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How to teach Sunday School
For years churches have been ignoring the Middle School age kids, dumping them in with the High School group or letting them languish in the elementary age classes. "There's only a few," the elders rationalize, "As long as they're quite." You, however, have become appalled at this treatment and must help.
10 Ways to a Great Youth Group.
Making a Great Youth facility.
1Corinthians 9:19 "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I
became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all
possible means I might save some."
Could we say "To a kid, become like kid, to win the kids?" You don't have to be cool but you must be authentic. Actually you can be yourself but meet the kids on their level. Don't insist that they meet you on yours.
Ridgity in your rules: If you insist the kids act and dress in your pre-conceived ways you are doomed. Making them dress in button down shirts with ties, girls in dresses, making them call you Mr., Sir, or Mrs. will just turn them off. You must let the kids be kids.
My three rules:
1. No fighting.
2. No Farting.
3. No screaming.
4. No spit wads.
We had to add that last one after a long car trip back from Acquire the Fire. Other than that I keep it pretty loose. I don't have a dress code but I do have a stink code.
My bodyguard: So I don't have to be "the heavy" during class I employ a volunteer like this six foot plus, contractor. He kept a lid on things while I taught. For the most part he'd just sit himself between the "unruly young'uns". You either made room or got sat on. It works well. Sunday School: You want your class to be as little like a school classroom as you can. More like hanging out.See my page on Youth Facilities In addition: No need to raise hands to speak, get a snack if you want. See my page on using rewards with more about teaching style.
When the class grew over twenty kids I actually used a PA system to amplify my voice so I didn't have to shout over the kids. We'd pass the mic around for them to read Bible verses. That just made it even more fun.
Connecting with other Sunday School volunteers:
Find answers, encouragement, and camaraderie with other Youth volunteers, pastors, and leaders at Group's forum:
E-mail me with questions if you want. It's just me: direct answerers from a regular person like you.
