Appleseeds
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About this ebook
You are important to God - so important that He wants you to be all you
can be for Him!
Girls -- Have you ever wished you had an older woman--someone
besides mom--to talk to about important things? Do you sometimes find it hard
to understand what God is saying in His Word, the Bible? Would you like to feel
more comfortable in social settings like fancy dinner parties? Do you like to
have fun? Appleseeds is for YOU!
Moms -- Do you sometimes wonder what your pre-teen is thinking?
Do you wish for an older woman's advice? Would you like help in developing your
daughter's self image and social skills? Have you longed for a Bible study that
was uniquely crafted to teach your daughter about God? Would you like to spend
some time having fun with your daughter? Appleseeds is for YOU!
Appleseeds is a unique mentoring program for girls ages 9 to 12. The
purpose of Appleseeds is to teach young girls how important they are to God,
to their family and to others around them. They will learn that they are created
in the image of God, that they are valuable to God and others. Like Apples of
Gold, Appleseed classes are held in Homes with 'Grammy' mentors teaching the
Bible lesson. Moms of the girls will come to help with the etiquette and craft
sessions. They will be taught that serving God and others is a high calling,
and hopefully, everyone will have lots of FUN in the process.
Read more from Betty Huizenga
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Appleseeds - Betty Huizenga
ONE!
GETTING STARTED
In 1995 God gave me a vision for a women’s mentoring program that grew into Apples of Gold. This six-week nurturing program for women is based on two verses:
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver (Proverbs 25:11).
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God (Titus 2:3–5).
Soon after Apples of Gold started, participants began asking me to write a program for their daughters. I also began receiving mail asking how the class could be modified for girls. I’m delighted to respond to these requests with Appleseeds.
APPLESEEDS MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Appleseeds is to teach girls how important they are to God, to their family and to others around them. We will teach that every person is created by God, in His image. The Bible says that each person is valuable to God and others. Appleseeds will seek to help each girl understand the person and work of God and how we can know Him personally. Appleseeds shows the relevancy of the Scriptures to our everyday lives and that serving God and others is a high calling.
Appleseeds will also teach that our lives should reflect the love of Christ. Each week we will learn that Manners Matter
and good character is important. Each week a hands-on project will be a reminder of the Bible study for that week.
STARTING AN APPLESEEDS CLASS
Try to make participating in Appleseeds a free gift for the girls. The major costs will come in buying books for the girls and the craft supplies that you need each week. If you’re associated with an Apples of Gold group, some of the women might like to make a generous gift so the Appleseeds girls can benefit from the same kind of nurturing relationships. You can ask parents to donate snacks if you’d like to serve something each week.
Your Appleseeds class has two important parts—the girls and the mentors. Gather mentors who are young at heart—and good listeners. They should be women whose lives shine for Jesus, who enjoy laughter, and who will get right down on the floor with the girls.
Each lesson has several different sections. Some mentors will be comfortable leading a Bible study, while others feel more gifted working with crafts or manners projects. That’s okay! And the same person doesn’t have to teach every lesson. Pray that the Lord will supply just the right mentors to teach the girls with love and enthusiasm. Plan on finding mentors other than the girls’ mothers. I suggest you ask women whose own children are older, for instance. You may find that the girls relate beautifully with women who remind them of a Grammy. The most important thing mentors can do for your Appleseeds girls is pray for them—every day, by name.
The girls are the other important part of Appleseeds. If your ministry is church-based, you might have some girls who know the Bible fairly well and come from strong, caring homes. Don’t forget to reach out to girls who may be on the outskirts of your congregation. You might also want to invite unchurched friends. An Appleseeds group is a wonderful way to help them feel valued and included. Be aware that girls come with baggage,
whether they’re from a church family or the neighborhood. They may have attitudes or habits that are not at the top of your list! That’s why they need Appleseeds.
If you can, hold your classes in a home. If you are familiar with the Apples of Gold program, you understand my desire to see our homes used to bring glory and honor to the Lord. The atmosphere is pleasant and cozy, making the girls feel comfortable and at ease. Meeting in homes also teaches the girls hospitality. If you hold classes in a church, try to bring a bit of home to your classes. Decorate some tables with pretty cloths and flowers. Try to meet in a cozy, quiet room where girls can sit in a small circle for their lesson.
Plan on about two hours for each lesson. Encourage the girls to prepare by reading and completing each week’s lesson before you meet. Pages 108–137 of this book contain mentor guides for each of the lessons. Use a simple four-step plan to give structure and predictability to your time together.
Step 1: Life Craft
As the girls arrive, invite them to jump right into the craft. The mentors helping with the Life Craft will have a wonderful opportunity to spark conversation and build relationships.
Step 2: Bible Study Tips
The material on pages 15–107 of this book is for the girls to read and prepare in advance. The Bible study leader will want to prepare these pages as well in order to use them as a discussion guide. Digging for Seeds of Faith is optional for the girls, but you may want to make a point of using it in your discussion. The mentor planning pages include suggested answers. Each mentor’s plan also includes ideas for captivating attention and enriching discussion.
Step 3: Manners Matter
Girls in this age group are hurtling toward independence. Help the girls find practical application of the Bible study topic, as well as build their confidence to face the world as gracious women of God. A terrific resource to have on hand is Manners Matter by Hermine Hartley and published by Barbour Publishing. Look for it at your local Christian bookstore, call Barbour Publishing at 1-800-847-8270, or visit www.barbourbooks.com.
Step 4: Wrapping Up
Close your time together each week with prayer and a song. Some lessons suggest an Apples of Gold song found at the back of this book. Make sure the girls have their crafts as they leave so they go out the door with a tangible reminder of what they’ve learned.
If this structure doesn’t seem to be the best choice for your setting and group of girls, feel free to rearrange the lesson segments. The most important thing is the relationships between mentors and girls and the opportunity for girls to share what is on their hearts and minds.
When you’ve finished all the lessons, plan a special time to celebrate together. With the Appleseed girls’ help, mentors will prepare a tea or lunch for the girls’ moms. Include the girls with planning, preparing the food, setting the tables, and arranging centerpieces. When everything is ready, moms can join the celebration. Use the good dishes and linens. Treat the girls in a grown up
way. Let them share favorite memories, whether hilarious or thought-provoking. Pass around photos. Celebrate the relationships that have sprouted up during your time together.
Also, I would love to hear how you adapted Appleseeds. Our website at www.applesofgold.org is a good place to exchange information with others involved in mentoring ministry. May God bless your Appleseeds ministry!
Betty Huizenga, 2002
APPLESEEDS
From appleseeds into lovely blossoms,
Purest white with frangrance sweet;
Filling the earth with grace and beauty.
God’s perfect plan revealed in me.
From apple blossoms pure and fragrant
Into choice fruit so pleasant and sweet;
Clinging so closely to