GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN---BOX 9----The EARLY CHURCH

Can you believe we are up to box 9!!! I hope you are not getting tired of these posts.  With Box 9 we are up to GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN---The Early Church.  

Just LIKE my BOX about the LIFE OF JESUS---this is an INCOMPLETE BOX. I have so many items I hope to find and add to this box....I am always keeping my eye out for items that  will fulfill my needs. 

I know this Bible time lady could be anyone---but, for now she is DORCAS.  I am sure you see the little DRESS that goes with her....After all Dorcas sewed clothes for brethren.  :-)  The little dress is made out of felt and was a gift to me from my sweet friend Laura.  

The ROCK is to represent Jesus's statement---"UPON THIS ROCK, I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH." 

The LITTLE Knight---Armor of GOD!

The Heart--LOVE the BRETHREN---1 Cor. 13.  

Here are a few close up pictures...

Again, please remember this box is NOT complete....I want to add so many different items to this BOX.  

I want to add the NUMBER 1---for ONE BODY, One SPIRIT,  One HOPE, One LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM.    I want to add FRUIT for Fruit of the Spirit.  I want to add Maps of Paul's Journeys, I want to add "letters" to represent the Epistles sent to the churches...etc.  So many ideas...JUST need to find the PERFECT items to represent these....  :-)

Only one more BOX to go.  YAY!!! Hope you are enjoying these POSTS.  

Blessings,

Ronda

GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN---BOX 8----JESUS

We are up to box 8!!!!  This is the box that contains items from the LIFE of OUR LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!!!  

Here is a PEEK into the box...This box is NOT complete!!!  I still have items to add...But, for now, I will go ahead and share with you what I DO have in the box.  

Here are  the items I currently have in the box....I am hoping to add several more items....as I FIND them!!  

BABY JESUS is from a Little People set.  I purchase them at Garage Sales and Thrift Stores--I often find pieces of these sets in the FREE boxes at Garage Sales.    

The ADULT  "JESUS" figure I got at the DOLLAR TREE a few years back.  

The DONKEY can be used for Mary riding a donkey to Bethlehem  or when Jesus RODE a Donkey into Jerusalem. 

The PIG is for the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  

The little stick has a picture of "JESUS" with children on it....I got them from HOBBY LOBBY. Several came in a bag---and we have put them to use in several classrooms.  

The small items--the pieces of silver, the CUP, the crown of thorns, the spear the white linen and the die (for casting lots) came in one of those Resurrection Egg sets that the stores have out around Easter time.   I waited for them to go on clearance---Walmart had them this past Easter.  

The CROSS...this cross is made from FOAM and I bought it at HOBBY LOBBY---90% off sale.  It cost me 9 cents.

There are other items I want to add---I am wanting to add the 12 Apostles, the story of the 5 Loaves and 2 Fish, Other Parables, Zacchaeus, Lazarus, Mary and Martha, Palms for Palm Sunday, etc.  As I  find items to go I will add them to the box.    I LOVE that functionality of this  TEACHING TOOL.  I can always add items as I find them.  

Hope you are enjoying these POST about my GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN boxes!  

Blessings,

Ronda

  

Five Minutes Till the Bell Rings!!!

Hi there!!  I know some are wondering WHAT to do with those LAST few MINUTES of CLASS TIME.  Just so you know,  I seem to RUN out of TIME every SUNDAY!!!  I would LOVE to have BIBLE CLASS run 15, 20, 30 more minutes. :-)  But, realistically speaking I would probably STILL run out of time!!!  I know ME!  

But, I want to show you something that I have on the wall, RIGHT next to the DOOR.  Because, I believe in using EVERY LAST SECOND for teaching, I refuse to give up the time when we are WAITING on MOM or DAD to come get the KIDDOS from the classroom.  (I do not think it is WISE to release KIDDOS without proper supervision---KIDDOS LOVE TO RUN in the CHURCH building---so, I tell all my KIDDOS parents that they need to RETRIEVE their KIDDOS from the classroom.)  If NOT, I think I might just KEEP them ALL!!!!!  :-)  

OK--enough of my procedures.  Here is what I really wanted to SHARE with you.  I have this STAR chart hanging right next to the door and right under the LIGHT SWITCH.  (NOT PLANNED--but, it WORKS with this THEME!!!) I titled this area, "BIBLE KNOWLEDGE SHINES BRIGHT!"   I coded the BIG POCKETS  with "LIVED During the OLD TESTAMENT."   "LIVED During the NEW TESTAMENT."    Then I placed a bunch of BIBLE PEOPLE Picture Cards (they came from the Dollar Tree) in the pockets.

While Waiting on the Parents, I will PULL a CHARACTER out of the Pockets and tell the KIDDOS something about the LIFE of that Character---BTW, the back of the cards do have information on the character on the front---but, I just TELL the KIDDOS things I can quickly recall.  I then ask them if that person lived in the OLD or NEW TESTAMENT TIME PERIOD.  The one that answers correctly gets to put it in the correct pocket!!!  We have CLEARED this chart SEVERAL TIMES through the past 5 YEARS!!!  But, the KIDDOS NEVER seem to get BOARD with this.  It is not "PLAYED" every SUNDAY...Due to the fact that I generally am NOT READY for the BELL to RING...but, every once in a while I will actually have a few moments waiting on the parents to get to the door and that is when I get to "PLAY" this with the KIDDOS.  I do like to do this activity---It is amazing to see how many BIBLE PEOPLE they can PLACE into the RIGHT TIME PERIOD!!!  

BTW, I just wanted to tell you I have a departure procedure for my classroom!!! I tell the KIDDOS---"YOU have to answer my question in order for me to open the door for your parent."  I then ask them a question  about the lesson....(within the earshot of MOM or DAD) and when they answer the question I open the door and let them out!!!  BTW, I am blessed to have a DUTCH door!!!  I open the "TRAP" door---(the KIDDOS named the top half of the door the "TRAP DOOR."---I don't know why?) so that the PARENTS get to see and hear their KIDDOS answering their EXIT QUESTIONS!!!   

Although I use this as a REVIEW at the End of Class Time, this could very easily be an EAA--Early Arrivers Activity too!   I encourage you to use EVERY LAST SECOND for a TEACHING OPPORTUNITY!!!!!  Bible Class is so important!!! 

Blessings

Ronda

Encouraging Kiddos To Memorize The Books of The Bible

This is from a long time ago.  But, since I did not have a website to share ideas when I did this, I thought I would share it with you now.    

I was working with the KIDDOS on memorizing the BOOKS OF THE BIBLE!!!  I feel that memorizing the BOOKS of THE BIBLE is an important venture to embark upon with KIDDOS.   However, I like to try various methods to encourage the memorization of the books.  

When trying to come up with a way to encourage, motivate and excite the KIDDOS, I decided to do a BIBLE BOOKS CHAIN.  I thought about doing one chain for the entire class...BUT, decided it would be sooooo much more fun for each child to have their OWN chain...That way they could track their success!!!!  By the way, this was one of my KIDDOS FAVORITE activities!!!! 

I began the chain by making a "BACK BOARD" that has "BIBLE" with a "buckle" cut out of the middle...I then attached one loop to the "buckle" that had the word "LAW" on it.  This would be the beginning loop that the KIDDOS would attach all their other loops too.  BTW, for the loops, I just copied the names of the books of the bible onto construction paper of various colors.  

 I  also made loops for the various sections of the Bible... "LAW," "HISTORY,"   "POETRY,"  "MAJOR PROPHETS," "MINOR PROPHETS,"  "GOSPELS,"  "HISTORY," "EPISTLES," AND "PROPHECY." 

The KIDDOS were motivated by seeing their CHAIN grow.  It amazed me...when I had a KIDDO that had been absent they would come to me and ask to say the BOOKS of THE BIBLE to "catch up" their chain!!   I LOVED that!!!!  It was so "fun" to watch these chains get longer and longer as the KIDDOS worked so hard at MEMORIZING the BOOKS of THE BIBLE.

As you can see, as their chains grew in length I moved them up higher on the wall.  Then we allowed the chains to "puddle" on the floor.

On the day that the KIDDOS completed their BOOKS of THE BIBLE Chain....I made sure to take a picture of them stretching their chain across the classroom.  They were excited about their ability to say the Books of The Bible....And, the fact that they got to take their Books of The Bible Chain home with them!! 

This was such a FUN and inexpensive way to encourage the KIDDOS to memorize the Books of The Bible!!!  I will be repeating this one for sure!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

Fruit of the Spirit-----Faithfulness

I want to apologize for the delay in  updating you on the progress of our Fruit of The Spirit unit.  I have been very busy as of late.  I made a trip to Indiana for a weekend of edification!!!!  There were 317 Christian Ladies gathered together for the purpose of learning, sharing, encouraging and edifying one another.  I was truly blessed by attending the Ladies Getaway.  

 

With that, I want to show you what the kiddos have been up to lately.  We have been pressing forward in our lessons on the the Fruit of The Spirit.    

 

Our recent lesson on FAITHFULNESS was so fun to teach.  We used the account of Daniel to show what it means to be FAITHFUL.  I pointed out that Daniel lived FAAAAAR away from his home land and was surrounded by "strangers."  I shared the fact that the "strangers" did NOT worship the REAL GOD, but DANIEL STAYED FAITHFUL!!!  We talked about how Daniel did not let the INFLUENCE of the "strangers" pull him away from GOD.  

 

I went on to explain that some of the "strangers" did NOT like Daniel and did not like the way GOD blessed Daniel.  So, the devised a plan to rid themselves of Daniel.  That is when we pretty much told the story of King Darius and Daniel and the lion's den.  The children were enthralled with the story.  I have not met a kiddo yet that does not LOVE the story of Daniel and the Lions!!!!

Our TAKE HOME activity was a set of easy to make "finger" puppets.  We made Daniel and a lion.  These very inexpensive to make.  I used cardstock and clip art to make this "Take Home" project.  The kiddos LOVED these!

Our memory verse this week was  Revelation 2:10.  I explained that MUST ALWAYS BE FAITHFUL TO GOD.  I explained that if we are FAITHFUL we will receive a CROWN of LIFE!  

 

The Game/Activity for this week was "Pin the Tail on the Lion" game.  I purchased this game a long time ago at the local Dollar Tree.  The kiddos LOVED wearing the Daniel Mask!  They had to answer a question from the lesson to get the opportunity to "pin" a tail on the lion.  SOOOO much fun and sooo inexpensive!!!  And very friendly on my time...I did not have to MAKE a game for this story. 

We added a few new words to our "WORD WALL."  We added the words: FAITHFULNESS and EXILES.  The children love learning  "BIG PEOPLE" words. --The WORD WALL is a great way of helping ME remember the WORDS we have learned in the past.  That way I am able to BRING them up in the current story and REMIND the kiddos of the use of the WORD.  

 

 

 

 

On  Wed. Evenings the children do an activity that they add to their EXPLORER JOURNAL.  For this story they colored the picture of Daniel in the Lion's Den...and then they added very fluffy yarn tales to the lions.  They enjoyed  making these and adding them to their Explorer Journal.

 

 

I also had something "special" for the kiddos.  We had a Daniel surrounded by  Lions!  The kiddos LOVED the 3D visual for the story.  The visual was a wonderful aid for me in telling the story too!  I love getting visuals from garage sales, thrift stores and Dollar Tree!!!!  Cheap and effective and the kiddos loved them.  SCORE!!!!!

 

 

 

It takes a great deal of effort to bring BIBLE events to life for the kiddos.  However, I encourage you to think outside the box.  Check your child's toy box, shop the thrift stores, stop at garage sales and check out your local Dollar Tree for inexpensive VISUAL AIDS!  

 

Blessings,

Ronda

Fruit of the Spirit-----Patience

This quarter seems to be FLYING by.  We have been having sooo much fun learning about the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.  We are on lesson 6 which is ALL about PATIENCE.  Our lesson was based on the FARMER from James 5:7-8.  I really like these verses for showing the need for Patience.....because, FARMERS HAVE TO BE PATIENT and the children easily GRASP the concept by looking at pictures of Farmers/Crops.

I introduced the story by showing the children a picture of a farmer planting in the field.  I asked the kiddos if the farmer would be able to immediately pick fruit from what they had planted.  They all said, "NO."  So, I showed them a picture of the plants just spouting through the ground.  Again, I asked if the farmer would be able to pick fruit?  Again, they all responded, "NO."  So, I showed them a picture of the crops in full growth with blooms on the plants and again asked the same question.  Again, the responses was a resounding, "NO."  So, I showed them a picture of the farmer during harvest time, picking the fruit from the plants and asked, Do you think the farmer can eat it now?  I was told, "YES."  However, one child said, "They need to take it to the sink and wash it first."  Children make me smile....such an eye for details.  So, I just added that to my lesson....by saying, "You are right...they still have to wait until the fruit has been washed.  Farmers are so patient."  I then asked them to tell me which attribute of the Fruit of The Spirit we were learning about and they all said, "Patience."    We talked about how God wants us to be patient with others, because HE is patient with us.  We talked about times it might be hard to be patient....but, GOD wants us to always be patient. 

 

Our TAKE HOME activity was an Activity to test their patience.  I had the children plant beans in a milk carton.  I also had them color a "cover" for the milk carton that showed a farmer, field and our scripture reference for today's lesson.  I think they turned out cute and hope they grow for the kiddos once they get them home. 

Our memory verse this week was  1 Thess.  5:14.   Because, I teach the young ones, I only used the end of this verse.  We had a little tune that we sang this Memory Verse too. 

The children really enjoyed our Game/Activity!  We played a BOARD style game.  I made this on my computer and then printed it in POSTER size.  I coded each square with a name of a child and a situation.  If the child was being inpatient then we had to move our marker back 1 square.  The really fun part was that I included each child's name in the class on the board.  Of course if they landed on a space that had one of my students names on it the situation ended with the child showing patience.  They LOVED it!!!!   Look closely at what I used for a game marker.  The next time you see them laying around by the bubble gum machines grab them up.  They can be used for soooo many fun thing.s

We added a few words to our "WORD WALL."  The children are so happy learning these  "BIG PEOPLE" words.  

On Wednesday Evening the children made these FLOWERS.  The neatest thing is...they are made by tracing the child's hands and then rolling them up.  This takes a bit of prep time.  We traced the children's hands on Sunday during the first few mins. of class.  That way I could cut them out and make sure they were ready for the Wednesday Night teacher.  They loved rolling the "petals" on dowels.  We added a small hand-print that says that the flowers are made from the child's hand-print and it is to remind them that GOD is patient with them as they grow and they need to patient too.  I LOVE how they turned out...and they loved placing them in their EXPLORER JOURNAL.  (These were made from white construction paper and yellow and green chenille sticks.---inexpensive and fun!!!)

I am enjoying teaching this UNIT of the Fruit of the Spirit.  It has allowed the children to learn VARIOUS stories from the Bible.  Since I normally teach in a CHRONOLOGICAL fashion, this is a nice break from MY norm.  It is challenging me to think of Biblical Example that go along with each attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit.  So far, so good.  

Blessings,

Ronda

Fruit of the Spirit Lesson 2

One of my Visuals.

 We are continuing to "EXPLORE" the various attributes of the FRUIT of The Spirit.  The children are really excited about this topic. 

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to do an "extension"  to last weeks lesson.  We are going to have different lesson for every attribute....but, because so many of my students are out of town, I did not want to proceed forth into the  LOVE lesson.  I did not want them to miss any of the lessons on the individual attributes.

My students will be making a "Fruit of The Spirit" fruit basket as their Take-Home project.  I think they turned out very cute...They will color and glue the basket together and then add "paper fruit" and the Fun Foam Fruit as well.  

For their "Explorer Journal" activity the kiddos will be making a Fruit of The Spirit Puzzle.  The will add the puzzle pieces to make a complete apple.  My focus with them is going to be that we have to have ALL the attributes to have a COMPLETE fruit...If we are missing any of the attributes we are NOT completely the way GOD wants us to be...so, we need to improve, change or add the attributes we are missing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Completed Fruit of The Spirit Puzzle.

Our Review Game for this week is a Bean Bag Game...The kiddos will answer a question from the lesson and then get the opportunity to throw a bean-bag at the "Toss-A-Cross" game...They will then have to answer the question that they turn over with their bean-bag.  My students LOVE to throw bean-bags...so, I know they will LOVE playing this game.  (BTW, the game was made from a old Toss-A-Cross game, that I purchased at a yard sale for 50 cents.  Always keep your eye out for things you can re-purpose for Bible Class.)