BlueBelles Curriculum
Transcription
BlueBelles Curriculum
Lori Lewis, Senior Editor BlueBelles Curriculum BB Girl: Fashioned by God Church of God (Cleveland, TN), International Girls Ministries Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Lori Lewis Dr. R. Hollis Gause Jeni Mauldin Mark Shuler Editor Editor Copy Editor Graphic Designer Special thanks to Dr. R. Hollis Gause Curriculum Committee: Donna Higgins (Chair), Candie Taylor, Kris Higgins Writers Retta Ewell (Unit 1) Lynn Miller (Unit 2) Christopher Quinn (Unit 3) Vanessa Gore (Units 4 & 5) Jennifer D. Schulker (Unit 6) Eric and Kimberly Stephens (Unit 7) Michelle Pullins (Unit 8) Daneen Scoggins (Unit 9) Copyright © 2014 by International Youth and Discipleship Church of God Offices All rights reserved. Permission is granted for copying of student reproducible sheets for classroom use only, unless otherwise notified. The contents may not be reproduced in any other form without written permission. Table of Contents Year One Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Important Email and Website Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Welcome to BlueBelles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to Use This Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 6 7 Dressed to Impress (Beginnings and Basics) . . . . . 8 Overview of Girls Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Getting Started—Initial Steps for a Fashionable Beginning . . . . . . . . . 9 Chartering Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Essential Elements (General Information) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Charter Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 “Super” Models (Planning, Structuring and Resources) . . . . . 13 Practical Pointers for Mentors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 General Teaching Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Mentor’s Yearly Planning Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Planning Club Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Release Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ideas for Socials and Service Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Awards Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monthly Attendance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monthly Planning Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 16 16 17 17 18 19 Local Report Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Local Report Form Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prayer Mother Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . International Girls Ministries Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . International Girls Ministries Week Response Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mentor Enrichment Training Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Local Girls Ministries Coordinator Job Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mentor’s Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 21 22 22 23 24 24 25 Strike a Pose (BlueBelles Tenets) . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Characteristics of BlueBelle Girls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Scripture, Motto, Pledge, Flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Colors, Uniforms, Awards, Membership Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Section One: Bible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Section Two: Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Section Three: Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Merit Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 3 Year One Overview BIBLE Unit1: The Designer’s Studio (Creation) Verse: “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.” —John 1:3 1. God Created Me 2. Taking Care of Planet Earth 3.Animals 4.Nature jesus Unit4: Christmas Verse: “And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:21 1. Mary and Joseph 2. Jesus’ Birth 3. V.I.P. Visitors 4. Sharing Gifts others Unit 7: Family Verse: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” —1 John 3:12 1. God Designed Families 2. God Wants Me in His Family 3. Inviting Others to Join God’s Family 4.I y My Family! Pets Merit Study* Unit 2: Fashion Rulebook Verse: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” —Psalm 119:11 1. God’s Word 2. The Golden Rule 3. The Ten Commandments 1-5 4. The Ten Commandments 6-10 Unit 3: Hot Picks Verse: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” —Psalm 119:105 1. The 23rd Psalm 2. Fruit of the Spirit 3. Love Chapter 4. Parable of Pearl and Treasure Unit 5: Jesus, The Model Life Unit 8: Taking Jesus Verse: “I have given you an exam- to School ple to follow. Do as I have done to you.” —John 13:15 1. My Friend 2. My Savior 3. My Teacher 4. Jesus and the Children Prayer Merit Study* Verse: ‘Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”’ —Mark 1:17 1. How to Witness 2. Can I Pray at School? 3. Being a Good Example 4.Inviting Girls to My Church & Club Unit 6: Christ-like Women Unit 9: Fashion Fix Verse: “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” —Psalm 23:6 1. Miriam’s Dance 2. Hannah’s Prayer 3. Esther’s Courage 4. Ruth’s Choice God’s Word Merit Study* Verse: “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” —Ephesians 4:29 NLT 1.Peacemakers 2. Speaking Kindly 3. That’s Not Fair! 4. Forgiving Others Bearing Fabulous Fruit Merit Study* 4 * The placement of the merit studies is suggested units we feel they fit well with. For more information see page 7. Important Email & Website Addresses State Coordinator______________________________________ ____________________________________________________ State Web Site_________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ International Girls Ministries: International Youth and Discipleship Website: www.girlsministries.org www.cogyouth.org ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Pastor_______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Youth Pastor__________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Church Secretary_______________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Church Custodian______________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Mentor(s) ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Students ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 5 Welcome to BlueBelles Dear Mentor, We are so happy to present Patterned by Love, Year One! This is the first year in a series of three books (one per year) for girls grades 1-3 (6-8 year olds). Many dedicated people have been involved in this process, including some of our best children’s pastors who share the burden to disciple girls for Christ. We have strived to provide an effective, easy-to-use lesson design filled with mentor helps. The toolbox section in this curriculum is designed to put as much information and resources into the mentor’s hands as possible. We hope you will find this feature advantageous. The Bluebelles Student Activity Books have been beautifully illustrated and come in full color! Each lesson as two activity pages. We believe the girls will greatly enjoy their books. Thank you for giving your time and talent to effectively mentor these young students. We provide the material, but without you, our mission would not be carried out. This is a high calling and we are grateful you are willing to be a vessel God can use! May God give you an increase of girls to disciple for Him! Because YOU matter, Lori Lewis International Girls Ministries Coordinator Youth and Discipleship Department 6 How to Use This Curriculum This curriculum covers a three-year period with both a Mentor’s book and BB Girl student activity booklet (three booklets per year). The Mentor’s Guide begins with a Toolbox which provides helpful teaching tips, resources, and forms for the mentor. Each lesson begins with “Lesson at a Glance.” This teacher-friendly feature allows the mentor to have a quick look and know what the lesson content includes and materials required. Each lesson contains the following components: Welcome—Recite tenets, discuss with students what they’re going to learn about. Attention Getter—Game, craft or activity. Bible Spotlight— Bible lesson and application, includes memory verse. Apply It —Object lesson, craft or game tied to the lesson point. Accessories — Optional activities if time permits. It is recommended to begin in the fall and end in early summer, following the course of the school year but you can begin at any time. The 36 lessons were designed to allow the mentor flexibility in working around holidays, church events, summer break and time to utilize merit studies. Before you begin, please note the placement of some seasonal units (such as Easter and Christmas). You may need to teach that unit at a particular time to coincide or precede the holiday. Units are stand-alone and can be adjusted accordingly. Merit studies are inserted throughout the curriculum for the mentor’s preview convenience and suggested times to use them. Individual merit studies and badges will need to be ordered per student (please note merit studies and badges are ordered together—not separately). Merit studies may be used any time the mentor chooses—the inserts are only suggestions. The merit study program is designed to supplement the achievement program. Merit studies are available through the online store at www. pathwaybookstore.com. Unit badges or unit stickers will both be available to purchase for students depending on your needs. For those purchasing stickers, the student will have three correlating unit stickers that she can place on the last page of each activity booklet. For those purchasing unit badges, the student may be awarded a badge per every three units. There are three student booklets per year (one booklet per section). Badges can be sewn on a sash or backpack, also suitable to present at an awards ceremony. Yearly badges (denoting years 1, 2, and 3) will be available to purchase for end of year awards when students have completed the entire year. 7 ESSED DR TO iMPR ESS BEGINNINGS & BASICS Overview of Girls Ministries What is Girls Ministries? Girls Ministries is an outreach of the Church of God Department of Youth and Discipleship to assist the local church in teaching our girls victorious living. There are four clubs. Little Sweethearts: For girls ages 3-5. Preschool girls learn who Jesus is, how special they are to Him, and how they can share His love through Bible stories, hands-on activities, and merit badge studies as part of a three-year achievement series. Bluebelles: For girls in first, second and third grades. Primary girls are provided exciting learning experiences through a three-year achievement series, merit badge studies, and group activities. Joy Belles: For girls in fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Junior girls are provided group activities, an exciting three-year achievement program, and merit badge studies. YLM: For girls in grades seven to twelve. Teen girls are provided an achievement incentive, options for service projects, and social activities for the purpose of developing personal excellence and establishing a personal relationship with Christ as they discover Biblical patterns for living. These clubs were created for the purpose of: • encouraging growth in Christ • developing personal character, abilities, and skills 8 • discovering ways to serve others • providing Christian fellowship and recreation • winning peers for Christ. How did Girls Ministries begin? As a result of prayer and vision, the International Department of Women’s Ministries initiated Young Ladies Ministries in 1969. The department was seeking to minister to and train young women in Christian graces and lifestyle. This vision was prompted by the desire to obey the scriptural admonition that exhorts older women to teach younger women (Titus 2:3-5). As the YLM grew in number, the need for clubs for younger girls was realized. Therefore, Joy Belles was introduced in 1974, Bluebelles in 1984, and Little Sweethearts in 2002. Girls Ministries Leaders Mentors are women in the church who see the need for Girls Ministries and serve faithfully to teach girls on the local level. The pastor and local women’s discipleship leaders are responsible for the selection of mentors. Prayer Mothers are mature Christian women from the local women’s discipleship who consent to being a valuable Christian influence and mentor to their prayer daughter. The biblical principle of Titus 2:3-5 is encouraged in this ministry relationship. Local Coordinators actualize the Girls Ministries program and activities in their church. They assist in such ways as organizing the calendar and the Prayer Mother Program, implementing International Girls Ministries Week, assisting mentors in reporting monthly to the state headquarters, and keeping mentors informed of upcoming events. State Coordinators oversee all the clubs in their state or region. They work together with the Youth Director and the state Women’s Discipleship director as they nurture and direct local coordinators and mentors and conduct state events for Girls Ministries such as Jamborees and leadership meetings. The International Girls Ministries Coordinator organizes and administrates Girls Ministries internationally. She works under the direction of the International Youth and Discipleship Department and works closely with all state coordinators to provide and promote effective, quality club ministry. Step 4—Meet With Parents Parental support is vital to Girls Ministries. If possible, go over the curriculum with the parents and emphasize the purpose and goals of the program. Reiterate the need for their support and cooperation. Step 5— Meet With Prayer Mothers The prayer mother ministry is a biblical principle in action (Titus 2:3-5). Solicit the Prayer Mothers’ prayer, encouragement, and time. Refer to Heart to Heart-Defining the Prayer Mother Program for a step-by-step guide to beginning this ministry. Step 6—Inform Your Girls Getting Started Initial Steps for a Fashionable Beginning (For All Clubs) Step 1—Consult Your Pastor After praying and seeking the will of God, consult the pastor. He will support Girls Ministries and welcome the opportunity to discuss this inspirational approach for girls. His prayers, advice, and involvement will be valuable. He should be asked about ordering needed materials and about a promotional strategy among adults and youth who are in the church, and youth in the community. Step 2—Involve Your Local Women’s Discipleship Even though Girls Ministries falls under Youth and Discipleship, please seek the help and advice of the local Women’s Discipleship and give them a chance for active involvement. Some women may desire to be prayer mothers. Others may offer homes or facilities for meetings or a kickoff campaign. Some may even assist in purchasing curriculum. Step 3—Review and Order the Material Review the material carefully. Get acquainted with major topics of study included in the curriculum. To have a successful Girls Clubs ministry, it is imperative to secure material and allow time for the mentor to make adequate preparations. An ideal time for clubs to begin is the first Wednesday night of September. Material should be ordered at least one month in advance. Inform the girls about the club. Make them aware of the curriculum format. Generate excitement by introducing some of the forthcoming activities. Encourage them to invite their school friends and neighbors. Step 7—Promote Girls Ministries Promote Girls Ministries through the church bulletin, public announcements, a special newsletter, posters, and other available media. Step 8—Charter and Membership Cards Charter the club, making it an official part of Girls Ministries internationally. When chartering, membership cards are available free of charge, one for each girl. Other material may be ordered as needed found online at www.girlsministries.org. Step 9—Conduct A Kick-off Campaign To begin the year, conduct a kickoff campaign such as an afternoon tea, slumber party, lock-in, or orientation meeting. Make this event exciting and inspirational for the girls. This would be a good time to elect officers, discuss uniforms, pass out a schedule of activities, and talk about any other club business. The state Girls Ministries coordinator would be an ideal speaker for the occasion. Step 10—You Are Ready To Start! Double check curriculum, room setup, supplies, and Prayer Mother assignments. Download a local report form (PDF) from www.girlsministries.org under “reports” or check for the availability of online reporting in your state/region. Make sure to report to the STATE OFFICE by the fifth of each month. Check with the state Girls Ministries coordinator for details on the state Girls Ministries awards program. 9 Chartering Clubs Encouraging new mentors to charter their clubs with International Girls Ministries is important. Chartering is provided online at www.girlsministries.org under “Resources,” “Chartering.” A Church can register online free of charge and receive membership cards for their girls. The purpose is to be able to identify each club with its own unique number, which will stay with them regardless of the activity of the church. Some state coordinators have made it a requirement for clubs to be chartered before they can win the “Club of the Year” award because chartering is the “official” way to become part of the Girls Clubs organization. How Does A Club Become Chartered? For a group to become a chartered club, go to www.girlsministries.org, “Resources,” “Chartering.” Complete the online form and submit. There is no charge for the charter and membership cards can also be requested. The International Girls Ministries Department will process the charter(s) and send them to the State/Regional Girls Ministries Coordinator. She will sign the charter and mail it to the person/ church who requested it. The Pastor will also need to sign the charter certificate. Charter certificates are suitable for framing and display. The church’s name, chartering date, and assigned number are on the certificate as well as signatures of the International Girls Ministries Coordinator, State/ Regional Girls Ministries Coordinator and pastor. A permanent record is kept on file with the International Girls Ministries Department as well as the State/ Regional office. Rechartering Clubs 10 If your club has lost its charter certificate or would like to replace it, you may go online and submit your information on the charter request form. When asked if it’s a new club, check no. You may call your State/Regional Girls Ministries Coordinator for your assigned charter number if you don’t know it or contact the International Girls Ministries Coordinator at www.girlsministries.org. Please provide your church file number when requesting this information (the church file number is the number your church was issued when it officially became part of the Church of God—your pastor will have this information). See page 12 for Charter flyer. Local Club General Information The following information relates to the local church, club, and mentor. It is basic for all three clubs. Becoming a Member Girls Clubs are for any girl in grades preschool-12 (Little Sweethearts—Preschool; Bluebelles—Grades 1-3; Joy Belles—Grades 4-6; YLM—Grades 7-12). The girl does not have to be a member of the Church of God or a Christian. Of course, the highest aspiration is that every club member will become a Christian, be sanctified, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. However, this is also an outreach ministry to all girls, drawing them first to the church and then to Christ as their Savior. Uniform Backpacks, a sash pattern, iron-on transfers, and club insignias are available from Pathway Press (www. pathwaybookstore.com or 1-800-553-8506). The girls in the clubs should be encouraged to use their own ideas and club colors to create their own unique uniforms. Officers Being an officer of Girls Clubs is not only a great honor, but also a time for training. It is good for each member to hold some office for a designated period of time. These can be appointed by the mentor or voted on by the girls. Officers include a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Having club officers is at the discretion of the mentor or local coordinator as it is not mandatory. Club Divisions When the number of girls in a club reaches 10-12, there may be a need to divide into smaller groups. This allows for more personal attention. If it becomes necessary to divide a club, it should be done by grade level. Mentors may be selected for each group, or one mentor may use assistants. The entire club can come together for devotions and study time and then divide into groups for activities. As in any part of the Girls Clubs program, this is left to the discretion of the mentor. Finance Girls Clubs will be faced with the expense of materials, socials, special projects, etc. The means of acquiring finances for these items is decided on by the mentor in consultation with the pastor and Women’s Discipleship director. Some clubs have the girls pay dues. Many of the clubs launch fundraising activities to cover expenses. The mentor knows best what will work in her own club. The mentor and club treasurer should keep an accurate record of all finances and be able to submit a report at any time. Reporting It is very important that the club secretary or mentor report each month to the state office, postmarked/ emailed by the fifth of each month. The state Girls Ministries coordinator then compiles a report from all the clubs reporting to her and sends a composite report to the international Girls Ministries coordinator. Faithful reporting keeps the state and international coordinators informed as to the progress of the clubs and assists in planning for future ministry. Prayer Mother Ministry This ministry is beneficial to the girls and women who volunteer their time. In the Prayer Mother ministry, a woman is assigned a girl to pray for daily, encourage in church attendance, listen when they have something to say, assist with curriculum if needed, remember on special occasions, and provide moral support. The girl is also a blessing to her Prayer Mother. She prays for her daily, remembers her on special occasions, and joins her in various activities. • Heart to Heart—Defining the Prayer Mother Program is a step-by-step guide to beginning this ministry in the local church and is available from Pathway Press (order online at www. pathwaybookstore.com or call 800-553-8506). Love Drops, an installation ceremony for the prayer mothers and daughters, and a Teddy Bear Tea Party were also written for this program. Commitment cards and ribbons are available for purchase. • Subscribe to and promote Insight (free email subscription). 11 12 Super’’ ‘‘ models Structure & FormS Practical Pointers for Mentors Get your club organized: 1.Lessons: Always have a lesson planned with activities. 2. Room organization: Keeping things organized helps you be able to find things quickly. 3. Keep records on your students and a log of weekly class activities: Always contact your students if they miss over one week. 4. Find out if your club is chartered. 5.If you are doing something special or need parents to know something, always send home notes: Never assume children will remember important events. 6. Get started on your METC. 7. Adjust materials, ages, and programs to fit your church. 8. Subscribe to Insight Webzine (free resource) at www.girlsministries.org. 9. Download a local report form (PDF) from www.girlsministries.org under “reports” or check for the availability of onine reporting in your state/region.. 10.Start a Prayer Mother program: Clubs may only be able to have one prayer mother per club, or some may be able to have one for every girl. Reporting: 1. Report by the fifth of each month. 2. Make sure to list all services and social projects. State Girls Event: 1. Always try to attend State Girls Events: If you are starting a club, it is a good way to get your girls and leaders excited. 2. How to compete: At State Girls Events get a list of awards presented and start from there— missions, Club of the Year, Mentor of the Year, craft project, etc. Missions: 1. Girls on a Mission and/or YWEA 2. Translation of literature 3.Orphanages 4. Covenant Ministries Contacts: 1. Always go to your Girls Ministries coordinator first. 2.Your state coordinator’s website link can be found on the Girls Ministries website: www. girlsministries.org. Things you should know before starting a club: 1. Never be alone with a child. 2.Make sure there are at least two teachers in every classroom. 3. If possible, make sure there are hall monitors at 13 all times to monitor people entering and leaving your building. 4. Make sure you know the history of the adults you have teaching. 5. If a child ever reports any type of abuse, it is your responsibility to report it to the pastor or higher authorities. 6. Before going on any outing, always make sure you have permission slips signed and notarized. Ways to make your club more inviting: 1.Make your room friendly and fun (age appropriate). 2. Be fun, be prepared, and get down on their level. Fun ideas: 1. Princess Party: Let girls dress up in costumes and have a tea party. 2. Harvest Festival: Have each class decorate a car trunk and give out treats. 3. Have birthday parties for each girl: Remember, not all children have great home lives. 4. At Easter, have a Passover feast: Prepare foods that were eaten during Passover. 5. Teach on foot washing and communion: Use wet wipes to wash feet. 6.Send birthday cards from the girls to senior citizens in your church. 7.Have special people come in and teach on hygiene: Dental hygienists, nurses, etc. 8. Take trips. 9. Host a Back to School Bash. 10.Have a coloring contest, movie night, ice cream party and contest. 11.Have girls help with activities coming up in your church. Fundraising and Missions Ideas: 14 1.Auctions 2.Doughnuts 3.Candles 4. Pizza cards 5. Have someone donate a Christmas item and have girls take donations that allow people to enter a drawing for the item (Christmas tree, wreath, gift baskets, etc.). 6. Church directories 7.Soup labels and boxtops for the Home for Children 8. Donate any items that can be used by the Home for Children or a particular orphanage/charity you wish to support. General Teaching Tips • Have your meetings planned and all the needed materials on hand. Be prepared with supplemental activities for lessons that don’t go as planned or for other emergencies that may arise. • Maintain order in meetings. Children like order because it gives them security. • Have girls sit in a circle during the lesson. Be sure to ask for their ideas and experiences. We often get so busy we forget to listen to what children have to say. Encourage your girls to talk. • The most important thing you can do is show the girls love and concern. Get to know them individually. Effective teaching is based on a warm and caring relationship with each girl. • De-emphasize competition; emphasize unity and teamwork. • Remember, children learn best by “doing” rather than by “listening.” • Offer help as needed, but encourage independence. This can help each girl gain self-confidence and a positive self-image. • Make directions simple. Showing a completed sample craft project while giving instructions will help the girls visualize the process involved. • Meetings should be enjoyable. Come with a smile and a happy heart and it will overflow to the girls. Maintain a calm and pleasant voice and manner. • Give advance warning that an activity is about to end. For example, alert the girls when they have five more minutes to complete an activity, rather than ending it abruptly. • Use positive reinforcement. Praise good efforts and appropriate behavior. Focus on the positive achievements of each girl rather than her mistakes. • Encourage, but not insist on, participation by everyone in every activity. For example, insisting that a shy girl talk in front of the group may intimidate her and cause her to avoid the meetings. • Every meeting should open with prayer, but it is not necessary to take prayer requests each time. Many times it is more appropriate to wait until the closing prayer. Due to time constraints, it may be wise during some sessions to mention the requests the girls have written on their attendance record sheets (see page 18) or just have the girls raise their hands. Use variety when it comes to prayer time; be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit and be led by Him. The time spent with your girls is precious and often not enough. It is important to gather all materials needed in advance to make the most of your time. This can be accomplished by placing the appropriate craft items in individual bags. • Use different methods to help the girls memorize their Bible verses. You may wish to play a simple game. For example, you could pass a ball or other small object around the circle of girls and have each girl say the next word in the verse, including the reference. • When girls recite the Bible verses, a little prompting is ok (especially for the younger girls). You do not want them to become discouraged in learning Scripture. It is important they understand what the verse means, rather than correctly reciting every word. • Children like to talk about their experiences. Many times when one child does so, it causes others to tell their stories. You will need to control the amount of verbal sharing at every meeting. Use caution when you have to halt the discussion—you do not want to hurt girls who are anxious to speak. Make a note of those who did not get to share and allow them to be the first to talk next time. During special events like parties or sleepovers, plan a time for girls to share their experiences, dreams, and ideas. This is a good time to have girls share until they are all talked out! Mentor ’s Yearly Planning Guide September. Plan a “Welcome Back to Girls Clubs” Party! You can do one for each club or all clubs together, inviting friends and family members. National Day of Prayer. Free subscription to Insight webzine available online at www.girlsministries.org. October. “Harvest Festival” theme with service projects for the Home for Children. November. “Be Thankful” theme with emphasis on family and those without the necessities of life. Service projects to the needy and spreading God’s Word through world missions will encourage reaching out. Honor senior citizens of the church/community. December. “Remember Jesus” theme. Excellent time to reach out to the needy and shut-ins of the community as well as the church. Promote family togetherness during the Christmas season. January. “Off to a New Start” theme emphasiz- ing goal-setting and spiritual evaluation. Start a new outreach to your community through nursing home visitation/singing/Bible reading or children’s hospital visitation. Begin preparing for National Girls Ministries Week. February. “God Is Love” theme. Celebrate International Girls Ministries Week during Valentine’s Day week. Present this year’s new IGMW program to church. Plan week of special events/activities for girls to show love to home, church, community, and world. March. “I Was Sick and You Visited Me” theme. National Shut-in Day is March 31 of each year. Do special projects for those in your church who cannot help themselves. Start promoting State/Regional Girls Event. April. “Jesus Christ Lives Today!” theme. Spread the Good News to those in your community and world. Give special recognition to your pastor and family. Promote the state girls event. Work on completing curriculum requirements. May. “Remember Mom” theme. Do something special for mothers and prayer mothers (example: make a craft, have a tea party). Attend state girls event. Plan your own awards/ promotion ceremony. 15 June. “Remember Dad” theme. Do something Planning Club Activities special for girls’ fathers (example: a Daddy/Daughter picnic; for those without a father, let them invite one from church). Also, it’s camp meeting and youth camp time! Encourage girls to attend. Provide a scholarship for a child to go to youth camp; lives are changed here. • It is important to meet with your pastor/church leadership when planning your club’s activities for the year. • Remember to allow for spring and fall breaks, Easter and Christmas holidays, and any other holidays that may affect your class time. July. “Pray for our Nation” theme. Also remember our brave men and women in the military stationed all over the world. Work on merit studies. August. “Family Vacation Time” theme. For those not on vacation, plan a travel time visiting a mission field with “tickets,” special food, guests, and films. • Know your church’s rules on using facilities (i.e., prior consent, cleanup, etc.) A blank monthly calendar (p. 19) is provided for you to use and copy when planning your club’s activities. Sample Release Form Church of God Girls Ministries Church of God GirlsRelease Ministries Parent/Guardian Form Parent/GuardianReleaseForm Name of Activity ____________________________________________Date ___________ I grant permission for _____________________________________________ to travel with the (name of child) __________________________________Church of God for the above-listed activity. This (local church name) signed form releases the ____________________________ Church of God and all staff (local church name) members of this church from any responsibility with regard to injury that may occur while participating in this activity. I give the proper authorities permission to treat my ______________________________ during any sickness or emergency that might occur. (child, granddaughter, etc.) Parent/Guardian Name__________________________ ___________________________ (your signature) (print your full name) Address__________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ (city) (state) (zip) Phone___________________________________________________________________ (home) (cell) Insurance Company_________________________________________________________ Policy Number_____________________________________________________________ (allergies to medicine, foods, etc.; medications my child must take; other medical problems) Other information_________________________________________________________ 16 ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ (When possible, photocopy or print this form on your church stationery.) ________________________________________________________________________ Ideas for Socials and Service Projects Socials “Moving Up Party” for girls rising to BlueBelles Pizza parties Scrapbooking Christmas parties State Girls Event Christmas parade Birthday parties School colors night Ice cream parties Valentine’s parties Swimming parties Skating parties Apple Party in the fall Back to School Party Service Projects • Make gift/snack basket for local fire (police, hospital, etc.) department • Soup labels and boxtops for Home for Children • Food bank/canned food drive • Send food to the pastor and church staff. • Nursing home visits (collect/donate magazines, hand lotion, lip balm, and candy) • Adopt-A-Grandparent • House Cleanup (for elderly and shut-ins) • Letters to injured children of missionaries • Make Father’s Day gifts • Buy Bibles for those in the class who don’t have one. • Make cards for elderly church members. • Fundraisers (Example: Baby bottle fundraiser to assist a “Pregnancy Crisis Center”) • Send get well cards to the sick in the church. • Send flowers when someone loses a loved one. • Give love offering to a missionary. • Deliver food to a needy family. • Send cards to those who have had surgery in the church and injured servicemen/women. • Particpate in “Operation Christmas Child” and similar organizations. • Make Christmas gifts for the less fortunate and for the elderly. • Serve other departments in the church. • Help with holiday productions in the church. • Participate in International Girls Ministries Week— Girls on a Mission Awards Celebration Many churches hold their own end of year party or awards celebration where the girls are recognized for their accomplishments during the year and receive their awards. This is a perfect time to present them with unit badges, yearly badges and Merit Study badges they have earned.. Time: This can be held on a Wednesday night. You could ask the pastor if he/she would like to recognize the girls in church or if he/she would prefer to have it in another location such as a fellowship hall or a room large enough to accommodate everyone. It would be good to invite the children’s pastor or youth pastor or if they aren’t available, the senior pastor. Also invite the parents and prayer mothers to attend. The mentor or pastor may present the awards. Prayer mothers can also assist. Decorations: They can be anything fun and colorful! There are many options at party stores, craft stores and even places like the Dollar Tree. In addition to their awards, you may want to present each girl with a colorful flower (could be in club colors of orange or blue; usually found in craft stores such as Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, etc.) or even real flowers. Light refreshments may be provided (enlist the help of mothers or prayer mothers by providing a sign-up sheet or assigning a particular item to bring). Program: Begin by greeting everyone and opening with prayer. Have the girls recite their tenets and possibly share what they’ve learned in class this year. They could perform a skit from one of their lessons. This ceremony should be about them. The mentor or pastor can present them their awards, certificate(s) and flowers (involve Prayer Mothers). Have someone available to take pictures and later provide them for each girl if possible. NOTE: If a girl has come into the club in the middle of the year or hasn’t had time to earn awards, have a small gift for her and express what a blessing it is to have her as a part of BlueBelles. Please include everyone. It would be nice to give a personal remark about each girl (at least one affirming comment about them) when presenting their awards. Following the awards presentation, invite everyone to enjoy the refreshments. Other end of year parties could include a sleepover, pool party, day event at a local amusement park, makeover party, etc. This can be done in conjunction with an awards celebration or a totally separate event. 17 A few fun ideas: Monthly Attendance Sheets • Have a teddy bear or surprise gift delivered to each girl at her school. • Balloon Release—put church address and scripture inside balloons, fill with helium and release. Contact the local newspaper to do an article about the release and your club. Class Name: ______________________ • “Princess for a Day”—Have a ball, complete with formal wear, tiaras, doing nails/hair, Guest speaker on “Inner Beauty”, reception following. Weekly Attendance: Month: __________________________ Week 1: ______________ Week 2: ______________ Week 3: ______________ Week 4: ______________ Week 5: ______________ Total Monthly Attendance: _______________ BB Girl Weekly Attendance Record Mentors in your room receiving Insight: ___ Name: _________________________ ___________________________________ Date: __________________________ ___________________________________ 1.Attendance ___ ___________________________________ 2. Brought a Bible ___ 3. Brought a Visitor ___ 4.Offering/dues ___ 5. Soup Labels ___ 6. Special Projects ___ 7. Attended a Social Event ___ 8. Called Your BB friend ___ 9. Dressed in club ___ t-shirt/uniform ___ 10.BONUS If you get a check by at least four of the above you will receive a bonus! 18 ___ TOTAL ___ Describe merit/achievement program: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Social or Service Projects (use the back for more than 5): 1. _____________________________ 2. _____________________________ 3. _____________________________ Special Prayer Need __________ 4. _____________________________ ____________________________ 5. ________________________________ 19 SUNDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Month: __________________ Year: _________ TUESDAY WEDNESDAYTHURSDAY Monthly Planning Calendar MONDAY LocalGirlsClubs Girls Clubs Local Monthly Monthly Report Form Report Form Office Use Only Date _____________ Date _____________ Amount$_____________ Amount $_____________ Check # _____________ Check# _____________ Translation $_____________ Translation$_____________ GOAM $_____________ GOAM/YWEA$_____________ Orphanages $_____________ Orphanages$_____________ YWEA $_____________ Mail Report All Girls Clubs reports must be postmarked by the fifth of each month and mailed to your STATE OFFICE. Check the clubs for which this report is being made. Month____________ Year______________ LS BB JB YLM Name of Church_________________________________________________________ City__________________________State________Zip_______________Church File No.__________ 1. Number of meetings _______________ 2. Total attendance _______________ 3. Number of Prayer Mothers _______________ 4. Number of girls working on curriculum _______________ 5. Number of girls working on Merit Studies _______________ 6. Number of women receiving Insight _______________ 7. Number of socials or service projects* _______________ *Please list your club’s activities on a separate sheet of paper and include it with this report. HIGHLIGHT YOUR GIRLS CLUB’S ACTIVITIES List social activities and service projects in which your Girls Clubs participated this month on a separate sheet of paper and include it with this report. (See “Explanations” on page 2 for examples.) MISSIONS MONEY ENCLOSED: Translations 1.1.Translations 2.2.Girls on a Mission GOAM/YWEA 3. Orphanages Orphanages 4.3.Covenant Sister 5.4.YWEA Covenant Sister $_____________ $____________ $____________ $_____________ $____________ $_____________ $____________ $____________ $_____________ NAME OF MENTOR COUNSELOR_________________________________________________________________ PHONE________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS______________________________________________________________________________ CITY______________________________________STATE_______________ZIP____________________ SECRETARY/TREASURER_______________________________________________________________ Please note if there has been a counselor and/or address change this month. 20 LocalGirlsClubs MonthlyReport Explanations Introduction: Girls Clubs is a vital ministry of the International Please check the club for which you are reporting. It is very important that you include your church file number. This number can be obtained from your local church clerk. Please make a copy of your reports and keep on file for the church. The report files are the property of the local church, not the personal property of the mentor. Church of God. Each local club is part of a larger body of girls throughout the world. In order for the international office to keep accurate records of this very active ministry, it is extremely important that each club complete this monthly report and mail it to the State/Regional Coordinator. This report will provide accurate records of your progress and achievement of your local club. The state coordinator will then tabulate these figures and send them to the international office. Number of meetings: Meetings should be counted any time the girls meet as a group. Total attendance: Count the number of girls, mentors, helpers, and prayer mothers that are present at each meeting. These added together will be the total attendance (do not average). Example: If two meetings were held one month with a total of five present at the first meeting and 10 at the second, the total attendance for the month would be 15.) Number of Prayer Mothers: Every prayer mother assigned to your girls should be counted each month. Number of girls working on curriculum: This is the number of girls working on the curriculum this month. It is not necessary for them to have earned badges to be counted in this figure. When the report has been carefully and neatly completed, it should be postmarked/emailed by the fifth of the month and sent to your state office. Check with your state coordinator for availability of online reporting. Number of girls working on Merit Studies: This is the number of girls actually working on a merit study as it is being conducted. The study does not have to be completed for them to be counted in this figure. Number of women receiving Insight: Total number of current or new subscriptions to Insight (our webzine) this month. Insight Magazine Insight is a webzine for Girls’ Ministries teachers, prayer mothers, and other church leaders. This exciting publication contains related articles, teaching tools, crafts and activities of other clubs. Please visit our home page, www.girlsministries.org and sign up for Insight online by submitting your name and email address. There is no charge for this resource. Number of socials or service projects: List your Girls Clubs activities. Total number of social activities (skating, pizza party, sleep-over, etc.) and service projects (church clean-up day, nursing home visitation, food drive, etc.) Missions Money Enclosed: This should be the total amount of money raised and enclosed with the report for the month for Translation of literature, Girls On A Mission and/or YWEA, Orphanages, Covenant Sister. 21 Prayer Mother Ministry The youth in our churches benefit from having friendships with adults. Many will develop a special bond with adults other than their parents. Unfortunately, this sometimes creates a twofold problem—some youth can’t seem to develop such an important friendship and some adults are not appropriate role models. The Prayer Mother program was developed for this purpose. Through this ministry, a Christian woman is paired with a club member and they covenant to pray daily for each other. Building this relationship, a bond of love and trust is developed, and generational barriers are torn down. The opportunity for blessings and life-changing benefits for youth and adults are unbelievably enormous. When prayer is woven tightly into the program from the beginning, the potential for success will be increased. Our girls deserve all the caring, teaching, and training we can give them. The program can be customized to each individual church; some design it to be very detailed, while others choose to keep it short and concise. For a step-by-step guide to the Prayer Mother program, Heart to Heart may be ordered online from www. pathwaybookstore.com or by calling 800-553-8506. Love Drops, a Prayer Mother/Daughter installation program, and a Teddy Bear Tea Party are available from the department, as well as commitment cards and ribbons. A Prayer Mother Brochure can be downloaded on the Girls Ministries website at: www.girlsministries.org. Click on “Prayer Mother Ministry.” International Girls Ministries Week Each year during the week of Valentine’s Day, we celebrate International Girls Ministries Week. This is a special time to recognize the efforts and dedication of our Girls Clubs members, mentors, and prayer mothers and to advertise to local communities the ministry available to them through Girls Clubs. 22 A program will be written each year with special emphasis for Girls On A Mission. The program may be about a specific missions project (YWEA) or a select study. You should be receiving information from your State/Regional Girls Ministries Coordinator in late fall/early winter. This will give you time to plan ahead. The program is celebrated in February, the week of Valentine’s Day, but can be done any time prior to your State/Regional Girls’ Event. Monies will need to be turned in to your State/Regional Girls Ministries Coordinator typically before your state Girls Event (to count towards awards). Please check with your State/ Regional Coordinator about the deadline for GOAM offerings. The program may be ordered through Girls Ministries online at www.girlsministries.org, go to Resources, GOAM or by calling 423-478-7824. Voluntary offerings are received during the International Girls Ministries Week for Girls on a Mission and translation of Girls Clubs material. Local churches should send their offerings to the State/ Regional Girls Ministries Coordinator. These funds are greatly appreciated and should be earmarked for Girls on a Missions or Girls Clubs Translations, specifically for Girls Ministries. A sample form is included for you to review. Your State/Regional Girls Ministries coordinator may provide a custom form for you to use. If not, the one included may be used. Please help us promote this exciting time among your churches and clubs! Send reports and pictures of special activities in your state to the international coordinator to be included in Insight. Kids love to see themselves in the limelight! Although we encourage Girls Ministries Week to be celebrated the week of Valentine’s Day, the program is adaptable to be used anytime during the year. If a different time suits your church better, then participate whenever you feel appropriate. We would rather you celebrate at a more suitable time than to not participate at all. An important thing for the girls to learn during this week is that our gifts and talents are useless without love. Share 1 Corinthians 13 with them so they will have a better understanding of how important love is in reaching out to others. International Girls MinistriesWeek ResponseForm Please complete and return to: __________________________________________________________________ (Your State Office Address) Church: ___________________________________________ Mentor: ___________________________________________ oYLM oJB oBB oLS Total Amount Raised for: Translation of Girls Clubs Material: $_______ Girls on a Mission: $_______ (Enclose check payable to Church of God State Fund.) Describe your activities throughout the week and enclose pictures, if possible. Anything you submit may be included in state paper or newsletter statewide. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ (Use back of form if needed.) 23 MentorEnrichment Training Course If your mentors (counselors) do not receive training, it may be difficult for them to have a successful club. This course is designed to assist them with some of the unique challenges they will face, as well as acquaint them with the Church of God. The METC manual can be ordered online at www.pathwaybookstore.com or by calling 800-553-8506. The course can be taken as a group or individually at one’s own pace. Once completed, the response form should be filled out completely, signed by the pastor, and returned to the International Girls Ministries coordinator (PO Box 2430, Cleveland, TN 37320-2430). A certificate will be prepared and sent to the state Girls Ministries coordinator for her signature and then forwarded to the pastor for his signature and presentation to the mentor. Many state coordinators give METC graduates special recognition in their newsletter, state paper, and at their state event. Make sure you are on the state Girls Ministries coordinator’s mailing list to receive information pertaining to your state/region’s newsletter and events. Local Girls Ministries Coordinator SUGGESTED JOB DESCRIPTION • Meet with pastor and staff for calendar approval. • Order curriculum in advance. • Review curriculum with mentors and be able to answer any questions. 24 • Review badge awards and assist mentors in making sure each active girl has them. • Schedule awards service for badges and graduations. • Report monthly to state headquarters. • Establish uniform parameters with consideration toward girls’ input (at each age level). • Meet monthly with mentors to review and affirm. • Promote Prayer Mother Program and be sure each girl has a “mom.” • Schedule outings for girls, both together and separately by age group. • Register all groups for annual state girls’ events and arrange transportation, permission forms, etc. • Send pictures and newsworthy articles to State Girls Ministries Coordinator for inclusion in the state paper, and to the International Girls Ministries Coordinator for inclusion in Insight. • Provide additional reading/resource alternatives for mentors. • Organize Merit Study breaks from curriculum and hold awards service at completion. • Keep mentors informed and encourage girls’ participation in state and international functions. • Maintain consistent communication with state Girls Ministries coordinator. • Plan and implement annual Mother/Daughter banquet. • Promote girls’ participation in missions giving to Girls on a Mission and/or YWEA, translation of material, orphanages, and Covenant Sisters. • Order Girls Ministries Week curriculum by December. • Plan and implement Girls Ministries Week (Valentine’s week) activities and (with pastor’s approval) send offering for Girls on a Mission/translation of material to International Girls Ministries Coordinator. • Order and supervise Mentor Enrichment Training Course (self-study) for mentors and assistants and hold awards service upon completion. • Attend and promote state meetings such as Camp Meeting, Prayer Conference, and Ministries Training Seminars, Conferences for teacher training, and area Kidfests. • Make sure classes have teachers on time (if held on Wednesday evening) and improvise if not. • Subscribe to and promote Insight (free resource) at www.girlsministries.org. Mentor’s Resources Children Children’s Ministry—Provides practical ideas, seasonal lessons, volunteer training, crafts, games, new product reviews, reproducible parent and teacher pages, and spiritual encouragement. Each issue is offered in two formats—a traditional print format delivered to your mailbox and a new digital format accessed through your inbox before it goes to press. You choose the delivery format that is right for you. Published bimonthly by Group Publishing, Inc., www.grouppublishing.com To order: Children’s Ministry (800) 447-1070 (U.S. customers) (800) 403-5598 (Canadian customers) Online: www.childrensministry.com Family Fun Magazine—A great resource for creative crafts and recipes, as well as expert tips on parenting and parties. Online ordering: www.familyfun.com. Websites www.madaboutjesus.net—Free exciting, fascinating, and memorable scientifically based object lessons to teach biblical truths to children. www.kidology.org—Their mission is to equip and encourage those who minister to children, via their website, and through providing practical training, creative teaching resources, and personal consultation. www.childrensministry.net—Provides quality children’s ministry networking and linking to equip leaders for effective ministry. For a comprehensive listing of children’s ministry magazines and websites and their ratings, go to www.agapesearch. com/childrens-ministries.html General Leadership—A magazine for Christian education workers. Published quarterly by Pathway Press. To order: Pathway Press 1080 Montgomery Ave., NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (800) 553-8506 Fax: (800) 546-7590 Online: www.pathwaypress.org David C. Cook Publishing—Will list toddler and preschool ministry, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and adult ministry. Click on the area of interest and find a variety of ministry resources including curriculum, activities, games, and crafts. Online: www.cookministries.com. Lifeway Christian Stores—includes news and articles, ministry resources, program curricula, online store, events information, products and materials, and Christian tools. To order: (800) 448-8032 Online: www.lifeway.com Oriental Trading Company, Inc.—Assortment of toys, novelties, crafts, and candies. Oriental Trading now has “Hands on Fun!” creativity for the classroom at www. handsonfun.com. To order: (800) 348-6483 Online: www.orientaltrading.com S&S Christian Activities—Carries VBS kits and resources, arts and crafts supplies, youth ministry resources, games, sports, prizes, awards, and party decorations. To order: (800) 288-9941 Fax: (800) 566-6678 Online: ssww.com/Christian Shindigz—World’s largest party superstore. All kinds of party supplies, decorations, banners, photo murals, etc. To order: (800) 314-8736 Online: www.shindigz.com Music in Motion—Their online store features over 4,000 music-related items such as instruments, games, teaching aids, posters, awards, stickers, and more. They also offer a collection of over 1,000 books, audios and videos for teachers and musicians of all ages. They have creative dramatics materials including puppets, masks, hats, props, lights, and other performance accessories. To order: Music in Motion PO Box 869231 Plano, TX 75086-9231 (800) 807-3520 Fax: (972) 943-8906 Online: www.musicinmotion.com Interested in Prayer Journals? Go to journalinglife.com. For kids prayer journals, go to www.CTAinc.com—Christian Tools of Affirmation or call toll free: (888)285-3598. For another prayer journal option, go to www.homeschooloasis.com/shop.cfm (catalog # HSO-PJ). 25 Developmental Characteristics of Your BB Girl Attributes of First Graders The average six-year-old is extremely egocentric and wants to be the center of attention. She: • Wants to be the “best” and “first.” • Has boundless energy. • May be oppositional, silly, brash, and critical. • Cries easily; shows a variety of tensionreleasing behavior. • Is attached to the teacher. • Has difficulty being flexible. • Often considers fantasy real. • Developing small-muscle coordination; beginning to write. Attributes of Second Graders At seven, students begin to calm down a bit. They: • Begin to reason and concentrate. • Worry, are self-critical, and may express a lack of confidence. • Demand more of their teacher’s time. • Dislike being singled out, even for praise. • Usually prefer to stick to same-sex friendships. • Thrive on organized games and group activities. 26 Attributes of Third Graders The average eight-year-old is explosive, excitable, dramatic, and inquisitive. She: • Possesses a “know-it-all” attitude. • Is able to assume some responsibility for her actions. • Actively seeks praise. • May undertake more than she can handle successfully. • Is self-critical. • Recognizes the needs of others. Spiritual Development: • Understand God’s love and God’s world through personal experience. • Don’t comprehend the spiritual nature of God; think of God as a giant, a magician, or an invisible man. • Don’t comprehend the Bible’s chronology except that the Old Testament came before Jesus and the New Testament talks about Jesus. • Have a literal and concrete understanding of Bible stories and biblical truths; don’t comprehend abstract ideas such as the Trinity. ike r t S a Pose Bluebelles Tenets BlueBelles Scripture “Love one another” —John 13:35 Bluebelles believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word. We believe that God speaks to us through the Bible about His plan for our lives. Jesus, God’s Son, tells us the most important thing He wants us to do is love God and each other. That is why the Bluebelles have taken this verse as their very own. Bluebelles should memorize this commandment from God and, even more importantly, show their love to others. BlueBelles Pledge As a Bluebelle, I will try to do my best for Jesus at all times. I will let His love shine through me to others. A pledge is a promise we make to others and to ourselves. Saying this pledge means that we promise to love Jesus, live for Him, and show His love to people around them by being kind, courteous, and helpful. BlueBelles Motto BlueBelles Flower A motto is a short expression that describes a special quality about you or your character. As Bluebelles we can ring out and model God’s love in many ways. We can tell others how much God loves them and we can show them His love with a cheerful spirit. Our club flower is the bluebell. The bluebell is a common name for many unrelated plants with blue, bell-shaped flowers. These flowers are from different flower families and flourish in many different countries, but they are all part of the bluebell family. Just like bluebell flowers, our Bluebelles Girls Clubs consist of many girls from different countries who belong to unrelated families, and yet we are all part of one big family—the family of God. It is wonderful to be a part of the Bluebelles family! Ringing out God’s love. Bluebell 27 BlueBelles Colors Our BlueBelles colors are blue, orange and white. Our Girls Ministries color is purple. BLUE: Stands for loyalty, faithfulness and truth (honesty). Bluebelles should always be true blue! ORANGE: Represents sunshine, love, and happiness. Bluebelles should shine as bright as the sun for Jesus! WHITE:Stands for purity. Jesus wants us to be pure in heart and body. PURPLE: 28 28 Represents royalty and kingship. Bluebelles who love and serve Jesus are children of the King! Uniforms Clubs can choose their own t-shirts. Iron-on transfers are available for purchase. Merit study badges as well as other badges may be displayed on sashes (patterns may be ordered) or club book bags. Awards You may have either unit stickers or unit badges awarded once a unit is completed. Unit stickers can be placed on the last page of your student booklet. Unit badges, yearly badges and merit study badges may be sewn on sashes or club book bags. Membership Card You also get a membership card when you become a BlueBelle. Your mentor will give it you. You can tell your friends about BlueBelles!