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Teaching on Target: Age-level Insights from Children's Ministry Magazine
Author: Dr. Robert Choun and Jane Choun
ISBN: 0764422324
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
Teaching on Target is organized into age-level sections so that you can choose the information you need. The book begins with an overview of the characteristics and needs of each age group: two- and three-year-olds, four- and five-year-olds, first- through third-graders, and fourth- through sixth-graders. Following these charts are sections by subject, such as God the Father, The Trinity, Sin and Salvation, Angels, Prayer and the Lord's Supper, to name a few.
Each subject provides you with the way to reach the children you teach, and includes a list of material resources.
After reading this book, you will better understand how faith develops in children and how to teach children of any age effectively.
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Secret Power
Author: D.L. Moody
ISBN: 0883688484
Reviewer: Mike Friesen
Mr. Moody takes up the topic of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In this well thought out book, he makes the case for the necessity, the power, and teaching of the Holy Ghost. Mr. Moody uses extensive Scripture references, as some of the material is taken from his sermons. This book was first printed in 1881 and is currently out of print. I was able to find a few copies at a used book dealer but it wasn't easy. There is no indication of copyright.
Here is the Table of Contents:
Power - Its Source
Power "In" and "Upon"
Witnessing in Power
Power in Operation
Power Hindered
Here are some highlights:
The first work of the spirit is to give life.
The Holy Spirit has a definite identity and personality. This assertion is supported by several scriptures.
"The Father plans, the Son executes, and the Holy Spirit applies."
The presence of the Holy Spirit allows the true Christian to speak "the truth in love." Moody states that it is so much easier to reach a person when the action is rooted in love.
In the "Power In and Upon," Moody uses the words a bit differently than we do in the Apostolic Faith but his meaning appears the same. He talks about the Holy Spirit in a person once that one is converted. However, Moody says there is a vast improvement when the Holy Spirit is truly upon a person. He emphasizes "upon" to mean with obvious power.
Moody makes a strong case for having the Holy Spirit upon a life in order to witness with power. At one point, the author takes up the verse quoting Jesus, "The works that I do shall ye do also, and greater works than these shall ye do because I go to the Father."
Moody talks more than once about the Fruit of the Spirit and what this means in a vibrant Christian heart.
Finally, Mr. Moody takes up the topic of what can quench the Spirit.
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On Being a Servant of God
Author: Warren Wiersbe
ISBN: 0801090865
Reviewer: Mike Friesen
Mr. Wiersbe talks about what it means to serve God and minister to others. He includes ministers and non-ministers alike. Here is Wiersbe's definition of Christian service. "Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God." The first few chapters expand on this definition.
Here are some highlights:
Keep chin up and knees down.
God has a specific and complete plan for any who follow Him.
Wiersbe talks about the importance of holiness and action/evangelism.
Using a tree analogy, it has been said that a person's reputation is like the shadow, the fruit is like the personality, the roots are the character.
God's purpose in our lives is maturity and holiness. The Christian servant is about being a positive influence on others as well.
The author talks about the miracle of marriage and benefit of it to a Christian worker.
Wiersbe discusses an interesting balance of joy and fear. He states that joy results from our relationship with God while fear comes from our responsibility toward God.
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So That's Why I Keep Doing This!
Author: Glenn Procopio
ISBN: 031022456X
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
Let's face it: working with youth can be draining and discouraging at times. When you feel like quitting or wonder whether your time and efforts are worthwhile, reach for this book.
There are 52 devotional stories from real life situations and from the Bible which will encourage you to "keep on keeping on" in the Lord's service.
You'll realize that you're not alone in this and that God is often working behind the scenes in young people's lives.
Encouraging and uplifting!
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How to Expand Your Youth Ministry
Author: Len Kageler
ISBN: 0310207789
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
The author, himself a seasoned youth ministry veteran, shares eight main points necessary to experiencing growth in your youth ministry. Kageler covers subjects ranging from dealing with school rivalries and "obnoxious kids" to developing a friendly environment where "newcomers stick."
Kageler not only offers practical ways to increase your attendance, but ways to nurture what you have. Each chapter contains remarks from youth leaders all over the United States related to the topics discussed. It is interesting to read their opinions why some groups are growing and some are not.
This book is less than 70 pages, paperback. I have read and re-read it at least once a year and each time I come away with something useful. I recommend this book for all those involved in Junior High or Senior High ministry.
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Kickstarters
Author: Rick Bundschuh and Tom Finley
ISBN: 0310215277
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
The book's subtitle is, "101 ingenious intros for just about any Bible lesson." It contains object lessons/openers which are helpful to have on hand. Most of the object lessons or opener activities are a little "on the wild side" definitely appealing to Junior High kids. One of these openers may just be the much-needed "hook" to draw the kids' attention to your Bible lesson.
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Developing the Leader Within You
Author: John C. Maxwell
ISBN: 0785266666
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
Don't let the title fool youthis is not one of those secular success books. John Maxwell, himself a former pastor, writes from a Christian perspective about developing your latent leadership qualites. Ten chapters focus on developing a winning attitude, maintaining integrity and self-discipline, and learning to prioritize responsibilities, to name just a few. This book would be valuable to ministers, Sunday school department heads and any one in a position of leadership, no matter how great or small.
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The Ministry of Nurture: A Youth Worker's Guide to Disciplining Teenagers
Author: Duffy Robbins
ISBN: 0310525810
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
This valuable book will help you who work with teenagers understand them better so that you can lead them into an active faith in Christ. These are not promises of "quick fix" or "overnight success," but rather practical insight to help you help teenagers overcome the challenges of distraction, peer pressure and their own changing emotions.
The information in this book will help you become a more effective teacher and will equip you to equip your teens to develop a maturing faith.
The "ministry of nurture" is just that: going beyond the ABC's of Biblical instruction to getting involved in the hearts and lives of your youth.
Would you like to make a difference in the lives of the young people you teach? The Ministry of Nurture will show you how.
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How to Preach Without Notes
Author: Charles W. Koller
ISBN: 0801057612
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
In his book, Dr. Koller outlines the essential elements of a Biblical sermon, the importance of structure and the necessity of a clear thesis and progression to that end.
He advocates saturation, organization and memorization of the outline so that the minister may be free to look the audience in the eyes and plead God's cause. Whether you are a veteran minister or just starting out, this book will give you helpful procedures for effective preaching.
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The Elements of Preaching
Author: Warren and David Wiersbe
ISBN: 0842307575
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
This handy little book is not a manual on how to prepare sermons, but rather an outline of straightforward, solid and basic preaching principles and prohibitions.
Preaching Principles include: Intent and Content, Essentials Not Accidentals, The Obvious and the Unexplainable, and Preaching Beneath the Surface.
Preaching Prohibitions include: Long Introductions, Careless Illustrations, Betraying Confidences and Abusing Humor.
I would recommend this as a helpful book to read once a year.
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Small Group Qs
Author: Laurie Polich
ISBN: 0310240239
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
This book is subtitled, "600 Eye-Opening Questions for Deepening Community and Exploring Scripture."
Small group discussion is invariably the best learning format for teenagers and young adults. These open-ended questions are designed for Getting Acquainted, Getting Deeper, Getting Spiritual and Getting into the Word.
Perfect for high schoolers, middle schoolers and college age young people, this book also includes 30 complete Bible studies. The format of these Bible studies will help you improve your own teaching style so that you will stop lecturing and your group will start learning!
If you buy one book this year to improve your teaching, make this the one.
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Effective Bible Teaching
Author: Wilhoit, Jim and Tyken, Leland
ISBN: 0801096855
Reviewer: Amy Scholes
This book is an excellent resource for those who teach the Bible to adults, whether as a Bible study or Sunday school class. When should you attempt an Inductive Bible study? When should you conduct a Directed Bible study? You will learn the answers to these questions plus methods for teaching poetry, parables, proverbs, epistles and much more.
There are also many tips on how to improve classroom skills, such as Motivating Students, Fostering Active Learning, Focusing on the Big Idea, and Making the Truth Personal.
There is no better resource for teaching adults.
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