Skip to main content

The "topical lessons and ideas" forum you are in includes resources for teaching about Peace, Justice, Prayer, Redemption, Women in the Bible, and some teaching resources related to holidays, such as Mother's Day.  This forum is something of a "catch-all" for Sunday School ideas and lessons that don't neatly fit into our Bible story-specific forums but are often taught in Sunday School.

If you already have a specific Bible story in mind, look it up in our Bible story forums. Members are welcome to share their ideas and reactions by "reply" in these topics. Questions should be posted in the Teachers Lounge where they are more likely to be seen.

We are planning a Rotation on Missions and Missionaries and would love some ideas on exciting present-day Missionaries and their journeys (we are doing a rotation on Paul and his missionary stories later). Any ideas would be appreciated! Thank you!
---
Use REPLY to add your suggestions on different service projects (different from those already mentioned) and ways to include missions as a part of your rotations.

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

PCUSA Mission

As part of our Peter and Paul lessons, I usually include a brief look at mission work being done by the PC(USA). We get a copy of the Mission Yearbook published by the Pres. Church and look at descriptions of mission work being done and then look on a world map to see where this country is.

I have also thought about writing letters or pictures to send to the missionaries, but have not had time during classes about Peter or Paul.

The debriefing questions include questions about how we can be missionaries and share the Good News with people around us.

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Our summer program will be on missions. We are using a Marge Carpenter tape. The children will create a giving calendar and a minute for missions. These will share with the church in worship.

They will collect monies for the Lovemore Home in Africa, the Merida Impact in Mexico and a new preschool in South Africa. We have contacts with missionaries associated with these places. You can locate mission fields from your main church website. We will write letters to these places as well as make school bags for the preschool.

Hope this helps with ways to show the children about how we fit into the mission field.

2020 Update: Lovemore Home in Africa closed it's doors in 2015 https://www.theoutreachfoundat...for-children-at-risk.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

We had missionaries come to our montly Praise and Worship to talk to the kids. One of the rotations was to write to missionaries. My assistant E-mailed the missionaries that our church communicates with and asked them if there was anything they needed. We got our replies and then each age group wrote to a different missioary. We used a Polaroid camera to take class pictures to send. One of the missionaries works with children so we asked them if they would write back to the Kindergartners. We decorared the front of the letter with glitter, etc. and put them on construction paper. We sent a paper home telling the families what missionary their child wrote to and to please pray as a family for that missionary.

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

We emailed missionaries the kids chose from the PCUSA web site's missionary listing. We used the computer lab to write emails to missionaries. We made up a list of questions that might be interesting. The older kids wrote their emails but for time's sake I typed the ?s all up and showed the young kids how to cut and paste. They chose questions that interested them and added comments of their own to their letters. They loved this.

While some worked at the computers others found their chosen country in the atlas and filled out a sheet of interesting info about it. (language spoken, religions, climate, size...) We then used a large map and attached their info sheets with strings. We posted it out where the congregation could see it and as responses came back we posted them by their child's country info sheet. One dialogue was so emotional we had the girl and her father read it as a minute for mission. Powerful.

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

More ideas added here to consolidate topic...

Member Ruth wrote:
The material at the Church World Service website is excellent. They will also send you a free packet of material including a short video. You can purchase bells made from scraps from land mines for 30 cents a piece. It's a good base for the Art workshop. For the verse, we used Matthew 25:35-45 - 'whatever you did for the least of these...'

There is also some good information at the Food For the Hungry website.

Here's some more detailed info about Church World Service. The website address is https://cwsglobal.org/. When you get there, go to the Resources section. You'll find 'Build A Better World' which is great for the younger Rotation aged kids. 'Hungry Decisions' is a powerful simulation which would suit older kids and adults. 'We Can Do That Too' is full of fact, worship resources, games & drama ideas.

We are planning to do a mission rotation based on this material in November (Thanksgiving.) We're ending with an intergenerational Missions Fair during which we will not only display what we've been doing, but will sell our projects from the Art Workshop. The money raised will go to the charity. This way the kids will not only support a mission project, but will have to work to raise the money. We're hoping the sale is successful - end of November should be perfect for pre-Christmas shopping.



Member Valerie wrote:

We did a rotation for the Good Samaritan with an emphasis on local missions.
The congregation had contributed the following items several months before the workshop began: soap, wash clothes, brushes, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste and bandaids.

During the rotation, the children went to the "mission warehouse" to assemble Children's Health Kits in large zip-lock type freezer bags (freezer bags are stronger than regular storage and being clear helps in identifying the items)

The items were then given to the United Methodist Children's Home here in Atlanta.
Originally, they were going with our Mexico Mission Team - however, for several reasons, that mission trip had to be cancelled

The children really liked knowing that what they were doing was to help other children.
Valerie



Jan FPC Napa wrote:

One workshop we did was on the Wordless Book (the unit theme we did was "God lives in ... the tabernacle, the temple, Jesus, and me"). It was the "God lives in Jesus" art/craft workshop. We also talked about missionaries and the history of the Wordless Book, then made Wordless Bracelets ... one for them to keep (and retell the story to someone) and as many extras as they wanted to make that we sent to Teen Missions International. They use the books and bracelets in their ministry as teens are trained and sent on mission trips all over the world. My niece participated in this last summer, that's how I knew about it. Their website is: www.teenmissions.org.

We also had a blessing of the bracelets the kids made during our children's message in worship ... the kids each held some bracelets and we prayed together and asked God to bless them and whoever received them. It was touching.

Another time the kids made a baby quilt we donated to a women's emergency shelter (also did a blessing in worship on the blanket).



Member JanS wrote:

I have a book called Teaching Kids to Care and Share which is a great resource. Abingdon Press, ISBN 0-687-08428-8. I am sure you would find it useful.

Also, you may want to invite your mission/outreach committee members to lead a workshop and talk about how your church/denomination is involved in mission and outreach. Children could then have the opportunity to "interview" various members of the congregation on how they might define discipleship, or how they are involved in mission or outreach or whatever. Children could then put together a "documentary" and present it.

Another thing to consider is to invite the children to participate in the planning of an outreach Sunday or outreach event. Each group would work on their "part" in the workshop, with the goal of putting it all together at a future specified date. This would be most fun if there was a church wide emphasis and participation in the outreach event.



Member Mary B. wrote:

Good Samaritan rotation, kits for the homeless:
Our Discovery Kingdom Kids brought good, clean, used children's clothing. They also brought personal items for kids and packaged them in plastic ziplock bags (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, washcloth, shampoo, small toy, chapstick).

One Sunday during our SS time, we visited Interfaith Good Samaritan whose director kindly offered to open up on a Sunday a.m. Kids placed clothing in proper sorting boxes, and filed personal care kits on shelves. Director told them how Interfaith/Good Samaritan works in our time. Great morning of mission!

Last edited by Neil MacQueen

Hi! Here's a book called "The Kid's Guide to Service Projects" available at Amazon.com ... I'm not suggesting you buy it, but I am suggesting you do the 'search inside' feature showing this book's table of contents ... oodles of idea starters, maybe some will work for you! Go here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0915793822/?tag=smarterbooks-2...5793822&linkCode=asn
and then click on the book to look inside.

Also, here at rotation.org go to the lessons page, click on NT Gospels: Jesus' Parables, then go to Good Samaritan lessons and also Jesus' Teachings and go to the Great Commandment ... you're sure to find lots of ideas.

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Member Angela writes:

Here are a few of the service projects we have done:

Winter coat collection - give to local shelters or Salvation Army.

Birthday Bag Bash - we collect cake mixes/frosting/candles/small gender-neutral toys. We fill brightly colored gift bags with one of each of the items,and donate to a local food pantry or shelter. These are great, sometimes families have to choose between bills, groceries, other needs, and a family member has to do without a birthday cake. The local food pantry we donated these too were also able to pass them out to mothers for Mother's Day last year.

Snack Sacks- we fill small lunch bags with healthy snack items such as pudding, granola bars, fruit snacks, a juice pouch, and a napkin/spoon. These are also given to local shelters/food pantries.

With each of these, the church was invited to help donate supplies, and we always received a wonderful response.

One that I use with younger students (3-5th grade) - we walk together up/down a couple blocks in the neighborhood, collecting canned goods and prayer requests. Theis age of kids is not afraid to ask for prayer requests! As always, use the most care in going door-to-door. Our's is a small neighborhood that is very aware of our church programming.

Last edited by Neil MacQueen

Two places to look for Mission Workshops at Rotation.org:

  1. There is a hunger-related mission project in the Public Forum for the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath:   https://www.rotation.org/topic...4#576929964465604014
  2. Our Rotation.org Writing Team includes a "Mission Workshop" in its lesson sets from time to time.

Here are links to a number of them:

Last edited by Luanne Payne

MLKQuote2020

Many churches in the United States organize a Day of Service in honor of Martin King Luther, Jr.'s work and message.

In addition to the ideas noted above, here are some other places at rotation.org where you will find suggestions for things that children or families can do together:



And don't miss this topic describing how you can incorporate mission and service projects into your study of Scripture passages: The "Mission" Workshop. "The key is that the chosen action or practice should come from the rotation's Bible story itself, and not be a tangential activity with a marginal connection to the assigned story." Check the article for examples.

What day of service projects has your church done? Please share them below.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • MLKQuote2020

https://hopehavenvbs.com/

This is an awesome brand new, (totally) free resource available for Children's Ministry through a great mission organization. Most of the info below is straight from their web site. I really like getting free printable templates so I don't have to reinvent the wheel. It is also helpful to be able to pick and choose the pieces I wanted to use. I tried each of the activities and found that they are all super easy but meaningful and kids enjoyed them.  It is made to be a VBS but I've also thought it would be useful for Sunday School, a one time event, a Mid-week type lesson or even just a family night. Hope Haven does have some great stories and pictures of real kids which I like. The email came right away when I requested it and everything was included.

https://hopehavenvbs.com/

We have given our VBS offering to Hope Haven a few times and found them to be easy to work with and helpful. The kids really seem to "get" the mission work of Hope Haven and are always really excited when they find out how many kids they provided wheelchairs to.

Here's the description:

Through the character “Agent Hope” you will be able to easily communicate the message while impacting in educating youth.

The program has 5 themes, one theme for each day of your VBS! On each day, children will join Agent Hope to meet a new friend from a different part of the world, learn about wheelchairs, dive into God’s word, and enjoy some fun together. Each lessons is short, easy to explain and fun!

You can use every activity for a particular theme or just choose the ones that meet your needs.

Theme 1: God gives us Community

Theme 2: God Knows Us

Theme 3: God gives us Hope

Theme 4: God gives us Joy

Theme 5: God loves Us

"This free program is sent straight to your inbox with short video instruction and can be printed on any printer. You’ll enjoy clear and concise lessons for each day of your VBS."

Every lesson points your kids back to the Word of God and Jesus while raising money to support Hope Haven International.

Share the love of Jesus true stories from Hope Haven International clients and volunteers that will inspire and educate

https://hopehavenvbs.com/

Supporting Members at Rotation.org can access the Writing Team's "Good Samaritan" lesson set.  It includes life-applying Good Sam lessons that use art, music & dance, video, free software, and even a children's sermon or demonstration of the "group power" of the church when we work together.

The Good Sam Lesson set ALSO includes a fantastic listing of Good Samaritan "Go and Do Likewise" community and mission projects - with some terrific videos, music videos, and "kindness" ideas.

Add Reply

Post a New Topic
Lesson or Resource
Rotation.org Inc. is a volunteer-run, 100% member supported, 501(c)3 non-profit Sunday School lesson ministry. You are welcome to borrow and adapt content for non-commercial teaching purposes --as long as both the site and author are referenced. Rotation.org Inc reserves the right to manage, move, condense, delete, and otherwise improve all content posted to the site. Read our Terms of Service. Get a free Registered Membership or become a Supporting Member for full access to all site resources.
Rotation.org is rated 5 stars on Google based on 51 reviews. Serving a global community including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, S. Africa, and more!
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×