Sunday, 04 October 2009

• Teaching Sunday School Teens: An Introduction

  I've taught Sunday School for the better part of twenty years (has it really been that long?), and for a majority of that time it has been for students from 8th grade through college age.  Over the years I've learned (from trial-and-error, mostly) about the unique challenges of teaching Sunday School for them and think that I can offer some not-so-terrible advice about the subject.  And considering how wordy I am (at least according to my wife), I think I have to make this a series of entries.

  Now I have to caveat all this by saying that I have no formal seminary training nor any sort of degree in education whatsoever.  The only guidance I have is the Holy Spirit, a lot of books, and the occassional weekend Sunday School teacher workshop offered by my church.  I only have the utmost respect for those who go to school to study Christian Education or those who consider teaching the Bible to our youth as their life's work, and in no way do I think that I can speak better on the subject than they can.  But I think I fall into the category of a majority of Sunday School teachers out there... who were dragged kicking and screaming through manipulation and guilt into futilely trying to hold whiny teenagers' attentions for an hour every Sunday until one day they ask for a "sabbatical" that they never actually return from... haha, kidding... sorta.  And I think I can offer advice to people who may feel like they're in way over their heads and not have the training to fall back on.
  

  I know at times you may feel inadequate or ill-equipped.  There are some Sundays when you get home and you wonder if anyone is getting anything out of the lesson plan you spent hours (or perhaps several desperate minutes right before class) preparing.  Maybe you only "volunteered" because no one else would do it if you didn't.  Or maybe you had a different vision of what it would be like and became discouraged after that kid you had so much hope for just stopped showing up.

  I hear you.  I've been there.

  I want to tell you that it's not in vain.  God knows and sees.  You have a great responsibility but also a great helper in the Holy Spirit, and God's Word "will not return to [Him] empty" (Is. 55:11).

  For the next several weeks I will write about what I know on certain aspects of teaching teens in Sunday School like how to engage a quiet or withdrawn class... or dealing with dry material... or the dangers of being your students' "buddy"... or what to do if your students find your revelife site and they know you're talking about them...

  I've never done anything like this before, so please be patient with me.  I'd also like to use this as a forum for other teachers to voice their opinions, ask questions, or give advice to each other.

  Next time: "The Disruptive One"

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