Let them come ...: Resources

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Friday, July 7, 2017

Review: Instant Bible Lessons for Nursery (Give Thanks to God)

The church nursery is often thought of as simply a place to babysit children so they do not disrupt the church service. However, it is so much more than that! The church nursery is where babies and toddlers begin to form their perception of the church, experience God's love, and learn foundational truths about who God is and what He has done.

Obviously with this age group, caregivers will need to be flexible and allow freedom to spend time exploring the activities that especially capture the children's interest, but I appreciate a curriculum that is designed just for the youngest members of the congregation and that is intentional about teaching God's truth to them through systematic lessons.

The simple concepts and foundational truths in this curriculum are perfect for young children to grasp, and the activities provided take into account their developmental abilities, providing activities that will stimulate them with sights and sounds, and challenge and encourage their fine and gross motor skills. The lessons teach Bible stories that this age group can relate to and concern things familiar to them such as family, home, pets, food, and clothes, through activities and objects they will enjoy such as building blocks, snacks, songs and rhymes, pictures and visuals, reading books, and coloring.

One concern I had with the curriculum is that although it is listed for ages 0-18 months, some of the activities include supplies such as yarn, paper, and paper fasteners that would not be appropriate for a young baby and could even be choking hazards. Hopefully, the caregivers using the curriculum would be wise enough to choose appropriate activities from those listed based on the age of those in their care and provide appropriate supervision.

Disclosure: I received a free electronic copy of this curriculum for review as part of the Rose Reviewer Program from Rose Publishing.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Review: His Kids United Christmas Vol. 1

The “His Kids United Christmas” album contains 12 Christmas songs featuring the voices of children. I consider this CD a blend of traditional and contemporary music. The CD includes some traditional Christmas carols with traditional sounds that will bring back memories of Christmases past, as well as some new songs with lyrics about today’s Christmas traditions, all while still pointing to the same ancient true meaning of Christmas – the Savior born in Bethlehem. While some songs are slower paced, many of the songs have a nice upbeat sound that makes you want to move, dance, and tap along to the music. After the tracks were finished playing, I wanted to turn the CD on again to listen to it some more. The lyrics are powerful and will inspire listeners to let their light shine and share the true light and love we celebrate at Christmas.

Click here for a free download of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

Disclosure: I received a free digital download of this album as part of the His Kids United Christmas Vol. 1 blog tour with Cross Focused Reviews.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Book Review: Awakening Faith

Awakening Faith contains 366 daily devotional readings on various topics. Each day’s reading contains a Bible verse along with a one-page passage taken from the writing of an early church leader. I really like the short and manageable length of each day’s passage, allowing even busy readers to easily keep up with the daily readings and gain exposure to the thoughts of these Church leaders from history. In this collection, you will find writings from Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysotom, and other Christian thinkers and Church leaders from the first eight centuries (0-800 A.D.). The back of the book includes a section containing short biographies of each writer, which I really like, telling who they are, what they are known for, and when they lived. The short passages along with the brief biographies provide a good and digestible introduction to the early church leaders and their writings, giving us a glimpse at how our brothers understood the Scriptures in ages past. God’s Word truly stands firm throughout the ages, and this book is a great reminder of that.

The hardcover book is very attractive in subtle earth-tone colors and contains an attached brown ribbon bookmark. This would make an excellent gift for anyone interested in learning more about our Christian heritage and the legacy left by these early Church leaders.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book as part of the Awakening Faith blog tour with Cross Focused Reviews.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Creation Rap

I came across a fun song today to teach children about God's creation. The song is actually a rap that goes through each of the seven days of Creation from the book of Genesis. I think boys especially would enjoy this one.

Click here to preview the song at HaveFunTeaching.com.

Disclosure: The Have Fun Teaching website has offered a free song download to bloggers who create a post about their website. Click here for more information.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Book Review: Christmas Uncut

Christmas Uncut: What Really Happened and Why it Matters was written by Carl Laferton. According to the publisher’s website, the book would make a good gift. The book is less than 70 pages long and available for under $5. I feel that it would be best suited for the young adult crowd, both Christians and non-Christians alike.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I like the author’s intention to focus on the details of the authentic Christmas story as described in the pages of Scripture. However, his way of going about it bothered me a little. Throughout the book, he mocks the traditional children’s nativity play, beginning each chapter with a story of an acting scene gone wrong. He then continues each chapter by relating the true historical events of the Christmas story and their importance. I agree that some Christmas performances may not always be entirely faithful to the biblical text, but I do not think they are all bad either. I believe they can be a great way to introduce children to the true story of Christmas. As a children’s ministry leader, I couldn’t help but take offense.

With that aside, the book does help to correct false ideas that have become part of the Christmas story as it has been idealized over time in our culture. The author seeks to reveal truth and help readers look at the Christmas story in a new way, thinking on details often overlooked. Near the end of the book, readers are given ideas of ways they can explore more, and the closing sections seek to provide a rebuttal to some objections readers may raise. I appreciate the author’s desire to point people to the true hope, joy, and love found in the real Christ of the Christmas story.

Disclosure: I was provided with a free copy of this book from the Good Book Company as part of Cross Focused Reviews’ Christmas Uncut blog tour.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Book Review: A Theology of Luke and Acts

A Theology of Luke and Acts, by Darrell L. Bock, is part of Zondervan’s Biblical Theology of the New Testament Series. The hardcover volume is divided into three sections. Part One gives readers an overview of the context and content of Luke and Acts, and the unity of these two biblical books. Part Two takes a closer look at some of the major theological themes in Luke-Acts including the role of the three Persons of the Trinity, salvation, Israel, the Gentiles, the Church and ecclesiology, social dimensions, the Law, eschatology, and the Scriptures. Part Three looks at the inclusion of Luke-Acts as part of the canon and its comparison to other New Testament books.

I decided to focus my review on chapter 9, which looks at the integral role of the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts. In the book of Luke, there are 16 references to the Spirit, more than either of the other Synoptic Gospels. The book of Acts contains almost four times as many references to the Spirit as does Luke, with a total of at least 57. Obviously, the Spirit's role is central in Luke's writings.

From the beginning of Luke's gospel, the Spirit is present. The infancy narrative contains references to the Spirit including John's being filled with the Spirit from birth and the coming of the Spirit upon Mary, resulting in the birth of Jesus. Bock cites Luke 3:16 as a key verse that is alluded to several times throughout Luke's writing, and he examines various views regarding this verse in great detail. The endorsement of the Spirit is given at the baptism of Jesus. Throughout Luke's writing, the Spirit is seen to provide encouragment, help in times of persecution, direction, revelation, wisdom and enablement, and is associated with power. At the end of the gospel of Luke and the beginning of the book of Acts, the disciples are told to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the gift of the Spirit, power from on high. The Spirit transforms and enables believers to complete the work to which God has called them, equipping them to be bold witnesses. The Spirit now dwells in all believers, not just a select few, but all who come to God through Christ Jesus. The gift of the Spirit is poured out among the community of believers at Pentecost, and later the Spirit comes on Gentiles as well. Believers receive forgiveness, cleansing, the Spirit and life. According to Bock, the Spirit's equipping signifies the salvation of an individual, as well as the coming of the new era ushered in by the Messiah. The conclusion of A Theology of Luke and Acts highlights what Bock considers to be the six most important theses about Luke's theology, one of which is "the Spirit as the sign of the new era." The important role of the Spirit in Luke-Acts is evident.

A Theology of Luke and Acts presents a thorough look at these two books, with Scripture references throughout and a Scripture index at the back. The book also contains bibliographies and footnotes referring to other sources used in Bock's study, which could also be consulted for those desiring to study more on each topic. After reading the chapter on the work of the Spirit in Luke-Acts, I myself have been encouraged to dig more into the subject.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Zondervan as part of the blog tour for A Theology of Luke and Acts.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

VBS Evaluation - Sky by Group

Group VBS curriculum is always a popular choice, known for its rotational format and "easy" preparation.

This year's theme is "Sky," where children discover that all things are possible with God. This unique theme means that decorations will include such things as clouds, stars, birds, airplanes, hot air balloons, kites and even a flying pig! Cotton balls may become a cheap decorating tool to use as clouds.

I like the repetition in the Daily Bible Points, teaching children that they can trust God no matter what. The experiential lessons will help children understand the Bible stories, which include accounts of Jesus' miracles as well as a presentation of His death and resurrection.

Instead of a craft station this year, Group's VBS features an Imagination Station at which children use fun science "gizmos." I think children enjoy expressing their creativity through craft projects and it is hard for me to imagine a VBS without traditional crafts. However, I think that children will definitely enjoy the cool science activities, such as launching Fizzy Fliers and making their own bubbles, and will still have something that they can take home.

The program includes a separate preschool track, featuring age-appropriate activities and lessons, presented in a simple, clear and easy-to-understand manner for these youngsters. A corresponding program for teenagers is also available.

Other activities include a missions project to help protect kids in Mali, Africa, from malaria; God Sightings, which encourage children to look for ways they see God at work each day; and a get-to-know-you activity to help children build relationships with others in their group.

Multimedia resources, including several DVDs, are included in the starter kit. The music DVD includes contemporary and traditional songs with videos featuring the motions to accompany the lyrics. I have always liked Group's volunteer recruitment commercials, which are available on the training DVD. An online registration and organization tool is available to help VBS administrators. Children will enjoy watching Chadder the chipmunk in the movie that goes along with each day's lesson. This year the Chadder video features cartoon animations instead of real-life characters and puppets.

Group offers many items children can take home to reinforce what they have learned at VBS including characters with the memory verses printed on them, conversation starter cards, a prayer clip and take-home science experiments. There is also a family-friendly Web site to visit and enjoy after VBS.

There are lots of items available for purchase including tattoos, water bottles, wristbands, picture frames and hats; however, for limited budgets, these items may be cute, but not affordable.

Through Group's Sky VBS program, children will discover that when they trust God, all things are possible! Mark 10:27

Disclosure: I did NOT receive any compensation or products in exchange for this review. I simply wanted to present an evaluation of this curriculum, which may be helpful for children's ministry leaders.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Courageous

The movie Courageous is available on DVD Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

Lord, may this movie be used to strengthen families in faith and love and encourage parents to fulfill their duties in instructing their children in Your ways.

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 KJV