Hi!
I've been teaching Sunday school at my church for about 8 months now and it's going great. I've been sticking to a lesson, and then asking the kids questions in some type of game like jeopardy. I'm just wondering, for all you sunday school teachers out there, what sort of things have worked for you and what advice can you give me seeing as how i'm relatively new. the age group is from 6 to 10.
Thanks! God bless.
hey there, here's one..i used to nanny for a family, and i used to do "Bible pages" with the 6-year old and 9-year old. if you'd like to do this, it's easy...you take construction paper and a three-ring binder (one binder for each child), have them pick a color of paper. then you will have them pick a book of the Bible out of the hat (make these in advance, just put all the books of the Bible on little cards or something) and you will read them out of that book, and have them draw pictures of it on their Bible page. then have them tell you what their picture is about. this engages them in the Word, and they are more likely to be able to recall the story or teaching when they drew the picture. the 6-year old of this familty was able to do so, telling his dad all the Bible pages by their pictures. he did need a little help to remember certain conepts in more fullness, but generally he was able. additionally, i personally believe this gives the children some kind of ownership over their spiritual lives. as they learn, draw, and begin to understand the concepts, they can build their own picture Bible, and who knows, maybe God will grant them to have children someday and they can pass it along.
hope that is helpful!
Hi Bob,
I thank the Lord for you and for others who are investing their lives in the next generation.
My advice to enhance the learning is to make a life application out of the lessons through some aspect of ministry. Children can learn to put faith into action at an early age. Just look at the lesson and be creative as to how the children can serve others, and tie the action to the lesson.
For instance, if studying the missionary journeys of Paul, they can write a missionary, or take up an offering for a local mission. If the lesson is on Jesus healing the sick, the children could write notes to a member who is going through cancer treatments, or each bring a flower so you can make an arrangement to take to someone in the hospital. There are other things you can challenge them to do for their neighbors and friends during the week. Ministry opportunities are everywhere. I just think that with every lesson we should ask, How does this apply to me? How do I put this into action?
Through your direction, they will learn to prove themselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers (James 1:24). The other Biblical principle you will be applying is Heb10:24, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds."
Eventually, you can ask them to think of ways they can express God's love through what they learn in the lessons.
God bless you and encourage you in your ministry to these little ones.
Teaching children is fun! I love it although I am not teaching this year.
I taught the juniors last year. At the time we were using a curriculum that left a lot to be desired, so I had to improvise. Not only did I have a poor curriculum to deal with, I also had a boy who is severe dyslexic. But God gave grace and that can get to be more exciting then if all would have been well.
A basic principle in teaching children is they learn best by hearing stories. They love them and will remember them long after any sermonizing has been done. To imprint the message on a child's mind, tell them the story well - TELL it, don't read it. Use gestures, keep eye contact with the children; ask questions and involve them in the story. Doing so got this handicapped child involved. I saw if I did not involve this boy, he will grow up hating Sunday School because his uniqueness would have signalled him out from the others: this way all were on the same level.
Anyhow, that is how the LORD had me deal with a problem and it worked well. PTL!
Another thing that helps is to be able to think like a child. To help you do so, remember what you liked and disliked when a child and work from that perspective. When I was a child I loved stories...come to think of if it, I still do, so ah reckon I never did grow up! ;-)
God bless you!
ginnyrose
Great suggestions! You guys are right in getting the children involved and having them do something rather than just give a "school-like" lecture. The thing I love about working with kids is that there are so many possibilities and activities you can do. When teaching older people it tends to be limited to sermons for the most part.
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