Insular Square

"Being A Sunday School Teacher"

by Sis. Abby Cisneros

 

I have been privileged to teach the Faith Explorers at Living Word Insular Square. As we are about to celebrate our first year, marking God’s faithfulness in our church, I want to share some things I have learned in teaching God's Word to children:

 

1. Before I teach, I have to be the learner first.

As I study and prepare my lesson for Sunday school, God’s word has to speak to my heart first. It is embarrassing to admit that there are days that I do not feel like studying at all. It is either I am too tired, too busy or too lazy. As a teacher, I cannot lead where I am not going. This thought has brought conviction in my heart. It will be hard for me to speak with enthusiasm about prayer and Bible reading when I do not spend time alone with God and learn from Him.

 

2. The Holy Spirit is the real Teacher.

More often than not, I am tempted to spend most of my time on one point or illustration and have the rest of the lesson as ‘side dish’. Come Sunday, the class may want to focus on a different point. I have to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. One big lesson learned for me: Know the whole lesson.

 

3. Teaching is worshiping.

On my first point, I shared about my 'not being in the mood' to study. This is the time to exercise my faith in God’s word. Psalm 43:3 is a promise that says, "Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling." When I cannot remember the way to God, He will lead me. When I do not have the strength to search for Him, He will pursue me.

 

4. Teaching is passing on the baton.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 says we are to pass on what we have learned to reliable men who will then pass it on to others. I believe that in the hearts of the other Sunday school teachers, this rings true. We must never forget as we study for our lessons that we are teaching children-the next generation.

 

5. Christ-Centered, Bible-believing teaching but fun in method.

It is a different challenge to hold the Sunday school in a mall. Children having short attention span while the surroundings are varying in sounds and color, creating various distractions.  It is interesting to see how the Sunday school teachers would come up with different and creative ideas to make learning fun.  We even surprise each other and yes, learn from one another as well. So we teach the truths of God's Word and not those created by men, but we adopt creative ways to make learning fun and interesting. Rearrange the area, use different styles and play games.

 

So this is what the Lord has been teaching me as a Sunday school teacher in Living Word Insular Square. God is continually molding  the lives of His people, teachers and children alike.  Perhaps you are seeking and praying for direction as to where you want to be used for God’s glory. Consider the Faith Explorer ministry. Here, we are molding the next generation of leaders and worshipers of our Living God.