This is my third year of teaching little ones in Sunday School. For the most part, the same little ones year after year. Since granddaughter, Eden, is in the class and granddaughter, Norrah, is my helper, I have not minded one bit. This year my class is comprised of second and third grade students--but, since the vast majority of them would qualify as gifted in any school, we do pretty well in the third and fourth grade student books. I like the way we do Sunday school at Grandview. One month on, one month off throughout the school year, then summers off while reinforcements take over for our summer Sunday School. Were like a well-maintained race car, even while we are running our race for Jesus. Having the same group of students year after year is both a privilege and a challenge. It is an opportunity to really get to know the students and the things of which they are capable and (sometimes) a chance to know them so well, they are at home at church. Drawing upon some of educations best practices, from the education guru Harry Wong, I have instituted procedures for our class, especially for those times when we are a little, dare I say it, out of control. While I am greeting the students upon arrival, there is an opening activity to keep them occupied (and to interrupt the constant playing of madcap tag.) And, when they are especially noisy and rambunctious, there is a secret sign for a silent seat that calls them back to the feet of Jesus. I love when we come together in a circle on our rectangular rug to practice our four part prayers to God: praise, confession, thanksgiving and requests are made in voice that are sent straight from the purest of hearts to the heart of the Father. (if someone does not choose to pray, they simple poke their neighbor and the prayer goes on.) I wish you could hear these beautiful prayers that are elegant in their simplicity and honesty. It is a wonder we can leave this circle without wearing scarves over our faces. Most of the children have fallen into the routine and it is a simple matter to remind them of our mornings purpose. One student, John, has been something of a challenge. Johns mom would tell you John has some developmental delays--and, while John is a wonderfully loving little boy, he is not always a wonderfully compliant little boy. It began in kindergarten when John would much rather sit under the table than at the table, usually with several puppets and plastic vehicle in hand. At first I was insistent that John MUST join us and do what we are doing, because thats what it expected of little boys in Gods house. I quickly learned that that was not the way to treat John. Like an unbroken stallion, John didnt really appreciate .... more to come
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:25:58 +0000
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