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“If we want to teach others how to get ready to goand live with Jesus in the heavenly kingdom, thenour job is to help others get ready to live healthilyhere on earth first,” said one of the girls.“I like that name. Okay, let’s call ourselves theBe Ready Puppet Ministry Team,” Pastor Brentsaid affirming.Soon the puppet team was involved in manyoutreach programs. They did health showsin schools, community fairs, camp meetings,children’s church, and others. They also sharedJesus’ stories with many children in the localchurches and in the community.The young people themselves had a chance totestify of how this ministry had impacted theirown lives. They not only taught other youngpeople about living healthily, but they themselvesbecame convinced of the importance of living ahealthy lifestyle and started to practice healthfulhabits.Some months later as the young people wereresting after their performance, they got into aserious conversation.“Guess what? I seem to have more energythese days when I sleep enough at night,” said oneof them excitedly.“Me, too. I feel I can think better andremember more since I started riding my biketwo to three times a week,” another exclaimed,“I eat less of all these MacDonald’s andFrench fries,” replied one of the girls.CHILDREN’S STORY“I know what! How about calling ourselves theBe Ready Puppet Ministry Team,” suggested oneof the team members.“My mom started to restrict my television andinternet hours, and I have to exercise outdoors,”he added thoughtfully.“That’s wonderful, young people,” exclaimedPastor Brent as his face lit up, “I’m so glad thatwhen you are ministering to other kids andyoung people, you are also transforming yourlives by living a healthy lifestyle,” smiled theyoung pastor.“I didn’t realize how this involvement haschanged me, too,” explained one of the boys,“My mom said that she noticed me drinkinglots of water and less pop soda,” he continuedwith a smile beaming all over his face.“Great! Let’s stay healthy as we help othersto be healthy!” Pastor Brent reminded the group.“Okay, some good news! Are you ready forthis?” beamed Pastor Brent with a twinkle inhis eye.31“We are going to San Antonio in July!”shouted Pastor Brent.The whole group surrounded the youngpastor as they hugged him and hugged eachother tightly, yelling gleefully. Yes, their dreamto go and perform somewhere at the GCSession in San Antonio finally materialized.They had prayed for weeks and months for awindow of opportunity. It finally came! Godanswered their prayer. They were invited toperform their health puppet shows at the GCChildren’s Ministries booth. How exciting thatthey had been given another opportunity to getothers ready for heaven!BE READY PUPPET MINISTRY“What should we call our ourselves?” askedPastor Brent thoughtfully.

REACH THE WORLDYou Can’tPut it BackPAMELA CONSUEGRABiblical Principle“Look what I did. I made a mess and now Ican’t fix it. It is impossible to put the toothpasteback in the tube once it came out. You know,boys and girls, it’s the same thing with angrywords. They come out of our mouth easily butwe can’t put them back. We cannot put themback in our mouths any easier than we can putthe toothpaste back in the tube.”Materials NeededThe Bible says, “.don’t use your anger as fuelfor revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bedangry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of footholdin your life.”“.don’t use your anger as fuel forrevenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’tgo to bed angry. Don’t give the Devilthat kind of foothold in your life.”Ephesians 4:26, 27(Message Bible)32 Tube of toothpasteSmall bowlSpoonHEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY“Good morning, boys and girls. Today, I havesomething to show you. It’s a tube of toothpaste.And, I’m going to have so much fun by squeezingthis out.” Demonstrate how easy it is to squeezethe toothpaste out the tube by squeezing someinto a small bowl. Ask for a volunteer to squeezesome out. Give several children an opportunity tosqueeze some toothpaste into the bowl.“Now, that was fun. Look at all that toothpaste.But, now we need to fix it. We have to put it allback inside the tube.” Try to put it back in thetube yourself using the spoon. “Oh, no, I amhaving a lot of trouble. Who wants to help me?”Allow several children to try. Of course it will beimpossible.Pamela Consuegra, PhD, is Associate Director of theDepartment of Family Ministries at the North American Divisionof Seventh-day Adventists in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.“Let’s remember to only use kind wordsbecause angry words hurt others and we can’tput them back once they are said. Let’s prayto Jesus and ask Him to help us only say kindwords.”You may close with prayer and then ask fora child volunteer to pray also.

CHILDREN’S STORYMissionaryFor HeavenLINDA MEI LIN KOHGo therefore and make disciplesof all the nations, baptizing themin the name of the Father and ofthe Son and of the Holy Spirit.Matthew 28: 19,20“I’m happy today, I’m happy today, in JesusChrist, I’m happy today,” sang Mateus Soaresof Brazil. Yes, eight-year old Mateus was excitedto know Jesus and to love Him. His little heartwas so full of joy that he wanted to share Jesuswith others in his neighborhood so that theycan go to heaven with him.“Papa, I want to start a Bible study class, canI?” Mateus begged his father. “Do you knowhow, Sonny?” asked his father doubtingly.“I can learn and I know Jesus will help me.I want all my friends and neighbors to go toheaven to meet Jesus,” replied Mateus with hisface beaming.“Okay, let’s try it. We’ll ask the pastor to helpyou with some tips,” said father encouragingly.Mateus prayed about his plan and thenstarted visiting his neighbors and friends.Linda Mei Lin Koh, EdD, is the Director of the Department ofChildren’s Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-dayAdventists World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.“How are you, Pedro?” Mateus greeted hisneighbor with a big smile and shook his handfirmly.“Do you believe in Jesus? Do you know Heis coming back soon to take us to live with himin heaven?”“I am inviting you to join my Bible studygroup every Wednesday night. Please come,”said Mateus with a big smile on his face.33He went from door to door inviting hisneighbors and schoolmates to his Bible studygroup. On the first night only a few neighborscame; some came just out of curiosity. Butsoon it grew to more than ten individuals asthey learn about Jesus and his plan of salvation.Mateus was earnest in teaching his neighborsabout the heavenly home. He wanted everyoneto go to heaven and live with Jesus forever!God used Mateus amazingly. Soon his Biblestudy group began to grow and before long heled ten neighbors and friends to be baptizedinto the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Yes,Mateus and his group continued to sing, “Iwill wear a crown in my Father’s house, in myFather’s house, in my Father’s house ”Mateus ran his Bible study group for threeyears. But before long he realized that all thenew members did not have a church to worshipin. This made him sad.MISSIONARY FOR HEAVENBiblical Principle

REACH THE WORLD“Pastor Johnson, why don’t we build achurch for all our members to worship togetherevery Sabbath?” asked Mateus passionately.“Wow, that is a great plan! But where do weget the money? I don’t think our conferencecan help us very much,” answered the pastorwith a doubtful look.“God will help us, I know,” echoed Mateusconfidently.“But I am willing to help raise the money,”suggested the enthusiastic boy, “maybe ourmembers can all help out,” he added.When not in school, Mateus went aboutraising funds for the new church they weregoing to build. Pretty soon, the members gottogether with Pastor Johnson to help build thechurch. After school, Mateus would rush to thechurch site to help lay some bricks and mortar.HEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY34It was not an easy road for Mateus andthe others. At times, they felt discouraged,but nothing could dampen the spirit of thislittle boy.“Pastor, can we pray to Jesus for morecement?” asked Mateus earnestly.“Yes, let’s fast and pray that God will find us away to finish our task,” Pastor Johnson suggested.Mateus prayed earnestly. Every memberfasted and prayed for several days, asking Godto intervene and provide. Many sacrificed togive more to help finish their church. God didnot fail His people.After many months, the church was finallyfinished. There was much rejoicing and praiseon the day of the church dedication. Manyshed tears of joy and gratitude for what Godhad done for them, and especially for sendinga little boy with a big dream of preparing hisneighbors and friends for heaven.Mateus continued to work among hisclassmates, sharing the wonderful news of Jesus’soon return and the joy of living with Him inheaven. He prepared many friends who havenow been baptized into the church. Nothingcould stop a boy’s desire to get involved inpreparing others for the heavenly kingdom!

CHILDREN’S STORYBullying Isnot RightLITIANA TURNERDo not let any unwholesome talkcome out of your mouths, but onlywhat is helpful for building others upaccording to their needs, that it maybenefit those who listen.Epehsians 4:29 NIVOlive was super excited because she wasgoing to be starting big school in the morning.Her Mamma had spent the last few weeks tellingher how wonderful it was going to be. They hadeven practised spending a whole day doing schoolactivities and other tasks around the house, to seeif Olive could stay up all day without a nap in theafternoon.To celebrate her transition to big schoolMamma had bought Olive a new lunch box,it was bright orange with balloons on it. Olivecouldn’t wait to go to school and use her brandnew lunch box.Early the next morning before anyone wasawake in the house, Olive was up. She snuck intoher parent’s room to check if it was time to getready for school, but Papa said to her “Olivesweetheart, you go back to bed and we’ll wakeyou up when it’s time to go to school”. It didn’tseem too long before she heard her Papa callingLitiana Rajarajartia Turner, MA, MEd is the Director ofthe Department of Children’s Ministries at the South PacificDivision in Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia.Willie Oliver, PhD, CFLE and Elaine Oliver, MA, CFLE arefor her to wake up as it was now time to get readyfor school.Arriving at school, Mamma and Olive went tomeet with Miss Amelia, Olive’s Grade 1 teacher.There were lots of mums and dads bringing theirchildren for their first day of Primary school. It waseverything Olive had hoped for, lots of children,a reading mat, even a sand box outside in theplayground, Olive just knew that school was goingto be great fun. Mamma sat with Olive for a littlewhile and then Miss Amelia began to thank all theparents for coming to drop off their children atschool however it was now time for them all to leave.37When her Mamma left, Olive felt the warmthof the sun streaming in through the glass window.Miss Amelia had given her a desk that was closeto the window, so Olive could look outside at thetrees and the sand box. In the desk next to her wasa girl called Patricia. Olive smiled at Patricia andwhispered “Hello” but Patricia did not even smileback instead she poked her tongue out at Olive.Olive was a little surprised by what Patriciahad done, because her Mamma had always toldher it was very bad manners to poke your tongueout at people. So Olive tried to say hello toPatricia again, but this time she offered her handlike Mamma and Papa had shown her when youmeet someone new. Patricia took her hand andsqueezed it really hard, she squeezed it so hardthat Olive’s eyes welled up and two giant tearsrolled down her cheeks.BULLYING IS NOT RIGHTBiblical Principle

REACHING FAMILIES FOR JESUSSuddenly big school was not fun anymore,Olive felt all alone and her hand hurt wherePatricia had squeezed it. It was only her firstday of school and already Olive just wanted itto be over. Mamma had told her that if therewas any problems to ask Miss Amelia for help.Olive didn’t know what to do, she really wantedto be friends with Patricia but she was not beingat all nice.Miss Amelia called the class together and saidto them that it was now lunchtime and everyonehad to bring their lunch boxes out. Olive wentto her bag and brought out her brand new lunchbox. Seeing the bright orange colour and theballoons made Olive smile and she quickly tookher seat under the shade of a nearby tree. Oliveate as much as she could but could not finishher lunch because she was looking forward toplaying in the sand box. When the eating timehad finished everyone in Grade 1 could returntheir lunch boxes to their school bags before theyhad a few minutes of play.GROWING DISCIPLES38Olive eagerly packed up her lunchbox andthen raced back to the sand box. When shearrived at the sand box, Patricia was alreadythere and she said to Olive, “You cannot come inhere” Olive asked, “Why not?” and Patricia said,“because I said so!” Olive was very unhappy. Allthe excitement and joy of being in big schoolwas evaporating and Olive felt like she did notbelong.At home, that evening Mamma and Papa hadmade Olive’s favourite dinner to celebrate her firstday in Grade 1, however, Olive just played with herfood. Papa asked, “Olive is everything alright?” Olivedid not say anything to her Papa. So Mamma tried,“Olive tell Papa and I about your first day at schoolsweetheart”, Olive began to talk about her first dayat school and when she got to the part where Patriciapoked her tongue out and then how she squeezedher hand really hard, tears started to fall down Olive’scheeks. Mamma and Papa looked at each other andthen they looked at Olive, quickly they left theirchairs and came together to give Olive a big hug.Papa pulled Olive close and said to her, “So, you’vehad a hard day at school?” Olive just nodded herhead miserably.Mamma and Papa said to Olive well thereare two ways we can help you to deal with thisissue; firstly, Mamma and I could come with youto school tomorrow and speak with Miss Ameliaabout the situation or we could show you whatyou can do if Patricia or anybody does somethingthat you are not comfortable with. So Papa andMamma talked with Olive about what she shoulddo and say if anyone was horrible towards her.Papa said “Olive when somebody does or sayssomething you do not like you must say to themin a firm voice, “Stop it! I don’t like what you aredoing” then, you must walk away”. Sometimes,you may meet people like Patricia who behave ininappropriate ways, if this should happen to you,please talk to an adult or let somebody you loveand trust know.

CHILDREN’S STORYGrandparents’Celebration DayROSEMAY CANGYI am reminded of your sincerefaith, a faith that lived first inyour grandmother Lois and yourmother Eunice and now, I am sure,lives in you.2 Timothy 1:5, NRSVOne generation shall commendyour works to another and shalldeclare your mighty acts.Psalm 145:4Only take care, and keep yoursoul diligently, lest you forgetthe things that your eyes haveseen, and lest they depart fromyour heart all the days of yourlife. Make them known to yourchildren and your children’schildren.Deuteronomy 4:9knowledge through their life experiencesand they are the link to the family’s past andfuture. Grandparents are often the keepers ofthe family’s stories. They are in a position toteach the children about their family heritagebut more importantly, their experiences withGod’s saving grace, their walk with Him andHis answers to their prayers are a sacred legacythat they can pass on to the younger familymembers. God desires to see the comingtogether of generations in a loving relationshipthat involves the sharing of God’s love and Hisplans for our lives.Grandparents’ day planningPrepare your congregation by announcingbeforehand when you will have a Grandparents’Celebration Day.Ideas for Grandparents’ dayWhy have a GrandparentsCelebration Day at yourlocal church?Grandparents hold a unique place inthe lives of children. They have invaluableRosemay Cangy, is Editorial Assistant for the Department ofFamily Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-dayAdventists World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.39 Invite grandparents and grandchildren tocome to the front. (Also invite the elders inyour church who stand as grandparents). Introduce this special moment byreading Deuteronomy 4:9 and sharingwhat the Bible says about the old andyoung generations and God’s desire tosee them come together to learn moreabout Him.GRANDPARENTS’ CELEBRATION DAYBiblical Principle

REACHING FAMILIES FOR JESUS Prior to this day, ask one grandparent toshare one favorite story about their faithjourney with God or stories from theirchildhood. Interview two or three grandparents and askthem questions about an answered prayer.Practice the interview process before the day. In the weeks leading to GrandparentsDay, do a video recording as you askgrandchildren this question “Why is agrandparent special”? Have children of allages respond to this question and compile avideo that you can show on this day. Purchase a gift for each grandparent in yourchurch such as a flower or a book mark thatgrandchildren can hand out to them.GROWING DISCIPLES401In closing, invite an older grand child toread the following prayer:God of all generations:We thank you today for those whoare grandparents/elders.We especially thank you for thosewho are grandparents to us —those who are grandparents by bloodrelationships, andthose unrelated but older than wewho generously sharetheir love and wisdom,their time and traditionsso that we have roots, stories, and hope.We bless you for the gift ofgrandparents,and we ask your blessing on them,that their days may be filledwith delight in their grandchildren.May their giving and grace towardyounger generationsbring fulfillment to themand may they be a blessingto all they love and callgrandchildren,through Jesus Christ, our Lord.Amen.1Discipleship Ministries. Retrieved from nts-day-worship-resources

CHILDREN’S STORYI knowI am SomebodyLITIANA TURNERI will praise You, for I am fearfullyand wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works,And that my soul knows very well.Psalms 139: 14Mr. Campbell was the best librarian in theschool. He knew all the kids names and evenbetter than this, Mr. Campbell knew from thelists he’d get fro

Say: Our brain, our mind, is like a sponge. Everything we "soak in" - what we see (on TV, videos, books, etc.) and what we hear (music, etc) gets soaked into our brain. If we see and hear good things, we will speak and act in a good way. In the same way if we see and hear things that are not good, it will show when we act and when we speak.