Seriously, does the U.S. government really think that lengthening the school year further into the summer months is going to have that much of an impact on a student’s education and achievement goals? I don’t think so. This topic has been discussed for years. It’s not how much time students spend in the classroom; it’s what they do while they’re in the classroom. Some students learn on different levels, with different methods and techniques. They need to be taught in different ways …teaching a topic in a variety of ways and methods, by repetition. Longer school years will not make that much of a difference.
Archive - September, 2009
Get your 2010 Children’s ministry calendars
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I have developed a children’s ministry calendar that is now available for purchase at Lulu.com. Each month shows images and scripture of events, activities, and mission adventures throughout a year in Children’s ministry. Calendars are $16.99 each. The proceeds from the sale of each calendar will go towards future children’s missions.
Is the sky falling?
I am loving the songs by 33 Miles more and more. The lyrics from “Jesus Calling” song means a lot to me these days as I try to hear God’s voice and follow His path. Sometimes things feel like pouring rain and thunder and lightning and it feels like the sky is falling all around me, but Jesus is calling; He’s right there with me.
Here’s the chorus:
When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
Hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
You’re blinded by the lighting
Do you also hear that still, small voice saying it’s okay
You’re not alone, you may be scared to death
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling
Nature wins
End of summer-beginning of fall butterfly in Delaware
This afternoon I sat on the back patio reading, enjoying the end of summer-beginning of fall light breeze and sunshine. I love things in nature! The beauty of God’s creation! Here is a picture of a big butterfly enjoying his own butterfly bushes.
To say it or not say it
Back in the day of my elementary school years, we participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Some students were not required to participate because of family religious reasons, but there was no big deal made about their personal decisions. All of my personal friends participated and I do not recall any students in my classes not participating; however, that was many years ago and a different time, location, and generation.
There is a campaign to issue a warning before the Pledge of Allegiance. Is this any different from giving students the religious option of choosing not to participate in saying the pledge? America is “one nation under God.” Our historic American leaders consulted God in many decisions. Do you say the pledge, do your kids say it at school?
Click the link below to see the campaign on the pledge warning:
Teaching children about sin
Here is the latest Children’s Ministry Think Tank question.
How do you teach the doctrine of sin to children without harming their self-esteem? Especially with preschool children, how explicitly do you teach them about their own depravity? How do parents in your ministry respond to these issues?
The Bible speaks clearly about obedience. We have a great responsibility to be obedient to God. We can learn from the kings who ruled Israel and Judah that there are consequences for having a lack of obedience. Some kings began their time of reign as good kings who followed God’s ways but somewhere along the way, they lost their focus and traveled down the wrong path leading them to destruction and often death.
How do we teach sin to children? We teach them that it is our responsibility to be obedient. We love God; therefore, we are obedient to follow His ways. When we lose that focus and are not obedient to God then there are consequences and punishments.
We are obedient to God by being obedient to our parents, grandparents, teachers, and other adults. When we mess up and are disobedient, that is called sin. Sin separates us from God. Sin can be big, like stealing something that doesn’t belong to us or hurting someone else even as far as death. Sin can be something smaller, like saying unkind words to someone or treating others badly. God loves us but He hates sin. God wants us to follow His ways and obey His commandments and rules.
Think about a river. As the water flows in a river, it picks up dirty mud, trash, and pollutants along the riverbanks. This trash floats in the water making it very dirty. Sin is the trash in our lives that makes us dirty. The cross upon which Jesus died is our bridge across that “dirty river.” When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we are walking across that bridge to God where we are clean and free from sin again. It is our responsibility to be obedient to stay clean and follow God’s ways and commandments.
The parents of the children involved in the children’s ministry at my church have not had any responses to teaching about sin. They are appreciative that I teach their children on their levels of understanding.
To read responses from other children’s ministry professionals, click this link.
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