December 5, 2012

Well, that month went quickly. I just noticed that it has been a month since the last blog post!

This week:

• Remember to read and do the "Brain Food" sections for each chapter in the Myths About the Bible section (chapters 9-14 in Don't Check Your Brains at the Door). You can add these to your original document and share it with me.
• Come prepared to work on two detailed plans: the fun fair (promotion event) and the free babysitting evening. We need to set dates and put together a detailed proposal for the PAC and Mrs. Pitcher.

See you at chapel on Friday!

Busy week...lots to do!

There are a number of assignments due this coming Tuesday (November 13) as well as a Bible memory test and a quiz. Here's the summary:

1. Each of you was given a ministry opportunity to research this week. Please be ready to report back on Tuesday.

• Natalie: regular help around the school (see Mrs. Pitcher)
• Tyson/Jaewon: food banks or soup kitchens 
• Mercedes: school-wide blessing (see Mrs. Pitcher and Mrs. Klassen [PAC])
• Kate/Claire: Victoria trip (YWAM or other opportunities)

2. Change your elementary style gospel lesson to one that would work for a grade 8-9 class or chapel session. Write out your plan for activities and the focus of the Biblical teaching.

3. Quiz on the attributes of God.

4. Bible memory (including the references, please)

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

Victoria reflection

Even though I was not able to spend a lot of time with you there, I enjoyed our trip to Victoria last week. Please take the time to reflect on your experience by answering the following questions.

1. What did you enjoy the most? Explain.
2. Which mission activity did you find the most challenging? Why?
3. What percentage of the time (approximate) was spent on practical service and how much on spiritual? Do you think there is a way to change this? Is there a need? Explain.
4. If we did this again, what would you want to change and why?
5. Describe one person you met on this trip who made an impact on you. Under what circumstances did you meet? Why did meeting this person make an impact on you?

Don't forget to write a letter or card of appreciation to your pastor and hand it in to me by Friday.

Chapters 6-7 of Don't Check Your Brains at the Door  are due next Monday.

Please have permission forms for visiting the Coastal Messenger ready for me by Friday.

The First Task

Don't forget to be prepared to take the good news to the elementary school next week! Proposals are due to me by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12. You may not be able to do the activity during one of our Bible class blocks, so please let me know the different times in the week that you could, as a team, visit your assigned class and conduct the activity.

Here's a reminder of the requirements of the project:

• Choose one of the pieces of good news of Jesus to share
• Share it in such a way that you engage the audience and give them a hands-on activity as well as something to take home as a reminder of the lesson
• Each team member must have a role to play; this isn't always an "at the front" type of role, but everyone needs to be fully involved
• PRAYER! Every effective ministry begins with this
• NON-SUGAR incentives, if any
• 20-30 minute lesson in total 

Bible memory for this week is Acts 4:13: "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

What happened when the Holy Spirit came to Jesus' followers? Read Acts 2 and provide a detailed answer; be ready to share it on Monday, October 1 in class.

Bible memory for the week: Acts 2:36-38

"Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Week 2 Assignment

This is mainly a test to see if you're checking in like I asked you to! I'd like you to leave a comment that answers the following question:

What activities or service/missions projects would you like to participate in as a class this year? These can be local or global, so don't let geography hold you back. When you comment, please be detailed, remembering that I may not know the specific ministry you are referring to.

For most of you, Bible memory was a bit shaky last week. This is an area that definitely could be improved on. I suggest writing out the verses each week on a flashcard and keeping it close by to pull out when you have a few moments to memorize.

Bible memory for this week is Acts 1:6-8. I've quoted it below:

So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Welcome to Missions 12 2012-2013!

Hello, students!

I'm excited as we begin this journey together, learning more about how to follow Jesus' commandments and actually getting out there to make a difference in our world.

Don't forget your Bible memory verses for this week: Matthew 28:18-20. I'll be learning them, too.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."