CELEBRATION SUNDAYJUNE 14, 2015

Sunday School Teachers

Prek – KDenise Beach

Susan FergusonKatie Simi

1st – 2nd

Gabby ArmijoChristy Raut

Lois Akin

3rd – 4th

Jill WesteynJudie Pepper

Sheila McLean

5th – 6th

Chris HaganElizabeth Nelson

Sherry Olson

JR – SR HighBernie Akin

Kathy ThomasMike Twedt

Adults:Marilyn Dorn

Lindsey Smith

SS Superintendent Sheila McLean

Why do parents bring their children Sunday School?

Learn about God

Quiet time to experience fellowship without kids

Time for adult Sunday School

Get to know the other families in church

What are some reasons you bring your child to Sunday School?

Why do teachers teach Sunday School?

I get to be goofy for God.  It’s a great creative outlet.  I love the personal challenge of presenting the bible in a fresh way that they don’t even realize they are “learning” cause they are having too much fun.  I also get a huge sense of satisfaction when a kid finally “gets it”.  It gives me hope for the future of the world.

   When a child who spends most of a year asking for

prayers only for themselves all the sudden asks for prayers out of a concern for someone else - you come face to face with the blessing of showing a child the transforming power of God’s love.  

My biggest benefit then is the joy of seeing the kids understand the lesson, especially the scripture.

The children are a blessing and taking time out from our “busy” days to show that they are important is the least we can do.  It’s what Jesus did.

Why do teachers teach Sunday School?

The personal benefit I get from teaching Sunday School is bringing myself to the children's level of simplistic understanding.  I enjoying seeing their viewpoint.  I actually think that I learn from them.  They put things into a complete new perspective for me.

It has forced me to learn more about the Bible.  I continue to strive to learn the lessons in children's Bible and lesson plan and reflect on them with my own children because I know that they have learned the same thing that I did that week.  I also want to be a role model for them so I let them know that they are not the only ones that learned something spiritually.

I would tell them that children had a lot more to teach us then we give them credit for.  They are the reason why many of us strive to be better people.  They bring us joy, especially to those who teach Sunday school whose children may already be grown.

Why do teachers teach Sunday School?

One benefit of teaching Sunday School is a better understanding myself of the events/stories in the Bible and secondly, watching the kids grow and progress as well. Teaching the kids the parts of the Bible and the different seasons and continually reviewing also provides them an education with Christian Education. The interaction with kids is amazing especially when they can bring their own life experiences into the lesson.

Not only are you putting smiles on the kids’ faces and watching them grow but it is also an awesome learning experience as an adult. Some of the stories in the Bible are really hard to understand but seeing the stories through the kids eyes and more down to earth gives me a better understanding of the Bible as well.

Issues With The Current Sunday School Model

Too few kids in some classes means we lose opportunity for lively discussion

Teacher burn-out

Only on Sunday

When attendance is low, teachers combine classes

Children don’t have the opportunity to learn from other enriching experiences or others with special gifts and talents

The New Model for Christian Education

Shifting from “Sunday School” to Christian Education to insure we don’t limit opportunities to grow on just Sundays

Have monthly “all hands” special events• May include mission projects• May include crafts, music and outside programs

Classes broken down two “learning” groups• Grades K thru 5• Grade 6 through HS• Preschool in the nursery (participation in the

monthly programs)

Continuing Lectionary Curriculum to connect with worship, music and other areas of our congregational life.

Allow teachers to teach less frequently but with more energy and creativity

Engage others with special talents and gifts for monthly events

How will these changes help Christ Presbyterian Church grow a

vibrant Christian Education Ministry?

Larger groups of children provide opportunity for games and conversation not possible today

Allow teachers to re-energize and work as a larger team

Introduce children to other adults in the church who don’t teach them each week

Thank you for Great 2014-2015

Sunday School Year