Comments on: Be Careful How You Teach

By: Luke Reifler

Luke Reifler — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 05:36:26 +0000

Leneita, May I congratulate you on sharing your mind, and the minds of many of us, about the contention between faith being “told” and “taught”. As an experienced Primary (Elementary) school teacher I can say the same thing about the transference of knowledge and understanding of any form – which is mostly written from an adult (or even a purely academic) mind-set and world-view. As a Children’s pastor I have found the same challenge with material produced for children’s church and Sunday school – and I say this after a month-long quest to review and select new curriculum. I’m on the cusp of making a decision from my shortlist and am greatly refreshed and encouraged by this challenging article – that regardless of the material we use, training the team to engage children relationally is paramount. Otherwise we certainly risk throwing pearls to swine. May the precious seeds of faith be planted in hearts with care and not cast recklessly towards an audience to be eaten or trampled into the mud of confusion. Blessings from Australia for your Kingdom goals. Luke – Director of Children’s Ministry, DaySpring Church, Sydney Australia

By: Luke Reifler

Luke Reifler — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 05:36:26 +0000

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 02:06:38 +0000

I’ve been teaching in children’s/ youth ministry 15+ years and have heard my share of crickets! I currently have a group of junior high girls who run the spectrum in Christian walks, social skills and openness. You are spot on about the curriculum…and I do think we have pretty good curriculum. But I try to look at the end result first – what do we want them to walk away understanding today? Our journey to that destination most likely looks very different from other classes in our youth group. Or at least it should, as the dynamics of each class vary greatly. I need to know my girls…their hopes, their struggles, their home life, their understanding of who Jesus is, and how they learn. And they need to know I care – truly care – and am invested in them. Girls need to talk, and be heard, and find ways to relate to each other, so we spend the first part of class “getting the girl out” by talking about our week. That time gives the chatty girls an outlet and helps the quieter girls open up. I take mental notes to draw in their experiences to the lesson as we go through. I am very much a line-by-line teacher and am constantly checking for understanding. We can give them lots of information – valuable information – but if they can’t relate to it or understand practical ways to apply it in their own lives, it’s useless to them.
I appreciate your writing on this subject and reminding me to view each detail and question from their perspective!

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 02:06:38 +0000