Encouragement

Teachers: Do you ever find yourself “bursting at the seams” before you enter the classroom? Are you bursting because your mind and heart have been so excited, moved, and transformed by what you have feasted on through the Word during the week that you just can’t wait to share it with the children?

One of my great joys in teaching children biblical truth is how the Lord uses the time spent in lesson preparation to feed my own soul.

"My child doesn't want to go to church." Sadly, I’ve heard this statement from more than a few parents over the years. Some even say, “My child hates to go to church.” It can turn Sunday mornings into a miserable experience for parents and children alike. I have had some desperate, frazzled parents arrive at the classroom with a young child who is literally kicking and screaming. What’s a parent to do? Here are ten general suggestions that may be helpful. How you apply each may look very different depending on the age of the child—but the basic principles are the same.

In the month of January, the days are short, and the nights are long and cold (for some of us). The busy holiday season is over, and many of us feel tired and worn down. Additionally, seasonal illnesses are affecting many homes and churches. Hence, the eagerness and energy of the school year’s beginning have diminished. What can parents, children’s ministry leaders, and volunteers do to fight midyear doldrums and discouragements?

This past Sunday our church began the new Sunday school year. I loved seeing the bustling activity of eager children, with Bibles in hand, entering their classrooms. By God’s grace, we are fully staffed with experienced volunteers who are well-prepared for the coming weeks. But we all know there will be various challenges ahead—illness, inattentive children, missing classroom supplies, absentee parents, etc. Furthermore, in some churches, not all teachers and volunteers feel adequately prepared, equipped, or supported. 

Student Workbooks and Journals are two of the most important tools for you to have in your classroom to teach and train the children in your church or school!

Truth78 encourages teachers to center their class on two main elements—teaching and application. To aid teachers and small group leaders with the application time, we have developed students workbooks to accompany each curriculum. Our purpose for workbooks is two-fold...

I can’t wait to get into the classroom again. I love teaching the next generation about “the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Psalm 78:4)—especially the wonders of the gospel of Jesus! As a teacher, I am already busy planning and preparing for the year, as are many other classroom volunteers. But parents, we need your help to ensure that your child will have the best possible experience in the classroom. Here are some basic things you can do to help.

When I first began teaching Sunday school 30+ years ago, our classes met year-round and class time was typically an hour and a half in duration. Needless to say, it was quite a challenge to retain teachers year after year, and the summer months proved particularly difficult. Then, our church decided to take the summer off from the regular Sunday routine. It was a wonderful time of rest and refreshment for our volunteers. We came back eager and energized in the fall. Hence, a 40-week Sunday school year served to benefit both teachers and students. 

The most biblical vision, the best parenting strategies, and the most comprehensive Deuteronomy 6:7-9 instruction in the Christian faith does not guarantee that children will be born again and that parents will experience the joy of seeing them walk in the Truth. Saving faith for any child “is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one [no parent, no pastor, no grandparent, no Sunday school teacher] may boast.” God’s unstoppable purposes for our children and our inescapable responsibility to raise them in the faith come together in prayer.

Let’s face it, most of us don’t minister to children—whether at home or in the church—in circumstances that are always wonderful and ideal. It can be tempting to become frustrated and discouraged. If you find yourself needing some encouragement to press on, we’d like to offer you these top 10 posts to feed your soul this week... 

In the month of January, the days are short, and the nights are long and cold (for some of us). The busy holiday season is over, and many of us feel tired and worn down. Additionally, another wave of COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses are affecting many homes and churches. Hence, the eagerness and energy of the school year’s beginning have diminished. What can parents, children’s ministry leaders, and volunteers do to fight the midyear doldrums and discouragements?