Böcker av Catherine Barry

Life is full of opportunity to be daring and to step out of our comfort zone. When we DARE to pursue God, dreams, knowledge, understanding, bravery, happiness, joy, etc., we are more likely to succeed than if we decide to "stay on the safe side" of life. Teachers - I DARE you to push your abilities to the limits in this session and lead by example. DARE to be different! Don't teach like you've always taught, don't take the same route to planning your lessons, don't fall into the same study habits or hold your class to the same schedule. Find the fresh route and a fresh outlook on your ministry. Albert Einstein said it best, "Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach!"

This session will lead your group of students through a voyage of discovery that will take them to the next level in their relationship with God. Every lesson in this session brings us right back to the nature of God and our identity in Him. What an opportunity for growth in the young Christians you are ministering to! Preparing your own mind and heart to take these steps with them will make you even more effective in your teaching. With such personal lessons such as Discovering Our Value, Discovering the Cross and Discovering Prayer, you can give personal testimonies of what you've discovered, how you've been affected and what the lesson means to you. Share your heart and watch your students open up theirs. At the end of it all, allow God to lead your time of ministry and DISCOVER something new and exciting for YOURSELF and your work in His kingdom!

This session contains some of the most valuable truths that a person needs in this life to help them be successful, blessed and ready for eternity. The power of preparedness is the key to this session. You are the voice that will proclaim the truths of the Bible, so you have to make sure that every Scripture you quote, every example you use, every explanation you give is thoroughly examined, studied and true! In the United States of America, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, F.B.I., has been established since 1908 and has served the country in the aspects of Protection, Investigation and Intelligence. Each agent has to go through extensive training and adhere to a strict code of ethics The same can be said of your students and your class.

In Ecclesiastes 3:4, the Bible says there is - "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"! This session is that time to dance! We ought not wait for the right circumstances, the right season, or the right place to rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I say rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) Teachers - Did you know that the Bible uses the word rejoice (in all tenses) 268 times? And most of those times were during periods of distress, oppression, depression, fear, opposition and peril. Our students face different doses of all of the above during some point in their day to day lives. They need to learn that there is a way to alleviate the pressures of life. What if your class time is the only time that they feel joy, or peace or love? Wouldn't you want to create an atmosphere where they can bask in God's love?

The main objective of this session is to present these Christian Characters, otherwise known as virtues, in a way that will compel the students to apply them to their own lives. Using a building theme will help you dissect each characteristic and make every nuance count. The Lord is never finished working on us in this life, we are all in a building program, trying to becom more like Jesus. Share this with your students! Let them know that they are not alone in facing the growing pains of life! The more colorful and creative that you get with your lesson, the greater the possibility that the students will listen, be involved and allow themselves to be molded and changed. Dive into these featured characteristics and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of each of their qualities. Listed below are definitions and such to help you present each character in a more complete form. Loyalty, Confidence, Integrity, Self-Control, Patience, Compassion, Wisdom and Courage.

Storytelling has been around since the beginning of time. Can you just picture Adam and Eve sitting around and telling God about their day and the adventures they had in the Garden of Eden? It is how we connect the past to the present, keeping the details of history alive into the future. Word pictures, intricately woven with descriptive words and phrases bring to life the events of the past, the details of a missed occasion or an object lesson to teach a child. "Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today." Robert McAfee Brown "Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it." Hannah Arendt Jesus is a great example of a masterful storyteller. Although all his stories were not based on an actual event, they were not fiction. There was nothing but truth in them. What skill! You now have the opportunity to become a great storyteller. Here are some tips to help you make the most of each parable and each class.

A choice is just the first step of your future course. In some cases we even take that step with our eyes closed. Ever feel like you need a road map for your life? Imagine how your students must feel when not only do they need a map, they've also never been taught how to read a map! This session will take your students on a journey through the adventure of decision-making. It is designed to break down the common situations that children and teens alike find themselves in when facing choices.