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Re-doing Sunday School
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So Sunday morning I overheard a rather loud conversation between 2 Sunday school teachers about the curriculum and style of choice and how our kids aren’t learning anything. 1 is just a mom who didn’t even really want to teach (but we couldn’t find teachers), and 1 is a teacher in the school system, I believe. The teacher was of course backing curriculum, offering to look at other curricula and supplements, etc. The mom was adamant that that *is* the problem. When they finished talking, I went up to the mom and told her I completely agree with her. We spoke for a bit about what we see are the problems (for instance, evidently our current curriculum repeats in 4 years – ie, they’re getting the Creation story TWICE before they are confirmed and done with Sunday school). After church, my dh told me I would be perfect for getting this change done. He really, really encouraged me to do this and speak up/out & is willing to help me. I am scared, to be completely honest. I know that if God wants me to do this, fine, I will, but I am SCARED. We have only been members there for a year. What can I do? I am just a mom who doesn’t even teach Sunday school. I am on the education committee, hoping to make a difference, but me and another homeschool mom (whose dd is now in college) get shot down because “we’re not teachers” and it’s not “status quo.” It is a scary beast to be up against – I know you all know that.
So now I wonder – how do I know this is what God wants me to do? How do I go about it? We are a conservative Lutheran church, and women don’t lead men (which is fine with me, but therefore I don’t know what I *can* do about much of anything – in my mind it’s kind of unclear how far I can take matters into my own hands). Anyway, any encouragement, words of wisdom, books/blogs, whatever you can throw at me to help us sort this out and see what God has in store for us would be awesome.
Thanks, all!
Could you and your husband do this? You can be helpful and he can be in the lead and take any hits that may come your way.
Blessings,
Cindy
Check out the book – Already Gone by Ken Ham, get copies for everyone on your education committee and ask them to read it – I got the audio version from my library. After they listen to that, there’s no WAY they could not want to make a change in Sunday School curriculum.
Sara,
I too am from a conservative Lutheran Church (WELS). In our church, if it is the same as yours women can’t do much in the way of changing things. Your husband could do more if he were on the church council or an elder or leader. What part of the curriculum don’t you like? You said “evidently our current curriculum repeats in 4 years – ie, they’re getting the Creation story TWICE before they are confirmed and done with Sunday school).” It sounds like you don’t want it to repeat. Is that correct? I just want to say that children learn and remember things best (or very well anyway) by repitition. If you feel that God is leading you to find a new curriculum then you should persue it but do it gently. Many people do not like change.
For different curriculm try Northwest Publishing House ( our SS uses Christ Light but maybe that is what you are already using?) and try this site http://www.clclutheran.org/godshand.htm
Good Luck!
Hi Kristen-
Yes, we are WELS, as well. 🙂 We are using ChristLight, and honestly, I can’t stand it. I want a lot *more* repetition. Once every 4 years is definitely not enough for these kids (all of whom go to public school) to learn anything and retain it. Even adults go through it more often than that! They are only coming to Sunday school for 1 hour a week, and that’s about all any of them get “God-wise.” As this mom said, “This church, and our synod, is failing our kids.” I completely agree with her (sorry!). One thing that we are disappointed with is the “dumbed down” version of the story rather than God’s Word being used in and of itself. As Lutherans, we baptize infants, but then we don’t follow through with them hearing God’s Word, the only Word that can grow faith in their young hearts. I just can’t understand that. It’s frustrating. We mostly take our kids to Sunday School for the “socialization” aspect, not because they’re learning much.
I will talk to my dh about taking more of a lead with it – because I agree, women just can’t seem to do much about changing anything. Which is really sad that they seemingly won’t listen when we bring up something important like this.
Sara, Rebekah is right. After you read Already Gone by Ken Ham you’ll know what changes need to be made. We left our church because we saw Sunday School is just for socialism and fun (one reason we left). My daughters actually got tired of hearing the same “stories” over and over (they used Abeka). They love learning different books of the bible at home with more indepth meaning and why we believe what we believe.
Tara
I will check out that book. I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t felt the need to read it. Maybe now’s a good time. 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion. My kids also can repeat the stories, but they have no meaning. They are just stories. It is so sad that these kids aren’t learning that these stories are actual history, not just fairy tales.
I need to buy that book. DH is a pastor, and there are only 2 kids under the jr. high age, who are currently sitting in with the older kids during Sunday school hour. The content of the current curriculum is very “culturally relevant” to public school today, and it just seems to lack focus on God. DD gets some pretty solid foundation at home, but some of these kids some from a home whose parents don’t have “time” or “room” for God in their life, so I know that this is it for them.
I do have a chance to choose curriculum for the younger ones as our church grows large enough to have an elementary class. This is the curriculum I have chosen, as soon as we get approval from the elders. I would like to see a sample of the format first, but I do like the content.
http://www.childrendesiringgod.org/
April
April,
We’re Southern Baptist and our church uses Lifeway, which we can’t stand for many of the same reasons. DH & I taught kids SS (4 & 5 year olds) for many years, but refused to do so using the church’s chosen curriculum. It is twaddle. We chose Children Desiring God and really enjoyed it. It alternated NT & OT each year. There was a simple coloring book for the kids that we used as the arrival activity, a little attention getting hook and Bible stories! We read the story from the Bible and used flannelgraph as we told the story. You can see some samples here. We enjoyed it.
Sara,
Our family attends an LCMS Lutheran church here. We have similar issues with those in the teaching position. However, the curriculum seems to be a bit deeper than it had been before a change the writing/ editing staff. The teachers are encouraged to have the Bible open (for all grades) and read from it (depending upon the age & lesson). Unless things have changed, when I was the SS Superintendent at our old church, there were several options for the teachers to use during class time as far as reinforcing the lesson – some were on the twaddley side, but others were quite good. There is also a sheet for the teacher to print off to send home that gives suggestions for the family to reinforce/ reflect upon the lesson for the week. I can’t remember the name of it off the top of my head, but I can look for it if you like.
I am praying for you.
~jacqleene
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