Internal Ministries
Sunday School
"...Jesus called them (the children) unto Him,
and said, Suffer (permit) little children to come
unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom
of God." (Luke 18:16) Young children are drawn to
the person of Jesus Christ and Sunday School is one
way the Church obeys His command to let them come.
The Sunday School staff have spent many years enriching
the concept of this educational activity at Living Word,
from one of "read and preach" to one of total
Christian education. Teachers' workshops are held
to acquaint teachers (and interested parents) with special
learning characteristics of children and the best instructional
methods to use. During the workshops, basic aspects
of a child's learning process are discussed. Guidelines
are established and teachers are shown how to meet children's
needs in emotional, physical, social, and spiritual
areas of their development.
In a typical Sunday School class, time is broken down
into three major portions: Bible learning activity,
which deals with everyday life, homelike situations,
and work and play, to teach Scriptural principles. Children
generally begin by starting at an activity table and
then moving onto second and third tables after each
activity is completed. When the activities have been
completed there is time devoted to studying about various
biblical stories and accounts and singing praises unto
the Lord.
Together Time Workshop uses songs geared to each age
group, to teach children to worship their Heavenly Father.
With specific aims and goals in view for each session,
teachers are able to fulfill their responsibilities
of teaching Bible principles to our precious children.
Children from age three through fifth grade attend
classes beginning at 8:30 Sunday morning, where they
learn from God's Book. Bible stories are read and
discussed with emphasis on practical application of
spiritual truth.
Youngsters in Sunday School are challenged to participate
in individual and group activities that may range from
pasting pictures together to make a collage of things
they are thankful for to marching seven times around
a "Jericho" of desks and chairs. No matter
the lesson at hand, children are taught the relevancy
of the Scriptures to their everyday lives.
Superintendents Bros. Ed Lane and Norm McDonald feel
it is most important that parents know what is being
taught in the Christian Education Program. Each parent
receives a book of the Bible stories presented each
week. Parents are asked to read these stories to their
children during the week, to reinforce the lessons given
each Sunday. Parents are invited to attend workshops
and to sit in on Sunday morning classes. With parents
and teachers working together in this way, children
are being brought up even more effectively in the ways
of the Lord.
Many of the younger adults have fond memories of their
times spent in Sunday School as they were growing up.
Quite a large number of them have returned to Sunday
School, this time in the role of teacher. Sister Sharon
Bonney is one example of someone who went through the
program herself as a young child and now has returned
to volunteer as an educator with today's little
ones. She enjoys working with the children and has the
opportunity of serving together with her husband James.
Like so many ministries, Sunday School is one area where
husbands and wives can work together in service to the
Lord.
We are blessed to be able to have Sunday School. The
opportunity to make a positive impression on a youngster
for Jesus Christ is without doubt one of the best blessings
that one can take part in. Living Word Church places
a strong emphasis on families and relationships. We
believe the Sunday School ministry is another avenue
of helping to strengthen family bonds and values and
a love for our Savior.
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