Kids 4 Truth eNewsletter | January 2016
Dear friends of Kids 4 Truth,
Happy 2016! With a new year, many people like a new tart. We have several notes and articles that we believe will help you this month. This month we will begin a two-part devotional n Do I Really Need a Quiet Time.
It’s All About God!
Bob Roberts, Kids 4 Truth President/Director
Do I Really Need a Quiet Time? – part 1
Opening Question? What are some things you do daily? What are some absolutely essential things you shouldn’t do without?
Crystal Clear Thesis Statement: Christians cannot and should not do without spending time with God each and every day!
Examples in Scriptures:
1. David
a. Psalm 86:3 – Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
b. Psalm 55:17 – Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
2. Daniel - Daniel 6:10 – Now when Daniel knew the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
3. Paul - 1 Corinthians 15:31 – I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
4. Jesus
a. Mark 6:46 – And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
b. Matthew 4:2 – And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward a hungered.
c. Matthew 4:4 – But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
I want to convince you beyond any doubt that God wants you to spend time with him daily!
Why do we need to spend time with God?
It is Our Daily Food & Drink for Growth
Imagine a little baby that did not take food, what would happen? Babies need food to grow and develop. 1 Peter 2:2– As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Job 23:12 – Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
You cannot grow without food and drink! Do we need it daily? YES! Psalm 61:8 – So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. Psalm 68:19 – Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Proverbs 8:34 – Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
You Get Out of Your Relationship What You Put in!
You spend time with those who are closest to you like your best friend, spouse, or children. You prioritize your time so that you have time to spend with them. The more time you spend with them, the closer your relationship becomes. James 4:8 – Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Proverbs 8:17 – I love them that love me; and those that seek me early hall find me. Jeremiah 29:13 – And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
It is Our Time to Get Our Orders from HeadQuarters!
Solders have to have a general time of receiving directions. Employees need time with their boss to receive instructions so that they know what is required of them to accomplish their job. Acts 17:11 – These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Luke 9:23 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
All scripture quoted from King James Version.
Children’s Leaders Advice
Marrena Ralph, Clubs Program Administrator
Talking to parents about discipline issues
I often tell the children in my class that I hate calling parents regarding disciple issues. “Why is that?” one may ask. It is because I don’t want children to look at church as a negative experience but as a loving and enjoyable experience. When I have to speak with a parent I know the child is going to be disciplined by their parent; therefore, I would much rather take care of the issue myself. However, I will talk to a parent because a child that is disruptive is keeping others from listening and paying attention and is NOT obeying their parent, God, or myself as the teacher as this keeps others from learning about God and His Word.
Be Pro-active with Discipline
- Rules - Clearly state the rules for the class from the front. If you didn’t do this before class started, address the rules when you see a problem.
- Give Clear Consequences
- Example: In our Sunday School Class one year we had a big problem with children trying to get attention by giving nonsense answers. To curb this problem, we clearly stated before class that if a student gave a nonsense answer, he would go to the back of the class, lay his head down on the table for the rest of the class, and I would call his parent in the afternoon. Doing this just once or twice is all it takes – students will tell the others we follow through.
- Follow through with Consequences
- ALWAYS – you can never back down on what you said. Be consistent with your rules this way you do not frustrate the child, his parent, or yourself.
- Give a Warning – review the rules before coming down hard. Make sure everyone understands the rules.
- Seats - Don’t allow trouble makers to sit side-by-side. If children start acting up and they are sitting together, move them before things get out of control.
- Control - Address an issue before it gets out of control.
- Address misbehavior immediately.
- Never embarrass a child from the front.
- Look at a misbehaving child, but don’t mention his/her name unless you cannot help it or it is an issue you have addressed numerous times and needs addressed from the front of the room or in front of others.
- Ask a worker to sit by a misbehaving child (pull a worker to the side or just ask a worker to help with the misbehaving children without mentioning names from the front).
- Don’t allow children who have caused issues together before to sit together.
- Take away points - If children know you are having a review game and one team is acting up, take away points.
- Build Relationships – work to build a relationship and trust with a child who doesn’t normally behave.
- Showing you love and trust him/her goes encourages a positive relationship.
- Give a small reward for improved behavior.
- Example: “Tommy you sat and listened much better than last week, you still were not totally obedient, but you did much better – here is a prize for doing better this week than next. I hope I can give you another one next week.”
Items to remember when you approach parents:
- Your Attitude – be under control. Be sure to give yourself time to “settle down” after a difficult time with their child and make sure you are going to the parent with the right heart.
- Ask Yourself:
- Do I REALLY need to speak to this parent to get improved behavior?
- Have I gone through the steps above and tried working with the child first?
- Love the child not the behavior
- Share what you appreciate about their child.
- Demonstrate that you care for the child by praising positive behavior while also sharing concerns.
- Be gracious to the parent
- Appreciate the parent and show them love
- Ask for their input—they may be working on the same misbehavior at home.
- Be Honest – don’t accuse. Be honest and forthcoming with how their child behaved.
- Be Specific - Share exactly what their child did and why it was wrong. Do not embellish to make your point! Your point is made if you had to go to the parent.
- The child’s behavior was disruptive, destructive, harmful to others, disrespectful, mean, or rude.
- Share the potential of the child with the parent.
- Example: “Your child has the potential of being a leader for what is right; however, he/she is following the wrong child.”
- Ask for suggestions or suggest something that might help
- “Does Sally have an issue sitting by Suzie? Could I separate them during class?”
- “Is Tommy an active learner? Does he need hands on activity to learn?”
- “Would it help if I allowed Bobby to help me?”
- Pray with the parent asking God to help you help the child and parent.
- Update the Parent
- Note improved behavior before stressing talking about areas that still need improvement.
- Be sure to report good behavior often!
- Note: Some parents will ask you to text or phone them so they can address the problem immediately the next time there is an issue. Other parents may catch you in person or call you for an update. Be honest and follow what they ask.
Kids 4 Truth EquipU Site - Looking for a doctrinally sound resources to use devotional to use with children? Check out our teachers resource site. This site includes 240 teacher lesson plans (120 for elementary level and 120 for preschool level), coloring and craft sheets, record keeping materials, K4T training documents and ppt files, and much more. Need assistance finding items on the site? Click on the chat line in the lower right corner of the page or email us at clubs@kids4truth.com.
Bookmark Tracts – Many people start the new year with a resolution to witness more or to give out more tracts. Our bookmark tracts make this easy with their bright colorful graphics and the simple, gracious gospel message on the back.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your ministry to children. If we can be of service to you and your ministry or a ministry you know, we welcome you to contact our offices at info@kids4truth.com or 866-754-4272.
Sincerely,
The Kids 4 Truth team
