Teaching Sunday school children ( inclusion of various ages)

Meaning of discipline/causes of indiscipline in a class

CREATIVE WAYS OF TEACHING

A. Bible memorization

Importance  of bible memorization

• Memory verses teach doctrine.

• Children learn the word of God.

• Children can pray the word.

• Memory verses are the sword used against our enemy ,the devil.

• Memory verses are God`s promises and declaration for our children.

  Guidelines for teaching Bible Memory verses

• Choose important verses that teach  bible truths.

• Remember the age of your children and select the verses carefully.

• Always teach the scripture reference plus the verse.

• Verses are best learned in children`s own language ,or from a Bible translation that is easy to understand.

• Teaching the memory verse should take  approximately at least five minutes of the class time.

• Games, prizes and excitement increases the children interest.

• First learn the verse yourself .

• Look up big difficult words in the dictionary  so that you can explain the meaning to the children.

• Repetition is important, children learn best by repetition.

  Methods of teaching Bible memory verses

• Visualized verses  - Pictures     

                                   -  words

  Cards

  - Flash cards

  Blackboard rub

• Write the verse on the black board , and remove one word at a time ,as the children try to repeat verse with missing words.

  Echo to know

• Divide the class into two groups and move them to the opposite side of the room. Assign each group a portion of the verse. Have the group  with the first portion begin by shouting it across the room. Have the next group echo the next portion. Continue until the verse has been completed several times. Then have the groups exchange portions  and start again .Conclude by having the class recite  the entire verse.

  Fill the blanks

• Start with the complete verse written on the board. Slowly remove words ,having the students fill the blanks from the memory verse. Repeat this process until the entire verse can be said without any words missing

  Now you see it now you don`t

• Write a verse on a large piece of paper then cover the verse a second piece of a large piece of paper  by taping it across the top edge. Do not allow the children to  see the verse before the game .On the second round reveal the verse to the children for fifteen seconds . See if any child can repeat the verse .Increase the exposure time on the next rounds until all the children have learnt the verse.

  Lets get moving

• Say the Bible verse together .Change it up and ask the children to say in each of these ways;

  At a normal place while standing

  Faster while jogging in place

  In a whisper while tip-toeing

  In slow motion while walking very slowly

  In a silly voice while jumping up and down

  To the end

• Begin by reciting the entire verse aloud. After a few times purposefully stop short of completing it .Have the children complete the rest of the verse after you stop. Repeat the process over and over, leaving more of the verse for the children to complete each time .By the end the children should be able to recite the entire verse with only the initial word as a prompt

  Divide and conquer

• Divide the  children into pairs and provide each pair with a bean bag ,a small ball or a crumbled paper. Have them toss the item to one another as they take turn saying the next word in the memory verse. Once the verse is completed, have them switch so that  each child gets the opportunity to say  the words they only had  the time before. Finally  have them toss the item as they say the verse aloud together.

  Memory motions

• Introduce the verse to the class and then ask to think of the motions  that represent each word or thought/ Repeat the verse with the motions until the verse is memorized.

  Memory verse review

  1.Quote if

• Pose different statements to the children and ask that they rise and recite the verse in unison but if only the statement refers to them. To mix up, alternate statements that apply to few children ,and that which refer to majority example  - "You are wearing colour yellow"  or 'You have a sister" or "Your a wearing shorts"  - stand and recite the memory verse

  2.Bible verse "around the world"

• Have the children sit in a circle Select a volunteer to begin ,give him or her a ball. That child starts the game by saying the first word of the memory verse and toss the ball to someone else. The process is repeated over and over until the memory verse is completed. Those who cannot remember the next word in the memory verse are "out."

  3.Can you remember

• Display the memory verse for all to read. Remove the verse  and let each child come up to the board and write one word  of the verse in order. When the entire verse is written have the children read it together. Rub the verse and recite it together.

  4.Scrambles

  • All the words are put on the black board or a piece of paper but in a wrong order. The children must put them in the correct order and they say the verse. Having a context between teams or against time adds an excitement to this method

    5.Riddles

  • A picture for the word in the verse can be used or a question which when answered reveals the word of the verse

  6.Pass the rock

  Form a circle .Start passing a rock or another small object around the circle as you sing a song .When you stop the song a child holding a rock should recite the memory verse. The game is over when time is called off or when every child had a turn. Make the game more interesting by giving different children a chance to sing and stop singing as the rock goes around.

  7. Taxi

• Choose a taxi driver .Taxi driver goes around the class picking the children who need a ride but the only way to get a ride is to pay a  fare. Instead of paying with money they have to pay with the memory verse. Have them to recite a memory verse aloud and if they say it correctly they are allowed in the taxi. Have them ride in the taxi  following the taxi driver as he picks more children. Soon the taxi will be full and the whole class will be full the whole classroom will be in the taxi riding around the classroom.

  8. Mistake detector

• Divide the class into two groups. Recite the verse but intentionally make a mistake. Each time a mistake is made ;teams try to be the first  to make a certain noise. Decide on the sound in advance .It can be a dog backing, sound of rain or a clapping hands. The team making that sound must also be able to correct it. They should receive one point to this. Choose certain times when the team earns bonus points by quoting the the verse correctly .When the team signals that a mistake has been made when its not, a point is deducted.

  B.  Music in sunday school

  i. Choosing songs for sunday school

  a. Songs should have some  connection with the truth of the  lesson

  b. Songs should be explained and understood by children

  c. Songs should have a simple tune and be fun for the children

  ii. Types of songs

  a. Action songs-Children do actions that go along with the song

  b. Regular songs -Songs accompanied by clapping ,drums and dance

  C. Story telling

  a. Reasons for telling  stories in sunday school

  i. Stories help children learn truths

  ii. Stories help demonstrate right - doing

  iii. Stories help you come closer to children

  iv Jesus taught by using stories

  b. Basic points for story telling

  i. Know the story by heart. If you are enjoying telling the story, the children will enjoy listening

  ii. The story should have the beginning , middle and the ending.

  iii. Keep the story short simple and interesting

  iv. Keep repeating the main point or truth that you wish to teach

  v. Use illustrations from the children own lives to help them understand the story

  vi. Be accurate- children believe what you tell them, so don`t exaggerate.

  vii. Tell the story in your own words with lots of feeling and enthusiasm

  viii. Maintain children`s interest by enhancing the story with visuals

  Helps in story telling

  i. Change your voice tune according to what is happening in the story (soft ,loud, sweety, angry).

  ii. Initiate sounds ( e. g soldiers marching, wind ,sea, animals).

  iii. Use direct speech (e. g Jesus said; unto the sea Peace, Be still. )

  iv. Use gestures or actions. She went to sleep (fold hand on the one side of the face), Jesus looked up( look up).

  v. Use repetition in your speech - (The waves got bigger and bigger and bigger.

  vi. Illustrate the story on the chalkboard or show pictures.

  vii. Use questions to involve the children.

  viii. Always look directly at the children when telling the story and use expressions to add interest.

  ix. Maintain discipline, don`t let children disrupt.

PREPARING TO TEACH

Always start with prayer. Ask God to expand your expertise and ask him to guide you in the best use of the teaching methods. Think about the children you are teaching .

What learning styles do the children or students usually exhibit ?

Its good to note children which seem to be;

1. Verbal  - a child who can speak,

2. Visual -   means that these children remember things when and  if they have a picture of the event in front  with all the details being right

3. Logical - capable of reasoning or of using reason in an orderly  fashion.

4. Physical - of the body as opposed to the mind e. g  physical exercise

5. Musical - has a natural ability and interest in music.

6. Natural - they do something very well and very easily

7. Relational -  having reason or understanding.

8. Reflective learners - typically involves looking back at something, a past experience or idea and critically analysing the event.

   Now from the above note, then consider the needs of the children(s) as choose how to teach

   
   

Methodology

1. Try at least  one new method each quarter

2. Look at the curriculum for each focus group you teach

3. Circle an activity that uses a teaching you have never or rarely used .

4. Read it several times

5. Ask other teachers who tried similar activities for their suggestions to help the activity to flow smoothly and set a time when you plan to use this activity.

6. Enjoy teaching the activity and then evaluate the experience -did children learn as you intended? What would you do differently if you are to do it again?

7. Talking about these experiences with a group of children leaders can help the entire group improve teaching.

8. Playing

   Don`t forget to play. Jesus is not boring and learning about his word should be filled with joy! Building fun is one of the great opportunities afforded in sunday school. eg. Why don`t you grab a paper  and draw a 9+ foot philistine , colour with the kids, hung him and take turns throwing a bean bag to see who can hit him in the head for a winning shot.

9. Let your children do some teaching

   Some of the best moments of any sunday school class occur when your children share what is God showing them. God has a way of speaking to and  through children that is both playful and profound. Make time for this in your service; this can be questions and answers session. Ask the children what they thought Goliath thought when David challenged him to a fight.

   When a child shoots up a hand let them go infront of the class and share. You may be surprised by what God shares through your children teaching a portion of the class time.

10. Creative expression

    For many, creative is the way they learn best. If they can cut paste colour fold and cover something in glitter,  that  is best in their learning and they are all about the lesson!. Come to your class with creative /crafty elements. This can be a coloring sheets, crossword puzzles or spot a different  the difference activities. The big idea here is to give the children the space to creativity express what God has shown them through the lesson .A small creativity can vastly improve your sunday school lessons.

11. Act it out

    Nothing help a child to interact wit a story more than putting them right in the middle of it! Give your children a chance to to retell the story by acting the scene out. This does not have to be an elaborate. All you have to do is to tape the name Goliath or David to a child`s shirt and let them go. Not only is this a fun teaching tool but it`s  guaranteed to inject some gut laughs into your sunday school class

12. Pray, pray more

    Somehow in the busyness of lesson preparation, prayer has a habit of falling to the way side. But without God`s help (God`s spirit breathing life to our lessons) our preparation is in vain. There is not enough time in a week to fully prepare for any sunday school lesson but there must always be time to pray. If you are in the midst of preparing a lesson ,right now stop reading and take few minutes in prayer. You be glad you did. Teach yourself not to prepare your lesson in so much hurry. With good practice start four days earlier or prepare for at least 4 days meaning; for these days take time and do part of the preparation for the lesson you want to until you are conversant with the topic  and the  style. Enjoying the topic WITHIN YOU before teaching it to the children is of great advantage .When you are ready you will also find it easier to deliver and to your amazement the children will also enjoy/understand the topic better.

PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING

1. Good Practice Encourages Student

2. Good Practice Encourages Cooperation Among Students

3. Good Practice Encourages Active Learning.

4. Good Practice Gives Prompt Feedback. .

5. Good Practice Emphasizes Time on Task.

6. Good Practice Communicates High Expectations

Keys to be a better ,more effective sunday school teacher

a. The TEACHER has the greatest influence over whether or not sunday school and ultimately sunday school will grow or not.

b. The number one reason that people give when they leave sunday school is that they didn`t like the teacher!

c. Great sunday school teachers are not born  and they don`t magically become great overnight .

d. Outstanding sunday school teachers become great only as a result of a lot of hard work ,dedication ,study and prayer.

What are the most important elements involved in turning an average sunday school teacher to a great sunday school teacher ?

Here are eight of the most important' keys' involved.

#1.Continually strive to deepen  your own personal  faith  and relationship with Jesus Christ.

Of all the things that a teacher might do TO IMPROVE THERE TEACHING AND EFFECTIVENESS ,working to deepen their own personal  relationship with Jesus Christ and to do his will is the most important.

Why ?

Because as a person draws closer to Jesus Christ  and works to discover his will for their lives, they will hopefully see all that he has done for them and be motivated to do even more for him. Jesus Christ was willing to come to earth. live as one of us and give his live as a sacrifice so that each  of us might have an opportunity to receive eternal life. Realizing the great love Jesus Christ has for each one of us should move every Christian to strive to live each day  for him and should motivate Sunday school teachers to give even more time and energy to the preparation and presentation of each lesson.

Why are you a sunday school teacher?

Hopefully your primary reason is because of your great love for Jesus Christ and your desire to follow his call. Truly discovering God`s call on ones life can come in many ways ,but one of the best ways to discover God`s will for your life is by working to deepen  your relationship with him.

How can you do this?

i )  Read your bible more

ii )  Pray more

iii)  Read Christian books and magazines

iv ) Develop close supportive relationship with other Christians

v)  Listen to Christian Radio RADIO and TV

vi)  Do your very best for Jesus

#2.Strive to learn more  about Bible and its application to your life and the lives of yours students. The bible is our handbook for life. Within its pages we read about what`s right and what`s wrong.

We find the stories of people who followed God and those who rejected his leading.

We read about Jesus ,his teaching and the way of salvation that is available through him.

The bible is not just a collection of great literature, just filled with trivial facts and figure but is God`s holy Word .

The Bible and your teaching can have a long influence on your students of all ages.

It can have an influence on whether or not a student will spend eternity in heaven or hell. That`s a tremendous responsibility .we are not saying you have to know  every last detail about the bible to be a great sunday school teacher but on the other hand ,its very hard to teach what you don`t know.

Learning more about the bible and its application to life begins with a committed effort to ready and study the bible each day.

Go to your Christian book store and find a personal bible study guide that will help you to discover  the meaning and the implications of the passages that you read.

Gaining a  greater understanding of the bible is about more than just reading  a certain number of chapters each day.

It`s also about getting a greater understanding of the original meaning and message of the passage is saying to you , and the members of your class.

#3. Pray more. There is power in prayer which is our direct link to God;

Telling him our wants and needs

Sharing our  joys and concerns

Thanking and blessing him of the many blessings he has given to us

As a teacher you should see prayer as most of the important part of your efforts to be and even better  and more effective worker for Christ.

You work to ,plan ,prepare present each lesson; - prayer should be a vital part of your activities.

Pray that  God will give you a better understanding of the lesson and the scriptures involved.

Pray for his guidance  as you work ,prepare a lesson that will be interesting and relevant to the lives of each of your students.

Pray for each of your students by name (do this often) ,pray for their physical, emotional and  spiritual needs and pray to God that he will help you to live an exemplary Christian life FOR YOUR STUDENTS.

Pray for those who are are not in your class

Pray that the holy spirit to lead and guide you to even greater heights of opportunities to witness and share your faith with your students and others throughout the week.

#4.Show greater concern and live for your students and their individual and collective spiritual ,physical and emotional needs. We often think of the Pastor of the church as the shepherd of the group. In the similar way the sunday school teacher should be  should be about more than  standing infront of the class and talking at them .It should involve genuine love and concern for each and every student within her class.

Yes we would all love to have a class filled with sweet little girls and boys who are kind and respectful but most of us are also blessed with borderline and hyperactive little students who cannot sit still or be quit.

Sometimes its hard to remember we are supposed to love each of  them equally .

God  made each of us as an individual. He did not use a cookie cutter to make us .He created each one of us with individual talents ,abilities and individual personality.

To be truly an effective teacher in a church you need to know each of your students better ,show greater concern of their individual needs and their daily problems that each face.

You need to make an effort to get to know them and their family better.

Usually people when asked about an outstanding teacher they have known in their life, invariably most will mention  a teacher who showed genuine love and concern for them as an individual. That's one of the most important things you can do to be even better and more effective in your teaching ministry.

#5. Devote more time thought and energy in preparing each week`s sunday school lesson.

How long do you think an average sunday school teacher spends in preparing their weekly lesson?

A survey conducted several years ago  revealed an average sunday school teacher spent about 10-45 minutes each week in preparation of a lesson but there are outstanding teachers across the nation spending 6 to 8 hours  or more on their lesson. Many of the curriculum materials are user friendly today even listing exactly everything the teacher  is to say.

Does following your curriculum material make you the best possible teacher?

We don`t think so.

The best teachers are the ones who know their students and the problems, needs and concerns that they have With this knowledge in mind; they begin their lesson by asking what do I really want my students to learn from this lesson? By keeping this question in mind throughout the entire planning and preparation process the teacher may find that they need to make major changes in the lesson, adding and changing material to make it meet the needs that they see and using their own creative abilities to make the material even better, more relevant and more interesting for the students. A teacher should spend at least 20 minutes a day for at least four to five days should be your minimum.

Remember the more time and energy you spend preparing  your lessons, the  better and more effective you be in your work for the Lord.

#6.Keep the Bible at the centre of every lesson you present.

Earlier we talked about the importance of the bible as our "handbook for life". and as a Christians guidebook FOR DAY TO DAY LIVING

It is important to you as a teacher to  read and study the bible .

No matter what the subject or topic of your lesson, help your students to see that , the source of the lesson is not the curriculum  booklet  or other information materials , it is the Bible.

The bible is our text book for sunday school.

Now since its our text book shouldn't every student in every class have their text book with them?

Getting every student bring their bibles to sunday school  is important but its also important to see all students have the same translation so that they can follow easily along the scriptures are read.

Make sure they use them in class.

Ask them to read them in class and challenge students to use their bibles to find other scripture passages that they relate to the lesson or topic through a bible search activity.

You as a teacher should set an example for your students.

The importance the student see you placing on the bible will be evident to them;  they will also have a great influence on the importance they place on God`s word.

#7. Make sure every lesson you prepare and present is interesting and relevant to the needs of your students.

Some students leave the sunday school because the teacher is boring, their lessons were not relevant to their lives and needs of the students . There was little or no opportunity for discussion and interaction.

One of the FEATURES ABOUT SUNDAY SCHOOL IS THE WAY  THAT WE TEACH AND STUDY THE BIBLE. Sermons are important but they are "one - size - fits - all".

In sunday school we teach people according to their age, education, interests and abilities. In addition sunday school we can discuss, ask  questions, share insights and experiences and much more as we really dig in God`s word.

To be your very best as a teacher you need to work  to make your lessons interesting and relevant to your students. As we mentioned earlier 10-15 minutes for preparation will not make it.

A good plan will begin with 

- The opening - A time when you will use a game - Reading  -Questions  -Song - Video  -Other activity  to get all the students  interested ,involved and focused on the lesson to come.

There you will want to move to the body of the lesson ,the really part of the bible study ,part of the lesson.

The key here is the variety. Use as many methods ,tools and activities as you can to involve all of the students  in the learning process.

Finally close  by reviewing and summarizing  the lesson ,talk about ways each student can apply the lessons in their lives during the week ahead and close with a prayer.

To do your very best for the Lord  as a teacher it will take work ,dedication ,preparation, planning and  prayer even though a good , creative teacher.

#8.Never stop learning. The problem today in sunday school  there are teachers who think they are doing okay and they have no interest or desire   to do anything different .

Is better good enough for Jesus Christ? Did he come to this earth with the attitude that he was just willing to  what would be okay?

No! Jesus gave his all for all of us and laid his life on the cross.

Sunday school teacher should never be satisfied with what they are doing even if they are very successful and have a growing  effective class. We can always do better. Strive to grow and learn more.

BE looking for the best and most effective teaching methods and tools.

Talking with public school teachers and seeking out books to learn about individual learning styles and intelligences, internet books , books  from your local library or modern educational theory can help.

Very important also talk with other sunday school teachers to learn from one another.

Why is sunday school important?

Because of its primary reason -

Christian education to help people of all ages to learn the word of God; the bible as their guide for their lives. The bible is important because of the central character of the book - JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus is important because he said . -  I am  the way the truth and the life .No ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME (John 14:5)

Why is being a sunday school important?

Because it is the most effective way to carry  Jesus directive "GO , and make disciples" (MATHEW 28:19)

Teaching sunday school is one of the most important jobs that anyone could ever have remembering that Jesus Christ gave his all for you. STRIVE TO DO THE VERY BEST FOR HIM