Stories....

One thing about the new "Seasons of Life" ladies' class that began last night is that I want it to be a lot of discussion, not just me doing the talking!

Last night I asked a question: "What was your favorite season of life?".  I loved hearing all of the comments and stories the ladies shared.  It's a great way to get to know each other better and a great way to learn from each other.  Our experiences are all different, but then a lot the same.  Something someone else went through may be something I am going through, so it helps to hear their stories.

Until this past spring, I had a ladies' salad supper ever year. I guess it totally slipped my mind this year, so I'll have it soon.  One of my favorite memories of all of those gatherings is listening to their stories.  Some of those women have passed on and I miss their stories! A few of them we should have recorded. They were hilarious! Great times.

Everyone has a story to tell, but most people would rather tell their story than listen to someone else's.  I think I said this recently, but I don't think we can hear it enough.  Listen to people. Listen to their stories.  They are important to them, but will help you, too.  Part of the help may be that you just practice sitting there and really listening!  Sometimes that's hard to do.  Really listen. Hear what they are saying. Take the time to care.  Show concern.  Be genuine.

Oo, Ah! Sock it to the Devil!

Last night I only had two little boys in Bible class.  Usually there are two little girls present, too, but they were gone last night.  I teach the 4's, 5's, and Kindergarteners...just on Wednesday nights.  Wednesday nights are a little different.  A little crazy.  We're all tired!  Some of us are cranky (not me :).

The lesson for last night was to be the story of Cain and Abel.  Because of teaching that lesson to children in years past, and knowing what could happen,  I expected a few questions and comments about families.  Both of the boys I had in class are currently living in at Tipton Home (a children's home), so they don't live with their biological parents.  The story of the "first" family God created is definitely worth teaching, but can bring up some hurt feelings for some of the little ones in different situations.  So I'm very careful with lessons such as this one and try to avoid any problems that might come up or that might make the children sad.

Last night there were a few of those problems.  Statements from one saying, "Not everyone has a mom and dad."  "I don't live with a real mom and dad."  "I live with people who take care of me."  Heartbreaking.  

One little boy in-particular has some obvious issues.  He always has a frown on his face and seems mad at the world.  Mad at the others in his class.  Mad at me. And mad at God.  And I think he is.  Heartbreaking.

After a little "what would you choose" game we played, and the little boys (especially the angry one) arguing about who got the answer right, we had to have a stern 'heart to heart' about self-control.  When it first began,  I had removed the angry one from the table, then moved him behind the table right by me. He knew I wasn't happy with his attitude, and I wasn't.  Of course, to the angry little boy, his anger and attitude problems are someone else's fault.  He blamed the other little boy for the problems.

The other little boy isn't angry.  He's really happy.  And busy.  And can't sit still.  And can't keep his hands off of anything.  And.......needs to be STILL! :)

I talked to the two little ones about self-control.  Very, very strongly about self-control.  I told them that when they didn't have self-control, they weren't doing what God wanted them to do, but were doing what the devil wanted them to do.  We went back and reviewed the lesson from the last week of the first sin - with Adam and Eve.  The little boys really listened to the self-control part.  The angry little boy said he wished he could "punch" the devil.  He looked surprised when I said he could and asked how.  I told him and the other one, that when you don't do what you're being tempted to do....when you're not doing what Satan would want....you are "socking it to the devil".  The other little boy remembered singing a song about that at VBS.  When you don't do what Satan wants you to do, you're "punching" the devil and choosing to follow God.  That seemed to make the angry little boy a little bit happier.  It was as if he finally realize he was able to control some things and that God really was on his side!!

I told the angry little boy how I would like to see his smile.  He said he didn't smile, but still seemed a little different.  I tried to tickle him, but he didn't really smile.  In a little bit something came up and the little angry boy answered correctly.  I gave him a hug as he sat next to me in his little chair.  HE SMILED! 

From that point on the rest of class was different.  The angry little boy was never angry-acting again.  He smiled a lot!  He laughed out loud!  He didn't even get mad when we were playing another game and the busy boy won the first few questions!  A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH!!!

A few questions into the game, the previously-angry little boy got stumped on the answer.  The sweetest thing ever happened.  The busy little boy, who happened to be winning at the time, leaned over and whispered the answer to the previously-angry little boy.  It was the correct answer and I praised the little one who shared the answer.  He didn't have to do that and in fact, I'm surprised he even wanted to help the other one after the way he had treated him.  But he did!

I asked the previously-angry little boy what he should say for the other one giving him the money.  He said thank you to him and smiled so BIG!!!  They laughed together, had fun together, and played the game without arguing and complaining!!!  YIPPEE!!!!!  Sooooooooo great to see that breakthrough!!!

As class ended, I told the two boys to remember what BIG word they had learned.  It's two words, actually.  SELF-CONTROL.  Perhaps the most important thing we can teach little ones.  But, when we teach them about this important word, we must relate it to God and Satan.  Because we may not can have self control on our own.  We may not even want to.  But with God on our side.....and realizing that Satan wants us to fail.....we can do anything!  God will help us have the self-control we never knew was possible to have!  We can "Sock it to the Devil",  just like the little song says!

As the two little boys houseparents picked them up, I bragged on their breakthroughs to them.  The previously-angry boy was excited and happy.  He was excited to share the new word he had learned and seemed excited and happy....like I had never seen him be before.  Even the houseparent (dad) seemed surprised!

I'm not sure how the next Bible class will be.  It will be a few weeks before we're back in the classroom  on Wednesday night because we have other events the next few weeks.  I'm thinking that things may go right back to the way the were, but hopefully not.  And if they do, we'll be talking about self-control again.  And then.....maybe.....as we go over it week after week.....it will really sink in.  That God IS on our side.  The He does want us to do good because He loves us.  That Satan does want us to fail and is happy when we do.  And that we can "Sock it to the Devil" - any old time!

Here's a link for the song, actually called "If You Love Jesus": http://missionbibleclass.org/songs/songs-i-p/if-you-love-jesus-song/

Fishers of Kids

Last week, the first Wednesday school started, we began a new Bible class for our 1st - 6th grade students.  We're calling it "Fishers of Kids" and actually getting quite a bit of our material for FREE from http://www.fishersofkids.com/. (Thank you, Fishers of Kids, for your website!)

My husband (shown in top picture) is the deacon in charge of the class, so will be teaching the majority of the lessons.  He's using this old, old visual aid that was made by his granddad, Albert Trent, who preached for over 50 years!  Many people all over the country remember learning off of this original first type of powerpoint (as we refer to it!).  It's worn and a little smudged, but the children don't mind one bit!

The students spend the hour-long class time learning Bible facts, singing, praying, and having fun while learning more about God's Word.

It's especially fun getting the adults to help with skits!  This skit went along with the "Read Your Bible" theme we did last night. Great job to these fine actors! :)

And here is Leroy....the puppet.  He's always learning a lesson about God's Word in an interesting way!  The kids really like Leroy!!  (Thanks Renee' for helping with this part of our lesson!  You're doing great!)

Teresa read a tweaked version of "The Three Little Pigs".  This version taught the students that reading the Bible was a sure defense against the devil.  (Thank you, Teresa!)

Another website we are using is one that I've used many times for class and for VBS - Danielle's Place. (http://www.daniellesplace.com/)  I have a subscription to the site, but many things are free.  The students made this "God Aids" (like Bandaids) with little bandage scriptures to keep handy for any kind of problem that might come along.  Danielle's Place is an awesome website for crafts, activities, and even complete lessons.

Our oldest three children have also helped with skits and other adults have helped with puppet shows and the crafts.  It's great getting people involved in different ways and this way is great because it's helping our children learn about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

So exciting!

Joseph - Teaching Children about Faithfulness and Forgiveness

For the past two weeks, I've been teaching my Sunday morning Bible class students about Joseph.  This Sunday I had each of the seven and eight-year-olds make their own colorful, ornamented coat.  The children enjoyed making their coats and all but one wanted their picture taken wearing it. 

 The story of Joseph is an amazing story of faith and forgiveness. His life is an important one for us to learn from, as his example and devotion to God is evident in every situation.

Interestingly, Sunday night I was flipping through channels on the TV - something I rarely do - and I saw on TNB a movie about Joseph.  It was just beginning at 9:00 p.m . and was to end at midnight.  My oldest son and I began watching it.  My husband had been out of town preaching and speaking to churches about Tipton Home, so he got home about 9:30, and began watching it with me.  We both stayed up until midnight, watching the entire movie, and there were no commercials at all. We both wanted to stay up and see the ending. For me to sit and watch anything on TV for three hours is a big deal (except for the occassional Texas Rangers' baseball game!)

The movie of Joseph was well made and true to the scriptures.  I enjoyed following along in the Bible using Biblegateway.  It was interesting to see how the creators of the movie portrayed each character.  I almost cried when Joseph told his brothers who he was.  To think about how he forgave them after all they had done to him is amazing!

And then I think of Jesus.  He forgave the ones who were killing him as he was dying on the cross.  It kind of makes me think about the little petty things where I might be not be forgiving as I should.  If Joseph can forgive his brothers and if Jesus can forgive his killers, I think I should be able to forgive anything that ever comes my way. Nothing in my life compares at all to anything Joseph or Jesus have gone through!

The one thing I tried to get the children to realize in the story Sunday was that the scriptures repeatedly say, "The Lord was with Joseph.".  God blessed Joseph because Joseph lived his life to please God.  He praised God, even in bad times.  God is there for us, too, even in the bad times.  We should praise God, even in the bad times.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for the example of Joseph and Jesus!  May our hearts be forgiving and faithful, too. May we God praise - always.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

The Jelly Bean Prayer

Do you or someone in your family like jelly beans?  The next time you eat jelly beans, take the time to think about this little jelly bean prayer.  It would make a great addition to a children's bible story lesson.  The special sweet treat using the colors to represent God and Jesus would serve as a visual reminder to them for years to come.

The Jelly Bean Prayer

A bag full of jelly beans

Colorful and Sweet

It's a prayer - it's a promise

It's a loved ones treat.

Red is for the blood He gave.

Green is for the grass He gave.

Yellow is for the sun so bright.

Orange is for the edge of night.

Black is for the sin we made.

White is for the grace He gave.

Purple is for the hour of sorrow.

Pink is for our new tomorrow.

 

Black Light Bible Stories

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had been teaching the Pre-K and Kindergarten Sunday morning class about "Creation" using a black light. Last week they were able to take their "Creation" mobiles home. They were so excited!

These pictures are taken in the dark with the black light on, but it doesn't show how the flourescent paper "glows". That's why the pictures are a little blurry, though. Black light stories are great because the kids are so interested in looking at the pictures. It keeps them interested in learning about God's Word even more. Of course, they also get a kick out of looking at each other because the whites of the eyes glow and so do teeth!
Today four of these kids moved up to the 1st and 2nd grade Bible class. I gained one, but now only have two. I'll miss those four 1st graders who have moved up! Of course, one of them is my youngest child, Tyler (a.k.a. Biscuit), so I'll especially miss having him.

The children learned the "Creation" song. Do you know it? It's great!

Day 1 Day 1 God made light when there was none (repeat)
Day 2 Day 2 God made clouds and skies so blue (repeat)
Day 3 Day 3 God made flowers & grass & trees. (repeat)
Day 4 Day 4 God made sun,moon and stars galore. (repeat)
Day 5 Day 5 God made birds and fish alive (repeat)
6th Day 6th Day God made animals & man that day. (repeat)
Day 7 Day 7 God is resting in his heaven (repeat)

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

The Chronicles of Biscuit - "I Don't Want a Wife!"

Note: Be sure to vote on the new August poll question!

This morning I taught the Pre-K and Kindergarten class about "Creation - Day 6" how God made the animals and man. We talked about how Adam named the animals and how God looked around and there was no suitable for helper for Adam, so God made Eve...the first woman. The children asked some questions, such as "Were Adam and Eve married?" and "Was Adam a creature?". They thought it was really neat that God made Adam from the dust and Eve from Adam's rib. We ended the class with "Day 7 - God Rested".

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:6-9

Teaching little children is so much fun! Sometimes I wish we could all see life through the eyes of a child because of their innocence and their caring hearts. It's truly a joy teaching that class on Sunday mornings. Today I had seven little ones listening with attentive ears. They were especially excited today because they were able to take home a creation mobile they had been working on for several weeks. It was made with flourescent paper and the mobiles glowed when we turned out the lights and turned on a blacklight. (Maybe I can show you sometime...if the camera will show it!)

It's funny what children sometimes pick up on as they are listening to bits and pieces of what is being said. Tonight during worship services, our preacher took a little time to talk to the young boys and girls and teenagers in particular. He told the boys how great it would be for some of them to become gospel preachers. He talked about how it is a great work and very rewarding and encouraged them to think about it for their future. Then he moved on to the girls. How they can serve as Bible teacher's and how some of them might enjoy being preacher's wives because he, as a preacher, is so thankful for his wife. He explained how important her role is as she serves as a helper in his ministry. He said something along the lines of "you young men need a good Christian wife"...meaning in the future. Immediately, Biscuit looked up at me and said, "I don't want a wife!".

Boy, sometimes it's sure hard to keep a straight face around him!! I know he was taking what he heard very seriously! He already thinks of himself much older than his real age of 6 1/2 years. Yesterday his sister put a gold chain necklace on him. It's hers but it's not "girly". He pushed it under his collared shirt at the livestock show and his dad asked him why. He said, "That's how men like me wear them!".