Need New Sunday School Lessons? Get Them FREE

Sunday, March 17, 2013

If you teach Sunday School, then you know how hard it can be to find new Sunday School lessons that are reasonable priced. I've had a hard time with this myself. Our church's offering has enough money that we can buy what we need, but if I can get some good material that cost less, then I'm all for it.

The way I see it - our church can use that money for something else needed if I can save a few dollars each month.

It is because of this thought and because I know there is a need and because I feel God led me that I have started a new blog...

Sunday School Lessons of Plenty

 

 

This new blog focuses on FREE Sunday School lessons, FREE Sunday School games, FREE Sunday School coloring pages, FREE song lyrics, and FREE activity pages.

 

Did you notice the key word above? It was F-R-E-E!! That's right there is so much FREE content on the blog (and more added weekly), that you (hopefully) won't have to worry about needed Sunday School material again.

 

I hope as time goes on (and God allows), I will be able to get stronger and better at my work. Please click the link above, check out my new blog, and tell me what you think and ways I can get better to help you.

 

I hope you find it very informative and useful. Thanks for all you do for Christ! May God bless you.



 

 



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Anger | What is God's Promise?

Thursday, March 7, 2013

When you think of anger, what do you associate it with? Right up front I want to say there are different types of anger. There is the kind where things in your every day life sets something off inside you that you can't control. Then, there is the anger that we feel when someone has done us wrong.

For instance, you may feel anger when the same person at work calls off sick constantly leaving you to work late or come in on your days off. So much anger may build up inside you that you want to give them a taste of their own medicine.

Have you been there?

Anger - What's God's Promise?

When you are constantly having people in your life cause you trouble, or you're being bullied, or your co-worker is so mean and vindictive that you just want to accidentally spill your hot cup of coffee in their lap, you need to turn to God and His Word.

In Romans 12:19-21 KJV, we find these verses...

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

The bible plainly tells us that we are not suppose to take matters into our own hands, no matter how badly we want to see someone wearing our cup of coffee.

Instead, we are to leave matters such as this to Him.

So, what are we suppose to do with people who cause our anger levels to soar because they are mean, or are a bully, or any number of other un-Christ-like ways?

After turning the situation over to God, we are to be kind. In verse 20, God tells us that if our enemy is hungry we should feed him and if our enemy is thirsty we are to give them something to drink.

You've heard the old saying, 'Kill'em with kindness'.

This old saying works perfectly here.

It can be extremely difficult to turn the whole thing over to God. After all, we want things done right now! Thankfully, God doesn't work hastily. Instead, He waits until just the right moment to show someone the wrong they have done.

Often, we may never witness what God does to take care of the situations we want Him to take over. But, whatever the amount of time, we can be sure that God can and He will do what he promises even if it does take years for the perfect moment.

Trust in God and His promise to take care of the things that anger us when someone is doing us wrong. Remember He says..

19 ...for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

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Prayer of Jabez - What Can it Do?

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I want to tell you a story about a girl who wanted desperately to do something for God, but wasn't sure what to do, how to do it, or if God had something He even needed her to do. One day, she was told about a book. It was called 'Prayer of Jabez'.

She was told that by praying the prayer of Jabez each day, God would open up doors for her - doors she could never have opened herself.

It sounded strange to her that a single verse from the bible being prayed each day would amount to anything but some wasted time. Reluctantly, she began to pray the prayer of Jabez. At first, it was just words with no meaning behind them. Day after day, she said the words with no thought of what they actually meant.

When nothing happened, she decided to concentrate on the words she was praying. As she prayed, she began to get nervous. What if God needed her for something she wasn't ready for? What if life as she knew it would change so drastically, she couldn't do what God wanted.

For a while, she put the prayer of Jabezin the back of her mind. She'd heard stories of people being sent by God to a foreign country to live the rest of their lives as missionaries. What if he sent her?

Weeks went by and the need to do something for God surrounded her and wouldn't let her rest.

Finally, she decided giving all of herself to God was what she needed to do. So what if she had to leave her comfort zone? So what if she had to make a move?

She realized that God would not call her to do something she couldn't. He wouldn't ask her to do something she wasn't capable of. When she realized these things and truly believed them, she began praying the prayer again - this time with more feeling and urgency.

Once she gave it all to God and was ready to let him be in charge of her life, something happened.

As she was sitting at home one afternoon, the phone rang. It was the pastor's daughter. She began the phone conversation by telling her that a Sunday school teacher had just left the church and a position was now open. Then, the big question came - would you be willing to fill that position as the new Sunday school teacher?

The pastor's daughter said, 'Now, we don't expect an answer right away. You need to pray about it first and see if it is what The Lord wants.'

The girl answered, "Are you kidding? I've been praying about this for nearly a year. I wasn't exactly sure what I was praying for, but I knew when God needed me, he'd let me know. I don't need another second to think about it - YES!'

That was more than 8 years ago.

Since then, that girl has not only taught Sunday school, but has coordinated pre-school VBS, taught the church youth group, started a Christian blog (which you are reading), written several Christian children's bible studies, written two Christian fiction books, and opened a Christian family website.

How do I know all of this?

Because I am that girl.

Where can you find the prayer of Jabez? As you read the prayer of Jabez, be sure you understand that God will use you if you are willling to let him.

God bless you.

1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV

¹⁰ And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

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Bible Games for Kids: Sword Drill

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Bible games for kids are great, but you need to make sure that each game is teaching a point or a lesson that will help them grow closer to God and/or learn more about his word. A great game that can be used in Sunday School, Church Youth Groups, bible bowls, Christian schools, or even in a church service, is called a sword drill.

What is this crazy sounding game? No, you don't actually use a metal or wooden sword. You use God's word - the bible.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV says... 

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

and Ephesians 6:17 KJV says...

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Sword Drills for Learning the Word of God

Doing regular sword drills with your Sunday school class, youth groups at church, or Christian school will help the kids learn the word of God. 

How does it work?

Have all the kids hold their bibles above their heads in one hand. The bibles should be all soft back as the hard back bibles can be tougher to turn the pages. When every one is ready and not cheating by putting a finger inside the pages, call out a bible verse for them to find, say go, and see who can find the verse first!

You can have specific verses ready for the sword drill before the class starts or just do it randomly. Either way, the kids will begin learning where the books of the bible are. 

Don't forget to let the kids read the verse when they find it. This will not only ensure they really found the verse, but will get them used to reading God's word. 

For smaller kids, call out books of the bible that are easier to find then work you way up to the harder ones. Some examples of beginner verses for sword drills would be verses found in Genesis, Psalm, Proverbs, Matthew, and Revelation. 

May God bless you in your effort to teach kids about the word of God.

Visit our website Christian Magazine Today for more great stuff and check our our latest post about walking with God.

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Fun Youth Group Games | Bible Lessons for Youth

When you are in charge of a church youth group, you may often find yourself at a loss for new youth group games or a bible lesson for youth that applies to their daily lives.

If you will just look all around, God has given us hundreds of thousands of ideas for teaching kids about him.

Bible Lessons for Youth (and me)

A few weeks ago, I was asked, at the last minute, to come up with some bible lessons for the youth group at church. I wondered what in the world I would come up with to teach the kids that would help them learn about God and still keep today's world in mind.

My second concern was the ages of kids in our church youth group as they range from 5 to 19. How could I keep all of them interested and still teach them a life lesson?

I began by doing sword drills. If you don't know what sword drills are then you definitely need to learn about it and incorporate it in your teachings. First, I let the teenagers race against each other. This not only helped them, but it let the younger kids see how it was played.

I learned a lot from this one youth group game - kids have no idea where the books of the bible are.

This told me that we needed to work on finding books of the bible along with a lesson. If a child doesn't know how to use the bible or where the books of the bible are, then they certainly are not reading the bible at home.

A youth bible lesson doesn't always have to consist of standing in front of the group and talking the entire time. More often than not, letting the kids have some hands on activities will probably teach them more than you could realize.

Fun Youth Group Games

Along with using sword drills as a game and a bible lesson, you can also use everyday common items to teach. For example, a cotton ball, a spoon, and a plastic cup can teach the kids about following God, striving to become closer to him, and teaching the kids to be careful with their life. 

Sounds a little out there, right?

Here is the game:

Divide the kids up into teams. Give the first child in each line a spoon and a cotton ball. Place the cup 10, 20, or even 50 feet in front of each line. 

The kids will have to balance the cotton ball in the spoon while walking toward the cup. When they reach the cup, they must drop the cotton ball into the cup and race back to the next player. Whichever team gets all their cotton balls inside the cup first - wins. If the cotton ball is dropped, the child must pick it up, race back to the starting point and try again.

How will this teach the kids?

The cotton ball is white. This represents our life as Christians. When the cotton ball is dropped during the game, it begins to get dirty just like when we mess up in our lives and sin starts to corrupt us. The child must pick up the cotton ball and start over. When we mess up (sin) in our lives, we must ask God for forgiveness and start the next day over with a clean slate. 

As the kids are balancing the cotton ball on the spoon, they must be careful not to drop it. We have to be careful in our lives, as well. If we are not, we may find ourselves sinning more and more and like the cotton ball becoming dirtier and dirtier. 

The cup represents God. The kids are working toward a goal - to get the cotton ball inside the cup. In life, we also work for a goal - to get to heaven to be with God. 

A Final Note

Pray before each lesson and ask God to help you teach and explain things in a way the kids can understand, but most importantly, to teach the way He wants you to. 

Visit our website Christian Magazine Today for more ways to teach kids the bible.

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Bible Verses About Worry | Why Worry?

Thursday, January 17, 2013

There isn't a day that goes by that you don't worry about something, is there? Did you know that the bible says not to worry?

(See bible verses about worry below.)

Worrying means you don't trust God. I know, it can be hard to give your worries to God and then leave them there. Sometimes we pray and tell God we are giving our troubles to him, but the next day we wake up with the same worry all over again.

Why?

Our human nature is to worry and it can be nearly impossible to not worry about something we are worried about, am I right?

God says we are to give all our cares to him and He will take care of us. So, why can't we do it?

Bible Verses About Worry

Psalm 55:22 KJV
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:

1 Peter 5:7 KJV
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Visit our website, Christian Magazine Today, to read more bible verses about worry.

Why Worry?

If God wanted us to worry, he wouldn't have so many bible verses about worry in the bible. For example, he devoted most of one chapter to this very subject.

In Matthew 6, he lets us know that he made the birds and they don't worry where their next meal will come from. He made the flowers, and yet they don't worry. So, why worry?

God also made us. 

He flat out tells us in Matthew 6:34 (KJV), 

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

We are not to worry about tomorrow, because it will take care of itself. How? When we trust in Him, he will provide. Giving all your cares to Him is something you will have to work at. Each time you are worried about something, pray and do your best to give it to Him. When you find that worry creeping back up, pray and give it back to Him. He knows we are not strong enough to take care of things ourselves. That is why He is willing to take it from us. 

Praise the Lord we don't have to do it on our own!

Read more bible verses about worry here.

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Growing Kids God's Way | Christian Parenting

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

As my kids are growing at an alarming rate, I realize that each day becomes crucial for Christian parenting. I can't teach my kids about God fast enough. Even though not a single day goes by in our home that God isn't mentioned, there is still so much more time for 'teaching'. Growing kids God's way is a goal that needs to be set by all Christian parents.

I just added a new post at our website Christian Magazine Today.

The post was centered on youth group lessons for church youth groups. The more I typed about how teaching kids to pray to God and not repeat prayers and how doing the right thing shouldn't just be done because mommy and daddy told them too, but to do it because they love God, I realized that I needed to incorporate these same principals at home as a Christian parent.

After thinking so more, I realized that most adults don't practice these very important aspects of a Christian life either.

Ask yourself these questions...

Do I sit in church listening to the preacher or am I counting the minutes until the service is over?
Do I go to church because it is a routine or because I want to learn all I can about God and the bible?
Do I pray because it's a habit or do I use this time to 'talk' to God?
Do I tell people about God because I love Him and that person or because I think I am suppose to?

What should the answers to these questions be?

I do EVERYTHING because I LOVE God.

When you do everything you do out of love for our heavenly father, a new perspective will begin to grow in your life and your children's lives. Think about growing kids God's way and keep it in the front of your mind as you continue your Christian parenting journey.

I pray that today you will begin doing everything you do because you love God, instead of doing it because it is the 'right' thing to do. Even though that doing it because it is right, it isn't the only reason.

God bless you!

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Swaddling Clothes - More Than Strips of Cloth

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Have you ever wondered why Mary wrapped baby Jesus in swaddling clothes? Just this past week, I was studying the story of Jesus' birth and came across some interesting facts about swaddling clothes.

Swaddling Clothes

First, I was amazed to find out that Mary didn't wrap Jesus in swaddling clothes because they were poor. Instead, it was a custom during that time to wrap newborn babies in these strips of cloth to ensure their arms and legs would grow straight. 

Not only that, rich babies were also washed in salted water before being wrapped in swaddling clothes to symbolize their integrity and truthfulness.

It was said that if a child was not swaddled when he was born, the parents had abused the child. 

Today, we have a form of swaddling for our babies. Think about it - when babies are born, the nurse wraps the baby up tightly in a warm blanket. This form of swaddling is more to help the baby feel safe and secure and not to ensure straight legs and arms. 

Was there more to why Mary wrapped baby Jesus in swaddling clothes? You bet there was. 

When the angels appear to the shepherds to tell them of the birth of Jesus, they say...

Luke 2:12 KJV

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

One reason Mary wrapped the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes was because God would use it as a sign for the shepherds.

God uses all things big and small including us. Sometimes we may not feel worthy or wonder what we have to offer, but not matter how big or small something is, it can be used to move mountains for God if he chooses..

Remember, God even knows when a sparrow falls from the sky, so you can be sure he knows your needs and the needs of others and sometimes he may use you to fulfill a greater purpose.

Visit our online magazine, Christian Magazine Today.

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Christian Volunteers to Spread God's Word

Monday, November 26, 2012

It's amazing how much we can spread God's word with just a few short minutes a day.

I recently came across a wonderful ministry that uses Christian volunteers to tell prisoners about the word of God and how they can come to know The Lord Jesus Christ.

The organization is called 'Matthew 25:36 Ministries'. You can read more about the ministry by visiting our website, Christian Magazine Today.

To break it down a bit, the ministry uses Christian volunteers from all across the country and locally to write letters to inmates in California. These small pieces of paper could change the lives of inmates who were thought to be lost causes all because volunteers have taken the time to sit down and let God lead them to spread his word.

How can you help?

You can help by joining in 'Matthew 25:36 Ministries' or starting your own Christian volunteer group. Think about the prisoners in your community. Could they use a Christian pen pal?

To learn more about this ministry and volunteering visit our website, Christian Magazine Today.

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Happy Thanksgiving - What Are You Thankful For?

Monday, November 19, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

After the food is prepared and on the table, do you and your family talk about what you are most thankful for? I'll be honest - sometimes we do and sometimes we don't. When there are a bunch of grand kids and kids roaming around the house, it can be hard to gather them all into one room. Why?

We always meet at my parents house and their kitchen table is built for two.

Their 'table for two' is where the food is prepared and spread out when it's time to eat. Then, we gather around the table and the Thanksgiving Day food long enough to thank God for the food, then everyone grabs a plate and roams around to find a place to sit and eat. We eat in different rooms while we yell back and forth to talk. Sounds awful, doesn't it?

Actually, it is amazing.

It is how I remember it as a child too. You see, my grandmother lived in the same house before she passed away and my parents moved into it. My grandmother was such a great cook that family from all over would meet at her house every Thanksgiving and chow down.

She had so many people on Thanksgiving Day that some of the family would have to sit out on the front porch swing and eat - even when it was snowing!

It didn't matter though. It was a time to get together to spend time as a family even if it meant yelling from room to room.

So, what am I thankful for?

Small houses and the memories made in those houses. And to my family who may be reading this - I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Visit our website Christian Magazine Today to learn more about the holidays!

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Going to Church, Not Going to Church

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Going to church is important for Christians. Why? Church isn't just where we learn about God and the bible, but where we gather together as a church family at God's house to worship together. Believe it or not, those members of your church will be there when you need them.

They are there to laugh with and to cry with to love God with and to share in your life as Christians and they will be there to pray for you. Prayer is something that we can't do without and when more than one prayer is going up to God, the stronger you feel because you know that your church family loves you enough to pray with you and for you. Does that make sense?

Going to Church

You don't know how much you will miss not going to church until you can't go. There are people all over the world who risk their lives just to meet together to worship God and we, and by we I mean people in general, find it hard to wake up to go. 

Me for one, I love going to church. I miss it when I can't go and don't like to miss a service. But, when you have kids, you never know when you'll have to miss. 

Take the past 5 weeks. 

My youngest child has decided that he will catch everything that he can right now. Grant it - he doesn't want to catch it, but never-the-less, he is.

Let me break it down for you...

About 5 weeks ago, he came down with a sinus infection and we had to miss a Sunday service. Then, just when I thought he was getting better he started to get pneumonia. Not going to church one week didn't feel right, but 2 weeks felt like I was missing something - that feeling you get when you have been to God's house.

Then, tonight (Saturday night), he began to throw up. Yes, the stomach virus. So, no church again tomorrow. That's 3 weeks in a row.

And, guess what.

I am a Sunday school teacher. Yep, for the last 3 weeks I have had to have someone fill in for me. I know she loves it. And, because she is a member of my church family, I know she won't mind when I call her in the morning about 1 hour before she leaves to tell her we won't be there again.

Why did I tell you all of this?

So that you will remember that going to church is not only a blessing, but it is something that you may not be able to do in the future whether it is sickness or the law. Go to church while you can and enjoy your church family. You may need them one day.

May God bless you.

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Use These Christmas Bible Verses for Christmas Cards

Monday, November 12, 2012

Christmas is one of the best times of the year to spread God's word and the birth of Jesus. Even if no other time of the year, unsaved people are more likely to be open to God and the message Christmas brings.

Think about it - if you sent a card to one of your friends or relatives who doesn't want to hear about God on a random day of the year, that person will more than likely be mad and think you are trying to 'push' God on them.

Even though you are trying to share the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ with them, they will probably not see it that way. So, take the opportunity to share the Christmas story and its message with them this year.

Here are some wonderful Christmas bible verses for you to put in your Christmas cards this holiday season. If you are sending the cards to those who are already saved, you could just put the verse inside the card and they can look it up.

But if the person is unsaved, be sure to write out the Christmas bible verse or bible passage for them because unless God moves them to pick up a bible, they will more than likely not read it at all.

Christmas Bible Verses

Use all or parts of the following bible passages and verses:

Luke 2:1-20
Romans 5:6
John 3:16
Romans 5:9
Romans 5:1
Isaiah 7:14

Just a tip:

Add the verse to the card, but don't make it look like a bible verse. Write it to sound and look like you are writing them a little note. They will read through it before they realize that they have just read a portion of the bible.

Think of other creative ways to add the verses to Christmas cards. The more you can get them to read, the better!

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