When I saw a post recommending an article titled "Four Ways to Clarify the Gospel for Kids" from ChurchLeaders.com, my interested was piqued. I was eager to see the wider Church giving some focus to this crucial topic. I was not entirely disappointed. The author, Sam Luce, states among other things, "It is massively important that we are clear on what the gospel is and what it isn't." Those who know me, know I couldn't agree more. You can read the entire article here. In summary, Luce suggests that teachers (1) be real, letting kids know that they need God as much as their students do, (2) not oversimplify doctrine, (3) use diverse examples in application, and (4) "bring it back to Jesus." Explaining this fourth point, Luce writes, "The application of every story needs to come back to Jesus and what He has done that empowers us to go and do."
Christ-Centered
Thanks, Sam, to taking us this far. I'm going to suggest though that for the sake of clarity, Lutherans might seek to unpack what it means to "bring it back to Jesus."
We don't mean that Jesus is a great example of what we should strive for in Christian living. Jesus is God; we are not. He is perfect; we are not. The focus of each lesson should not be "What would Jesus do?" but "What did Jesus do?" Paul writes that "[The Gospel] is the power of salvation to all who believe" (Romans 1:16). The Gospel is not about what I should do, but about what God did for me in the sacrifice of His Son and continues to do for me as the Holy Spirit works daily through the Word to strengthen faith.
We don't mean that Jesus motivates us to greater personal effort in going and doing the work of our salvation. Scripture is clear: salvation is only by God's gracious gift of faith (Ephesians 2:-9).
We don't mean that God's gift of faith in Christ makes us "perfectly empowered Christians." Dr. Earl Gaulke, writing in "Principles of Christian Education for the Local Parish" (LCMS Board for Parish Services Bulletin 90582, undated), says "We confuse Law and Gospel when we . . . describe faith in a way that does not fit all believers at all times." Being real means acknowledging the continued presence and impact of sin in the lives of believers as well as unbelievers.
What Has Christ Done?
So then, as we teach God's children His Word, let's be clear about "what He has done." Christ has fulfilled the Law perfectly on our behalf, suffered the punishment we deserve for our sin even to death, rose from death as the first-fruit of all who believe. Through faith in Him, believers have forgiveness of sin, new life now and forever.
When we "bring it back to Jesus" in our Sunday School lessons, let's be sure that repentant sinners leave with clear consciences. Bring it back to the Gospel: forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ!
In what other ways can Sunday School teachers teach the Gospel with clarity?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
What Makes Sunday School Material Lutheran?
I am frequently astonished at the willingness among Lutheran congregations to employ un-Lutheran material in their Sunday Schools and Christian education programs. What's up with that? It raises for me all sorts of questions.
Are they saying that the material we use doesn't make a difference?
Do they not understand the central place that the Sacraments have in the life of every Christian?
What do they expect volunteer teachers to do with un-Lutheran content?
Is the material really edited sufficiently to become Lutheran? Can it be?
What happens when un-Lutheran student material is taken home? Isn't a picture worth a thousand words? Are we in fact promoting heresy?
What is the long-term impact of using un-Lutheran material on the faith and life of teachers and students?
So, how do you know if material is Lutheran? Let's start with three basics.
Lutheran material teaches about sin and salvation, Law and Gospel, and God's forgiveness.
I occasionally hear complaints about the including so much discussion of sin and evil in our CPH Sunday School material. Without an understanding of sin however, and a realization that the world is tainted by it, the students have no real need or desire for God's forgiveness and the salvation He offers through His Son, Jesus.
Lutheran material teaches that God alone is able to work salvation and forgiveness.
God is the active ingredient in our faith relationship with Him. He is the potter; we, the clay. He is the giver; we are beggars who have nothing and bring nothing. He is life; we are dead in sin and unable to act in any way to merit His grace and mercy.
The Bible is the Word of God, contains no error or contradiction, and is the means by which God makes Himself known to us and shares His gifts with us.
Lutheran material will teach more than just Bible facts. It will teaches the meaning and message of the Scriptures.
(Last year I wrote about a simple tool for judging material; it is call "The Temple Test.")
The material you use as you teach God's children His Word will make a difference in their lives now and in eternity. I pray that God will guide those who make the crucial decisions about material. God bless you as you teach His children His Word.
Are they saying that the material we use doesn't make a difference?
Do they not understand the central place that the Sacraments have in the life of every Christian?
What do they expect volunteer teachers to do with un-Lutheran content?
Is the material really edited sufficiently to become Lutheran? Can it be?
What happens when un-Lutheran student material is taken home? Isn't a picture worth a thousand words? Are we in fact promoting heresy?
What is the long-term impact of using un-Lutheran material on the faith and life of teachers and students?
So, how do you know if material is Lutheran? Let's start with three basics.
Lutheran material teaches about sin and salvation, Law and Gospel, and God's forgiveness.
I occasionally hear complaints about the including so much discussion of sin and evil in our CPH Sunday School material. Without an understanding of sin however, and a realization that the world is tainted by it, the students have no real need or desire for God's forgiveness and the salvation He offers through His Son, Jesus.
Lutheran material teaches that God alone is able to work salvation and forgiveness.
God is the active ingredient in our faith relationship with Him. He is the potter; we, the clay. He is the giver; we are beggars who have nothing and bring nothing. He is life; we are dead in sin and unable to act in any way to merit His grace and mercy.
The Bible is the Word of God, contains no error or contradiction, and is the means by which God makes Himself known to us and shares His gifts with us.
Lutheran material will teach more than just Bible facts. It will teaches the meaning and message of the Scriptures.
(Last year I wrote about a simple tool for judging material; it is call "The Temple Test.")
The material you use as you teach God's children His Word will make a difference in their lives now and in eternity. I pray that God will guide those who make the crucial decisions about material. God bless you as you teach His children His Word.
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Sunday School Director
Directing a Sunday School is not an easy task. The Sunday School Revolutionary, Darryl Wilson, has posted recently and not so recently on his blog about the duties of a Sunday School Revolutionary, and his list is impressive. I've selected one worthy post; check it out, and browse the others if you wish. (It is worth noting that Mr. Wilson is a Baptist and "Sunday School" in his world view is primarily for adults.)
It strikes me that the Sunday morning experience is comprised of three primary components over which the SS director has some control, or should have: the teacher, the curriculum, and the classroom. (The fourth component, of course, is the student.)
The Teacher
The director works to have the very best teachers possible, offers them training and support, and directs their efforts for the benefit of the student. The teacher is a volunteer, but he or she is not a free agent; in accepting the position of teacher, he or she is agreeing to some specific duties and obligations, such as preparing adequately, using the curriculum provided, and following such policies are in place to guide his or her work.
The Curriculum
The curriculum must teach the faith and doctrine of the church. This is the top priority and should not be overlooked. There are many curriculum choices available; very few of them teach God's Word clearly and accurately. The director should be able to resist pressure to use any material that does not meet this standard.
The Classroom
The director should know the spaces in which Sunday School classes are taking place, understand their good and bad features, and work with other congregational leaders to constantly improve them. He or she should be alert for overcrowding and plan for future growth.
Each of these areas is worthy of expansion, perhaps in future posts.
What do you think are the key concerns for the Sunday School director?
How does your director (or is that you?) spend most of his or her time? Is that how it should be?
Thanks, directors, for all you do so that others can teach God's children His Word.
It strikes me that the Sunday morning experience is comprised of three primary components over which the SS director has some control, or should have: the teacher, the curriculum, and the classroom. (The fourth component, of course, is the student.)
The Teacher
The director works to have the very best teachers possible, offers them training and support, and directs their efforts for the benefit of the student. The teacher is a volunteer, but he or she is not a free agent; in accepting the position of teacher, he or she is agreeing to some specific duties and obligations, such as preparing adequately, using the curriculum provided, and following such policies are in place to guide his or her work.
The Curriculum
The curriculum must teach the faith and doctrine of the church. This is the top priority and should not be overlooked. There are many curriculum choices available; very few of them teach God's Word clearly and accurately. The director should be able to resist pressure to use any material that does not meet this standard.
The Classroom
The director should know the spaces in which Sunday School classes are taking place, understand their good and bad features, and work with other congregational leaders to constantly improve them. He or she should be alert for overcrowding and plan for future growth.
Each of these areas is worthy of expansion, perhaps in future posts.
What do you think are the key concerns for the Sunday School director?
How does your director (or is that you?) spend most of his or her time? Is that how it should be?
Thanks, directors, for all you do so that others can teach God's children His Word.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Pastor, Step Up!
Pastor, you have a tough job. You preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments according to God's Word. You accept responsibility for the spiritual care for dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people. You manage ministry teams of dozens of volunteers and paid staff members. You oversee a budget of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and encourage the stewardship that supports that work. Thank you, Pastor, for all you do. I don't pray for you often enough, and I resolve to do better.
I am bold, however, to ask one more thing of you. Please take the initiative to lead the processes for selecting and training the volunteers and choosing the curriculum for your congregation's Christian education programs. You are uniquely placed for this work. You have more theological training than anyone in your congregation. And you have a divine call from God to exercise this responsibility, not only for what is preached in the pulpit, but also what is taught in the congregation's classrooms. You don't want the impact of your preaching impaired or even contradicted by others who share the teaching ministry in your congregation.
Some will oppose you in this. They will not yet share your value for clear teaching of Law and Gospel and inclusion of Lutheran doctrines in their lessons. They will prefer the attractive, but often moralistic materials heavily marketed by non-Lutheran publishers. They won't get it. They will need patient instruction and occasionally firm guidance.
There will be many, though, who will value your involvement and support your decisions. They will want nothing less for the children of the congregation than that they learn each week of salvation through Jesus. And know that God desires that these little ones come to Him and will bless your efforts.
Thanks for all you do, Pastor, to support and encourage those who teach God's children His Word.
How involved is your pastor in the critical tasks of selecting and training teachers and choosing curriculum for your Sunday School?
How can we make the pastor's role in these matters easy and effective?
I am bold, however, to ask one more thing of you. Please take the initiative to lead the processes for selecting and training the volunteers and choosing the curriculum for your congregation's Christian education programs. You are uniquely placed for this work. You have more theological training than anyone in your congregation. And you have a divine call from God to exercise this responsibility, not only for what is preached in the pulpit, but also what is taught in the congregation's classrooms. You don't want the impact of your preaching impaired or even contradicted by others who share the teaching ministry in your congregation.
Some will oppose you in this. They will not yet share your value for clear teaching of Law and Gospel and inclusion of Lutheran doctrines in their lessons. They will prefer the attractive, but often moralistic materials heavily marketed by non-Lutheran publishers. They won't get it. They will need patient instruction and occasionally firm guidance.
There will be many, though, who will value your involvement and support your decisions. They will want nothing less for the children of the congregation than that they learn each week of salvation through Jesus. And know that God desires that these little ones come to Him and will bless your efforts.
Thanks for all you do, Pastor, to support and encourage those who teach God's children His Word.
How involved is your pastor in the critical tasks of selecting and training teachers and choosing curriculum for your Sunday School?
How can we make the pastor's role in these matters easy and effective?
Monday, July 2, 2012
Cross Explorations, a New Model
Last week CPH celebrated the launch of a new Sunday School curriculum: Cross Explorations. (The material is in stock and is shipping today.) This is the first time in almost fifty years that CPH has published two Sunday School curricula simultaneously. Our customers now have a choice.
Cross Explorations is a hybrid curriculum: part large-group/small-group and part site rotation. It can be used effectively in large and small Sunday Schools. And it will work just fine in a traditional self-contained classroom. Check it out at cph.org/sundayschool.
All leader material for the curriculum is packaged in one convenient kit. Student material is purchased separately. All items in the kits can be purchased separately. The curriculum is designed for children grades one through six and includes an adult component for parents.
The curriculum follows the Growing in Christ scope and sequence, so a congregation can continue to use that curriculum for early childhood, junior high, and high school classes for a unified curriculum.
Cross Explorations uses a simple one, two, three process.
One: Engage
All students meet for a group opening, which can include parents.
Two: Explore
Students break out into age-level Bible study for grades one through three, four through six, and adults. A small congregation may have just two classes; larger congregations may offer more than one class at some levels.
Three: Express
Students rotate through two, three, or four sites to review the lesson and express themselves in drama, crafts, music, or other activities. Material is offered for all four sites each week, but the congregation can choose which sites to offer each week. The number of Express sites offered will depend on the local schedule and the number of students.
Cross Explorations is a new way to teach God's children His Word. And it's from CPH, so you know your students will hear the Gospel every week.
Is your congregation ready to try something new?
Which Express sites sound most likely for your congregation?
Cross Explorations is a hybrid curriculum: part large-group/small-group and part site rotation. It can be used effectively in large and small Sunday Schools. And it will work just fine in a traditional self-contained classroom. Check it out at cph.org/sundayschool.
All leader material for the curriculum is packaged in one convenient kit. Student material is purchased separately. All items in the kits can be purchased separately. The curriculum is designed for children grades one through six and includes an adult component for parents.
The curriculum follows the Growing in Christ scope and sequence, so a congregation can continue to use that curriculum for early childhood, junior high, and high school classes for a unified curriculum.
Cross Explorations uses a simple one, two, three process.
One: Engage
All students meet for a group opening, which can include parents.
Two: Explore
Students break out into age-level Bible study for grades one through three, four through six, and adults. A small congregation may have just two classes; larger congregations may offer more than one class at some levels.
Three: Express
Students rotate through two, three, or four sites to review the lesson and express themselves in drama, crafts, music, or other activities. Material is offered for all four sites each week, but the congregation can choose which sites to offer each week. The number of Express sites offered will depend on the local schedule and the number of students.
Cross Explorations is a new way to teach God's children His Word. And it's from CPH, so you know your students will hear the Gospel every week.
Is your congregation ready to try something new?
Which Express sites sound most likely for your congregation?
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