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Deep Encounter
My encounter with a Coffee Break Bible study was about four years ago. I was introduced to Angela and soon started to have weekly Bible study sessions at the Bethel Café. Starting as an intimate group of three it was truly a new experience all together. The first Bible study session proved that it was far from the typical. Every word in the Bible was to be savored. Nothing was disregarded or brushed off with familiar phrases thrown out by Sunday School teachers and pastors. Instead the word of God was looked at in detail; a refreshing and enlightening truth revealed through His words.
So what? Someone might ask, “What’s new about looking at God’s word in scrutiny?” Being a born again Christian, this was a big deal. I was used to the broad generalizations that were linked with the familiar passages from the Bible. The truth and meaning coming from the word was just yet another addition to my list of quotes. There was no true application found in my life because it did not move my soul. It seemed like God’s words were always available but had lost its effect. A disaster, is it not? Only after the deep encounter with God and His words did I realize what power it had. God had planned so many things through the gift of the Bible and His words, yet I was numb to them.
Thankfully, Coffee Break Bible study was a group of people who had deep desires to find the truth and power of God’s words. Through such passion a road was paved. Following that road I was finally able to experience the power of God’s word. It saved me from the fires of sin as well as from its aftermath: guilt. Through His words he soothed me of my pain, encouraged me when lost and always reminded me of who God is and always will be. Every week I look forward to attend such a community led by the Holy Spirit and filled with His love and truth. A tinge of excitement always runs across my nerves as I walk into our Bible study location. Great expectations are always made to what God will bring with His words this week. I thank God for the loving members of our young adult Coffee Break group and the love He pours out onto us.
Maggie Moon, Young Adult Coffee Break
 Small Group and Evangelism Conference 2008
Registration is open for the July 18-20, 2008 Small Group and Evangelism Conference, In Community, in Lombard, IL. Conference information, on-line registration and a link for hotel registration is available at www.crhm.org/conference .
Thirty-seven breakouts are offered for leaders of Coffee Break, Children’s Preschool Ministries, Small Group leaders, Campus Ministries and evangelistic new churches. Eight pre-conference training options offer specific training in your area of leadership. An interactive lunch option will allow you the opportunity to network and connect with others ministering as you do.
Enrich and transform your life, church, and ministry through these sessions plus four plenary worship celebrations based on the themes Restored by Grace, Created to Worship, Equipped to Serve, and Gathered Home from Zephaniah 3.
If you have not received a conference brochure and do not have internet accessibility, please call 1-888-644-0814.
“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” -Zephaniah 3:9
 “From the mouth of babes…”
When four-year-old Emily Krueger was asked what happened on Good Friday she sadly said, “The soldiers killed Jesus.” She touched the inside palm of each hand, the sign language for Jesus, indicating the nails that pierced his hands.
When asked what happened on Easter, she opened her palms, gesturing outward and joyfully responded, “He woke up!”
 Miracle
“I think that you’ll agree, I’m unique as I can be!”
This line from Mary Rice Hopkins’ song, Little Miracle, says it all. Each child is unique. Each child is a miracle. And each child learns differently. Oh sure, there are over arching principles, and everything must be wrapped in love, but each child has their own wiring when it comes to how they learn.
Faith Alive has studied and benefited from Dr. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences and how they impact our learning process. Keep in mind that everyone has all eight intelligences and has the capacity to develop all to a high level. But most of us favor learning through one or two.
Look over this list and note which you are drawn to:
Word Smart
Sample activities: storytelling, writing, reading, chanting, poetry, crossword puzzles, reader’s theater
Picture Smart
Sample activities: drawings, collages, mobiles, models, murals, movies, paintings, sculptures, Venn Diagrams, puzzles, posters, comic books
Number Smart
Sample activities: puzzles, charts, problem solving, counting, classifying
Music Smart
Sample activities: singing, playing instruments, rhythmic activities, listening to music, raps, sound effects
Body Smart
Sample activities: charades, drama, dance, exercises, games, pantomimes, role plays, sports
Self Smart
Sample activities: participate in rituals and worship, meditate, reflect, journal
People Smart
Sample activities: discussions, small groups, lead others, help others, socialize, create community, interview
Earth Smart
Sample activities: examine nature, be outdoors, do experiments, link natural phenomena
Did you find those activities you are most drawn to? As leaders of preschool age children we have the opportunity to use many experiences to communicate the truths of the Bible. Our challenge is not to use only those activities that we are drawn to personally, as they may reflect our own style of learning. We must press ourselves to think creatively and offer different activities, realizing that some children will benefit more from one style than others. What connects with one child may not connect with another, but all deserve a learning environment that speaks to them.
Both the Story Hour and Little Lambs curricula have many learning activities suggested for each lesson. For additional resources, check out the following websites: www.childrensministry.com; www.christianitytoday.com/kids; or www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry. I’ve found the Children’s Ministry Magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Group Publishing for Christian adults who work with children from birth to sixth grade to be very helpful.
In summary, keep learning yourself. Try something new and have fun. Always emphasize the truth of the story and pray that the Holy Spirit will grow and water the seeds that are planted.
Diane Dykraaf
Story Hour/Little Lambs Specialist
 New for fall 2008!
Discover the Parables of Jesus (6 lessons)
The stories Jesus told had lots of surprises and thought-provoking teaching in them. They often made you want to change your way of living—and that was the point. Learn together from Jesus what he wants to show and tell us about life in the kingdom of God. Order for fall from www.faithaliveresources.org, or call 1-800-333-8300.
Discover Mark (12 lessons)
The straightforward, action-packed gospel of Mark is one of the first Bible books a new believer should read. In this newly written study, you and your small group can discover anew the good-news of Jesus and what his life and death mean for us today. Order for winter from www.faithaliveresources.org, or call 1-800-333-8300.
Resources
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema offers several programs for Coffee Break ministries at no cost – an Easter litany “Look the Lamb of God!”, a litany for Coffee Break Sunday “Feed My Sheep!”, and a Christmas litany “Jesus, Rising Sun Shine on Us!”. These are posted at www.crhm.org/smallgroups , go to Resources. A summary of her other dramas and litanies are also listed there and are available for a minimal fee of $15.00. For more information or to order, contact Sonya at sonyavf55@hotmail.com , or at 905-937-6203.
 Current Events
Five Reasons Muslims Convert
1. The lifestyle of Christians.
2. The power of God in answered prayers and healing.
3. Dissatisfaction with the type of Islam they had experienced.
4. The spiritual truth in the Bible.
5. Biblical teachings about the love of God.
-Info from J.Dudley Woodbury, Russell G. Shubin, and G. Marks at Christianity Today.com
Worldwide:
Muslims are now 21 percent of the world population
One-third of the people in the world name Christianity as their faith
In some parts of the world, significant pockets of Muslims are turning to Christ, including North Africa, South Asia and Indonesia.
On Abortion:
In North American there are 33 abortions per 100 births.
In Eastern Europe there are 105 abortions per 100 births.
(Time Magazine, Oct. 29, 2007)
Donation Appreciated
 Small Talk and Direct Connect resources are offered free of charge by Christian Reformed Home Missions. You can help support small group ministries through your donation.
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