Sunday School Teacher's Newsletter, Great Ideas for Children's Ministry!






Newsletter Issue #06 -- February 14, 2018

Mission Statement: SundaySchoolNetwork.com brings over 25 years of experience to children's ministry. Our Bible lesson plans and activities are designed to lead children to Christ, helping them grow in their faith, so they can proclaim the good news message to the next generation.

God's Valentine: John 3:16

“Love one another. As I have loved you.” John 13:34 (NIV)

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter, not counting Sundays, which are considered “mini-Easters,” and ends on the Saturday before Easter. The word, Lenten, is derived from an old English term for the "lengthening" of days, which occurs in springtime. Lent recalls the forty days and forty nights, following Jesus’ baptism and God’s approval of him, when he was sent into the desert by the Holy Spirit and was tempted by Satan. During those forty days, Jesus fasted and prayed—he denied himself—and defeated Satan by using the Word of God. Jesus proved he was ready and worthy to begin his ministry to bring in God’s Kingdom. Jesus set his sights on the ultimate purpose for coming to earth, that is: to die for our sins to make us right with God and rise from the dead to defeat death; thereby, creating a family of God who are also worthy to live in and ready to serve in his Kingdom.

During Lent, many people give up something they enjoy doing or eating as a way to remember how Jesus denied himself and gave up his life for all people. It is also a great time to renew our commitment to him, and then put our devotion into action by participating in a special service project in the community. “By this all people will know that you are his disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35 (ESV).

John 3:16 is God’s love verse to us. How wonderful that this year, in 2018, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day!

   “For God so loVed the world that
                  He gAve His
                      onLy
                        bEgotten
                     SoN,
                         That whosoever
           believeth In
        Him should Not perish,
            but have Everlasting life” John 3:16

“Dear Jesus, Thank you for your great sacrifice of love. Help us to deny ourselves and follow you. May our words, thoughts, and deeds, be pleasing to you, not only during Lent, but throughout the year as well. Help us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.”

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Click the following link to get our
Ash Wednesday Activity for Kids

Lenten Devotional: Sharing the Good News

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV)

When I sat down to write for our church's upcoming Lenten devotional titled, Sharing the Good News, the Christmas decorations and carols of “Go tell it on the Mountain” had just been put away for another year. How fitting that it was January 6, Epiphany, the day we remember the kings who came to worship the Christ child. When those ancient kings returned home, they shared the good news message that Jesus was born, and told others of their need of the long awaited and Promised Savior.

God’s people know we need a Savior. But doesn’t everyone know this at some level, that something is missing, and then set about conducting their lives seeking a “savior” that will satisfy their lack?

Workaholics, shopaholics, or thrill-seekers, do they not try harder to obtain that extra something to fill their souls—to save them from their emptiness? Drug-addicts, do they not use the drugs to dull the ache that never goes away, to save them from their despair? Adulterers, do they not look for partners who will save them from their dull and lonely marriages? Thieves and liars, do they not steal or lie to save themselves from the perceived lack in their lives? The greedy, do they not crave more and more to satisfy that missing something? The controlling, do they not orchestrate their lives to be their own savior?

Our sins, insecurities, anxieties, and fears reveal the deeper need of our souls. People need . . .
Get our adult and teen Lenten Devotional: Salvation In No Other Name.

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Now it's your turn, do you have an idea to share, a comment, or a suggestion? I'd love to hear from you! Email: sstn@sundayschoolnetwork.com

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