Newsletter 63.
Newsletter 63 from Maurice Sweetsur
Contents.
Story - The portrait of the son.
T.T. 44. Using Christian songs to teach Biblical truths.
Laugh Break. George's favourite jokes.
Children's ministry in today's church.
Lessons from Noah's Ark.
Story - The portrait of the Son.
This story has been around for many years. I am not sure of it's origin, but it may well be a true story. It can be used, however, to teach children an important Biblical truth.
A wealthy man had a hobby of collecting very valuable paintings. After many years he had amassed a wonderful collection, which was the envy of many art enthusiasts. This man had a son, whom he loved dearly. But war came, and the son went off to fight for his country. The father, however, was now too old to go to war.
During a fierce battle, one of the son's army friends was shot by the enemy. He lay wounded and unable to move on open ground. When the son saw what had happened to his friend, he ran to his aid, lifted him on to his shoulders and began to run back towards the safety of his own lines. However, as he was doing this, the son was also shot. Nevertheless, he still managed to carry his friend back to safety. The friend eventually recovered from his wounds, but the son died from his.
When the father heard that his beloved son had been killed, he was absolutely devastated. Even his wonderful art collection could not console him. A few months later, there was a knock on the father's door. Standing at the door was a young soldier who introduced himself as a friend of the son. "In fact" he said "I was the wounded soldier that your son was rescuing before he was shot and fatally wounded."
The young soldier continued "I do a little painting. I am not that good, I am only an amateur. But I painted a portrait of your son, and thought that you would like to have it." The soldier gave the portrait of the son to the father who was delighted with it. It clearly wasn't that good a painting, but what made it special to the father was that it was that it was of his son. He gave the portrait "pride of place" in his collection, and it always remained his very favourite.
The years passed, and eventually the father died. In accordance with his last wishes, auctioneers were brought in to sell off the father's famous collection of valuable paintings. Many art collectors gathered, each hoping to purchase a valuable painting. The auctioneer began the sale "The father has instructed that the first item to be sold is the portrait of the son. Now, will anybody start me off with a bid of $100?" There were murmurs among the crowd, and people were heard to say "That's not a valuable painting." "It was obviously painted by an amateur." "It's not even worth $100."
"How about $50 then?" said the auctioneer. No bids. "Will someone give me $20?" No bids. "Surely someone will start me off with a bid of $10?" Suddenly a voice from the back called out "I bid $5 for the portrait of the son." Everyone turned around to see the old gardener who had worked for the father for many years. He explained "The father was very good to me, and so was the son. I would like to have the portrait to remind me of them, but $5 is all I can afford."
"At last we have an opening bid" said the auctioneer. "Now, who will give me an advance on $5?" Silence. At last someone spoke up. "Let the gardener have the portrait of the son, so we can get on with bidding for the valuable paintings That is what we are here for." A murmur of approval spread through the crowd. "Very well" said the auctioneer." If there are no other bids, the portrait of the son is sold to the gardener for $5. He banged doun his gavel to indicate that the sale was complete.
"That concludes today's sale" said the auctioneer. There was an uproar among the bidders "What do you mean? What about the valuable paintings? Why aren't you selling those?" The auctioneer replied "The father left exact instructions in his will. He said that whoever gets 'the son' gets everything else as well! Therefore, all the other paintings, the house and all it's contents, all the father's money goes to the gardener, because he was the one who got the son.
Conclusion. Because the gardener got 'the son', he got everything else as well. It is just like that in God's Kingdom. If you have the son (Jesus) in your life, then all the riches of heaven - eternal life, forgiveness, victory, grace, peace, success, joy, etc. etc. - belong to you as well.
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5 v. 12).
Teaching tip 44 - Using Christian songs to teach Biblical truths.
Many favourite hymns and popular choruses are rich in Biblical truths. When leading children in singing, it is always good practice to pick out one or two of these truths and explain them to the children - that way the song will be more relevant to them and they should then really know what they are singing about.
This month I am taking a well known hymn and looking at some of the Christian truths it expresses. Next month, I will look at a popular children's chorus.
When I was a young Christian, I remember being struck by the sublime Biblical truths in the well-known hymn "There is a green hill far away" by Cecil Alexander. In particular the third verse illustrates beautifully and succinctly the three reasons why Jesus died.
"He died that we might be forgiven
He died to make us good
That we might go at last to heaven
Saved by His precious blood."
"He died that we might be forgiven." - We have all sinned against God by breaking His Laws and Commandments. Therefore we all need to be forgiven. But on the cross Jesus died in our place. He took the punishment we deserve on Himself so that now we can be forgiven.
"He died to make us good." - Wonderful as it is to be forgiven, that is still not enough. If Jesus died only that we might be forgiven then, because of the selfish nature we are all born with, we would still carry on doing wrong. But God has a much better plan for us than that. He wants to change us on the inside "to make us good." Because Jesus died and rose again, He is able to come into our lives if we ask Him and give us a new God-centred nature. The Bible calls this being "Born again."
"That we might go at last to heaven." - God wants us all to eventually live with Him in heaven. And if you have been forgiven and "born again" then a place has already been reserved for you in heaven.
"Saved by His precious blood." The last line of this verse reminds us of what it cost Jesus to purchase our salvation - The shedding of His own precious blood.
Laugh break - George's favourite jokes.
If you live in or near Auckland, New Zealand, you may have met my cheeky friend George when he was visiting your school, church or holiday camp. Below are some of George's favourite jokes. He doesn't mind if you pass them on.
1. What goes quick, quick, quick, quick? - A duck with hiccups.
2. What goes peck, peck, peck, boom? - A chicken in a minefield.
3. Why did Captain Cook sail to New Zealand? - It was faster than swimming.
4. What never asks questions but gets lots of answers? - A doorbell.
5. Why do skeletons stay home every night? - They have no body to go out with.
6. What's the smallest room you will ever find? - A mushroom.
7. Why are they not making ladders any longer? - They are long enough already.
8. What was the first animal in outer space? - A cow. The one that jumped over the moon.
9. What do you get if you cross a famous detective with a skeleton? - Sherlock Bones.
10. Why is everyone tired on April 1st.? - They have just finished a 31 day March.
Children's ministry in today's Church.
There are many reasons why children’s ministry needs to be a priority in the church. These include:
a) God cares for children.b) The majority of adults, who become Christians, can say they made their first decision for Christ as a child.c) Children bring life to a church.d) Children's ministry is where many people have their first training in ministry.e) Jesus commended the faith of a child.f) Many areas of the church are in decline and without new blood, will cease to exist within a generation.g) Children are easy to evangelize.h) Most people begin their faith in childhood – Barna says research shows children 6 times more likely to come to faith than adults and 8 times more likely than teenagers
The question needs to be asked, if these are the reasons why children’s ministry is important, which of these has the greatest significance to God and the church?
The statistical information that George Barna has been releasing since 2002, and highlighted in his ‘Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions’ (2003), has increased the priority of children’s ministry in many of the larger churches. However, there is a danger and that is we could again be building the importance of reaching children on a misconception. Look at what Carl Bastion said:
There is a danger side to the new 'popularity' of children's ministry: where CM becomes just yet another church growth strategy. Children's ministry is not important because it draws parents and families - it is important because KIDS need Christ. When children's ministry is presented as being important because a quality children's ministry draws families, ironically it devalues children by reducing them to mere bait used to catch the 'real value' - the adults they bring with them. Ministering to kids is not the latest hip church growth strategy - it is essential because KIDS need Christ, and are the ripest field with longest and strongest results." Karl Bastion, Kidologist
The real reason why children’s ministry is important is that they matter to God and so they must matter to us. The church needs strategies for ministering to children and their families that will demonstrate the priority that God feels for them.
Source: Theology of Children, a training manual written by David Goodwin.
Lessons from Noah's Ark.
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH'S ARK 1. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.2. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.3. Don't listen to critics -- do what has to be done.4. Build on high ground.5. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.6. Two heads are better than one.7. Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.8. If you can't fight or flee -- float!9. Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.10. Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.11. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain -- shovel!12. Stay below deck during the storm.13. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals.14. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.15. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.16. Don't miss the boat.17. No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.
Contents.
Story - The portrait of the son.
T.T. 44. Using Christian songs to teach Biblical truths.
Laugh Break. George's favourite jokes.
Children's ministry in today's church.
Lessons from Noah's Ark.
Story - The portrait of the Son.
This story has been around for many years. I am not sure of it's origin, but it may well be a true story. It can be used, however, to teach children an important Biblical truth.
A wealthy man had a hobby of collecting very valuable paintings. After many years he had amassed a wonderful collection, which was the envy of many art enthusiasts. This man had a son, whom he loved dearly. But war came, and the son went off to fight for his country. The father, however, was now too old to go to war.
During a fierce battle, one of the son's army friends was shot by the enemy. He lay wounded and unable to move on open ground. When the son saw what had happened to his friend, he ran to his aid, lifted him on to his shoulders and began to run back towards the safety of his own lines. However, as he was doing this, the son was also shot. Nevertheless, he still managed to carry his friend back to safety. The friend eventually recovered from his wounds, but the son died from his.
When the father heard that his beloved son had been killed, he was absolutely devastated. Even his wonderful art collection could not console him. A few months later, there was a knock on the father's door. Standing at the door was a young soldier who introduced himself as a friend of the son. "In fact" he said "I was the wounded soldier that your son was rescuing before he was shot and fatally wounded."
The young soldier continued "I do a little painting. I am not that good, I am only an amateur. But I painted a portrait of your son, and thought that you would like to have it." The soldier gave the portrait of the son to the father who was delighted with it. It clearly wasn't that good a painting, but what made it special to the father was that it was that it was of his son. He gave the portrait "pride of place" in his collection, and it always remained his very favourite.
The years passed, and eventually the father died. In accordance with his last wishes, auctioneers were brought in to sell off the father's famous collection of valuable paintings. Many art collectors gathered, each hoping to purchase a valuable painting. The auctioneer began the sale "The father has instructed that the first item to be sold is the portrait of the son. Now, will anybody start me off with a bid of $100?" There were murmurs among the crowd, and people were heard to say "That's not a valuable painting." "It was obviously painted by an amateur." "It's not even worth $100."
"How about $50 then?" said the auctioneer. No bids. "Will someone give me $20?" No bids. "Surely someone will start me off with a bid of $10?" Suddenly a voice from the back called out "I bid $5 for the portrait of the son." Everyone turned around to see the old gardener who had worked for the father for many years. He explained "The father was very good to me, and so was the son. I would like to have the portrait to remind me of them, but $5 is all I can afford."
"At last we have an opening bid" said the auctioneer. "Now, who will give me an advance on $5?" Silence. At last someone spoke up. "Let the gardener have the portrait of the son, so we can get on with bidding for the valuable paintings That is what we are here for." A murmur of approval spread through the crowd. "Very well" said the auctioneer." If there are no other bids, the portrait of the son is sold to the gardener for $5. He banged doun his gavel to indicate that the sale was complete.
"That concludes today's sale" said the auctioneer. There was an uproar among the bidders "What do you mean? What about the valuable paintings? Why aren't you selling those?" The auctioneer replied "The father left exact instructions in his will. He said that whoever gets 'the son' gets everything else as well! Therefore, all the other paintings, the house and all it's contents, all the father's money goes to the gardener, because he was the one who got the son.
Conclusion. Because the gardener got 'the son', he got everything else as well. It is just like that in God's Kingdom. If you have the son (Jesus) in your life, then all the riches of heaven - eternal life, forgiveness, victory, grace, peace, success, joy, etc. etc. - belong to you as well.
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5 v. 12).
Teaching tip 44 - Using Christian songs to teach Biblical truths.
Many favourite hymns and popular choruses are rich in Biblical truths. When leading children in singing, it is always good practice to pick out one or two of these truths and explain them to the children - that way the song will be more relevant to them and they should then really know what they are singing about.
This month I am taking a well known hymn and looking at some of the Christian truths it expresses. Next month, I will look at a popular children's chorus.
When I was a young Christian, I remember being struck by the sublime Biblical truths in the well-known hymn "There is a green hill far away" by Cecil Alexander. In particular the third verse illustrates beautifully and succinctly the three reasons why Jesus died.
"He died that we might be forgiven
He died to make us good
That we might go at last to heaven
Saved by His precious blood."
"He died that we might be forgiven." - We have all sinned against God by breaking His Laws and Commandments. Therefore we all need to be forgiven. But on the cross Jesus died in our place. He took the punishment we deserve on Himself so that now we can be forgiven.
"He died to make us good." - Wonderful as it is to be forgiven, that is still not enough. If Jesus died only that we might be forgiven then, because of the selfish nature we are all born with, we would still carry on doing wrong. But God has a much better plan for us than that. He wants to change us on the inside "to make us good." Because Jesus died and rose again, He is able to come into our lives if we ask Him and give us a new God-centred nature. The Bible calls this being "Born again."
"That we might go at last to heaven." - God wants us all to eventually live with Him in heaven. And if you have been forgiven and "born again" then a place has already been reserved for you in heaven.
"Saved by His precious blood." The last line of this verse reminds us of what it cost Jesus to purchase our salvation - The shedding of His own precious blood.
Laugh break - George's favourite jokes.
If you live in or near Auckland, New Zealand, you may have met my cheeky friend George when he was visiting your school, church or holiday camp. Below are some of George's favourite jokes. He doesn't mind if you pass them on.
1. What goes quick, quick, quick, quick? - A duck with hiccups.
2. What goes peck, peck, peck, boom? - A chicken in a minefield.
3. Why did Captain Cook sail to New Zealand? - It was faster than swimming.
4. What never asks questions but gets lots of answers? - A doorbell.
5. Why do skeletons stay home every night? - They have no body to go out with.
6. What's the smallest room you will ever find? - A mushroom.
7. Why are they not making ladders any longer? - They are long enough already.
8. What was the first animal in outer space? - A cow. The one that jumped over the moon.
9. What do you get if you cross a famous detective with a skeleton? - Sherlock Bones.
10. Why is everyone tired on April 1st.? - They have just finished a 31 day March.
Children's ministry in today's Church.
There are many reasons why children’s ministry needs to be a priority in the church. These include:
a) God cares for children.b) The majority of adults, who become Christians, can say they made their first decision for Christ as a child.c) Children bring life to a church.d) Children's ministry is where many people have their first training in ministry.e) Jesus commended the faith of a child.f) Many areas of the church are in decline and without new blood, will cease to exist within a generation.g) Children are easy to evangelize.h) Most people begin their faith in childhood – Barna says research shows children 6 times more likely to come to faith than adults and 8 times more likely than teenagers
The question needs to be asked, if these are the reasons why children’s ministry is important, which of these has the greatest significance to God and the church?
The statistical information that George Barna has been releasing since 2002, and highlighted in his ‘Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions’ (2003), has increased the priority of children’s ministry in many of the larger churches. However, there is a danger and that is we could again be building the importance of reaching children on a misconception. Look at what Carl Bastion said:
There is a danger side to the new 'popularity' of children's ministry: where CM becomes just yet another church growth strategy. Children's ministry is not important because it draws parents and families - it is important because KIDS need Christ. When children's ministry is presented as being important because a quality children's ministry draws families, ironically it devalues children by reducing them to mere bait used to catch the 'real value' - the adults they bring with them. Ministering to kids is not the latest hip church growth strategy - it is essential because KIDS need Christ, and are the ripest field with longest and strongest results." Karl Bastion, Kidologist
The real reason why children’s ministry is important is that they matter to God and so they must matter to us. The church needs strategies for ministering to children and their families that will demonstrate the priority that God feels for them.
Source: Theology of Children, a training manual written by David Goodwin.
Lessons from Noah's Ark.
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH'S ARK 1. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.2. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.3. Don't listen to critics -- do what has to be done.4. Build on high ground.5. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.6. Two heads are better than one.7. Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.8. If you can't fight or flee -- float!9. Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.10. Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.11. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain -- shovel!12. Stay below deck during the storm.13. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals.14. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.15. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.16. Don't miss the boat.17. No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.
posted by Maurice Sweetsur @ 11:57 PM
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