Sunday School Classes

[Blien]

What is in your perspective the best sunday school classes? What would they learn, what would they do?

[LadyRaven]

What is in your perspective the best sunday school classes? What would they learn, what would they do?

Doctrine/Theology (like the nature of man, the nature of God, the trinity, the gospel, the congregation's pov on predestination, the meaning of communion) Each member of the class should have a Bible, a numbered concordance like Strongs concordance and a Lexicon and should be taking notes, asking questions and double checking the stuff in the margins of their bibles whenever appropriate.

[calluna]

What is in your perspective the best sunday school classes? What would they learn, what would they do?

Is there a specific age group you have in mind?

[Blien]

Excellent! I bought a book with large illustrations of each book of the Bible and major events some time ago with the idea that I could use it to teach children about the Bible but at the same time if I didn't do that, it was a wonderful book of illustrations to keep.

Well our community has moved into a real church recently (our old gathering place was in a conveince shop which we converted) and they are looking for teachers. They already got teachers but my Dad has been asking me if I wanted to teach them and even my little sister who participates in the classes has been constantly asking me "are you going to teach sunday school?"..

There are already teachers there but they dont referance the Bible they only talk about life and moral issues... so in the mean time I'm looking at what I can do in terms of lessons and you two have been of great help! Thanks so much! If there is more suggestions please let me know.. right now they are little children but I hope in the future I can bring in older people and have classes for them too.

[kross]

I think a Sunday school class should teach GOD's people how to breakdown, cross reference, and thus interpret scripture for themselves.

Skip the baby food and start feeding raw meat. Most Christians are hungry for it.

[Blien]

What is in your perspective the best sunday school classes? What would they learn, what would they do?

Is there a specific age group you have in mind?

Right now youge ones like 8 - 12.. but I think it would be interesting to hear something about older people too like teenagers and young adults. Though I dont think I can teach young adults much.. I am one myself!

[other one]

I think all sunday school classes should do Bible readings from the begining to the end and discuss each sunday what was read through the week. That was the best classes I have ever been in. Unfortunately not many people are willing to read and study that much between sundays and that kind of class is very difficult to set up and have. It takes participation from everyone

If you take on subjects and show verses that support the subject, you are really just studying someone elses thoughts. When you read a chapter or half a book and discuss it until it makes sense everyone learns Taking the time to discuss cross references and even outside history and Jewish customs can make a really big difference in how everyone learns.

[LadyRaven]

What is in your perspective the best sunday school classes? What would they learn, what would they do?

Is there a specific age group you have in mind?

Right now youge ones like 8 - 12.. but I think it would be interesting to hear something about older people too like teenagers and young adults. Though I dont think I can teach young adults much.. I am one myself!

I do not believe in age separations in Sunday School. It is not the biblical model, it is the world's model based on humanistic principles set forth by Dewey, et all. If your church must separate the children from the adults, teach the same topic as the adult class, just make the words smaller so they understand it better. This way the parents and kids can talk about their lesson (provided of course they are not discussing the Song of Solomon in lavish detail).

[calluna]

What is in your perspective the best sunday school classes? What would they learn, what would they do?

Is there a specific age group you have in mind?

Right now youge ones like 8 - 12.. but I think it would be interesting to hear something about older people too like teenagers and young adults. Though I dont think I can teach young adults much.. I am one myself!

Okay. I've been in children's ministry for 14 years now (and youth ministry for about 6 months), and have taught a variety of ages. In this past year, at a new Church, I've taken over the kids' program and am writing my own curriculum. So, I'll tell you about my class and anything else that comes to mind...

I organize each session into the following components:

1) Prayer. I ask for a volunteer to open in prayer. If no one volunteers, then I do it. Periodically, I have the kids write down prayer requests and put them into a prayer jar. Every few months, we pull out the requests and talk about how God has answered the prayers. It's really neat for kids to see that God has answered their prayers, to see their faith grow because of it, and to hear them express gratitude back to God.

2) The introduction. I explain briefly what we'll be learning and sometimes have an object lesson or other activity to help get the kids thinking about the topic.

3) The Bible lesson. Many people will disagree with me on this, but I almost always read straight from the Bible v. a children's storybook-type material. I involve the children in the reading when they're willing. I think it's important that children become comfortable with the Bible and not be intimidated by it. I explain the big words, of course, read through things 2-3 times, make lists on the white board, etc.

4) A reinforcement activity. This is usually a craft, but sometimes a game. It's important that it reinforce the scripture and not just be something for entertainment value only.

5) Memory work. I have one memory verse per unit. We play various little games in class to help learn it. The kids earn a prize at the end of the unit if they've learned it.

6) The "Knowing God Wall." This is a large bulletin board on our classroom wall. I got some bright colored papers for the kids to write on and tack up to the board. Basically, at the end of each session, I pull the lesson back to God and have the kids think of some things they've learned specifically about God that day. A lot of curriculum fails in this area... It'll teach the kids everything they need to know about David or Moses or various character qualities, but fails to pull it all back to God.

There is more I want to say about that... like the content and topics I cover, but that will have to wait for another day or two, because I need to start winding down for bed... I'll be back to write more!

[Guest HIS girl]

Also in a relaxed atmosphere like OUTSIDE....my boys hated a classroom atmosphere when it came to Sunday School. The Church we go to now, has ALL Sunday School lessons outside under the sun, on the grass, under a tree where they teach and then play games (yes actually running around!). They finish it off with biscuits, sandwiches, cakes and a cool drink. Everyone loves it.