This Sunday we studied the Bible Adventures lesson about King Josiah, who served the God of Israel and restored true worship of God in his kingdom.
We began by looking at two actual purchases that were made earlier this year; one was Justin Bieber's purchase of two luxury homes, for a total cost of $14 million. The other was the purchase of the St. Cuthbert Gospel , a handwritten copy of the Gospel of John dating back to about 690 A.D., also for a total cost of about $14 million. The question asked was: "What IS the value of something?" Students were told about the website www.biblegateway.com and about the free cell phone app Holy Bible available at www.youversion.com. They can have access to the Bible for free, over the internet or using a smartphone.
King Josiah realized that access to the Bible, the written Word of God, was actually priceless.
God has provided laws, wisdom, and guidelines on how we should live in the Holy Bible. But our culture opposes these laws and guidelines -- and sees God's truth as foolishness. When Josiah became king, his culture had the same kind of viewpoint about God - they were in complete disobedience, even using God's Temple in Jerusalem for idol worship. But Josiah sought after the God of King David, his forefather. As he grew, he learned more, and took more steps to cleanse his kingdom of idolatry. When the Book of the Law was found and read to the king, Josiah realized how great the sins of his nation were, and he repented. He had the Book of the Law read publicly, before all the people, and he re-instituted the celebration of the Feasts of the Lord, starting with Passover.
King Josiah was "locked-in and focused" on serving God faithfully. 2 Chronicles 34:2 says:
2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
King Josiah helped the people to realize the importance of God's Word, and to agree that they needed to follow it. This was our Lesson Focus: Pay attention to God's Word. Do what it says.
The Memory Verse for this week is: Luke 11: 28.
HOMEWORK was assigned, due next week; the assignment is to complete Page 1 from this week's Bible Adventures study paper (fill-in the blanks, following the directions given there)..
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
June 17, 2012 "God Hears -- and Answers -- Prayers"
This Sunday, we continued the Bible Adventures lesson on Hannah's infertility, her brokenhearted prayer, the birth of Samuel, and "the rest of the story".
This week, we were able to see the video clip from the movie Soul Surfer, where the main character, Bethany, and her Dad, spent time together talking and listening - what often is referred to as "venting your emotions". She questioned: "Why", "What about 'I can do all things' (through Christ)" [a reference to the Bible verse in Philippians 4.13], and "What am I going to do with my life".
The video was the discussion starter for applying the Lesson Focus - God hears the prayers of the brokenhearted, to the life of a 5th grader. Several of the students had their own examples of a crisis in a family member or friend, that brought life-as-usual to a crashing halt. Hannah had a positive outcome, from her prayers, and our emphasis was that was what you can expect, from our God, who loves us.
In this lesson, we teach that the children should Be encouraged! If we call out to God, He will mend broken hearts, and He will show us that we are never alone. He is always there.
The verse assigned last week for memorization, Psalm 34.18, is continued again this week. I can't make the students memorize Scripture, but the parents can ! I have offered rewards, though.
Parents should look for our Class Newsletter to arrive in the mail at the end of this week.
This week, we were able to see the video clip from the movie Soul Surfer, where the main character, Bethany, and her Dad, spent time together talking and listening - what often is referred to as "venting your emotions". She questioned: "Why", "What about 'I can do all things' (through Christ)" [a reference to the Bible verse in Philippians 4.13], and "What am I going to do with my life".
The video was the discussion starter for applying the Lesson Focus - God hears the prayers of the brokenhearted, to the life of a 5th grader. Several of the students had their own examples of a crisis in a family member or friend, that brought life-as-usual to a crashing halt. Hannah had a positive outcome, from her prayers, and our emphasis was that was what you can expect, from our God, who loves us.
In this lesson, we teach that the children should Be encouraged! If we call out to God, He will mend broken hearts, and He will show us that we are never alone. He is always there.
The verse assigned last week for memorization, Psalm 34.18, is continued again this week. I can't make the students memorize Scripture, but the parents can ! I have offered rewards, though.
Parents should look for our Class Newsletter to arrive in the mail at the end of this week.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Persecution of Christians
The 5th grade class is just beginning its new year, so the children have not yet had much exposure to my teaching on how the choice to Come to Jesus and to be a young disciple of Jesus is something that some people will oppose, and not just by their ridicule of our beliefs. Some of the opposition is violent, carried out by Islamic militant terrorists.
I don't present information like what is shown below, in class. But I am recording it here in the Class Blog, which is primarily for parents. The Blog will serve as an archive of reports I have received of Christian persecution; at some point during our year of teaching, it will be time for a reality-check for the kids -- our faith is "politically incorrect" and subject to violent attack. But it will be done it a faith-affirming way that is developmentally appropriate for pre-teen children.
Church Targeted by Muslims Militants Boko al Haram
Monday 11 June 2012 00:00
Militants attacked two churches in Nigeria yesterday, spraying the congregation of one of them with bullets, killing at least one person, and blowing up a car in a suicide bombing at the other, wounding 41.
No one was killed by the car bombing in the central city of Jos, but mobs of youths attacked bystanders in retaliation, killing two, police said.
There was no claim of responsibility. Attacks on churches have become a trademark tactic of Islamist group Boko Haram, which says it is fighting to reinstate an ancient Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria.
Link to full story: http://voiceofpersected.wordpress.com/
Islamists Bomb Three Churches in Kaduna State , Nigeria
Blasts
in two churches in Zaria, one in Kaduna city kill dozens of Christians.
JOS, Nigeria ,
June 17 (CDN) — Suspected Islamic extremists bombed three
churches in Kaduna state this morning, the third
consecutive Sunday that worship services in Nigeria have ended in lethal
bloodshed.
In a predominantly Christian area ofZaria
known as Wusasa, a suspected Islamic extremist crashed a car into a barricade
at an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) church at around 9 a.m., setting
off explosives that killed at least 24 people and wounded 125, according to one
unconfirmed report citing an anonymous state official. A few minutes later,
suspected Islamic extremists set off explosives at Christ the King Catholic
Church in the Sabon Gari area of Zaria .
An eyewitness told Compass that at least 10 corpses were removed from the cathedral, with dozens of people injured, many critically. At press time the Nigerian Red Cross Society reported the death toll from the blast at the Catholic church had reached 16.
A short while later, a Pentecostal congregation called Shalom Church in the Trikania area of Kaduna city was bombed, killing at least 10, according to the Red Cross.
In a predominantly Christian area of
An eyewitness told Compass that at least 10 corpses were removed from the cathedral, with dozens of people injured, many critically. At press time the Nigerian Red Cross Society reported the death toll from the blast at the Catholic church had reached 16.
A short while later, a Pentecostal congregation called Shalom Church in the Trikania area of Kaduna city was bombed, killing at least 10, according to the Red Cross.
Monday, June 11, 2012
June 10, 2012 "A Brokenhearted Prayer"
The Bible Adventures lesson is the story of Hannah and the birth of Samuel, who was dedicated to the Lord by Hannah, and who grew up to be a prophet and leader in the nation of Israel. This lesson has a Sunday School that Clicks supplemental lesson on being brokenhearted and questioning God. The Clicks material featured a 3 minute clip from the movie Soul Surfer, viewed over the internet during class.
In this lesson, we teach that the children should Be encouraged! If we call out to God, He will mend broken hearts, and He will show us that we are never alone. He is always there.
The Memory Verse is Psalm 34: 18
** Our viewing of the Soul Surfer clip had technical problems, so I stopped it before it was finished. This clip will be re-broadcast next week, and we will continue the lesson from that point. Next week we will probably use the projection system in the KidZone to view this. (The very end of the clip is the most important part.)
In this lesson, we teach that the children should Be encouraged! If we call out to God, He will mend broken hearts, and He will show us that we are never alone. He is always there.
The Memory Verse is Psalm 34: 18
** Our viewing of the Soul Surfer clip had technical problems, so I stopped it before it was finished. This clip will be re-broadcast next week, and we will continue the lesson from that point. Next week we will probably use the projection system in the KidZone to view this. (The very end of the clip is the most important part.)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Parents -- Summer Learning Guide is available, a free pdf-download
Parents:
Summer-learning-guide is available -- "Like Going to a Virtual Camp"
I reviewed the Ages 7--11 copy of the Summer Learning Guide. This information, including ratings/recommendations, is for mobile apps, games, and websites. Click the link above,which has an article explaining the guide; two more clicks after that will get you the download.
Summer-learning-guide is available -- "Like Going to a Virtual Camp"
I reviewed the Ages 7--11 copy of the Summer Learning Guide. This information, including ratings/recommendations, is for mobile apps, games, and websites. Click the link above,which has an article explaining the guide; two more clicks after that will get you the download.
5th Grade "'GOOGLE Sunday School'"
I have taught Sunday School since 1986, through 2000, and then 2003 to the present, and have always used paper-based curriculum materials, until I began teaching at RCC. Starting in 2010, the 5th grade class began using online computer- based resources from the curriculum called Sunday School that Clicks. I have also used worship music videos in class, viewed using YouTube.
In 2012, I have completed some training and have prepared to launch a greatly-upgraded technology support package for my teaching. I have called it "Google Sunday School." Both the 'Clicks' resources and the worship music videos are going to continue to be used. Plus, I am adding a technology platform for communication via the web, using Google resources -- our class username is rcc.5gr
"Google Sunday School" implementation:
In 2012, I have completed some training and have prepared to launch a greatly-upgraded technology support package for my teaching. I have called it "Google Sunday School." Both the 'Clicks' resources and the worship music videos are going to continue to be used. Plus, I am adding a technology platform for communication via the web, using Google resources -- our class username is rcc.5gr
"Google Sunday School" implementation:
- During the Summer quarter, 2012, I am primarily rolling-out the communications-upgrade. The key features for this are Google Sites, Blogger, and Gmail.
- Beginning in the Fall, 2012, I will start the roll-out of the interactive-ED-Tech upgrade. This will involve expanded use of Google Docs and Forms, our class's YouTube channel, and Gmail. I already am using all of these except the private YouTube channel myself, but beginning in the Fall, the students will begin interactive in-class use of these features, when the tech usage fits into our lesson plans.
- Tech-use does not drive the class; our learning objectives govern what methods are used to present the lessons. Tech-use is a tool. It has benefits. I believe it can be particularly important for students who are absent being able to catch-up on what they missed, and for special-needs students who want or require more contact-time than the one hour on Sunday.
- Google does not permit children under age 13 to have a Google account, so our 5th graders will not have their own class Google accounts. For in-class use, the children will use my access to the account. For out of class use, I will provide parents with the information they need to have access; the parents then can allow their children to have access, under the parents' supervision and control.
- Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship // Technology Use Policy and Permissions:
- The students are probably as literate and capable regarding the use of technology as I am. On the other hand, regarding Digital citizenship, including safety and privacy when online, it is necessary for the children to be taught about this. They are not old enough or with enough life-experiences to even realize some of the hazards and safety issues. Many parents have already taught their children, and they use online parental controls and filters at home. In addition to this, I will be proposing that the 5th grade children also attend a Digital Citizenship class at the Church, scheduled on a weekend, but not during the Sunday School hour. As this proposal is developed further, more details will be provided to the parents.
- A Technology Use Policy for Children - for the Christian Education ministry - will be developed, and parents will have the opportunity to review this and to give permission for their child to participate.
5th grade Sunday School moves up to the next level, in terms of depth of instruction and in the intensity of our presentation of the lessons. The children are taught that a casual attitude toward the Christian faith (and not making any effort to be a young disciple of Jesus) - is unacceptable. They are taught, by lessons and by example, to take their faith, the Christian life, and God's Word - the Holy Bible, seriously. The Google Sunday School implementation will be one more step in showing our level of commitment to assisting parents in the Christian Education of their 5th graders.
5th Grade Class -- Introduction & Orientation
Our class meets from 9:15 to 10:15 AM on Sundays.
In 5th grade our teaching moves to the Next Level,
In 5th grade our teaching moves to the Next Level,
- Not only learning Bible stories, but also an emphasis on Discipleship Training
- Lessons from:
- Bible Adventures
- Sunday School that Clicks - internet-based supplemental curriculum
- ‘The Bible is God’s Message for Me’ - Curriculum (New, for this year)
- ‘On the Right Path’ - Discipleship Bible Curriculum
- “Google Sunday School” -
- 5th Grade Class website and Blog being launched during Summer quarter-2012, fully implemented by July 31st.
- 5th Grade Google-Drive,including Google Docs and Forms, Gmail, a private YouTube channel, and Parents Newsletter.
- IMPACT discipleship small group, for 5th and 6th grade students, begins in September, with meetings/activities twice per month; group leader is Mr. B.
Our class motto is: "We SERVE Jesus".
Our class theme song is: "Children of God" [recorded by 'Third Day']
We teach the 5th graders to live their lives 'On the Right Path' and we ask them to make a commitment -- to be young disciples of Jesus. Each week they have an opportunity to give an offering, as an expression of worship and devotion to Jesus. We teach them that cheerful and purposeful giving is an important part of their devotional life.
All of the children's classes have Bible verses that are emphasized and are to be memorized. In 5th grade, we continue to have Bible Memory Verses, to be learned at home and repeated the following week. We have more verses, and some are more difficult verses, than the earlier grades There is an Achievement Points program, where the children earn recognition and rewards for Bible Memorization.
We teach the 5th graders to live their lives 'On the Right Path' and we ask them to make a commitment -- to be young disciples of Jesus. Each week they have an opportunity to give an offering, as an expression of worship and devotion to Jesus. We teach them that cheerful and purposeful giving is an important part of their devotional life.
All of the children's classes have Bible verses that are emphasized and are to be memorized. In 5th grade, we continue to have Bible Memory Verses, to be learned at home and repeated the following week. We have more verses, and some are more difficult verses, than the earlier grades There is an Achievement Points program, where the children earn recognition and rewards for Bible Memorization.
In 5th grade, written homework is assigned after some of the classes. The assignment is usually taken from Bible Adventures, and is work that we did not have time to complete in class. There also will be two or more assignments during the year, referred to as "Bonus" Homework, related to the lesson but not taken directly from Bible Adventures. These usually will have a few weeks for completion and in some cases the children can receive help on the assignment from parents.
Our class session always ends with a closing prayer, and there have been times when the students' prayer requests did require extra time to be prayed for, and in those cases class dismissal was late. The prayer time is part of our discipleship training for the students, in addition to its basic purpose of asking for God's help.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Welcome to Our 5th Grade Class Blog
Welcome. This is the Blog for the 5th grade class - for the Children's Christian Education ministry at Rochester Christian Church. I am George Nielsen, the class teacher. The Blog is for comments and information about the class and our lessons. I will post my comments and things that should be emphasized about the lessons. This also will have postings about supplemental material, and articles/activities that were not able to be covered in class but can be reviewed or worked on at home.
Parents are welcome to post their comments too. The Blog is monitored at least once per week, and I will follow-up on your comments. Parents can also help their children to post their own comments, if they wish to do so.
Parents should look for my postings that will be published later this week, regarding the Class Introduction and the additional posting called "Google Sunday School", to find out more about our ministry to the 5th graders. I, along with Mr. B., our Children's Minister, consider your children to be very special, and we are focused on a teaching ministry to help your children move to the next level up, in faith and discipleship.
God Bless You.
George Nielsen
Parents are welcome to post their comments too. The Blog is monitored at least once per week, and I will follow-up on your comments. Parents can also help their children to post their own comments, if they wish to do so.
Parents should look for my postings that will be published later this week, regarding the Class Introduction and the additional posting called "Google Sunday School", to find out more about our ministry to the 5th graders. I, along with Mr. B., our Children's Minister, consider your children to be very special, and we are focused on a teaching ministry to help your children move to the next level up, in faith and discipleship.
God Bless You.
George Nielsen
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