ACCORDION FOLDED BOOK
by Phyllis Wezeman
This material was presented in the rotation.org email newsletter as the Teaching Tip of the month for September 2008.


MATERIALS
Bible(s); Crayons or markers; Letter stickers or small stencil sheets; Pencils; Ribbon; Rulers; Scissors; Tape; White drawing paper, 12" x 18".

ADVANCE PREPARATION
Cut paper lengthwise into strips 6" x 18".

METHOD
Make an accordion-folded book and fill it with interesting information about the life of a person from the Bible. Take two 6" x 18" pieces of white paper and match up two of the short ends. Place the ends together but do not overlap the paper. Carefully tape the paper to form a 6" x 26" strip. Fan-fold the strip into eight equal sections which will be 4 1/2" x 6". Be sure to press the folds for sharp creases.

Place the booklet on a table and letter the name of the Biblical person, for example David, on the top section. Review Scripture passages in the books of First and Second Samuel for ideas to add to each page: David becomes king over all Israel; David conquers Jerusalem; David brings the ark to Jerusalem; David receives God's promise that the Messiah will come from David's family; David prepares materials to build the temple; David instructs his son Solomon about the temple construction; David dies. Using crayon or marker, add illustrations to the pages. Tie a ribbon around the completed book.

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CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN-ADVENTURE STORY
by Phyllis Wezeman
From the rotation.org email newsletter - October 2008


MATERIALS
Bibles or Children's Bibles, Paper, Pencils.

METHOD
Writing in response to the story of a person of faith can be a powerful tool for understanding the significance of human choices. Many people should be familiar with a "Choose-your-own-adventure" style of writing. In such stories writers pause at critical moments and let readers have a choice in how the plot progresses. If one choice occurs, the resulting story will have one outcome; if the opposite happens, the plot will develop quite differently.

As a Biblical story, like Esther, unfolds many characters are faced with decisions that impact the story's outcome. Obviously, the most important choice occurs when Esther decides to go to the king on behalf of her people. Brainstorm "critical moments" in the story, starting from the beginning when Vashti refuses to go to the king. List as many of these decisive moments as possible. Then select one of the critical moments and write an alternative choice and result. Read the stories as a group or leave the creative writing projects in a place for others to review.


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DICTIONARY/VOCABULARY WORDS
by Phyllis Wezeman
This material was presented in the rotation.org email newsletter as the Teaching Tip of the month for November 2008.

MATERIALS
Bibles; Bible Dictionary; Dictionary; Hole punch; Paper; Pencils or pens; Ribbon, string or yarn; Scissors.

METHOD
The Bible includes many difficult words that need to be understood by Christians of all ages -- those new to the faith as well as those mature in their beliefs. Create a dictionary -- a list of vocabulary words and their explanations -- as a way to define, or interpret, some of the terms in the Bible or in a specific book or story. For example, look through Paul's Epistle to the Romans to find key words and unfamiliar terms that need to be explained. Be sure that the selection of words includes concepts like faith, grace, and saints, as well as terms such as justification, righteousness, and sanctification.

Work individually or in small groups to locate definitions in standard dictionaries, and in Bible reference books. Select paper and pencils or pens and create a "dictionary" by listing the selected words in alphabetical order and writing a phrase or a sentence to explain each of them. For example, Faith -- complete trust; Grace -- undeserved favor from God; and Sin -- separation from God. Once the list is compiled, add a decorative cover. Punch the pages and bind them with ribbon, string, or yarn. Share the dictionaries so that others may gain a better understanding of these important words from Romans as well as grasp the meaning of Gods' great love for each of God's children.


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FLIP BOOK
by Phyllis Wezeman
This material was presented in the rotation.org email newsletter as the Teaching Tip of the month for December 2008.

MATERIALS
Bible(s); Colored pencils, crayons, and/or markers; Construction paper or index cards, 3" x 5"; Pencils; Reference books; Scissors; Stapler and staples.

METHOD
Re-tell one or more of the stories recorded in the Bible by making and using a flip book. To illustrate the story of the "Battle of Jericho," read the account in Joshua 6. Choose or cut ten small pieces of paper, approximately 3" x 5" each, and a pencil. On the first piece of paper, draw a picture of the walls of the fortified city. On the second page draw the walls staring to collapse, and on pages three through nine, illustrate progressive stages of the crumbling of the walls. On page ten, draw a pile of rubble on the ground. Color the pictures with pencils, markers, or crayons.

Stack the drawings in order, with page one on the top and page ten on the bottom. If desired, add a front and back cover that may include title, reference, and artist's name. Staple the pages together on the left side of the papers. Flip the book and watch the walls collapse.

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SHAPE BOOK
By Phyllis Wezeman
This material was presented in the rotation.org email newsletter as the Teaching Tip of the month for February 2009.

MATERIALS
Bibles
Cardboard
Construction paper
Glue
Hole punch
Markers
Old magazines
Pencils
Ribbon, string or yarn
Tablet pattern
White drawing paper

METHOD
Create a shape book to illustrate the meaning of an important Biblical passage, such as the Ten Commandments. Select ten sheets of white drawing paper for the pages of the book and two pieces of colored construction paper for the front and back covers. Using a tablet pattern and a pencil or marker, trace the design onto the twelve pieces of paper. Cut out the shapes. Print each commandment on a separate piece of white paper, including its number and Scripture reference. Using markers and magazine pictures, create an illustration for each commandment on its respective page. Then use words to summarize the meaning of each of God's laws.

Design a front and a back cover for the book. Stack the pages, in order, and punch two holes at the top of each page. Tie the papers together with ribbon, string, or yarn. Share your ideas with others by leaving the shape book until the end of the session.

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STORY STEMS
By Phyllis Wezeman
This material was presented in the rotation.org email newsletter as the Teaching Tip of the month for March 2009.

MATERIALS
Bibles
Chalkboard and chalk or newsprint and marker
Paper
Pencils

ADVANCE PREPARATION
Pre-write the "Story Stems" on a chalkboard or a piece of newsprint. As an alternative, duplicate a copy for each participant.

METHOD
Use "Story Stems" as the basis of a creative writing project to help each participant acknowledge what Jesus means to him or her. Review the story of Peter's profession of faith, recorded in Matthew 16:16. When Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter was the first to answer: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." If we claim that answer as our own, we live with the hope of eternal life that Jesus offers to those who believe in him as their Savior.

Refer to the "Story Stems" that have been written on a chalkboard or on a piece of newsprint. They might include:

If you say that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God …

… when did you discover the truth that Jesus is your Savior?

… who helped you acknowledge Jesus' place in your life?

… can others learn this truth by observing your life of faith?

Provide paper, pencils or pens, and Bibles, and allow time for each person to complete his or her responses. Assure the group that their answers will be kept private if they do not wish to share them with others.

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