|
|
 |
Opportunities to Serve in the Children's Sunday School Ministry
A thriving Children's Sunday School Ministry depends on the
support of many volunteers! If you feel called to serve, we would  like
to help you find the place best suited for your gifts and what brings
you joy. If you have any further questions, please contact Laurie
Newell.
I would prefer to support the program without direct contact with
children. Are there any options for me to get involved?
Yes! There are many needs that may fit with your gifts. Check
out our hotlist here.
I really enjoy children and want to work directly with them. Should
I be involved in weekly discipleship of children, or is being a substitute
right for me?
Our program is not one of simply conveying information to children.
It is a program of discipleship, where learning takes place in the context
of a committed loving relationship. For this reason, we ask that our
teachers and assistants commit to being in the classroom every week (allowing
for vacations, etc.). This is a sacrifice, to be sure, but we believe
it is a worthwhile sacrifice paying eternal dividends. If you really
enjoy children, but have a schedule that will take you away from the
classroom more than 25% of the time, please join us as a substitute!
I can commit to being in the classroom every week, but what are the
differences between being a Teacher, Co-teacher, or Assistant? Which
should I be?
- Teachers build relationships with the students and
prepare the lessons and activities each week. This takes significant
time prior to class.
Teachers are ultimately responsible for everything that happens in class.
- Co-teachers are there each week, but
switch roles every other week. One week, they teach and prepare ahead
of time; the next
week, they assist. It is important that co-teachers agree on basic
classroom style and functioning.
- Assistants make a commitment to be
in class every week. They are responsible for building relationships
with students and for assisting in implementing
the activities that the teacher has planned. Assistants are responsible
for discipline while the teacher is conducting the lesson. Some assistants
with special gifting or interests may want to take responsibility
for part of the classroom functioning: connecting especially with visitors,
providing the craft activity, or planning a game, etc. This is not
required, but if you have a special gift, be sure to let your teacher
know!
Which age group would I work with the best?
- Would you enjoy ministering to preschoolers? They’re cute,
say funny things, need to be engaged directly by the teacher. Most
of the learning takes place through listening to the story, and doing
activities, crafts, and games related
to the story. They can answer simple questions, but discussion is not
part of the learning experience. Free play takes up a significant amount
of class time at age 2; by age 4, classroom activities should occupy
the children the majority of the classtime.
- Would you enjoy ministering to first or second graders? They are
in the beginning years of schooling, learning to read and write, still
very
open to direct adult instruction, not questioning much yet. Bible and
discussion time should be kept short (10-15 minutes) . A lot of learning
should take place through activities, games, & crafts.
- Would you enjoy ministering to older elementary students-- third
through fifth graders? They are capable of questions and some
discussion and are beginning to connect how things fit together. They
still need crafts,
games,
and other fun activities
to learn and grow
at an optimal level. The children are divided by gender at the 4th
and 5th grade levels (4th girls, 4th boys, 5th girls, and 5th boys).
- If you enjoy ministering to kids, but prefer discussion,
check with our youth ministers about leading a discussion group. Ministering
to middle schoolers and senior high students may be the best fit
for
you. Contact Carlye Daugird
for more information.
What are the themes used to guide the discipleship in grades 1-5? I
might be drawn to one theme over another.
- 1st grade-- You would be helping the children learn
about the character of God, by
guiding them to answer the question, "What is God like?" each
week after their Bible story. Help children learn to praise God in
prayer.
- 2nd grade-- You would be helping children understand
the kind of life that pleases
God, by guiding them to answer the question, "What does God want
me to do?" each week after their Bible story. Help children
learn a variety of prayer: praise, confession, intercession, etc.
- 3rd grade-- What does it mean to have a personal
relationship with God? Help children grow in their own relationship
with God through understanding
specific Bible stories, conversational & listening prayer, and
your sharing & guidance.
- 4th grade-- Continue to help children understand
the character of God and how He relates to us, but add to
that the question, "Given how God relates
to us, how does He want us to relate to one another?" Help
children develop a care for the week, a biblical understanding
of submission to authority, a heart for racial reconciliation,
etc. Disciple children in praying earnestly for one another.
- 5th grade-- How does the Bible hang together? This
is a year to take what may be a patchwork understanding of God's plan,
and help children see the pattern as it unfolds. Help them to see the
hints of God's plan to redeem the world in the Old Testament, and the
fulfillment of His plan in the New Testament.
This year is a "big picture" year, and a year when children
may understand the unfolding of the kingdom of God in the Bible
and in themselves. There is an emphasis in prayer on personal spiritual
formation and on praying for missions.
Are there any other needs that I might be able to fill?
¿Habla español? We have opportunities for working with
Spanish-speaking children at the 11:05am service. Please indicate this
on your application form!
This sounds great! What is the next step?
Download and fill out the
application, then return it to the church
office. Be sure to indicate whether you'd rather be a substitute or can
commit to being involved weekly!
If you have any further questions, please contact Laurie
Newell.
Back to Philosophy ...
Back to Core Values...
|
|
