The healing of the nobleman’s son (bonus post).
A few Sundays ago, I was getting ready to go upstairs to my Bible class. The 2- and 3- year-old class is on the first floor, as well as an adult class. I was visiting with one of our families when one of our children, new to the congregation, came in. She ran back to her class and returned with a sad look on her face. She was upset because her teacher wasn’t there. Her grandmother assured her that her teacher would be there in time for class, but her response was an unhappy one. Her comment was, “She is supposed to be here”.
The teacher was delayed and arrived before class began, but this child had already learned that her teacher is there early; and she wanted to go to class—right then!
We have expectations of the children that come to our classes. We expect them to be prepared, bring their Bibles, know their memory work, get there on time, and have good behavior. Our elders expect that our children have read their Bible every day. They have the same expectation of us as teachers, as well as members. Think about it. Do you come to class prepared? Have you studied your lesson? Have you read your Bible every day? Did you bring your Bible to class?
I was excited to see a 3-year-old little girl anxious to get to Bible class. Her teacher is a new teacher but has been instantly accepted by the children. She works very hard on her lessons, and she loves the children.
Those two qualities—loving the children and working hard on the lessons are two of the most important things about teaching. The first, of course, is loving God.
There are a few other things that are important in teaching children. Some teachers have many years of experience, but they continue to teach the same way they did when they first started teaching. They teach the same class, use the same material they have been using for years, and continue to use the same visuals. Our children don’t learn the same way, so we need to update our lessons and our visuals. Believe it or not, children still like visuals.
In our congregation, our elders determined that our children were not learning a lot of basic information through the Bible classes. A new program has been put into place, and we have certain memory work that is required every quarter. That memory work starts with the 2- and 3-year-old class. At the end of each quarter, the children who complete their memory work receive a ribbon. Their pictures are displayed on the screen, and our minister reads their names to the congregation. At the end of this last quarter, there were only two children that did not do the memory work. One of those had just moved into the 2- and 3-year-old class. From the baby class. He will be presented with a ribbon as soon as he learns his required memory work.
This memory work is in addition to the required participation in Lads to Leaders Bible bowl for all children 2nd grade and up. In order to be included in the convention, children must participate in Bible bowl and one other event. Good Samaritan bronze is also required to attend the convention. We have mentors working with all of these children, preparing them for Bible bowl. That is in addition to adults who are studying weekly with Bible bowl teams.
Our elders are committed to having our children learn all they can from the Scripture under godly teachers who love the Lord and His Word. It is remarkable to see these young people studying with one another and with their mentors.
If you are a teacher are you always in the worship service, in a Bible class when not teaching, studying the Scripture, and sharing it in any way that will encourage, educate, enhance, or elevate a more thorough knowledge of God’s Word?