Dear Sabbath School Leaders and Teachers,
Date Clarification: There continues to be confusion about one of the biggest changes made in the GraceLink curriculum: lessons are designed to be presented FIRST in Sabbath School and then reinforced at home the week following. Churches and teachers and parents who haven’t implemented this change continue to be confused about the discrepancy between the distribution dates indicated on the covers of Primary Treasure and Our Little Friend and the dates the lessons in those magazines are being taught in their church. The dates of Primary Treasure and Our Little Friend coincide with the dates on the Bible Study Guide (quarterly) contents page, but there is still much confusion.
I can see wisdom in both ways of presenting the lessons so have nothing to urge except that you talk with Sabbath School leaders and/or Sabbath School secretaries so that the magazines are distributed to children either on the Sabbath indicated by the distribution date or else on the Sabbath when children are expected to begin reviewing the lessons for the next week–depending on which way the lessons are being taught. I’m hoping to find a good way to indicate either date on the cover of the magazines, but haven’t hit on it yet.
Book to Help You Teach GraceLink in Primary: Creative Bible Learning Activities for Sabbath School, available AdventSource, has this valuable advice on making GraceLink work for you (page 7).
The GraceLink materials are designed to introduce the lesson on Sabbath morning, so that students will be interested and inspired to study that same lesson throughout the following week. Encourage them to find opportunities to share activities from Sabbath School with their family during the week.
Many parents are motivated to study the Sabbath School lesson with their children only if they think the child will need it to make a good showing at church. Further, more than any other age group, primary children enjoy checklists and competition—the feeling that they are earning their way towards something.
So while you continue to challenge children to study because it is the best way to grow a relationship with God, you may also choose to reward the children with stickers each week for answering the following questions:
• How many days did you study your lesson? (Affirm any response, encouraging them to try for daily study.)
• Did you read the lesson from the Bible? (This is an important part of lesson study.)
• Can you remember last week’s text? (Affirm their effort; assist them if necessary.)
• How did you do the sharing activity for last week’s lesson? (Remind them what it was.)
Primary Treasure and Our Little Friend and this Web site exist partly to help you send each weekly lesson home so that it can be reinforced during the week ahead. Our goal, both through the magazines and this Web site, is to help children
• understand their infinite value to their Creator and Redeemer
• learn how to respond to God
• show love to their family and friends
• serve others in their world
• find fulfillment in participating in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Our web site is always a work in progress. I will be adding features and links of interest to you as time goes by so please keep checking back. If you have suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to email me.
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Anita Seymour
Managing Editor, Our Little Friend / Primary Treasure
Sabbath School Information Links:
North American Division Children’s Ministries: www.childmin.org
NAD Children’s Ministries (Kid’s Ministry Ideas): Kid’s Ministry Ideas Magazine
Adventist Book Center: www.adventistbookcenter.com
Beginner Lessons and Helps www.gracelink.net/beginner
Kindergarten Lessons and Helps: www.gracelink.net/kindergarten
Primary Lessons and Helps: www.gracelink.net/primary
GraceLink Sabbath School Lesson Information: www.gracelink.net
Adventist Mission Quarterly: http://www.adventistmission.org/article.php?id=232
Protecting Your Children Against Molesters and Predators. It is something no one wants to talk about, but child sexual abuse is a horrible reality in today’s world. Most abuse is perpetrated by people your child knows and trusts. People you also know and trust. Below there are links to sites that can help parents protect their children.
Advice about Child Molesters: http://www.safest.org/
Advice about Cyber Bullying: http://www.cyberbullying.org
Information from Adventist Risk Management:
• Sex Offenders in Church: Download pdf
• How to Recognize and Prevent Child Abuse: http://www.adventistrisk.org
Other links of interest:
Ellen White ‘Visionary’ for Kids A quarterly electronic magazine focused on youth aged 9-14 published by the Ellen G. White Estate.
VOP Kids Zone A Bible study site just for kids from Voice of Prophecy.
kidshealth.org Lots and lots of answers to lots and lots of the questions kids ask. Lots!
More resources to help the kids in your care grow in Jesus
What We Believe Series – help children discover the basics of Seventh-day Adventist faith through object lessons, Bible verses, stories, activities and songs
Child’s Steps to Jesus (3 volume set) – Stories based on Steps to Christ to provide preschool children an introduction to Christian living and begin a lifelong friendship with Jesus.
Devotionals for kids:
Preschool kids
Primary kids
Faith and Character Building Stories
Forever Stories (5 book set) – the plan of salvation from Lucifer to the end of the millennium. Written especially for preschool and early elementary readers.
Champions of Faith (5 volume set) — From Adam and Eve to Christ’s apostles, these captivating stories of Bible heroes will increase the faith of children.
God’s Adventurers – Primary aged children will discover the exciting adventures when they choose God. Stories about early Adventist pioneers and others.
Activity and coloring Books for kids
More books from your Adventist Book Center
