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Piercing the Darkness of the Inner City

Piercing the Darkness of the Inner City. Jean Marrapodi Applestar Productions. Jesus loves the little children…. All the children of the world…. Red and yellow, black and white…. They are precious in His sight…. Jesus loves the little children of the world!. An Early City.

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Piercing the Darkness of the Inner City

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  1. Piercing the Darkness of the Inner City Jean Marrapodi Applestar Productions

  2. Jesus loves the little children…

  3. All the children of the world…

  4. Red and yellow, black and white…

  5. They are precious in His sight…

  6. Jesus loves the little children of the world!

  7. An Early City Our story from Genesis 11:1-9 Trivia question: What is the first city mentioned in the Bible? See Genesis 4:17

  8. Principles from an Early City • Ingenuity of man working together: “a monument to our greatness” • God confuses their languages so they cannot understand one another, and scatters them • People in cities today do not understand one another • Racially • Culturally • Spiritually

  9. Sodom and Gomorrah • 2 angels visiting the city • Men of the city wanted to rape the visitors • Lot’s attempt to protect them • Lot and family removed, city destroyed • Lot’s wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt Genesis 19:1-16

  10. Principles of the City • Mixed religious beliefs within the family • Evil is readily accessible to the children • Sex • Drugs • Alcohol • Willingness to make out-of-character sacrifices to protect loved ones

  11. Where is the problem? Psalm 55 9 Destroy them, Lord, and confuse their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. 10 Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city. 11 Murder and robbery are everywhere there; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.

  12. In Jesus’ time, people avoided Samaria • The people of Samaria were different • Believed differently from the Jews • Economic differences • Racial differences • Cultural differences

  13. In our culture, we avoid parts of the city • Boston • Roxbury • Dorchester • Providence • South Side • Olneyville • West End

  14. Like Samaria, the people of the city are viewed differently • Believe differently • Economic differences • Racial differences • Cultural differences

  15. Jesus loved the Samaritans • Woman at the well was a Samaritan • Told the parable of the Good Samaritan, making the Samaritan a hero

  16. Jesus loves the city and its children Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. ”

  17. Jesus welcomes all children “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Mathew 19:14

  18. Jamelia • Orphaned at 4 • Lives with aunt • Youngest of 4 • Sweet

  19. Danielle • Youngest of 5 children • Stable home • Attended Christian school 3 years • Parents part of the founding of the church • Helps in soup kitchen • Brought Jamelia to church

  20. Jonathan • From single parent home • Mother recently saved (3 years) • Very poor reader • Loves cars • Father in NY, inconsistent contact

  21. Louis • Lives downstairs from Jonathan • Very bright • Lives with mother • Estranged father beaten to death in a basement in NYC this spring • Moved away

  22. Sean • From a single parent home • Mother runs the singles ministry • Bonus baby—siblings in high school and college • Wonderful comprehension

  23. Charimaine • Lives with mother • Father is in rehab at Teen Challenge 2000-2001 • From bi-racial family • Sister pregnant at 15

  24. Bobby, Darren, Kaleil, Germaine • All from single moms • 2 moms have been mentored in the church

  25. 6th graders • Jonathan from single mother with 3 children • Others from 2 parent homes • Families all actively involved at the church

  26. Short attention span Weak reading skills Easily distracted Starved for attention Restricted creativity Aggression Showing off Competitiveness Test limits in class Generational patterns repeated Patterns within the children

  27. Timing • Time is relative • 9 AM starting time means show up by 9:30

  28. Commitment • Level varies • May not show up week to week • May volunteer for important part, then not show up for it

  29. Adapt lessons as needed • Examples • Johnny and his tractor • Conceptual awareness • Pictures

  30. Provide Success • Competition • Goals they can attain on their own • Prizes to earn • Lunch with teacher • Sticker • Candy

  31. Rootin’ the Fruit 100 points= lunch with the teacher

  32. Love them where they are in the moment • Who they are • Where they come from • What they bring to class

  33. You must also “be there” in the moment • Pay attention to them • Be aware of what is occurring • In them “Gee, you look sad today” • Within the room • Be yourself

  34. Love them one by one • Each is unique • Each has gifts • Affirm their gifts • Affirm they are a gift to you • Recognize birthdays • Call • Card

  35. Be gentle Listen Have patience Use creative lesson plans Notice what they do right Take low reading levels into account Get to know their world Maintain a humble attitude Teaching the Tough Ones Elaine Creasman, Discipleship Journal Issue 123, 2001 p. 92

  36. More info • E-mail: rejoicer@aol.com • Church Website: www.ProvidenceAssembly.org • Applestar Website: www.applestar.org

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