Pioneer Clubs leader eNewsletter Print–Get the most out of Bible Exploration time!

December 2005

Dear !*Address1*!,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs^® Leaders eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry. This month we would like to suggest some ways to get the most outs of Bible Exploration time.

Leading Bible Exploration Effectively

As a Pioneer Clubs leader, you probably want to make a difference in your club members’ lives. Bible Explorations are designed to help you do just that. Take a few minutes to learn more about leading Bible Explorations effectively.

The key to learning and changing is for club members to be involved and to learn for themselves how God’s Word applies to their lives. That’s why Pioneer Clubs Bible Explorations are more than stories, passages to read, or devotional “lectures.” Bible Explorations work best when you make use of these unique features:

Introduction, Scripture Study, and Application (or Focus, Study Scripture, and Apply for Trailblazers)
variety of teaching techniques
Bible awards

Introduction (Focus). Look at any Bible Exploration in your plan book. Introduction, Scripture Study, and Application work together, each one preparing club members for the next part. The Introduction isn’t just a gimmick to get attention. It’s a purposeful activity that helps club members begin to see how the Bible Exploration topic relates to their lives.

Scripture Study (Study Scripture). During Scripture Study, club members learn to dig into God’s Word for themselves instead of just being told all the answers. Bible Explorations provide a variety of teaching techniques that help club members and leaders interact with the passage and each other. Club members might act out or illustrate God’s Word. They might “interview” Bible characters or write letters to God. There’s great variety, since not all kids learn in the same ways.

Discussion questions are carefully designed to help club members analyze, interpret, and give their own ideas instead of only spitting back rote facts. These "higher-order" questions help club members understand at a deeper level. And the variety of questions lets all children participate whether familiar with the Bible or not.

Application (Apply). This is where children “put feet to” what they’ve learned. We want club members to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. When you lead the Application, club members will have the opportunity to begin to put into practice what they’ve learned, rather than just thinking about it.

Bible awards. Scan the Bible Exploration to find directions for completing at least one Bible award requirement. Now look up the requirement in the children’s handbook to see how it relates to the study. You’ll see that the award requirement is actually part of the Bible Exploration; the Bible Exploration wouldn’t be complete without it. The Bible award is another way for club members to get involved in the study. Often the award requirement is where the application takes place.

To make the most of these features, take time to familiarize yourself with each week’s Bible Exploration enough so that you don’t have to read it word for word from the book. That way you’ll be able to interact better with the club members and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading if the discussion heads toward something not covered in the book.

Action Ideas for December

To help you talk with club members about accepting Jesus, you can order brochures that explain John 3:16 at a kid’s level: Becoming a Child of God (catalog #6794). Order at the following link: http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/store/product.asp?ItemID=1256&CategoryID=256&HeaderCategoryId=51&returnUrl=&RandomSeed=T6EL5
If you’re a Trailblazer leader, you’ll find a section in the front of your new plan book on how to lead kids to Christ.
When you present the plan of salvation, encourage interested club members to talk to you before the end of club rather than waiting for afterwards when everyone is heading for the door. Make yourself available by sitting by yourself or preparing supplies by yourself for a few minutes, for instance, while a coleader leads the next meeting part.

Changed Lives

“As a Pioneer Clubs coordinator, I get to see how club makes a difference in both kids and leaders. Kids are excited about coming to club. They have learned to pray for each other's concerns and are not afraid to bring up prayer requests. Others are learning that memorizing the Bible can be fun and profitable, too. Our leaders are also bonding with the kids and each other and are excited about seeing the kids learn to make Christ Lord in every aspect of life.”— Tim Germain, First Baptist Church, Sycamore, Illinois

Today’s Kids...
Today’s kids are interested in knowing more about God. Be sensitive to each child, and avoid pressuring any who are not ready to make a decision for Christ. Take time to talk to kids individually about joining God’s family, and avoid a public invitation because kids may respond just to please you or to follow peers.

Pioneer Clubs Announcements

Year-End Giving

A gift to Pioneer Clubs at year’s end not only helps more kids come to know Jesus, but it also may result in income tax savings for you. Gifts to Pioneer Clubs can be mailed to PO Box 788, Wheaton, IL 60189-0788. Thank you for your support!

Pioneer Clubs Sunday 2006

Pioneer Clubs Sunday is a chance for your club members to shine! This year’s theme is “Walk in His Ways.” For suggestions on how to celebrate, click on the “Pioneer Clubs Sunday” link at www.pioneerclubs.org. While the official date is February 12, 2006, you are welcome to celebrate Pioneer Clubs Sunday whenever you wish. We'd love to hear about your plans. Please contact us at vbreckenridge@pioneerclubs.org.

Fall Phonathon

Many thanks to all who supported our Fall Phonathon. To date we’ve received $11,341—exceeding our goal by nearly $1,500! Even with this success, your partnership is still needed. If you pledged a gift but haven’t yet sent it in, it’s not too late. Simply use the envelope we provided, or address your own to:

Pioneer Clubs
PO Box 788
Wheaton, IL 60189-0788

Join us for a Pioneer Clubs^® training teleconference! You may participate in these sessions from any location that has a telephone for only $20 per telephone line. These teleconferences are now scheduled throughout the year. Topics covered are:

Leader Recruitment and Retention
Promoting Your Club Program
Basic Training
Group Discipline

Pioneer Clubs training teleconferences will benefit every club coordinator and leader.

According to Christe McKittrick, Coordinator, First Baptist Church of Evansville:

“...The Basic Training Teleconference...was awesome! I have been leading and now coordinating and leading club for several years. I thought, ‘Oh, I don’t need to know this stuff. I’ll just get it set up for the others and go home.’ Instead I stayed and was really encouraged and re-energized by the training. I learned a few new things, but most of all I was recommitted to do the right things. And it really met the need of my new leaders.”

It's easy to register today! For a complete schedule and online registration forms, visit http://www.pioneerclubs.org/trainingwork.htm. We hope you can join us!

Reflections
Do you feel comfortable presenting the promise of salvation to club members? If not, what bothers you? Who could you talk to?

Lighter Side
Kids’ takes on Christmas carols:
“Good tidings we bring to you and your kid.”
“Sleep in heavenly peas.”
“With the jelly toast proclaim.”