Since the sun has risen, we hear incessant spllings in the nest comfortably installed. The little ones are hungry, and even very hungry. Parents go back and forth continuously to feed their nest. What a job!
Let’s imagine for a moment that the bird mom lays a large, stirring caterpillar in front of her cub. She would enjoy this food, but the little one is not at all interested! What for? Because this caterpillar means nothing to him. He doesn’t know what to do with it, he doesn’t even want to, even though he’s very hungry.
In fact, (and fortunately for the chick, otherwise he would die) the bird mom gives him food adapted to his nesting abilities. It is the same food as hers, but it is predigested and then regurgitated.
And then, the mother does not need to force the chick to eat: as soon as she arrives in the nest, he rushes towards her because he knows that he will be able to fully enjoy what she gives him: it’s easy to eat, it’s very good and it fills him.
The process is the same for the children we teach. We need to prepare and adapt what we bring to them:
- To state the great biblical truths in a few carefully chosen words. It requires thinking in advance, to note the explanation, wondering if the child will understand.
- Use a language that is understandable to the child (beware of “Christian jargon”). Do not hesitate to specify the meaning of any word out of the ordinary (leper, Pharisee…).
- Use an easy-to-read version of the Bible. The verses, the truths that are stated have no “magical” power in themselves, it is the thought they convey that is powerful. It is not enough to hear or read them, you have to understand them to receive the message they convey. It is best to use a translation within the reach of children’s limited vocabulary (e.g. Word of Life). Indeed, it is essential that the message is immediately accessible to them. It is also important that the child does not perceive the Bible as a medieval book, but as a word of God for him today, in his time, in his language.
- Keep it short: when the time of the lesson is up (maximum 20 minutes), we can continue to teach the same theme, but in another form: activities, songs, questionnaires, games … Diversify as much as possible! All the necessary preparation work will be greatly rewarded by the joy of seeing the children receive the Word of God and “enjoy” your teaching. For let us remember: they are hungry and thirsty and are just asking to receive.
© Monitor Workshop
TEST We are sometimes saddened because children seem not to be interested in the teaching that is given to them. One could then deduce that they are not thirsty for God’s things. I would say that they are very thirsty, but children do not know that it is god’s things that they are thirsty for.
As long as the human being is not reconciled with his Creator, he lives in dissatisfaction, he feels a lack. He will try to fill this void with all the opportunities the world offers him, to no avail. We know that this thirst is God’s need that is inscribed in his heart, and that only God can respond to it. Children are part of this frustrated humanity and they feel the need to be reconciled with their Creator, even if they do not know that this is what it is all about.
One of the keys to the success of our mission is to know how to reveal the true source in the eyes of children, to lead them there, and to make them taste its water.
How do we do that?
- First of all, our lesson should not be an imprecise discourse, in which we drop biblical truths or verses, relying on the power of the Lord to accomplish the intended work in the hearts of children. Our lesson should be particularly thoughtful, and organized as an argument (see pedagogical sheet). It must have three steps:
1. arouse the interest of the child
2.
appeal to his reason
3.
Touch your heart
Second, its content, shape and presentation must be adapted to the child’s abilities according to age (see characteristics of the child). It is not an option, it is an absolute necessity. The child cannot get to our level; it is up to us to know its limits, its capabilities, its needs and to put our teaching within its reach.
- Finally, as structured as it is, the lesson must be engaging, illustrated and conveying enthusiasm and joy.
How can we explain that crowds of people, mostly uneducated, could listen to the teaching of the Lord Jesus for hours? The Lord knew how to arouse the interest of his listeners by sticking to their experiences, he knew how to put himself within their reach by using their language, by illustrating by means of parables, examples, and he also knew how to transmit his fervor and joy.
When I started teaching children, I quickly encountered an unexpected difficulty: how do I clearly state what I believed? Although I was born into a Christian family, having heard the Word of God from a young age, I found it very difficult to explain my faith and justify what I had believed for years.
In fact, I knew by heart (or almost) all biblical stories, but I was ignorant of the concepts, teachings, doctrines contained in the Bible.
These biblical truths are the solid supports on which the Christian, adult or child, builds his faith. Failing to receive these foundations, he advances to the sandstone of his sensations, his impressions, what he hears from one or the other: he remains fragile.
This is why the Monitor Workshop takes special care to identify a teaching, an application to the child, during each lesson, regardless of the age level.
A marker: if, when you prepare a lesson, you do not find application to the child (what he can put into practice in his life following your teaching), it is that the subject is too high or too complicated for him. This theme represents a “steak”, while the child is still on milk…
One idea: children can be helped to assimilate biblical doctrines by asking them, from time to time, to explain, for example, why they are certain to be saved, why they will never be condemned for their sins, etc.
Not only will they be strengthened in their faith, but when the opportunity to testify comes to them, they will find the right words.
Moreover, knowing their Lord, what he has done for them and what he continues to do day after day will give them many reasons to praise him and encourage them in worship.
See also the article “The doctrine for children? YES”: click here
© Monitor Workshop
This is not a memory contest or a religious duty. The child memorizes the Word to be armed against the tricks of the adversary. Jesus himself used verses to repel the devil. Are our children stronger than Jesus? Let us arm them for times of temptation: the devil spares no effort.
What hammering do children not suffer from the part of the world! If they don’t know the Bible, how can they make the right choices?
We also know how the Lord uses His Word to remind us of certain things, to encourage us, to take us back, to guide us. Let us not deprive the children of this treasure.
Ideally, children know the verse by heart as they leave the classroom. Even better: let the monitor know the verse by heart before class! Let’s help them by preparing games and supports to teach them the verse not as a chore, but with joy. Let’s create some emulation with team games. When motivated, children memorize easily.
© Monitor Workshop
Four important points about prayer
children in the Sunday School:
1. Teach to respond to God. The child must know that he must not ignore him when God, who is a living and present person, has spoken to him. He can say yes, no, or later, it is his freedom. If the child has learned the lesson, he or she will have no difficulty answering it. The other subjects of prayer may be brought in a second time.
2. Help formulate. The child must learn to formulate a coherent prayer, for God listens to him, and just as the child is intelligent, God is, and the child must know it. But it is also a sincere and honest prayer. We don’t tell God anything to soften him, to please the monitor, or to impress the friends. Some children have difficulty speaking out, or saying in a few words what is going on in their hearts. We can then ask the group: “What are we going to answer to the Lord?” Children can be allowed to express themselves and then help them formulate. This wording can be written on the board. During the prayer, the children will be able to take a look at it if necessary. Above all, make it clear to the children that this is a help you offer them. They are not obliged to pray in the direction indicated.
3. Help pray. The monitor may suggest that some children repeat a prayer after sentence after sentence. This method can unlock children who do not know how to pray, but it must remain occasional and not become a habit.
4. Teach respect. Let us not tolerate mockery during prayer. The child must be aware that God is present, that He is not to be mocked and that He must be respected at this moment when we address Him directly..
© Monitor Workshop
As much as possible, it is best to replace the speeches with the image. What for?
Because today’s children are immersed in a media bath (television, music, games. This constant “background noise” leads to difficulties in listening to the spoken message. Let us help children overcome these difficulties (for which they are not responsible) and do our best to ensure that they receive God’s message in all means that we can have
Images fixed on whiteboard
Jesus made sure to make himself well understood by his listeners using the images within reach at that time parables, examples of everyday life, situations (he places a child in the midst of his disciples, he makes them observe the people who give their offering at the entrance of the temple…). If a parable was not enough, he would adjust his teaching with a second or even a third parable.
Large printed image to be placed on a desk or projected
If these illustrations were necessary at the time when Jesus himself taught, they are all the more so today.
Advertisers have understood this for a long time and use the image even towards adults to challenge, to pass notions, to engrave certain things in their minds.
Drawing on the board. Easy to do with a little training
The images help children focus on the biblical narrative. Their imagination immediately sets off (you can see it on their faces) and they “enter history”.
Images help children understand abstract notions.
Images make it easier to memorize.
Cliparts fixed on heart drawn on board
It is obvious that the preparation of visual aids requires some work. But the impact produced is worth it. If we prepare a “great lesson” and the children can’t keep up, focus on teaching, we lose the benefit of our work. If the children are not captivated by our teaching, they will tire, week after week, of long speeches, and after a few years they will not want to hear it.
Scardboard ilhouettes on flanellograph
It’s unavoidable! At some point, the monitor must do a little (or a lot) of discipline.
Discipline means controlling and leading to obedience and good order. “God is not for disorder, but for peace.” (1 Corinthians14.33). The child who comes to Sunday School must know that he enters the house of God, and that he must have a respectful attitude towards God, towards this place, and towards those who attend it. To help him with this, discipline is essential.
Let’s not be afraid to discipline. If we do so with love and wisdom, as the Lord does for us, children will feel reassured and respected.
Let’s not let the mess set in. It can become a habit. Si this is the case for our class, it is possible to restore order with patience, but firmness. Some principles:
- The very first piece of advice: don’t leave any time out. Busy and interested children do not normally pose discipline issues.
- Lead the group. We must expect the children to obey us. So let’s have no qualms about actually running things.
- Threatening and blackmail is not a good method, as it demonstrates our weakness in the eyes of children and does not assert our authority.
- To be positive. You get more by compliments rather than criticism, by rewards than by punishments. Take the right things, to encourage others to do the same. Plan rewards (gum, image, candy…) to distribute at the end of the session to those who have respected the discipline.
- Set rules of conduct. The child needs to know what we expect from him. When the “regulation” of the class is not well defined, the instructor is constantly obliged to take back the children; they may even have fun. Consequences: dissipated children and overworked, distracted, angry… You can draw up a list of rules (3 or 4 at most, such as sitting during the lesson, only one speaks at a time …) involving the children and then displaying them. It is important to stay there because children have a strong sense of justice.
- A special interview with a particularly unruly child can help identify the problem. When the child knows that you have understood the reason for his difficulties, his attitude can change radically.
- Crack. In his role as a teacher, the instructor must be patient, of course. But he must not accept as an inevitability that his work is destroyed by the misbehaviour of a child. Nor should he tolerate other children being prevented from receiving the Word of God. Here is a principle that can help in this area: it is the “guilty”, and he alone, who must suffer the consequences of his evil deeds. If his bad behaviour becomes uncomfortable and brings him only inconvenience, the child will quickly understand where his interest is.
- Do not use the Word of God or adult meetings to punish. How, when they grow older, will children be able to love what has been a punishment for them? Instead, use a system of deprivation of reward, participation in an activity that he likes, isolation of the group. Plan in advance what you can use to react, not with the blow, but wisely.
© Monitor Workshop
