Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-9
There are several reasons why children's Sunday-school is a neglected ministry in most churches. Firstly, adults tend to "despise" children (MAT 18:10), Secondly, it takes far more effort and manpower to run children's programs than adult ones. Thirdly, children's ministries do not produce visible fruit till much later but now we are about to learn from God's Word about the importance of this ministry.
Commanded to teach children The Bible repeatedly reveals the importance of training our children. Adam obviously taught his sons about the need of offering an animal sacrifice (HEB 11:4). God commended Abraham for teaching his children to "keep the way of the LORD" (GEN 18:19). God commanded His people to "diligently teach" their children His words (DEU 6:7-9). When we compare PRO 5:7 ("Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth") with PRO 5:13 ("And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me"), we realize that child-father relationships mentioned in the Bible also refer to student-teacher relationships.
God has provided the best children's training manual, namely, the Bible and especially the book of Proverbs. Much of Proverbs is written from the perspective of a father to his child (eg. PRO 1:8,10,15; 2:1; 3:1,11).
Jesus Christ Himself set the example of being a diligent student of God's Word when he was a child (LUK 2:46) - and we know that every act of Christ is an instruction for our own life. Our Lord loved little children and reached out to them (MAT 18:1-6, 19:13-15).
It is important to teach children because they learn things far more readily than adults. (Adults are usually too proud to learn and hardened by sin.) Furthermore, what is learned by a child is seldom forgotten (PRO 22:6). And a child, who is saved early in life, wastes fewer years pursuing the worthless things of this world and has more years to serve God.
Children are able to trust in the Lord when they are young (PSA 71:5) and can be mightily used by God (PSA 8:2). Therefore, God expects us to prepare our children to know their Creator when they are young (ECC 12:1).
As in the case of teaching adults, the two most important lessons that must be taught to children are God's judgment upon sin and His remedy for sin.
Principles of teaching children: The Bible teaches us that we must adjust our method of instruction to suit the hearers (1CO 9:19-22). Therefore, we should have shorter lessons (to suit their short attention spans), use object lessons (since they have not learned to understand abstract concepts), teach the same truths repeatedly (since they are forgetful), use many gestures (since they are better observers than listeners), plan active lessons (to suit their physically active nature), maintain "pace" (since they are easily distracted) and enforce discipline (since they lack it).
Though the Bible is full of interesting stories, it is not a storybook but a book of life-principles. Therefore, teachers must emphasize the principles in the story rather than the facts of the story - and teach practical applications of these principles. Sunday-school teachers must constantly self-analyze their teaching methods and learn from others, so that they are always improving.
Results of teaching children: "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…that no flesh should glory in his presence" (1CO 3:27-29). When a child is saved and his life is wonderfully transformed, God is greatly glorified since the child's salvation cannot be attributed to his natural seriousness about spiritual matters, nor to his impending death, nor to his wisdom Furthermore, his salvation reveals that God is a gracious God who saves those who have little to offer Him in return. Little children often have surprisingly clear understanding of the Gospel, strong assurance of salvation, strong faith in God's promises and great boldness to declare their faith. The Sunday-school ministry provides ample opportunity for service. It is wonderful training ground and testing-ground for teachers, preachers and future leaders.
God has provided the best children's training manual, namely, the Bible and especially the book of Proverbs. Much of Proverbs is written from the perspective of a father to his child (eg. PRO 1:8,10,15; 2:1; 3:1,11).
Jesus Christ Himself set the example of being a diligent student of God's Word when he was a child (LUK 2:46) - and we know that every act of Christ is an instruction for our own life. Our Lord loved little children and reached out to them (MAT 18:1-6, 19:13-15).
It is important to teach children because they learn things far more readily than adults. (Adults are usually too proud to learn and hardened by sin.) Furthermore, what is learned by a child is seldom forgotten (PRO 22:6). And a child, who is saved early in life, wastes fewer years pursuing the worthless things of this world and has more years to serve God.
Children are able to trust in the Lord when they are young (PSA 71:5) and can be mightily used by God (PSA 8:2). Therefore, God expects us to prepare our children to know their Creator when they are young (ECC 12:1).
As in the case of teaching adults, the two most important lessons that must be taught to children are God's judgment upon sin and His remedy for sin.
Principles of teaching children: The Bible teaches us that we must adjust our method of instruction to suit the hearers (1CO 9:19-22). Therefore, we should have shorter lessons (to suit their short attention spans), use object lessons (since they have not learned to understand abstract concepts), teach the same truths repeatedly (since they are forgetful), use many gestures (since they are better observers than listeners), plan active lessons (to suit their physically active nature), maintain "pace" (since they are easily distracted) and enforce discipline (since they lack it).
Though the Bible is full of interesting stories, it is not a storybook but a book of life-principles. Therefore, teachers must emphasize the principles in the story rather than the facts of the story - and teach practical applications of these principles. Sunday-school teachers must constantly self-analyze their teaching methods and learn from others, so that they are always improving.
Results of teaching children: "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…that no flesh should glory in his presence" (1CO 3:27-29). When a child is saved and his life is wonderfully transformed, God is greatly glorified since the child's salvation cannot be attributed to his natural seriousness about spiritual matters, nor to his impending death, nor to his wisdom Furthermore, his salvation reveals that God is a gracious God who saves those who have little to offer Him in return. Little children often have surprisingly clear understanding of the Gospel, strong assurance of salvation, strong faith in God's promises and great boldness to declare their faith. The Sunday-school ministry provides ample opportunity for service. It is wonderful training ground and testing-ground for teachers, preachers and future leaders.
May God help us to have the finest Sunday-school with the widest outreach to our community. May we continue to uphold our present Sunday-school teacher in prayer and pray for more teachers to be raised.
God Bless you all and if you are interested in becoming an Assistant Sunday School teacher please feel free to talk to me after service on Sunday...Rev. Naomi Daniel!
