I'm getting hungry for some fresh statistics about Sunday School in the LCMS. I guess I'm going to have to bug our marketing people for some survey data.
The trend that I'd like to test with some research is that I'm hearing more concerns and comments these days from very small Sunday Schools, congregations where Sunday School is often one group of mixed-age children studying with just a single adult.
Needless to say, this often requires a high degree of flexibility in all areas: a teacher who can "roll with the punches" and teach a lesson for preschoolers or preteens, or perhaps one of each in that day's class; students who will endure the awkward initial moments when there are no friends in the class and no else his or her age; a curriculum that can shift with the flow of students and still work effectively.
Here are some things I know in my heart will be true about such a Sunday School.
* The teacher will be the key to its success. I know this because it is true of every Sunday School classroom. The personality, preparation, and practice of the teacher will outweigh other variables. What should you do? Invest the position of Sunday School teacher with high honor and importance. Pursue the very best candidate, even if it means enlisting the person who might otherwise be an elder, choir member, or leader of the women's group. Make Sunday School the highest priority.
* This Sunday School will require significant investment. It will more expensive to provide materials; the cost of the teacher's resources will be divided among just a few students. It will require people resources. What should you do? Don't short-change this critical ministry. It will be tempting to cut back and try to get by without good materials, especially if attendance is sporadic.
* Attendance will fluctuate. And the impact of even one family being gone may be huge. What should you do? Emphasize good communication, so that teachers have every opportunity to prepare for those who will be attending, rather than those who didn't come this week. Send unused student material to absent families to review at home; this is a great excuse to encourage and educate parents.
* God will be present and bless the study of His Word! The class that consists of just one teacher and one student, even if it lasts only 20 minutes because many activities are skipped or go quickly, is still the opportunity to teach one of God's children His Word. What should you do? Give thanks, make the most of even the smallest opportunity, and pray that God will send more children next week who are hungry to hear the Word.
God bless!
We are one of those small Sunday schools. We have three classes, (14 kids) 1st and under (not reading), 2nd -6th grade and 7th-12th grade. The teachers are amazing and they do their best to "roll with the punches" Some days our 2nd -6th grade can have 7 or 3, and then people are visiting and then we have 15 in the class. That you can not plan for.
ReplyDeleteI have been meeting with my families and they are now talking about an intergenerational Sunday school for next year. We will see.
I enjoyed reading this. Thank you.
Susann, my wife makes the point that the small Sunday School can work like the big family devotion time. Use crafts that are open-ended, where each age can use their gifts (free art and play-dough come to mind). Ask questions that each child can answer at their own level. Enlist older kids to help the younger ones (and they can share student material if you are short).
ReplyDeleteBut don't give up! Small does not mean bad.
God bless!