ARTICLES
Good Moods Bad Moods
Anyone who has worked with preteens knows they are subject to mood swings. The preteen years are “the best of times and the worst of times”. How do you relate to your students in the midst of their emotional turmoil?
What are miracles and does God still do them today?
When God uses His power to cause something to happen on Earth, it’s called a miracle. Christmas is a time lots of people think about God’s miracles. Long ago, God sent an angel from Heaven to announce the birth of His Son, Jesus.
How to Recognize a True Decision
Suppose you talked with Sarah a few weeks ago about salvation and she prayed to receive Christ as her Savior. Now you’re wondering, Did she make a true decision? God alone identifies every true believer (Matt. 7:23). But we need to know the spiritual condition of our students as much as we can to help meet their real heart needs. Consider the following evidences as possible ways to recognize true decisions.
Countering Evolution Myths
From movies to textbooks children learn false ideas about the past. They are left with the message that the Bible is an outdated book of stories with no relevance to our lives. Following are four basic messages to help your older students counter what they’re being taught in secular programs.
Child-Size Teaching
Why would a teacher use a time line in her first grade Sunday school class? I suspect she saw the idea somewhere and thought it looked like fun-not realizing this age group doesn’t understand time relationships!
Can anyone find Noah’s ark, the Ark of the Covenant or the Garden of Eden?
Archaeologists have already made incredible discoveries that agree with many stories and facts in the Bible. Only God knows if other big discoveries will be made. Don’t be surprised, though, if He keeps some important evidence a secret forever.
Maximizing Space for Visual Learners
When Robert started attending children’s church I posted enlarged song charts, used bigger story props and made picture memory verse cards. Robert had an eye disease that would eventually take his sight so I wanted to accommodate his visual disability. But a strange thing happened.
How to Support the Grieving Child
Children may face the death of a family member or friend while under your teaching. How do you handle this delicate topic? How can you affirm the goodness of God? There are three steps in explaining death to children.
Be Prepared to Teach Thinkers
Recently a three-year-old asked, “What if Jesus had not been born?” Ironically that was the same question my adult small group had pondered and discussed at length. Teachers who spend time with children knows that critical thinking is for all ages not just adults Educators tell us, “Young children can think critically long before thinking symbolically; that is formally or abstractly”.