Newsletter 92.

Newsletter 92 from Maurice Sweetsur

 

Newsletter 92.

 

 

Why do we teach children Biblical values?

 

As children’s ministers we all want to teach boys and girls good Christian values so as to help equip them to make good choices in life. But why do we use the Bible as out text book?

 

Those of us involved with teaching “Bible in schools” programmes in New Zealand will know that some schools now run their own secular “Values” programmes and that we are thus in direct competition with them. A few schools also allow other “Religious” groups in to run their own programmes.

 

Although it is usually the children themselves who choose which “Values” programme to attend, parents can also have an influence. But what should our response be to the non-Christian parent who asks why their child should attend the Christian values programme? In what ways are the Biblical values and standards different from humanistic and other faith ones? For the Christian, the answer is simple. “God is the author of the Bible, He created us, and therefore He knows what is best for us.”

 

However, for the non-Christian parent we can point out that although all “Values” programmes (both secular and religious) have much in common, such as the importance of Respect, Tolerance, Acceptance, Honesty, Integrity and Trust, what marks the Biblical programme out as different from the others is two things – Forgiveness and Love.

 

1. Forgiveness. The Bible, (and Jesus’ teachings in particular) places great emphasis on the importance of forgiving others. That can sometimes be a hard thing to do, but if we refuse to forgive we only end up harming ourselves.

 

2. Love. The amazing thing about God’s love is that He loves us unconditionally. His love is not dependent on our behaviour or our response to him. And that is the way He wants us to love each other.

 

Most people live by the rule “Treat others as they treat you.”  In other words, if someone is good to you, you will be good to them. But if someone is nasty to you, then you have every right to be nasty to them in return. The Biblical rule for life is completely different “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

 

The Bible tells us that we don’t overcome evil with evil, but rather we overcome evil with goodness. If someone is nasty to you, and you respond by being nasty to them, they will probably continue to be nasty to you. But if someone is nasty to you and you react by being nice to them (or at the very least by not responding to them), they will probably start being nice to you, or at least stop being nasty to you.

 

It can be hard to live by this Biblical rule, but as we learn to do so, the cycle of nastiness or hatred is broken. That is the Biblical way.

 

Conclusion. What makes Biblical values programmes different (and I believe better) than others is the emphasis on forgiveness and love towards others.

 

 

Contents.

 

T.T. 62. God v. Santa Claus.

T.T. 63. Did God really create the earth in six days?

A recall notice funny.

A young person’s explanation of God.

 

 

 

T.T. 62. God v. Santa Claus.

 

God is a good and generous God who wants the very best for us. However, it is important to teach children that He is NOT like a Santa Claus.

 

Some people seem to think that God is like a Santa Claus. They only seem to talk to Him when they want something from Him. Their prayers are usually selfish, such as “Give me.” “Help me.” Give my mum this.” “Help my dad do that.”

 

Although there is a place for such prayers, we need to remember that God does not exist to serve us. Rather, we exist to serve Him.

 

The best type of prayers are when we place God at the centre of them, such as :-

 

“Here I am. How can I serve You today?”

“How can I serve you more effectively?”

“How can I show your love to others?”

“Help me to know you better.”

“Help me to love you more.”

 

Conclusion.

 

If our attitude is right and our greatest desire is to please God, He will bless us and take care of all our needs.

 

 

 

T.T. 63. Did God really create the earth in six days?

 

When I first read in the Bible that God created the earth in six days and then rested on the seventh, I was shocked. I thought “Why did He take so long, and why did He then take a rest for a day?

 

For most of my life I was an atheist, but once I started believing in God then, by definition, I understood that He was all powerful and could do absolutely anything instantly, and would never need to rest.

 

Why then did God take six days to create the earth, rather than doing it in a split second? I believe that it was to set us an example of how we should organise our lives. He has designed us in such a way that we can work (or study) for six days without any harm coming to our bodies or minds – provided we make it a habit to take a rest, or break, from our normal activities one day in every seven. That is the reason we have a seven day week.

 

In the past some countries, such as France and Russia, have tried to abolish the seven day week in favour of a shorter or longer week. But they have all had to revert back to the seven day week. Any other system just does not work.

 

 

 

RECALL NOTICE: (Forwarded by Helen Setser)

 

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is

recalling all units manufactured, regardless of

make or year, due to a serious defect in the

primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original

prototype units code named Adam and Eve,

resulting in the reproduction of the same defect

in all subsequent units. This defect has been

identified as "Subsequential Internal Non-

morality," more commonly known as S.I.N., as

it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at

fault for this defect, is providing factory-

authorized repair and service free of charge

to correct this defect. The Repair Technician,

JESUS, has most generously offered to bear

the entire burden of the staggering cost of

these repairs. There is no additional fee

required. The number to call for repair in all

areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected,

please upload your burden of SIN through

the REPENTANCE procedure. Next,

download ATONEMENT from the Repair

Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect

is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the

B.I.B.L.E.(BEST Instructions Before Leaving

Earth) for further details on the use of these

fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the

human being unit without correction voids

any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit

to dangers and problems too numerous to list,

and will result in the human unit being

permanently impounded. For free emergency

service, call on Jesus.

Thank you

for your attention!

- GOD 

 

 

 

A YOUNG PERSON'S EXPLANATION OF GOD

 

One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

 

God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off.

 

God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.

 

Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in my town. At least there aren't any who come to our church.

 

Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind, like His father, and He told His father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.

 

His dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important.

 

You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.

 

You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God! Don' t skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.

 

If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.

 

But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases.

 

And...that's why I believe in God.

 

[ forwarded from Sermon Fodder: http://www.sermonfodder.com

 

 

Maurice Sweetsur