The Ultimate Book of Preteen Devotions

As Children's Ministry Coordinator, I've searched endlessly for a good, long-term use, devotional/lesson book for my 5th/6th graders. With ages ranging from 9 - 13, it's been hard finding a publisher who makes lessons that will appeal to everyone. This one is great! The devotions are quick and easy to prepare, incredibly doable on a tight budget (can I get an amen!?), and most importantly, FUN! Devotions are divided into sections: "About Faith", "About Friends", "About Families", "About School", About MY World", About Special Days". You can also search by scripture reference in the index or by theme. Each devotion has a Title, theme, scripture reference, summary, preparation (you'll need), and body. Instead of the same format again and again, inventive object lessons utilizine food, media, arts, discussion, independent work, action, and more to teach important ideas. Some of my favorites include Power! (pg 8), Re-Paint-ance (pg 15), and Cash Stash (pg 60). Power! is about the Holy Spirit's power in our lives, an invisible force moving us forward. Kids will create a hovercraft out of plastic soda bottle necks and plastic foam bowls. A quick puff into the mouth of the bottle and the bowl lifts up and floats along. Re-paint-ance talks about - you guessed it - repentance. Kids will paint over old paintings (from a thrift store or such). In art circles, this is called "pentimento", an Italian term meaning "repentance." It describes the practice of painted over a pre-existing painting, showing that the artist ha changed his/her mind about the first painting. Cash Stash accomplishes two things. First, kids will discover whether they make tithing and giving a priority and second, it will teach them to budget their money. Each kid (or group) gets a handful of Monopoly money or photocopies of the money printed in the book and instructions to make a budget for this money. This is a definite MUST HAVE for all Sunday school programs with a preteen class. You'll love it!