I have written and edited church school resources, and led teacher education workshops, for more than 30 years. So perhaps I should explain how to plan a session or tell a story. Or maybe I could describe the faith development of children during these years. Instead, I have chosen to write about what I have learned as I complete my tenth year in the trenches — as a teacher of the sixth grade church school class at my church. I advise now from a different perspective and with even more conviction.
You have been called to be a church schoolteacher. Teaching is a calling from God, one of the gifts of the Spirit, a way to build up the Body of Christ. It says so in the Bible. I have known it for myself and others with whom I have taught. So think of teaching in the church school as a calling, not a task dumped on you by a pastor sounding desperate, or because you felt guilty. You have been called to teach and nurture the most vulnerable and precious commodity in the Body of Christ, the children.
My Aunt Nina, a maiden lady (as she was described in her day) taught the beginners’ class (anyone younger than first grade) for more than 50 years. Don’t you know she saw this as a calling? When you think of teaching as a calling, your heart is lifted above the petty frustrations of running out of glue, and your goal reaches beyond getting through each Sunday. You recognize that you are helping your congregation fulfill the baptismal promises made to each child, and you realize that you are part of something bigger in the life and ministry of the church. Remember your calling.
Relate directly to the child. While it is true that you are in a partnership with the parents and/or other significant adults in a child’s life, establish a direct bond of friendship with that child. The older the child, the more important this bond is. Avoid using parents as a threat, as in “Do I have to talk with your parents?”
A few years ago, a boy in the class was giving us some grief after several weeks of pleasant participation. I thought I had a basis for a relationship with him; I also knew his family. Instead of talking with his mother, I decided to call the boy at home to talk about what was happening in church school. I called him after school during the week. His mother answered, but I simply said that I wanted to talk with her son. (If he wanted to tell her about our call that was fine.) I told him that I was concerned that we were not getting on well during church school and asked what he thought he or I could do to make things better. He didn’t have an answer, but I told him that if he thought of something to let me know. A marked improvement came over him after that. Perhaps I was just fortunate, but I think that talking with him directly made a difference. I wanted church school to be better for both of us and we could make that happen.
In the case of a younger child, you might ask a parent for advice, but deal directly with the child.
Get to know the children by name and interests. Look for them in worship, during the fellowship hour, in the grocery store, and at other activities outside the church. Nothing warms my heart more than to hear a child describe me as a “friend” or to call out “hello.” I can only assume that children feel the same warmth when I greet them.
Teach with others. I make no apologies for admitting that I could not teach one year if I did not teach with others, creating a teaching team. I have been fortunate to teach with at least two other adults each of these ten years, and will continue in that pattern. For us, team teaching means that we are all there and have responsibilities each Sunday. We all are familiar with the lesson plan and the Bible passage. It also means that, if I am traveling most of a week, I don’t have to be responsible for introducing new material. That week, I may prepare the review of the previous session or take care of the opening and closing times.
Teaching with others has enriched and improved my teaching as well. We observe different things about the children. We come up with various ideas to enrich or adapt the session plan. And it is way more fun to plan together, to teach together, and to talk about the session afterwards. The child protection policy of my church mandates two unrelated adults with each class, but having another person teaching with you is far more valuable than meeting policy requirements. If you teach alone, invite a friend to join you. An added benefit for the children is that when you are absent, a familiar face still greets them.
Prepare and pray; pray and prepare. Whether you begin with prayer or with preparation is not so important, but include both big time. Don’t wait until Saturday night (or Sunday morning) to do either. Pray for your planning and pray for the children daily. Let the children know that you pray for them and invite them to pray for you. Begin your preparation early in the week so the focus and Scripture for the session can work in you for a few days. Figure out a schedule for planning each session and work it. Such preparation makes in-the-moment adjustments much easier. With attendance patterns as irregular as they are in most church schools, on-the-spot changes are often required. When you have prayed and planned in advance, you can meet those challenges.
Whether you are pondering an invitation to teach or you have been teaching for many years, I pray that teaching the children in your church, whatever their age, deepens your faith and makes your heart sing.
Carol Wehrheim is a Christian education curriculum writer, consultant, book author, and editor living in Princeton, N.J. She has been a visiting professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary.
