Special Features - Fall 2023
Back-to-School in God’s Word: Two Book Reviews
By Ana Avila
Knowable Word: Helping Ordinary People Learn to Study the Bible ~ by Peter Krol
When I read this book, I immediately thought of sharing it with our church. It is an excellent book for anyone who loves God and His Word, and wants to study the Bible more in depth by learning a practical study method known as: Observation – Interpretation – and Application (OIA). Through the use of this method, you will be able to learn:
First – Observation: pay better attention to a particular passage of scripture by taking into consideration the context in which the author wrote it.
Second – Interpretation: explore what the fact of right context in the passage means to us as 21st century Christians.
Third – Application: learn how to apply those Biblical truths in the passage to your own life.
Also, Krol explains pitfalls to avoid in studying -- particularly Bible verses that you have heard many times in your life. This book is a great help to leaders who not only teach the Bible, but want to equip others to have a richer, more meaningful time of both personal and corporate study of God’s Word.
[NOTE: Peter Krol has a newsletter called, “Knowable Word,” that can be subscribed to online. It is published twice a week.]
Show Them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids ~ by Jack Klumpenhower
This book is similar to Knowable Word, but it is geared toward those parents and teachers of young children through middle school ages. It is more foundational, but outlines the same principles for a deeper study of the Bible with a younger audience in mind. This book teaches about the Person of Jesus and His Kingdom work, and how to discover the gospel connections in every Bible story. It is an “instruction manual with a simple framework and real-life examples,” and gives parent/teacher a greater resource for an opportunity to Show Them Jesus.
A Note from Ana ~
Studying the Bible is such an important, special part of my life. For the longest time I was reading God’s Word, but not going into any depth in my study. When I attended a Christian Women’s Workshop, I learned how to rightly study in a way that opened my mind to love Jesus and His Word more and more. Everything changed for me in those moments – now many years ago. May I encourage you to delve into these Bible study helps that will stretch your mind and bless your heart in ways you may never have thought possible.
I would like to invite you to join me in listening to this familiar worship song by Keith and Kristyn Getty called, “Speak O Lord”. Even if you know it by heart (like I do), let’s just allow the words to speak to us. Ask God to teach you the truths of these words, and hear from Him how He can change and mold us more into the image of Jesus. Be inspired!
Recipe and Craft Ideas
Apple Dump Cake
*Can make in the oven OR in the crock pot*
When you think of fall and cooler weather, there is something so comforting about a fresh-baked apple pie. But in these busy days, you don’t often have the time for making a pie from scratch so this is a great alternative – a delicious dessert that is “as easy as pie!” This simple recipe gives that same comforting feeling with minimal time and effort to make it. Try it! You’ll definitely thank us later :)
Materials Needed:
- Apple pie filling (28 oz can)
- Box cake mix (Yellow/White or Spice cake work best)
- Butter (one stick per box of cake mix and large can of apple filling)
- Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Dump Apple pie filling into pan or crock pot
- Dump dry cake mix on top
- Slice stick of butter and layer on top
- Don’t stir!
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes OR cook on low in crock put for 1.5-2 hours
- Remember Don’t stir! You may be tempted to, but don’t!
- ENJOY warm with vanilla ice cream or without. Tastes like Autumn, YUM!
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Back to school – the lost art of wrapping textbooks in Brown Paper Bags:Back-to-school days always bring a wave of nostalgia for those of us that have long since completed our primary and secondary education years. Heading back to school is always an exciting time for children and parents alike, and although there are tons of newer, fancier options to cover your textbooks, there is always the art involved in making a simple, brown paper bag cover with endless creative options for you to decorate it. |
Apple Stamp for Fall Crafts:
Whether you are looking for a simple fun kid’s craft or a teen or adult craft this is one is easy as applesauce! Kids can have fun creating stamps on paper while older crafters may want to use their apple stamps to make a one-of-a-kind tote bag perfect to tote around!
Materials Needed:
- Knife
- Paint
- Paper or tote bag (or anything else you may want to stamp an apple print on!)
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Out of the Mouth of Babes
By Allison Frassoni
Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise’?” Matthew 21:16
Our children of Springton Lake Presbyterian Church are a weekly encouragement to me and to many of us. How wonderful it has been to walk up to the doors of our church and be greeted by a band of children shouting “Welcome” and praising God’s name. Oh -- how glorious!
To the parents of all the children in our church, thank you for sharing these little ones with our congregation. We are blessed to see Jesus through childlike eyes! To instill a servant’s heart by teaching our younger generation to serve -- even in small ways like greeting at the doors -- will be an ongoing blessing to us and to them. I know that I for one have been touched by this small band of children. I have put a few more names to faces as some adults have approached me to tell me how wonderful it was to be greeted by my son and the others. Although my son and I have been attending SLPC for almost 5 years now, I think I meet someone new almost every week. It is wonderful to make a connection through a friendly greeting. I continue to be encouraged by this community in so many big and small ways. As we head into the fall season, I’m excited to be back with the little ones in Sunday School. Every week I’ll be teaching them, but I always feel like I learn so much more from the children!
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:1-5
