Yesterday was the grand opening of our Bible Bucks store. I think all but 1 family was in attendance for this much anticipated event.

In cooperation with our 2013 theme from Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation,” Children’s Ministry began a Bible Bucks program to positively reward our students to encourage the use of their Bibles, “The Good News”.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Students received their Bible Bucks from their teachers in Sunday School, Club345, Wednesday Night Light, Children’s Church, and any special services each week as follows:

Attendance = 1 Buck
Bring your bible = 1 Buck
Parents bring their bible with them to church = 1 Buck
Bring a 1st time friend = 5 Bucks
Bring a 2nd time friend = 1 Buck
Bring a 3rd time friend = 1 Buck
Answer and return a weekly Bible Detective Question = 1 Buck (will be added throughout the year on the pew clipboards)
Answer and return the weekly “My Bible Journal” page = 1 Buck (will be added throughout the year on the pew clipboards)
Recite the Lord’s Prayer = 5 Bucks
Recite the Apostle’s Creed = 5 Bucks
Serve in some way for others through church activity (ex: making sandwiches for the hungry, visiting New Hope Homeless Mission, etc.) = 2 Bucks

For instance, if Junior goes to Sunday School (1 from Sunday School teacher), brings his bible (1 from his Sunday School teacher), Mom brings her bible to church (1 from Ms DeDe), attends Children’s Church (1 buck) and brings his bible (1 from Ms. DeDe), Junior has earned 5 Bible Bucks for that Sunday morning.

As the year goes on, there will be other opportunities to earn more Bible Bucks. For instance, in April the 3 students who bring the most new people will earn a stack of Bible Bucks (to be determined.)

The Bible Buck Store is open on the 4th Sunday of each month after the last worship service on Sunday where our disciples will tithe 10% (1 buck minimum), save 10% for another time (1 buck minimum), shop for special holidays, and purchase special items like VBS t shirts, field trips, school supplies, toys, and other discipleship tools. The premise is that “we tithe 10%, we save 10%, and we can spend the rest.”

Bible Bucks remain at the church in each student’s file, located in the file box, placed in the breezeway next to the Sanctuary.

The congregation can get involved with our store by donating funds or toy items. They can also volunteer to help stock and run the store on a once a month basis.

A fellow blogger wrote, “If a child looks forward to coming to church for any reason whatsoever, God is going to do something incredible in his/her life. It is our intention to offer our youngest disciples opportunities to learn about stewardship, giving, grace, Bible verses, regularly using their bibles, bringing friends, love, forgiveness, perseverance, friendship, and most importantly, Jesus.”

Borrowing a collection plate from the church office we situated a fine man of faith at a pulpit to collect the tithe. That was the first station in the hallway outside the Bible Bucks Store.

Further down the hallway, a fine woman of faith was situated with a file box for the students to save 10% in the student’s mini file folder before entering the store.

Youth and Dads guided the students in front of 5 tables, color coded with paper, with the greatest priced tables first in the door to lowest priced items at the exit. We had tables labeled with $25, $20, $10, $5, and $2. The toys (many were donated from a local grocery store when they needed to move their Christmas merchandise) were on the higher price range. The faith related stuff was on the lower end, because I want them to buy THAT stuff! Freebies I receive at conferences, trainings, along with fellow ministry friends who place huge orders and have leftovers, make up the lower-priced, faith-related items, along with office supplies.  What kid doesn’t like office supplies?

Our youth director picked up blue and pink bunny ear headbands to offer to any youth who “hopped in and helped” at the grand opening.  Perfect incentive to involve the youth!

Once the students paid for their items at the exit, they stopped back by the “saving lady” and re-deposited any unspent Bible Bucks to save until next month.

The students who returned later in the day for other programs spoke highly of the Bible Bucks store and are already looking forward to next month.

I got the template for the Bible Bucks at  http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Main/Resources/BibleBucks/biblebucks.php and printed them on red card stock (just because that’s what we had the most of already in the office supply closet after all the Christmas printing was finished).  Then, delivered a stack of the red Bible Bucks with the “guidelines” to each leader in all the KidMin programming areas.

Goals (1) Kids getting used to bringing and using their own bibles, (2) Kids getting used to inviting others to everything, (3) Kids to begin financial habits that were biblical, (4) involve adults in a very infrequent entrance to service that may grow into something greater.

Oh, and I’m not going to buy junk for the store.  No outlay of precious funds when we all have basements and closets full of stuff (games, stuffed animals) that we don’t use anymore.  But we will place hand-made gift certificates for upcoming programming events and marketing items for the church.  Any other ideas for a Bible Bucks Store?

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Faith sticks when little people can experience the family stories of the bible. The greatest story ever told is the Good News of Jesus. With Easter coming, we are preparing for a sticky faith formation experience for Palm Sunday’s Sunday school hour.

Family Friendly Holy Week Stations

1. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

After Jesus had His LAST SUPPER with His buddies, and sang a song, He went out to pray.

Luke 22:39-43 “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.”

Item: Praying Hands, Communion Cup and plate

Did you know? Nowhere else in scripture did God kneel on this earth, but here. How often do you kneel before God?

2. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.

While Jesus was asking his buddies to “Watch and pray,” Judas, one of the 12, arrived. At once Judas came up to Jesus and kissed Jesus. Then a crowd came and arrested Jesus.

Matthew 26:47-50 “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the Meaners of the people. ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.”

Item: Handcuffs, leather cord, chains (the bigger and the heavier, the better)

Did you know? Jesus came back to his buddies to ask them to “Watch and Pray” 3 times. Do you have buddies you can ask to “Watch and Pray?” Pray that God will send them to you.

3. Jesus was taken to the religious leaders.

The Meaners took Jesus to the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law looking for evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death.

Mark 14:61-64 “The meaners took Jesus to the high priest and the whole Sanhedrin who were looking for evidence against Jesus. They all agreed to send Jesus to die. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and yelled at him. And the guards took him and beat him.”

Item: a Pastor’s stole

Did you know? The religious leaders were afraid of how the people loved Jesus. Are you afraid of people who love Jesus?

4. Jesus taken to the government leaders.

Since the religious leaders were not allowed by law to put someone to death, they sent Jesus to the government leader to put Jesus to death.

John 18:28-37 “In the early morning, the meaners took Jesus to the palace of the Roman governor named Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus “What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. My kingdom is not from here.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.”

Item: Judge’s gavel

Did you know? Pilate wanted to let Jesus go and thought that having Jesus “spanked” would be enough punishment for the crowd. Do you let other people make you do things you know are wrong?

5. Pilate hands Jesus over to be beaten.

John 19:1-3 “Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face.”

Item: Crown of thorns and leather whip.

Did you know? The first mention of “thorns” in the bible comes in Genesis as part of the punishment of Adam and Eve as they leave the Garden of Eden and were then required to grow their own food among the “thorns and the thistles.”

6. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified.

John 19:16- “So the meaners took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out to the place of the Skull (which is called Golgotha).

Item: Railroad tie, cross beams, cross the kids can pick up and hoist onto their shoulders

Did you know? that the sickness of sin and selfishness is heavy? Do you really want to carry around something that separates you from God?

7. Simon helps Jesus carry the heavy cross.

Luke 23:26 “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced Simon to help Jesus carry the cross.”

Item: Table mirror or cross kids can pick up and hoist onto their shoulders here, instead.

Did you know? That someone helped Jesus carry His cross when it got too heavy? Would you help Jesus carry His cross?

8. Many of the ladies who loved Jesus followed him crying.

Luke23:27 “A large number of people follow him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Item: Box of Kleenex

Did you know? The term “Daughter” is a term of endearment for a family member. Jesus was claiming these ladies as part of his family. Do you claim Jesus as part of your family?

9. The Meaners take Jesus’ clothes.

John 19:23-When the meaners crucified Jesus; they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” (Psalm 22:18)

Item: Dice, purple/scarlet robe

Did you know? It is a great insult to human dignity to rob a person of everything, even his clothing. Most of us will never know the shame and suffering of being penniless and virtually naked in a public place, as many of the homeless on the streets of our cities today. Have you offered anything to help clothe the people in our community?

10. Jesus is placed on the cross.

Luke 23:33-34 “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Item: Nails, rubber mallet

Did you know? Jesus could have chosen not to take the pain and humiliation; he could have zapped those who mocked him – but he suffered through it all because he loved even his enemies. Does this even matter? Does Jesus matter to you? How?

11. Criminals speak to Jesus

Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled/yelled insults at Jesus: he said, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t’ you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Item: First Aid kit, Stephen Ministry kit

Did you know? From the very words of Jesus, it’ll take no longer than a day to get to heaven. Do you only pray to ask for Jesus to rescue you, bless you, protect you? Is it all about you?

12. Jesus asked for something to drink.

John 19:28-30 “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty,” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When Jesus had received the drink, Jesus said,”It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Item: Vinegar in various cups, sponges to smell and touch

Did you know? This vinegar was a cheap wine that the Roman soldiers drank while waiting for those crucified to die. Do you offer Jesus your whole life, the best of you (everyday prayer, bible reading, regular giving, and regular church attendance), or a cheap life (prayer only when you are in trouble, don’t use your bible at all, giving what’s left over, and choosing anything else over church attendance)?

13. Jesus dies on the cross

Luke 23:44-46 “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Item: Altar cross covered in black sheeting

Did you know? Complete darkness covered the earth from noon until 3pm after Jesus died on the cross. All nature seemed to mourn over the stark tragedy of the death of God’s Son. Sunday matters because of what happened on Friday.

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

John 19:38-42 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple/follower of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He and Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night, took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in strips of linen, with spices. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. A stone was placed over the entrance.”

Item: Heart-shaped stone, Resurrection Garden pot, a plant.

Did you know? John 3:16 God loved . . . God gave . . . We believe and trust/ put our weight on it . . . We receive eternal life, new life, Christ life. What will you do now with what you know?

15. Jesus is Alive!

Item: Basketful of empty eggs, live plant, live lily

Did you know? That God loves you so much, He sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins (when we don’t love God and don’t love others) so that we can go to the big party in heaven one day when our time on earth is done. Jesus is preparing a place for all who love Him in Heaven. In the mean time, God wants us to talk like Jesus, and act like Jesus, by showing love to God and others. One way to do that is telling others the Good News that Jesus came to show us God’s love for us and others. Who will you tell this week? Another way to do that is to help someone in need. Who will you help today?

You can place the information in plastic stand-up frames which can be placed at each station, or use a small, cheap photo book with the information if the stations are not in one location.

Let me know of other ideas to keep the story fresh and new in the hearts of our families and in my own heart. A good challenge each year is to discover something new about the Easter story to share with your little people. This IS the Good News…may we be found faithful in sharing it well and in a way that let’s little people and their families engage in conversation about our great Jesus.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NIV

(This blog was originally posted in February 2016)

Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, is a great time to make our little people aware of how children live around the world. We purchased some books to share with our little people to later place in our church’s library and we are handing out a penny donation lenten calendar to our families beginning this Sunday.

This is the calendar…printed on a word document. We chose a global ministry as the recipient found on the Advance UMC website that relates to children.

Making a World of Difference this Easter
Children in the USA live very different lives from those living in other countries around the world. Take this Lenten challenge to think about how your life is different from a little child born in another country. The money that you donate will go to help the Brighter Future Children Rescue Center in Liberia, Africa

Donate a penny for every shoe in your home 2/15
Donate a quarter if you ate three meals today 2/16
Donate a penny for every blanket in your home 2/17
Donate $1 if you go to school 2/18
Donate a nickel for every video game you own 2/19
Donate a dime for each mattress in your home 2/20
Donate a penny for every book in your room 2/21
Donate $1 if you have a hand-held gaming system or iPod 2/22
Donate a quarter if you ate ice cream this week 2/23
Donate a quarter if you ate at a fast food place this week 2/24
Donate a nickel for every ball you have to play with 2/25
Donate 50 cents if your home doesn’t leak when it rains 2/26
Donate $1 if you have a Bible teaching church to attend 2/27
Donate a nickel for every soda you drank this week 2/28
Donate a penny for each spoon your family owns 3/1
Donate a dime for every shower or bath in your home 3/2
Donate a quarter if you’ve ever been to the dentist 3/3
Donate $1 if you know how to read 3/ 4
Donate a quarter if you can see a doctor when you are sick 3/5
Donate a penny for every glass window in your home 3/6
Donate a dime for every faucet in your home 3/7
Donate a penny for every piece of clothing in your closet 3/8
Donate a penny for every chair in your house 3/9
Donate a quarter if your family owns a washing machine 3/10
Donate $1 if someone said, “I love you” to you today 3/11
Donate a penny for every band aid in your house 3/12
Donate a dime for every TV in your house 3/13
Donate a penny for every picture on your walls 3/14
Donate a nickel for every tree in your yard 3/15
Donate a penny for every lamp in your home 3/16
Donate a penny for every table in your home 3/17
Donate a dime for every shower or bath in your home 3/18
Donate a nickel for every hat you own 3/19
Donate $1 if you own a Bible in your own language 3/20
Donate a dime for every jacket in your house 3/21
Donate a quarter for every car your family owns 3/22
Donate a penny for every door in your house 3/23
Donate 50 cents if you own a cell phone 3/24
Donate a quarter if you have a toothbrush 3/25
Donate a penny for every light in your house 3/26
Donate a quarter for every pet that lives at your house 3/27
Donate a nickel for every clock in your house 3/28
Donate a penny for every toy with wheels you own 3/29
Donate a penny for every stair/step in your house 3/30
Donate a penny for every stair/step outside your house 3/31
Bring your collection to church for the Easter Offering today

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15

http://www.wesleychapelumc.com
Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church

These are the books we ordered to share with our students….

And we are using Easter Sunday to hold a one-room-Sunday School for all our students and inviting a young missionary to share with us her experiences serving the Lord on mission trips out of the country. We plan to follow up with a monthly missionary visitor to come to various KidMin programming events for 2013 to keep our kids mindful that we are to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” Mark 16:15

If you’d like me to email you a copy of the Word calendar document, just send me an email at dedereilly@comcast.net and I’ll get it right out to you.

As I continue to dig through the stack of goodies from International Network of Children’s Ministry Network’s Children’s Pastor’s Conference (CPC) Orlando, the process of the Certification was a great way to keep me focused on the “how” and “when” to implement some of what I had learned. One of the requirements was to attend pre-determined sessions and write a short essay in response to 5 questions. To encourage some accountability, this is what I submitted:

1. What have you learned about the First Initiative: Impart God’s truth to this generation? What are some next steps for implementing this in your ministry?
An intentional purpose, process, and pathway is expected to move toward the goal of spiritually healthy children.
Next Steps:
(1) Determine and write down what a spiritually healthy child looks like which is developmentally appropriate.
(2) Evaluate and adjust the 2013 WC calendar to incorporate more “Belonging” opportunities as we intentionally balance opportunities for belonging, worship, growing, serving, and sharing opportunities.

2. What have you learned about the Second Initiative: Provide a safe and relevant environment? What are some next steps for implementing this in your ministry?
Although the pre-determined session did not address safety, it focused specifically on relevance. When kids are having fun, their minds are open. Be aware of what’s culturally influencing my kids and leverage it.
Next Steps:
(1) Plan a “What if…” retreat or meeting with my Children’s Council.
(2) Download Todd Henry’s “Accidental Creativity”
(3) Take a 1-hour “vacation” each week to hear the voice of God and ask for His hand in the creative process.

3. What have you learned about the Third Initiative: Communicate with families? What are some next steps for implementing this in your ministry?
I was reminded that ALL parents want the best for their kids. I must intentionally be communicating that we are providing the best to their kids and that we love their kids. I should be telling my parents how glad I am they are bringing their kids to Sunday School or CLUB345 or church or whatever they are choosing as the spiritual priorities for their family.
Next Steps:
(1) Set some “easy wins” for my parents with multiple opportunities to start in the calendar year.
(2) Celebrate when anyone reads anything I put out there.

4. What have you learned about the Fourth Initiative: Networking with an community of leaders? What are some next steps for implementing this in your ministry?
It is up to me to shore up ALL my networks: family, staff, servants, professional. I currently coordinate several Christian Educators networks for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, blog, and mentor new KidMin Directors…but there are more networks within my KidMin world.
Next Steps:
(1) Become involved in networking outside my denominational and state boundaries.

5. What have you learned about the Fifth Initiative: Praying for the international community? What are the next steps for implementing this in your ministry?
There are men and women servants proclaiming the Good News of Jesus all over the world and I can be a part of that. Our church is engaged in our 2013 theme of “Go into the world” based on the Great Commission as written in Mark 16:15. It is my heart’s desire that my students experience God and not just know about Him that comes through local and international mission opportunities. The number 1 way disciples move toward maturity is “time in the Word.” The number 2 way, by far, is “outreach”.
Next Steps:
(1) Post global maps throughout the church, especially in the classrooms with students.
(2) Provide global maps in Bible Bucks store for students to purchase and use at home.
(3) Pray for kids and workers in an area we see on the maps in the classrooms during our prayer times (child-directed).
(4) Invite global servants to speak to my students monthly.

My plate is full, but I don’t want to get to heaven and find out I have been great at the wrong thing…making disciples.

If you see me at the networking groups, on facebook, or Starbucks, hold me accountable by asking me where I am on my next steps.  I’d love to talk with you about it.

Opening with a general session is genius. It’s gives me a chance to let the caffeine kick in and eat a clementine … true meaning of “breakfast on your own,” and begin the day with some fantastic music.

Yesterday (day 2) sent me to Steve Adams who serves at Saddleback. Very funny, yet very authentic fella who asked, “What does a spiritually healthy child look like?”….gave us a few minutes to write out our own definition…then never answered it for us, leaving the challenge hanging in my heart on a chain. My first “to do” when I get home. He spoke of intentionally balancing our opportunities for little people to grow, worship, serve, and share… and belong. Belonging. Love that word! Are we intentionally offering opportunities for our little people to belong…belong to the church, belong to each other, belong to their spiritual leaders? “Health comes from a balance of resources to promote growth, service, sharing, worship, and belonging.” I’ll be checking out the KidMin calendar when I get home to be sure we are offering enough “belonging” time.

The second workshop was led by Billy Graham Evangelstic Assn’s Chad Miller…fantastic presenter who gave me a B12 shot in the arm for modern day missionaries.  Got some statistics, he outlined Satan’s strategy (“We have a generation of ‘christian’ kids who don’t live for Jesus. They are over-entertained and under-challenged.”) and scriptures to back up our motivation to step it up.  Strategies to equip our kids for the work of the gospel:  scriptures (use them often), sharing stories (ours and their’s), field trips (“While I was going to …”), being vulnerable (be willing to share my failures and hangups), and to be on mission myself.  “I don’t want to get to heaven and have excelled at the wrong things.  Where are the disciples Jesus told me to make?”

Lastly, attended an information workshop about a new partnership with Bethel Seminary and INCM to offer a certification in global children’s ministry.  100 hours of instruction (online and at CPC and KidMid Leaders Conferences) from 2014-2015 with projects to be implemented in my own house/church at an incredibly reasonable investment.  Praying that one through as we have the upcoming Discipleship Team’s training endeavor for best practices that will begin this fall.  It may be the next step for someone wanting to go further.  Further investigation is necessary.

Headed off for another full day of CPC.  I am so grateful to be serving at a church with spiritual leaders who see the value in education and making this investment in me.

“God is not the ‘I was’, but the ‘I am'” – Chad Miller

Attending CPC with ministry best friends is a highlight of my year. The laughter, overwhelming creativity, and sheer awe of what is presented and shared blesses my socks clean off.

Attending the Pre-conference intensive training session the day before the actual CPC begins found me in “More Creative Teaching Ideas” led by John Tasch and Eric Hamp. With great energy and volume, these guys shared wall-post-it-note upon wall-post-it-note of ideas for Creative Games, Class Openers, Themes and Events, Object Lessons, and Attention Getters. Watch out CLUB345 if you see me walking in with frozen t-shirts and wearing my “ties and awful things.”

Sheila Walsh was the first general session leader: “What truth are we to impart to our children and their families?”
1. We have a GREAT God…Paul said, “I am convinced…”
2. We have a REAL enemy…all Satan can do to us is lie and see if we believe it.
3. We are not home yet…we are on a detour

Today we begin going through the CPC Certification requirements to address the 5 initiatives that are the filter to providing excellent ministry to little people.  Those 5 initiatives are…

Five Initiative Certificate Program Schedule
Breakout #1 Initiative 1 – Imparting God’s Truth: Steve Adams
Breakout #5 Initiative 2 – Provide a Safe & Relevant Environment: Steve Adams
Breakout #6 Initiative 3 – Communicating with Families: Jonathan Cliff
Review: Panel Lunch Discussion
Breakout #7 Initiative 4 – Networking with a Community of Leaders: Michael Chanley
Review: Breakfast Discussion
Breakout #8 Initiative 5 – Praying for the International Community: Lori Bethran and International Partners
Essay to be turned in prior to the start of Final Session with Certificate Available for pick-up following final session

“People decide to listen within the first 8 seconds…even little people” – John Tasch

There are some amazing KidMin directors within my network and playing with them and their kids always makes for a fun and memorable night. We came up with an idea called the “Winter Ball Invitational” where, because my church has a gym, these awesome KidMin servants bring their kids (3-5th grades) and we play “odd-ball” games.

This is what we did …

5pm – 5:30 dinner made up of Meatball subs (1 meatball to a water roll or 2 meatballs to a hotdog roll), cake balls, cheese balls, ice water in dispensers…round tables out in 1/4 of the gym with chairs

5:30pm Introduce Games in the gym through 6:40 at stations inside gym with an       Icebreaker:  Students meet at center of gym and move (run) from one side of the gym to the other if they better relate to…

Cake balls or Cheese balls

Cake or Cookie

Coke or Slurpie

Popcorn or Candy

Radio or iPod

Basketball or Soccer

Tennis or Football

Video Games or Board Games

Board Games or Card Games

Mountains or Beach

Circus Clown or Circus tiger trainer

Ballerina or Model

The Voice or American Idol

Survivor or Big Brother

Read or Paint

Book or Movie

QT or RaceTrac

Target or WalMart

Jonah or David

Mary or Esther

Now it’s time for the stations…led by our fabulous youth.  Before each game is played at each station, students must answer the question from the Bible

1.  Wrap basketball with whole roll of toilet paper

Question:  What friend of Jesus, who was the brother of Mary & Martha, was brought back to life when he was already buried with burial clothes when Jesus said, “Come out?”  John 11:43

Answer:  Lazarus

2.  Twister with football spinner for colors using colored office dots on a huge gray tarp

Question:  Where was Jesus when He raised His hand and said, “Be still” Mark 4:39

Answer:  In a boat

3.  Mini basketballs in to the circle cutout boards

Question:  What are the first 4 words in the Bible?

Answer:  “In the beginning God” Genesis 1:1

Who empties their bucket first by throwing basketballs through the circles and reload

4.  Little balls in 10  buckets (then students do what bucket says before moving on)

Question:  In what 2 books of the Bible do you find the 10 Commandments?

Answer:  Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 (who answers first gets to go first)

Bucket 1 – jump up and down 3 times

Bucket 2 – whistle

Bucket 3 – snap your fingers

Bucket 4 – what do you like best about your church?

Bucket 5 – put a bow/ribbon in your hair

Bucket 6 – do a cheer

Bucket 7 – what is your favorite thing your parents do for you?

Bucket 8 – if you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be?

Bucket 9 – high 5 everyone at your station

Bucket 10 – give a funny face

5.  Hockey puck balls INTO buckets/baskets on it’s side (taped down with painter’s tape and using footlong hockey sticks I just happened to find in the supply closet

Question:  in Mark 16:15, Jesus told his disciples to “Go INTO all the world and preach the good news to _________?

Answer:  all creation (not just people, Psalm 36:6)

6. Play horse near a basketball goal but spell out LOVE

Question: Who was Jesus talking to when He spoke John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever believed in Him would not perish but have everlasting life?”

Answer:  Nicodemus (Winner gets to start the game)

7. Stuff many balls into clothes over kiddie pool to see who has the most in a timed setting

Question:  In John 14, 1-5, Jesus told his disciples that “In my Father’s house are many what?

Answer: rooms or mansions

8. Last game:  Rock, Paper, Scissors team

Objective:  To end up as the engine of a train made up of all the players

Set up: players are scattered throughout the playing area

Instructions:

1.  Players find someone to play rock, paper, and scissors with.  The losing player stands behind the winning player, holding his/her shoulders.
2. The player in the front finds another pair to play and competes with the front person in that pair. The loser in that competition joins the end of the train.
3. The group continues playing and joining trains until two trains play each other in a final competition.
4. When the entire group forms one train, start again if time permits (which we did because they enjoyed it so much), OR move everyone to the bleachers with all in one line.

End with a Devotion: Pistol Pete Maravich (his devotion to Basketball and the move to same attention to live as a devoted follower of Jesus).. of course I’d have to throw in an LSU-related devotion, especially since my dorm was directly across the street from the Pete Maravich Center.  Dan Farr has 2 outstanding books devoted to sports related devotions specifically for tweener boys.

AND award trophies to each church participating in the 1^st Annual Winter Ball Invitational.  The Wesley Chapel trophy was given to our youth to thank them for partnering with our tweeners for an outstanding event.

What do you do to partner with your networking bffs?

In anxious expectation for what 2013 will hold, I learned a great deal in 2012.

I learned…

1. That my body, at 51, doesn’t always cooperate with my 25 year old mind
All those years of hauling things from my house, to my car, to my office, back to my car, and home, has caught up to me. Lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk must now be delegated. It only took a few extra minutes to ask two, kind, yet different young men to lift a filing cabinet into my shopping cart and then into the back of my car at WalMart yesterday.  I plan to be on the offense in preparing to see what ministry looks like for my body in my sixties. We all know that 50 is the new 30 anyway, right?

2. That God answers the persistent prayers of Mama’s
When I earned my degree at LSU in 1983, I was the first in my family to graduate college. The mantra was “Educate a man, you educate one. Educate a woman, you educate everyone who comes after her.” Baby Girl earned her Associate’s degree, then went on to graduate at the top of her class with a Bachelor’s in Nursing 2 years ago.  Her high school guidance counselor refused to give her an SAT application in 10th grade saying she was “just an average student.”  #1 Son graduated a few weeks ago with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. His middle school guidance counselor planned for him to attend the “tech trak” saying he’d never make it in college.  As an advocate for what I believed in my heart for each of my children, I prayerfully insisted on more.  They both have a BS degree, and with no debt…none for them…none for us.  You better believe He answers the prayers of Mama’s.

3. That I don’t want to just take another bible study
The printed word of God is written on my very soul. It gives me life, breath, and hope. But I don’t want to just “learn” more about Jesus. This Jesus gal wants to become more like Jesus. And although it’s been great to participate in an online facebook bible reading group since January 1s 2012 (New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, Christmas Story relevant scriptures, and we begin the Old Testament on January 1st 2013), and I took on Beth Moore’s JAMES study on my own, I miss the face to face journey with fellow sojourners. In response to a facebook post of flannel week (the week between Christmas and New Year), I hope to begin the journey of falling in love with the God Jesus knows with other like-minded women in the next couple of weeks as we take on a curriculum for Christlikeness.  If you are interested in joining the journey, just let me know.  We’ll meet once a month while taking on James Bryan Smith’s Apprentice Series.

4. That I should have used as much moisturizer on my neck as I did on my face
Looking at current photos, I have to agree with Anita Renfroe, “All a woman really wants before she dies is one, good picture.”

5. That artificial sweeteners encourage overactive bladders
Women over 50 should just bite the sweet bullet and use the real sugar. I watched Dr. Oz only twice this year and discovered he really does know what he’s talking about when it comes to Vitamin C for leveling my kind of stress, and artificial sweeteners lead to over-active bladders.

6. That I want to live with my man
In the fall of 2011, my man was laid off from a company that recruited him only a couple of years before. His tenacity at finding a new job in this, less than generous, economy found him employed by 4 different companies in the first three months of 2012. The last one caused us to set up an apartment in North Carolina for him for 8 months. Even the tweeners in our church were praying that Mr. Bob would find a job to bring him back home…and God answered those prayers with a fabulous, “Yes!” My old “roomie” returned the first of December and I am thrilled beyond words. We are meant to grow old together and I am honored to be his Mrs.

7. When going to doctor’s appointments, go with a girlfriend
If you want to laugh your head off, share stories, be wonderfully distracted from a scary procedure, and entertain the nurses and other medical staff, go with a girlfriend. Even a colonoscopy….go with a girlfriend!  I am available to pay it forward.

8. That we can live on less than we thought
Refer to #6.  If God can multiply fishes and loaves, numbers are easy.

9. That I can love more deeply than I ever dreamed
On Good Friday, Baby Girl gave birth to Mr. Yummy. I was there. He is so much fun. But watching her become this fabulous mother is the most beautiful thing I have ever observed.

10.  Just add more “white” when you want to lighten a paint color
A “Duh” moment, I know…but it was pivotal for me.  I had begun to over-think things.  Alot of things.  I discovered that I think things to death on my own.  It is so much easier and it is safe to invite others to join the journey of discovery.  I also realized that I have beautiful women who share the road with me.  Very gifted women.  Very kind women.  Very funny women.  Very generous women.  May I be the friend to them they are to me.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever.”  Deuteronomy 29:29

I could hardly contain myself when #2 Son and Baby Girl chose to spend their first Christmas as a family-of-three with us in North Georgia.  Our first Grandson, aka Mr. Yummy, is 8 months old and has me waiting for every sound and every squeal as Baby Girl and I talk on the phone just about every day.

She is such a great daughter as she shares every “first” with me, even over the phone.  God knew what He was doing when He had us born in the iPhone age with photos and videos at our fingertips.  Mr. Yummy hears my voice practically every day as I speak love and encouragement to his new Mommy as she fully understands the awesome responsibility to raise a young man.

It had been 4 months since I had seen him last and feared he’d be resistant to me, but he came straight to me from the arms of his Daddy with the flirty grin that has melted my heart more times than I can count over these last 6 precious days.

We went to church where he flirted with all the ladies and chewed on the pews.  We crawled on the floor and climbed up refrigerators, windows, dishwashers, and mirrors as he explored his reflection.  We chewed on Baby Jesus from the Little People’s Nativity purchased at last year’s after-Christmas sales and wooden spoons were banged on anything that made great noise.  We played with flashlights, wrapping paper, and slid on blankets across the hardwood floors.

“Pat the Bunny”, “Goodnight Moon”, and “Guess How Much I Love You” board books joined a small soccer ball, a small football, a small basketball, and Christmas pajamas were first-Christmas gifts.  The other stuff will come soon enough.

He won’t remember a thing about his first Christmas, but we will.  His Pop will see the teeth marks on the coffee table soon enough.  His Uncle Ben is always looking for “My Uncle Rocks” tshirts.  And I have a salt-dough footprint ornament Baby Girl made which initiated much laughter and conversation.

“How do you breathe?”, asked a friend when she found out that our first grandson is growing up so far away. I breathe by inhaling and exhaling on the grandchildren of others who’s grandparents live so far away. When we invest in the lives of other’s little people, we trust that another family of faith will be be investing in the life of our little people who live so far away. I pray that his faith community will be living examples of the grace and extravagant love, the tender authority and compassion shown by our Savior to each of us.

“Come thy fount of every blessing, tune my heart to hear thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.”

Just a little something that should make the little people smile in our family of faith this Sunday so close to Christmas:

Making 26 took 2 boxes of Whoppers candies picked up at Publix and 26 red gumballs that I found in every color at Party City.  10 Whoppers and 1 red gumball were placed in the small ziploc bags found at WalMart in the craft section.  And not sending a single thing out without printed scripture, John 13:35 seemed appropriate and HAD to be printed in red.  Tweeners will be handing them out as ushers at the end of both services this Sunday.

“If you love one another everyone will KNOW you are my disciples” John 13:35