40-Day Mission Minded Family Challenge

Harvest Ministry is hosting a "40-Day Mission Minded Family Challenge." This is basically a simple, free online mission class. It is called a "family" challenge, but this would be a great class to do as a group. It began on June 8; I wish I had seen it sooner!

Photo from our mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico in 2008

The "class" will be referencing three of Ann Dunagan's books, but you don't have to own the books to follow along.

Every day will include a hard-hitting missionary quote, a quick-look at a particular geographical area of the world, a look at a recommended missionary biography book or resource tool, a targeted mission-minded Bible verse, and a practical (and very specific) challenge for you and your family.

Go here to see all of the challenges that are currently posted. You can begin the challenge any time and keep it flexible for your family or group.

If you haven't already downloaded Harvest Ministry's free mission curriculum, they are still offering it here. I blogged about this in my last post.

We are involved in a large local outreach this Saturday, so we will be starting the challenge next Monday (hopefully). Let me know if you are going to do this.

Free Missions Curriculum

I downloaded Mission-Minded LIFE: Teaching With God's Heart for the World for our homeschool last fall, looked through it, was very impressed, and never used it. :-) Although I downloaded it for use in our homeschool, it contains so much information that portions of it and ideas from it could be used in children's ministry, youth groups and even missions training. The book may not be available for free much longer, so I wanted to make sure I posted about it.

The curriculum is written by Ann Dunagan, a homeschooling mother of seven, author, and co-founder (with her husband, Jon) of Harvest Ministry. She blogs about being a mission-minded family at the Missions and Your Family section of the Harvest Ministry website. Her articles are so encouraging! If you are a family with a heart for missions and you are trying to be a "missions-minded family," then take a look at her blog.

Teaching With God's Heart for the World is a two-volume out-of-print book that "presents a 'whirlwind tour' of God's enduring passion for missions - all-the-way through world history and all-across-the-globe."

I cannot give this extensive curriculum full justice here. As I said, it is written as a homeschool curriculum, but you will find teaching tips, missions ideas, and daily lessons that could easily be incorporated into children's ministry, youth ministry and missions teaching

This 600-plus page book is broken up into several sections because of its size, which makes it a bit cumbersome to navigate. Printing out the tables of contents for each volume and marking them with the downloaded section numbers would be very helpful.

This curriculum may not be available as a free download for long, so I encourage you to take advantage of it. The download is available here. Day 1 of the Daily Lesson Plans in Volume 1 Part 3 is missing, so don't miss the link for that, which is in the description paragraph of the Volume 1 Part 3 download.

If you download this and decide to use it in some type of ministry, I would love to hear how you are using it.

Names of Jesus Easter Garland

Hat tip to Keeper of the Home for sharing the link for this beautiful garland!

I adapted this to use as a children's ministry craft.We don't have many children attending our weekly ministry right now, nor do we have many workers, so at the time we are combining grades K-6. Here how I adapted this for my multi-aged class (directions are for Microsoft Word):

What you Need:

* list of names in order at the original post - just scroll down a bit
* I downloaded Sandy Text Hmk Bold, which is the font The Homespun Heart used - scroll down to download the free font or use whatever font you like best
* Microsoft Word or a word processing or other program of your choice - you could use graphics software to really make this pretty if you have time
* cardstock or plain paper and clear contact paper
* hole punches
* plain or decorative scissors
* ribbon (I used inexpensive 1/4" satin ribbon in different colors that I already had at home)

Directions:

1. Make a new document in Microsoft Word and set the page to landscape and the margins as small as your printer allows.

2. "Draw" a circle using the Drawing toolbar and change the heigth and width to 4 inches in the "Size" tab in "Format AutoShape." Right-click on this circle, select "Order," then "Move behind text."

3. Copy and paste the circle 8 times (for a total of 9 circles), arrange them 3 on a page (total of 3 pages of 3), and fill each with a different color and texture using "Format AutoShape." I made the line the same color as as the fill.

4. "Draw" a new circle, resizing it to 3 inches. Put the first "name" in the circle by right-clicking on the circle and selecting "Add Text." I used the free Sandy Text font that I downloaded and sized it at 38. I had to do some adjusting to center it vertically.

5. Copy and paste this circle 8 times, changing and centering the text in each one. I tried to size them at 40. I sized "Jesus" at 48 and "Hosanna!" at 38 (it wouldn't fit at 40). It doesn't matter where you put these right now - I had them all below the first three pages from step 3.

6. Take the first 3-inch name circle and movee and center it onto the first 4-inch circle. I kept the font color black and the fill white, but I did change the line to the color of the background in "Format AutoShape." You could keep the line at no color and change the transparency of the background of the 3-inch circle to make the larger background show through a bit.

7. Repeat step 6 for all of the other 3-inch circles, putting them in the order listed.

8. I printed these on cardstock since we don't have many children right now. If you have a color copier available (which we don't), then you could copy them. I'll have other cost-saving options below if you have too many children to be printing these out! :-)

9. Cut out one set of printed circles (I printed on scratch paper and had my daughters cut them out) and lay them out on a table to figure out how long to cut the "garland." Cut enough lengths of ribbon for each child and tie small loops on each end (again, my daughters helped). Cut out 7-inch lengths of ribbon (9 for each length of garland) - my son did this. (I love my helpers!)

10. During craft time in class, each child cut out his/her own circles using his choice of plain or decorative scissors. S/he then punched a hole in each circle, chose a garland, and tied each circle in order on his/her garland. I had to help some children with tying and/or hole punching, but the craft was pre-assembled enough that it didn't take too long. Some children wanted to slide their circles directly onto the garland instead of tying them on, which worked. That is another option.

Other Options:

* If you have an older group of children and all of the supplies, let them follow the original instructions for this craft! :-)

* Backgrounds: Use scrapbook paper (as in original directions), construction paper, plain paper that the children color, cardstock that the children color, colored paper, or colored cardstock. Use what you have or can afford and pre-cut or have the children do their own cutting depending on the age of your group.

* Name Circles: Print yourself or cut out circles on whatever paper you want and have the children write the names themselves while you explain where they are in the Easter story. If you have an older group, they can do the cutting themselves.

* Ribbon: Use any ribbon you have on hand, twine, hemp, lanyard - think outside the box. If you don't have or can't afford ribbon, what about taping the circles together in a vertical or horizontal line or mounting them on paper that the children decorate? You could also use paperclips to hook them together.

From My Inbox - Week of March 29

I decided to begin sharing notable ministry-related links from my inbox each week, so here it goes for this week...

• Archaeological Study Bible's Easter Story Site
• The Passion of the Christ 3-Session Bible Study from Interlinc's Free Resources Page
• Don't Get 'Lost'! from Dare2Share
• Early Lessons: It's not a Business; it's a Relationship from YouthMinistry.com
• Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage the World from FYI

Free Ministry Resources from Fuller Youth Institute

The following resources are available through Fuller Youth Institute's Curriculum Resources page:

30-Hour Famine Curriculum
"Released in fall 2007, this new adaptation of the 2006 One Life curriculum focuses specifically on combating hunger and poverty through the lenses of nurturing students to become lifetime kingdom followers. With many new opportunities to engage students in discussion, prayer, and action on behalf of the poor, this highly-adaptable curriculum can be used in any justice-seeking ministry."

Vision Generation Curriculum
     for Grades 1-6
     for Grades 7-12 
"A year’s worth of monthly resources for worship, prayer, and action. Use these ideas interspersed throughout your year to continually engage students in catching God’s vision for caring for the poor and oppressed around the world and in their neighborhoods."

One Life Curriculum - this link also includes links to other resources on HIV/AIDS (scroll down below the curriculum downloads)
"Working alongside youth workers and mission organization leaders, FYI spent over a year researching issues related to AIDS in Africa, theological constructs related to the kingdom of God, and strategies for mobilizing kids to care about justice and world concerns. We wrapped all of this up into a curriculum that was field-tested in real youth ministries during the development process before being published by Youth Specialties, World Vision, and FYI (formerly CYFM) in a unique partnership. Now it’s available for free download on our site."

World AIDS Day 2008: 6,000 Reasons to Act (you must provide your name and e-mail address to receive the World AIDS Day resources)
"FYI, the Willow Creek Association, and World Vision have teamed up to create FREE downloadable resources for World AIDS Day, which occurs December 1. Specially designed for adult small groups, this interactive resource features a one-lesson format that will lead groups through a discussion around AIDS in the face of poverty. This curriculum can be used by your whole church, including students and their parents, to engage in AIDS and other global issues of justice."

We haven't used any of these yet, but we will be taking a look at them. If you have used any of these resources or use them in the future, I would love to know what you think of them.

Enjoy!

A Powerful Marriage Testimony

Cindy Beall at cindybeall.com is sharing a section of her story every day; she started this yesterday. It is actually a short book entitled "Life After Porn: A Redemption Story" that she was unable to get published. This is one of the most powerful testimonies of a restored marriage that I have ever read. If you decide to read it, have a box of tissue nearby. Although she is sharing a chapter every day, you can still see all of the chapters here if you can't wait. I read the whole thing in one sitting several months ago. I would recommend reading the introduction too; I don't think she posted it this time.

NOTE: Young people should not read this without their parents permission, and I recommend that parents preview it before letting their children read it.

Be blessed!

What do we do now?

I have read such varied Christian opinions before Tuesday's election, many of them extremely passionate and not very kind to the "opposition." However, the election is now over, and regardless of who we voted for, as Christians we have some choices and responsibilities before us.

First of all, let's remember this and be encouraged: We have come a long way from slavery by electing a biracial president! Our country has some major moral issues, and racism is still one of them, but the outcome of yesterday's election was truly momentous. African Americans were oppressed in this country for 400 years. There was a time when voters would not have even considered a biracial president whether or not they agreed with his views. This is a huge step in the area of racism, so let's rejoice with our African American brothers and sisters.

Next, are we going to submit to, honor and pray for the man that God has placed in authority?

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Romans 13:1-7

Sure, this is "the verse" (or one of them) on submitting to our governmental authorities. It is pretty clear in Romans that God is ultimately the one who appoints rulers and that we are to submit to them. We talk a lot about the need for wives to submit to and honor their husbands; are we willing to obey the just-as-direct command of God to submit to and honor our new future president?

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

and I love the next part:

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 3-4

Again, there is no question that we are to pray for our rulers. Do we realize that we do not serve a puny God? Can we even fathom his vastness and greatness? Why are we here anyway? To worry about our rights as citizens of America? To expect the government to do the job Jesus gave to the Church? To cower in fear if the government isn't upholding "Christian" values? No, we are here to be bearers of the Good News of Christ; to show His love to those who don't know Him; "to preach good news to the poor...to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (Isaiah 63:1)

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." 1 Peter 2:13-17

Another verse emphasizing the need to submit to those in authority, but I included it because I thought it was interesting that "love the brotherhood of believers" was lumped in with fear God and honor the king.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus said that His disciples will be known by their love for each other. 1 John repeatedly admonishes us to love one another. Where does the Bible say that it is okay for us to belittle and accuse brothers and sisters in Christ who focus on different issues in an election than we do because they live in very different circumstances that we might not even understand? Have we as Christians shown love to each other during this election? I have seen a lot of misunderstanding and even hate between brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not right or Godly.

I know Christians who voted for a candidate because they always vote a certain way (both Democrats and Republicans). I also know Christians who prayerfully labored over and researched their decision. I know some Christians who voted for Obama, veering from a pro-life vote for the first time. I know others who voted for McCain after diligently seeking the Lord. I know of other Christians who voted for another candidate because the Lord put it on their hearts to do so. Is it possible that God put different candidates on believers' hearts because He is more concerned about our obedience than He is about who becomes president of the United States? What if He really is God and He has plans that we couldn't possibly understand? What if He doesn't want us to vote for a candidate in the hope that the government will end abortion or take care of the poor? Maybe He wants us, His Church, to do that.

I was struck by the fact that 1 Peter 9-12 (just before the verses I quoted above) says,

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."

Let's not forget that we are the Church! We are God's ambassadors on Earth. Although we live here, our hope is not in this world or our government. And our jurisdiction exceeds the boundaries of the United States!

Whose job is it to minister to women who are looking for love and not finding True Love, to the poor and needy, etc? It is our job as the Church to do this, not the government's. No government is the ambassador of God. Is it possible that we have been abdicating our God-given commands in the Great Commission by thinking that a vote for a certain type of candidate is going to take care of ministering for us? Is it possible that God's heart is for life (all life) and social justice? If so, then maybe we need to repent and get to work!

So, what do we do now? Do we believe that our job is over because the election is over? What if our hearts beat for the unborn? There are so many ways to minister to women and teenage girls before and during a "crisis" pregnancy. If we voted for Obama in hopes that he would take care of the poor, let's not leave it up to his administration: Let's go out ourselves and show the love of Christ to people in need. The government may be able to make it more difficult to have abortions or implement programs to help the needy, but it will never and never was intended to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20) Let's heed the calling of Jesus!

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I have read some great responses to the election that I wanted to share:

• President Obama
  

• Admonition by John Calvin on the Election
  

• Ligon Duncan on How You Should Pray for President-elect Obama
  

• No Matter Who You Voted For
  

• A United House