested in purchasing a book, click on the picture on my side bar and that will take you to their site where you can receive more information.

Feature Friday - 101 Ways to Praise a Child

Ever feeling like you are lacking creativity when it comes to praising a child? If you are always finding yourself saying the same expression all the time, check this article out: 101 Ways to Praise a Child @ Julie's Journal

Praise is extremely important to a child. Even those certain ones that just rub you the wrong way - find something for which to praise them! It may just turn them around if you start giving them positive attention rather than negative attention by constantly correcting them.

Feature Friday

Today's feature you must absolutely check out! I just love this idea!!! 

At My Bright Corner Rebecca shares this great idea for teaching scripture memory on the bus. I just love how she uses the time traveling on the bus in such a productive way. By reading her posts, you can tell how she pours her heart into her bus ministry and makes every moment count. 

Even if you don't work in a bus ministry you could still use her ideas in a class room setting, so take a quick minute to visit her blog.

Giveaway Announcement!

Mrs. McPherson has donated three copies of Four Weeks of Children's Church Vol. 1 & 2  for me to give away on my blog. I have started reading the first volume and it is packed full of great ideas for children's ministries. Each volume contains complete lesson plans for four weeks of Children's Church. If you are involved in any children's ministry this is an excellent resource!

For more information click the above link or visit their website. The website also contains a number of resources as well.

To enter please carefully follow the guidelines below. You must complete the first requirement before any other entries will count. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. 

Special note: you only have to complete #1 to be qualified to win. With three prizes your chances are pretty good!

1. Leave me a comment on this post telling me what ministry you are involved in your local church.

2. Post about this on your blog and leave me a comment with the URL.

3. Write a post on your blog for Feature Friday. If you have been featured already that will count, but please leave me a comment letting me know. This could be a new post or an old post, just leave me a comment with the URL. All posts will be subject to review and must pertain to the purpose of this blog.

4. Subscribe to the FREE newsletter from Children's Church Ministry's Website.

5. Follow Teaching for Eternity

6. Follow Committing My Way...

(If you are already a follower, please leave a comment letting me know and that will still count)

Giveaway will end April 22

Thoughtful Tuesday

With a handful of dedicated people who will give me their lives, I will control the world.

~ Lenin

What are our goals?

"Educational goals are outcomes we hope to achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of students that will make them more capable of knowing, loving, and serving God."

~ Dr. Lois LeBar

Feature Friday - Math Games

You have absolutely got to check out these adorable homemade math games by Rebecca @ The Renaissance blog !!!

Pictures used by permission

If you have an article you would like to be featured, click on the link, Feature Friday, at the top of the page for more information.

Thoughtful Tuesday

Remember your enthusiasm is contagious! 

Old and impractical knowledge results in dull and uninteresting teaching. 

Routine teaching results in routine learning.

Feature Friday - Easter Craft

Melanie shares a cute Easter craft idea at her blog the "Crafty Cupboard". Head on over to check out her tutorial.

Spring Bulletin Board Idea

Idea by R. Claytor and Mrs. B

Thanks for the photo Rachel!

Easter Object Lesson

 Here is an idea from The Children's Church Treasure Chest  (used by permission). Go to their website to sign up for their free monthly newsletter from which this article was taken. Their website is packed full of great ideas as well.

Easter is upon us, and hopefully you have some great things planned to celebrate Jesus' resurrection in children's church! 


Our church has held a candy hunt for the children on Easter Sunday for as long as I can remember and beyond. However, this year we decided to do something different after we heard a great object lesson idea involving... a pinata! 


Every Sunday in children's church we have some type of fun opener game to kick off our service. Next Sunday (Easter), we are going to let the kids all have a whack at a pinata that is stuffed FULL of candy. Our church members, true to tradition, have already been donating candy; so we have lots and lots. 


If the kids don't manage to break the pinata after they all have a turn, my husband will do the honors and release the contents. We'll allow them to gather the candy into gallon-size ziploc bags, on which we'll write their names with a Sharpie marker. They will have to place their candy bags under their chairs along with their other belongings when we have our inspection following the pinata activity. 


After we sing a few songs and get the other preliminary items on the schedule out of the way, we will use the pinata as an object lesson to illustrate what was done for and by Jesus on Calvary's cross:

• Jesus' body was bruised and broken at Calvary for our benefit. Each one of us had a part in his death, just like each of us took a whack at that pinata at the beginning of children's church.  

• The candy that poured out of the pinata reminds us of Jesus' blood that He shed so freely for each one of us. His blood cleanses us from sin and makes us fit for Heaven. 

• When the pinata broke, some of you rushed forward to gather the goodies that came out. Others stayed back a bit because you were shy, or because you didn't want to get in among the others, or maybe even because you thought the whole thing was silly and you didn't want to participate. Likewise, some people receive Jesus' gift of eternal life without hesitation. Others choose not to at all, and some just have not yet made up their minds whether they want to accept Him or not. 

• Some of you that rushed forward and grabbed up lots and lots of candy were nice enough to share with others who didn't come forward and receive some for themselves. Jesus wants you to likewise share the Gospel with others! He died and arose for everyone, and it is not His desire that anyone should perish. It is our job to share the Good News of Christ. What a great illustration of Jesus' gift to us: a simple pinata! I hope that you will do something special for Easter Sunday as well.

Thoughtful Tuesday

"Burnout is only possible if you have a fire."

L. Neagle

Jeremiah 20:9

"Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."

Feature Friday - Missions & Geography Ideas

This week's feature is @ "I'm a Homeschool Mom":

Jen shares about the geography curriculum she is using as well as giving some great ideas for learning about different countries. Her ideas could be incorporated into geography class or into Sunday School/Children's Church when teaching about missions.

If you have an article you would like to be featured, click on the link, Feature Friday, at the top of the page for more information.

Thoughtful Tuesday

"If the teacher is equipped and prepared to teach the Word for life change, lives will be changed. If that teacher is only telling what the Bible says, minds will be filled with facts while lives remain transfixed instead of transformed."

~ Bruce Wilkinson

Feature Friday - Teaching Children How to Pray

I just read this article, "Teaching Children How to Pray," @ Ministry-to-Children.com. 

This is an awesome article!!! I don't think I have ever heard or read anything like this on the subject of prayer. Henderson gives some great suggestions for incorporating all aspects of prayer including praise and thanksgiving. We often teach children to pray for their requests, but neglect these other important areas. I hope you take a couple of minutes to read this article, it is well worth your time!

If you have an article you would like to be featured, click on the link, Feature Friday, at the top of the page for more information.

Easter Craft - Resurrection Eggs

Thoughtful Tuesday

"God's work done in God's way never lacks God's supply."

~ Hudson Taylor ~

Feature Friday

         Each Friday, I would like to start featuring one blog post from another blog. If you have written a post that goes along with the theme of this blog, please leave me a comment below with the link. I have asked a couple of readers about featuring their posts to get this started, but I hope some others will join in as well. I would like to use at least one picture from your post and I will have a link to your specific post. This is also an opportunity for you to get more traffic coming to your blog!

On the Subject of Prayer

"It is not enough for the believer to begin to pray, nor to pray correctly; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray. We must patiently, believingly continue in prayer until we obtain an answer.

 Further, we have not only to continue in prayer until the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.

Those who are disciples of the Lord Jesus should labor with all their might in the work of God as if everything depended upon their own endeavors. Yet, having done so, they should not in the least trust in their labor and efforts, nor in the means that they use for the spread of the truth, but in God alone; and they should with all earnestness seek the blessing of God in persevering, patient, and believing prayer.

 Here is the great secret of success, my Christian reader. Work with all your might, but never trust in your work. Pray with all your might for the blessing in God, but work at the same time with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. 

Pray, then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on, all the days of your life. The result will surely be abundant blessing. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of service will be blessed."

~ George Muller ~

The Four Steps of Lesson Preparation:

 1. Information - To study your lesson you read the Scriptures, the comments the lesson writers have to make about the Scriptures, and perhaps you refer to other sources to complete your understanding of the lesson subject.

2. Incubation - A period of brooding or reflecting or meditating upon the information you have obtained. You think it over, having in mind your class, each pupil in your class, and the needs of each pupil. You consider the methods for conveying the information to your pupils in the most effective way. You talk to God about the lesson, and about your pupils, and ask for His help.

3. Illumination - You catch the point, you see clearly what is to be done and how it is to be done. You become enthusiastic over the possibilities and are eager to "get the lesson into shape" for presentation.

4. Verification or Revision - This is "getting the lesson into shape," making an outline.

Taken from Teach with Success by G. Levitt

Being an Encourager

1 Samuel 23:16, 
"And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God."

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. I really like this verse because is helps me to encourage other people about staying strong in God.

 ~Kayla

How important it is to encourage and build up those around us, especially those who look up to you. Words are powerful things and may be used to edify or to tear down and cause destruction. Think before you speak and be sure that every word that you speak builds up and encourages.

Ephesians 4:29,
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

From my bookshelf...

 

The Children of the King 

by Max Lucado

Illustrated by Toni Goffe

One of my favorite modern-day Christian children's authors is Max Lucado. I love how he takes a biblical principle and turns it into a delightful story for both the young and the old.  

The Children of the King is the story of a king who decides to adopt a family of orphan children. The king sends word that he is going to come for them. When they hear of his coming, the orphans all feel the need in someway to impress the king. All of the children possess a special talent with the exception of the youngest girl. 

All the children busy themselves with preparing for the king's arrival, while the smallest girl with no gift just waits. Finally the king arrives appearing as a poor traveler. The children do not realize who is and are too busy preparing their gifts to take notice of this stranger. The littlest girl with no gift, however, is not too busy to help this stranger. She helps him water his donkey and spends time talking to him. The king tells her who is and takes her home to live with him. While the rest of the children are left behind busying themselves preparing their "gifts."

This story shows how Christians are often so busy serving the Lord that they neglect what is most important of all. More than anything the Lord wants our fellowship and our hearts rather than our empty acts of service. To the lost child, this story shows that their is nothing they can do to earn their way to heaven. One is only saved by having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Thoughtful Tuesday

We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves.  The idea is to live all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God.  That is what the Christian life is all about.

R. C. Sproul

Snowman Object Lesson

Here is a story that I found on another blog. I think it would make a great object lesson:

 

The Meaning of the Snowman 

Author Unknown

The white snow stands for the purity of the souls filled with God's grace.  The circular snowballs represent God's everlasting love.  The pieces of coal used to make the eyes, mouth and buttons symbolize God's Almighty power.  The carrot nose reminds us that God gives us everything we need to live and grow.  The scarf suggests the warmth of God's tender care.  The top hat reminds us always to keep faith our top priority.  The arms are outstretched to us as God's always are.  The broom made of straw and wood signifies that Jesus was born and died to cleanse us of sin. 

May your heart be ever warmed by the good news of God's great love for you!

You could have fun with this and let the kids make their own snowmen as a craft or you could make a big one as a group.

More Giveaway Entries

I am hosting a giveaway over at my other blog: Committing My Way. If you would like to enter, please stop over and check it out by clicking here: Giveaway. You must first enter over there before any entries will be counted through this blog.

For additional entries, you may submit a post for this blog. They may be a simple teaching tip, craft idea, game, an encouraging story relating to teaching, object lessons, etc. If quoting scripture, please use the King James Bible. Photos that enhance your submissions will be greatly appreciated as well. Please send all submissions to teachingforeternity {at} hotmail {dot} com.

Giveaway will end Saturday evening (Jan. 30) at 9:00 PM EST.

I will publish all submissions that I think will encourage and bless others that are in line with what I believe the Bible teaches. I reserve the right to edited any submissions as I see necessary.

Thoughtful Tuesday

“Education is not the filling of a bucket

but rather a lighting of the flame.”