BIBLE STUDIES

TOPIC: Child Study

A child is an immature human being from birth to the period of early adolescence. Formally children were regarded often as if they were mature adults and because of this, both the matter and the methods of their teaching were unsuitable. But child study has shown that 

“growing up” is more than growing bigger.

A poet once said, “ The child is the father of the man”. By this he means that the grown man is the outcome of the development begun in the childhood. If this development is controlled and directed, then the kind of adults in our future society can in some measure be determined- The bible says Train a child the way he should go, and when he is old (grow0 he will not turn from it. (Prov.22: 6) 

Just as in the medical profession the student doctor must learn all he can about the human body, its component parts, how they grow, how they work, what goes wrong with them and their troubles can be cured, so teachers (of children) today must realize the importance of studying children and factors which affect their development.

Þ THE WHOLENESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL (CHILD).   

Too often in the child study we are tempted to over concentrate on certain aspects at the child’s make-up and fail to see him as a whole. 

The wholeness of the child is evident at birth. At this early stage in his life, the stimulation of one part of his body brings his whole body into action. A loud noise makes his whole body reacts in convulsive crying, whereas warmth and a secure hold lets his whole body relax. The body and the mind are intimately related.

With greater maturity the relationship between body and the mind becomes increasingly co-ordinated but the observer becomes aware of a thirth dimension within the child of his consciousness of himself. He reacts with pleasure, shame, fear or interest to the different kinds of situation in which he becomes involved.

This inner spirit is as much a part of the child as the body or the mind interacts with them throughout life. The body, mind and spirit are intimately related and are bound together.

Feed or starve his body and it affects his mind and spirit. Crush his spirit of stifle his intellect and it will be evident in his body. As he learns things with his mind, it affects not only how he thinks but also how he acts.

His response to his environment is not localized to one part of him but is the reaction of his total being. An understanding of the wholeness of the child is important to overcome weakness in his moral weakness, for example may have physical causes and physical ill health may arise out of mental and spiritual problems. Doctors have realised the importance of the mind over matter in the task of getting better from illness.

Teachers need to appreciate the fact that education most deal with the body, mind and grow into a healthy well-balanced adult.

Child development: A newborn child is the most helpless creature. Unlike animals and birds the process of growing up in more for the human child because life for him is more complicated.

The development of the child can be taught of as four processes namely Physical, Mental, and Moral. /Spiritual and Social. The Bible predicts these processes of development. “And Jesus grew in Wisdom 9mental growth) and stature (physical growth) and in favour with men

(Social growth) Luke 2:52.

The processes of growth are inter-related. They each react with the others and each makes possible the development of the others. The child is a whole.

Þ SUGGESTION FOR A CHILD-STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE:  

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. Name and Address of the child
2. Tribe and clan
3. Date of Birth, and Age of the time of study.
4. Seks.
5. Weight, height, Relevant information about the child’ s parents and his brothers and sisters including his own place in the familly e.g. Eldest, youngest.
6. School Attended.

Þ PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT:

1. Physical likeness such as facial appearance sicker, complexion, build, abnormalities, etc. to either parent. 
2. General health of the child with notes of main diseases from which he has suffered and the effects. 
3. Child ’s normal condition of cleanliness personal hygiene  

Þ MENTAL DEVELOPMENT:

1. Nature of playthings, which the child uses.
2. Opportunities, which the child has for learning at home.
3. If the child attends school, find out about his progress at school and his teachers opinion of his mental gifts. 

Þ EMOTIONAL – SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT:

1. General disposition of the child. Is he happy, active, eager to learn, unfair or not? Are there unusual factors such as poor bladder control?   
2. Make a note of his likes and dislikes with regards to people and thing, paying particular attention to those that make him afraid. 
3. Family relationships how the various members get on with each other and with whom the child has the strongest tie and love.
4. Evidence of temper and control of temper.
5. Moral character, evidence of power of religions in his life. 

Þ SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 

1.      How well does the child get on with strangers?

2.      Note evidence of preferences to play with other children or alone.  

3.       Attitude and respect to older people and those in authority.

Þ UNDERSTANDING OF CHILDREN:

1. All children have immoral souls; they have mortal lives (longer than an adult).
2. All children are sinners- if unsaved still prone to sin.
3. All children want to learn  – eager to learn new things.
4. They are apt for memorizing. 
5. They want to live noble lives-want to do right things unless perverted.
6. They readily believe the Bible as God’s Word and are willing to reverence God.
7. They respect prayers willing to be taught how to pray.
8. Want to excel (others) and respond to friendly rivalry.  
9. They are capable of making real decision.
10. They like to ask questions because of their curious nature.  
11. Children will like to imitate.
12.  They all respond to love.

 Þ SOME BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION ON CHILDREN:

1.      Matt.18: 1-4 the character output on the Christian child is a good example to adults. This is the child –like attitude but not of childish. We are warned not to look down (offend) one of the little ones children (v. 10) Our heavenly father is not willing that any of these little ones- children should be lost (perished) (v.14)

2.      Psalm 78:1-8 De Psalmist pleads not to hid  “these things ” from children. What are “these things”?  This new generation should not grow up without knowing the Lord God. His Commandments should be established and obeyed.             Provision should be made for the children yet to be born to fear the Lord and keep His laws Children should put their trust in God and should not forget his deeds that They will be stubborn and rebellious generation with their hearts set   Again upon the Lord.

3.   Deut. 31; 9-13. At the assembly of the people of Israel at the end of everyseven Years, in the year of cancelling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacle, Moses commanded that children should be included.

4.   Deut.11: 18-21. Every household is responsible to maintain constant teaching of the word of God to its children. 

      Ef.1:1; 6:1-2 Paul wrote this letter to the Saints. He also addressed children. It implies that children were in the church of Ephesus.

5.   Ef.6: 4. The ”bring up” in this passage must start at the very early beginning of child’s life.

6.   Proverbs 22:6. “ Train the child in the way he should go and when he is grown he will not depart from it”. - We are to train the child in God’s way from the beginning of his lifetime. The training as at now should include the building of the faith of the child in Christ. The promise of the lord is sure he will not depart from it when he is grown.

7.   2 Tim. 2:14-14. How many children are today taught the Holy Scriptures from their infancy by their parents (especially the mothers) ?

8.   Romein.10; 10. Man believers with his heart and not with the intellect. We do not comprehend, but in simple faith .We believe what God says in His word and receive Christ as our saviour for remission of sin. It is clear that in the days of Noah children also died as the result of the flood.

9.   Neh.13: 24-25, this scripture deals with speech. What is the speech of children today? Can they speak the language of a Christian?

10. Psalm 58:3 Rom. 3:10, 23:5:12. Al has sinned from the beginning of life. The death sentence is passed upon all, so we need a Saviour. It is our blood that the believe that the blood of Christ Jesus covers children untill he has reached the age of accountability but he should be taught the scripture and abide by it’s, until he reaches the age of maturity when he is baptised.

11. Mark 16; 15 John. 1:12. The gospel is designed for every one throughout the world. It guarantees Son ship to as many who received the Lord Jesus Christ.

12. Joh.21: 15;Jes. 40:11b  “ Freed my lambs,” says Christ Jesus. “He gathers the lambs in his arm s and carries them close to His heart” Who are these “lambs.”? - Are they not the children?

13. Deut. 6:1-8; 20:25 The Great commandment  (not the Ten commandments) are to be taught to children. The children of the people of Israel should know the Great Commandment.

                What about our children?

  Þ THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD’S LIFE

1.      Gods Word exalts in                                            - Psalm 127:3-5 Jes. 40:11b

2.      Jesus Christ magnifies it                                        - Jes.9: 6

3.      Jesus Christ exalts the child                                  - Math. 18; 1-4; Mark. 10:14

4.      …  life in His teaching                                          - Math.21: 16; Joh. 21:15

5.      Paul also taught about children in his letter            - Col. 3:20-21: Ef.6: 1-4 

ÞSTAGES OF DEVELOPMENT  

Human being unlike animals takes long time to grow adulthood. The life of a child is the preparation towards adulthood. The states of development may be classified as follows:

1.      Pre-natal                - From conception to Birth

2.      Infancy                   - From Birth to 3 year, i.e. Babyhood or cradle Role child.

3.      Beginners               - 4 - 5 i.e. Early childhood

4.      Schoolchildren        - 6 - 8 i.e. Middle childhood 

5.      Juniors                    - 9 - 11 Latter childhood

6.      Adolescent              - 12 -19 Or the youth

7.      In some countries

8.      Adulthood               - 21 and above

NB: In Jesus time, adulthood was at 30 years.

Þ FURTHER STUDIES ON CHILDREN

The key verse on child study is Luke 2:52- “ And Jesus grew in wisdom and favour with God and men??

Jesus grew in wisdom        - Mental growth                         - Soul

Jesus grew in Stature         - Physical growth                       - Body

Favour with God               - Spiritual and Moral growth

Favour with men                - Social growth                           - Among men

These aspects of growth should be critically observed when dealing with children.   

Þ GROWTH IN CHILDREN   -  the way A, B , C  are presented.

The development stages have impact on the learning procedures of the Children. 

a) Pre-natal. Conception takes place often / the union of the male sperm with female ovum. A human being is formed in the womb. Development takes place. A baby is born after 280 days of conception (on the average). 

b) Infancy. The baby pocess all the physical characteristics of a human but out of proportion. Growth takes place. He craws and then stand to walk. He later learns to run. 

c) Beginners (4-5)

1. Physical – Is growing and developing very fast and needs to be allowed occasional periods of  activity.

2.  Mental

i     Is a questioner, curious and interesting in everything.

ii    Believes everything readily

iii   Has a small range of interest

iv   They are frank

v   Can memorize well but need? to have materials to fully explain??

3. Social  Is egocentric, accustomed to being with other children. Is an imitation? Loves to handle things and acts things out.

4. Spiritual  Has a unquestioning acceptance of the truth, can be led to receive Christ as Saviour. 

5. Teaching Beginners

i) Allow for activity - Don’t expect them to sit quietly for too long 

ii)   Allow them to touch and observe things. They learn much better that way. 

iii) Start teaching with familiar things

iv) Keep the story, prayer time, memory work or singing slow to 2-5 minutes.

v) Make very clear the way of salvation and acceptance of Christ 

D  Primaries  (6-8)   

1.   Physically:   Is still growing although growth seems regarded. Has energy that needs to be expanded

2.   Mental:         Is an observer with growth accuracy in observance.Is alert to truth and accuracy of knowledge. Is interested in reality. Has growing memory powers but needs help and explanation.

3.   Social:           Is becoming altruistic and independent. Imitates others as to conduct. Is interested in constructive activities

4.    Spiritual:      Has an interest in reality of Salvation and should be led definitely to accept Christ. Understands “family relationship” in the explanation of Salvation.

5.     Teaching primaries:

 i            Allow activities

ii            Attention span on one thing to 10 minutes

iii           Distribute Memory Verse taken, encourage children to make collection of these.

iv           Make your lessons clear as the truth-  the word of God.They know the difference between Facts and Fancy.

E) Juniors  ( 9-11)

1.      Physically: Is growing but much less rapidly and has boundless energy which

                          needs an outlet. 

2.      Mental:      Is an investigator with a realistic imagination.

                         Must be convinced and assured of the truth and questioning.

                               Is in the” Golden Age of memory” with understanding of materials

3.      Social:        Is in the period of group loyalty and “gangs “ likes to “belong”.

                          In increasing in emotional control and independence of others.

                          Is interested in competitive cooperation.

4.Spiritual:      Must be convinced of the truth and reasonableness of salvation and urged to acceptance without delay. Has respect for leadership and loyal and devotion for a “cause”. Christ should be presented as King and Lord of our lives.

5.  Teaching the Juniors:

i  Allow for the working of excess energy 

ii  Encourage much memory work.

iii   Keep your programme involving and involve children as much as possible.

iv   Lead them in worship Christ as Leader, King of their lives after first receiving Him as Saviour.

·         THE ADOLECENCE

This is the period when the child emerges to adulthood.

The age of the adolescent is from 12-20.

The age of the teenager is from 13-19.

·         Stages

                      1.   a  Early Adolescence                  12-14

                            b  Early Teenager                       13-14

                      2.   Middle  Adolescence                  15-17

                             Middle Teenager                       15-17

                      3.    Later Adolescence                     18-20

                              Later Teenager                          18-20

A)     Physical

                        i     Physical growth

                 ii     Change in voice- deep in boys

                iii      Brest protruding in girls

                iv      Puberty  ..in.. girls???? What means

                 v     Hair at armpit and private parts

                vi      The sex drive is both physical as emotional

NB:  The adolescent has some social, mental, moral, spiritual and emotional Developments, which are to be treated later i.e. In, the next issue.

Þ FINDING TYPES OF CHILDREN:

The character traits of human being classify them into thee main types  

The Extrovert, the Introvert and the Ambivalent.

1.      The Extrovert:

Prefers the world outside himself and constantly reaching for new people and things. His behaviour has the appearance of being superficial but socially his company is enjoyed because he is full of life and energy. He likes to be the centre of attraction.

He is mostly restless. The extreme extroverts being of the aggressive type always keen on an argument.  

2.      The Introvert:

The characteristics of the Introvert are reflected in his performance and his greater satisfaction in the world? Is within him. He will react only when difficulties arises. His actions are cautious and do not like a situation where he is in danger of loosing control of himself. He is gently and mostly shy. The extreme introvert is of a depression? He is a deep thinker.

3.      The Ambivert:He lies on the dividing line of the extrovert and the introvert. He seeks either the quite life of the moderate introvert of the event full life of the moderate extrovert. He is (mostly) of the dual character. Each character trait has both strong and weak sides.

Þ SOME INFLUENCES THAT FACT THE CHILD

i              Family influence

ii             Church influence

iii            School influence

iv            Teacher influence

v            Community influence

vi            Age/ Peer Group influence

vii           Child/Hero /Ego influence

The ability to implant the vision in others. 

 Communication is what enables you to get the masses involved with what you are doing. Isn’t it an amazing that in our life time, some Christian leaders have been able to gather hundreds of thousands of people together who will give and pray and call themselves partners to full fill their vision.  

Look at someone like Oral Robert for years he has been able to gather together hundreds of thousands of people who give their money, their prayer, who give their support to build a university and a hospital. That is amazing. He’s done things wrong, he has had a lot of struggles and failures, but he can still gather all those people together, which means he can    communicate.

He has the ability to communicate and implant that vision in other people.

Sometimes it amazes me that we have been able to get several people to give money to support our Library project and be a part of full filling our vision. They are bringing too pass what we see and are committed to. That is what communication does – it gets people involved.  

Communication works on every level it will work the overall level of a ministry to accomplish its goals, some people have a real problem getting people to attend meetings because they do not communicate in the vision to them. The meeting is not important and they just do not come. You must implant the vision within them so they know the meeting is important and a must for the vision to be accomplished. Once it’s implanted in them they’ll be at those meetings. Communication is the way that it happens.

A leader has the ability to attract and hold the involvement of people with the vision because he communicates with them that means, communication must be a life style and a never-ending process.

That’s where you will really see your leadership skills.  Communication is what allows or enables a leader not only to get people involved, but also to keep them involved in the second, the third, the forth, and the fifth time? 

Here is a great example! We can get people to start something, but we keep them week after week?

Problem after problem? Service after service? Difficulty after difficulty? When it gets boring can we hold them? After people have torn up their rugs and their furniture, can we hold them? When it is no longer exciting, can we hold them? That’s where we find out if we are good communicators as leaders or teachers. If we can keep them involved, we’re doing our job. Communications gets them, attracts them, and holds them. Communication is a lifestyle.

It is or should be your whole being. Your whole being communicates; that is eyes, mouth, voice, nose and ears.

          Here is How:

1.      You communicate by your example. Hen you are excited about something you are telling others to be excited. When you arrive early you tell others to be there early, when you are prepared, you are telling others to be prepared. You communicate by example. 

2.      You communicate verbally. The things you say when you’re not thinking, are communicating your vision. Did you know that you tell people what you really believe when you’re not thinking about what you are saying? They will believe you, based when you weren’t thinking about it. 

3.      You communicate through print: Through every brochure and letters that we print we are communicating! Every time we put out a letter, we are communicating something. You can’t tell me about a nursery of excellence when you send me a photocopy I could not even read because of the poor print on it.

4.      You communicate with models: We put a model in our foyer of what our movement is going to be like. We are communicating that this is what we are building, this is what we will be 

5.      Communicate through your excitement, through your emotion. Emotions communicate so much, let us say you stood up last Sunday and said, “Today we are going to receive an offering”. Were you loud, excited and happy, or were you blah unexcited and monotone? You can say the same words, but your emotion communicates louder than your words. You are always communicating but are you communicating the right thing? We are constant communicating and how well we do it controls whether or not people become involved with our vision. 

a)   I am a good example of what i believe and desire my example is communicating everything i want the people around me to do. They act like me, are we going to have a great department or Children’s ministry. If we never said one worked and all they could do was watch us, how much would get done? How many people would be involved with your vision.   

b)   I can freely talk and describe with words my vision. I can verbalize it, say it, preach it, teach it, and talk about it all day long. I am free, bold and positive with my vision.

c)   I am comfortable telling others about my vision. I am not uptight about is because it is so real to me it’s natural for me, it’s like my favourite pain of socks.

d)   I can illustrate my vision through analogy, examples and illustrations. I can explain it to you in so many ways, that you would have to be sleeping to misunderstand it. I can paint you a picture many ways so you know exactly what I mean. 

                  e)    I can use pictures, models, chants, and graphs to illustrate my vision.

f)    I like to interact with groups. I like to be in groups of people and share about my vision, I like to have a big crowd as I can tell them about what I am doing The move people?  There, the better. I want everybody to know about it.

g)   I outwardly show emotion and excitement. It flows out of me. It’s not something that’s hidden in my heart It’s coming out and everybody knows it! They know I am fired up.

h)   I can talk on any level. I can tell fifth graders about my vision. I can tell old folks about my vision. I can tell the brand new Christian, and I can tell the old Christian. I can talk on various levels and on any level.

i)    I never get tired at telling it. I know you’ve heard it before, but let me tell you just one more time.

j)    I always have new ways to tell it, new ways to communicate it

Þ You’ve got to improve your communication. That means challenge yourself to lean to express what’s in you and that means practice. Start talking, sharing. Illustrating and thinking ways to make people understand what you are doing.  If you will practise these ten things, you will improve your communication socials.

When will he teach knowledge?

And who will be making to understand the message?

Those just weaned from milk?

Those just drawn from the breasts?

For percept must be upon precept.

Precept upon precept.

Line upon live line upon line.

Here a little, there a little.

The mind of the child is different from the mind as the adult. Their ability to learn differs and therefore as teachers we must take our time to teach the child the word of God.

Þ In every Sunday school there are two groups of people.

1.      The UNSAVED CHILD

2.      The  SAVED CHILD

The Bible lesson that you present to the class must be for the two groups of people, to that every child in the class would benefit and be blessed.

UNSAVED CHILD

The unsaved child needs to hear the message of salvation. This implies that the teacher must become familiar with the message of salvation. The unsaved child cannot understand the scripture until he is born into God’s family and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2-14).

Our first responsibility to the unsaved child is to carefully teach the truth of the message of salvation in each bible lesson and give an opportunity to respond to this message.

INVITATION

Every lesson offers unsaved children an opportunity to respond to the message of salvation as the Holy Spirit works. At the end of every bible lesson the unsaved child must be invited to Christ to be saved. 

THE SAVED CHILD

Spiritual growth lessons are designed to install in saved children principles from God’s word that will help them grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit works in their lives

CHALLENGE

The highest goal of all teaching is changing lives. Each spiritual greater lesson concludes with a challenge to saved children, encouraging them to apply the teaching received to daily life. Many lessons also provide a carry-over-activity to give the child a specific means of putting into practice the biblical truth taught.

Children need to understand how scripture relates to their every day lives. Practical application provide answers on a child level to such vital questions as:

a.   What is the meaning of truth being taught?

b.   What does the God say about this issue of the problem?

c.   How and where can I apply this truth in everyday life?

STEPS THAT CAN LEAD YOU TO AN EFFECTIVE BIBLE LESSON PRESENTATION

PREPARE YOURSELF MENTALLY

1.  Study the details of the story

 i)       Know the background of the story so you can describe events clearly. .

ii)        Know your introduction well; as your capture the attention of the children you

                 will again? confidence for the lesson presentation.

iii)       Become well acquainted into the chronological order of events and with the

                 points on the lesson where you will make application to the children.

iv)       From the beginning of the story build towards the climax.

2.  Do not simply read the story to the children.

COLLECT ALL VISUAL HELP OF MATERIAL NEEDED FOR THIS   

i)          Always use your Bible. Holding your bible open to the appropriate scripture makes a visual impact that this lesson is form the Word of God.

ii)         Visual aids will help the children remember more. Purchase visuals or start

            a file of pictures to make your own.

iii)         Prepare the classroom before the children arrive, or before you start.

PRACTICE STORY TELLING TECHNIQUES

1.      Use your voice effectively.

           i)  Speak clearly; learn how to pronounce unusual names or words

     ii)  Keep your voice friendly, varying the pitch and the volume as appropriate.  

     iii)  Use variety in your voice to make the story come alive.

 a)   Emphasis certain words or phrases to give them importance.

 b)    Vary the tone of your voice to convey emotions   (For example; sadness, fear

        Excitement, suspense, joy, concerne etc.)

 c)    Use changes in rate of speaking, for example, speak quickly to

        convey   excitement, slowly for suspense etc..

 d)    Use pauses to create suspense or suprise to show the passages of time or to regain

         the attention of the children.

  e)   Make use of dialogue: allow the characters to speak to one another.

2.       Use language appropriate for children.

             i)         Choose simple words and short sentences.

ii)         Explain new words and concepts, do so briefly without detracting from the story.

iii)         Avoid slang or repetition fillers such as “You know “and üh”and then.

3.      Involve your audience in the story.

             i)        Maintain eye contact, include everyone, looking into the children eyes

ii)         Ask questions allowing students to respond. 

iii)        Be enthusiastic.

PRACTICE YOUR LESSON AHEAD OF TIME

                   i) Practice out love, timing your lesson. (Max.20 min.)

                  ii)  Use your visual aid as you practice.

When you first studied the scripture passage for your bible lesson and you have listed your story facts, 

i)          Mark the points you would like to teach the salvation message or the child related truth. (Main trust statement). 

ii)         Express the biblical truth in a brief statement directed to the child.

iii)        Use the word YOU to make it personal.

iv)        Always identify the saved child before you express the main truth, so that the save child will know you are talking to him, e.g. “If you know you have Jesus as your Saviour or If you have received Jesus…………………..God wants you………….

v)         Always have a link between the story fact and the teaching application and the teaching

UNSAVED CHILD

The unsaved child needs the GOSPEL.

You must therefore identify areas in your story that you would teach about the gospel.

1. Teach about God. 

    1. God is the creator      - Act.17-22-24

    2. God is holy                -   Ish.     6-3

    3.  God loves you           -  Jer.   31-3

   To reinforce the teaching about God include a scripture verse.

 2.  The need of Salvation (sin).

                 1.Each of us is born with sinful nature    - Psalm 51-5

                 2.We all do sinful acts                            - Rom.3: 8-21,23

                 3.Our sin separates us from God              - Jes.59: 2

Þ Personalize the teaching by using the word YOU e.g. God loves you. 

You have sinned…………………………………………………………………...

Devine for the child what sin is and give specific examples………………………

3. The way of salvation.

The person Jesus Christ

1.   Jesus is the Son of God.

2.   Jesus is sinless and ? or/ perfect.

4. The work of Jesus Christ

1.   Jesus willingly died for our sin, was buried, rose again and he is living today-   1 Cor.15: 3b 4.

2.   He gave His blood for our forgiveness. Heb.9: 22b

Always remember to include a scripture passage to reinforce your point.

5. Invitation:  This is Gods invitation for the child.

                              i      Review sin

                              ii.    Review the way

                              iii.   Quote a Scripture verse (invitation verse). This should be a condition and promise verse. E.g. John 1: 12, John 3: 16, or Act 16:31.

                  NB:  Do not invite a child if your salvation message is incomplete.

SAVED CHILD

Develop at least three applications board on the main thrust. (Child related truth). Be sure to direct each application to the saved child by beginning with a phrase “If you have believed on Jesus as Saviour …God wants you. This would help the child to see the relation between the situation and his own.

 1.      First Application:       

(a)    State the story fact

(b)   State the MT???

(c)    Define it in simple terms

2.      Second Application:

·     State the story fact

·     State the MT

·     Define it in simple terms

·     Give specific and practical examples of situations to which the saved child can relate to in his daily life.

·     Support your teaching with a scripture verse

3.      Third Application:

·     State the story fact

·     State the MT

·     Explain that God is the One who can help the child in his situation.

·     Use a scripture verse that will reinforce this teaching. As you discuss the child-related truth, give some practical, specific way the child can begin to respond to this truth.  This application should expand on the first and give more depth to your teaching.

·     Story fact.

Develop a challenge to the saved child. This challenge is the part of your lesson where you will encourage the saved child to put into practice this week what  you have taught.

Psalm 100; 1-2 “Make a joyful noise unto the lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness:  Come before his presence with singing ”. 

Why teaching songs to children?

·         God tells us to sing.

·         Music is a natural part of the child’s life.

·         Songs communicate Bible truths in a way so they are easy to remember.

·         Singing is a way to worship God. 

How do you select a song?

Ask yourself, is the song;

Scriptural, true according to God’s Word? Rev. 3

Sing a lot, for you and the children?

Simple, for the children to understand?

Related, to the rest of the program?

Suitable, in length for the age level?

Enjoyable, enough to go into the week with the child.

How to teach a new song:

1.      Know the song yourself both melody and word.

2.      Introduce it in a meaningful way. Be enthusiastic.

3.      Sing the children or play it if recorded

4.      Explain the words and concepts. 

5.      Sing the song at least two or three times

Which types of songs are good to sing/

Opening songs: We’re praying, close your eyes.

Salvation songs: Good News, Good news

Action songs: My God is big

Gods Word, songs of the bible  :  the Bible

Songs related to the teaching or the memory verse

Songs concerning Christian  life : I found a new life

Missionnaire songs :

Prayer songs: Jesus likes the little children

A. INTRODUCTION

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15. 

It is our commission to bring God’s words to the children as it is written. We should not bring our thinking or insight but the Word itself. There is power in God’s word. It brings forth life. When we present it to the children it is life in us also. Children can see very clearly if we ourselves abide in God’s Word, and put it into practice in our daily lives as we expect them to do in their lives. Therefore we must let God’s Word be true on our lives.

We try to do our best to bring God’s Word to the children but we have little time to prepare our selves properly. Since this is very essential, we are going to learn a good method of spending some minutes daily to prepare God’s Word. Its message can bless you while you prepare.     

B.  PREPARATION FOR EACH DAY OF THE WEEK

Imagine your Sunday School meets on every Sunday. You want to tell the story of blind Bartimeus…

You want to tell the story of the Blind Bartimeüs. Then Monday is the first day on which to start preparation. Let us take Mark 10; 46-52 and Luke 18: 35-43 as a test case to prepare a story.

1st day Monday

Read the story in the Bible prayerfully, think about it. Write down what touches you in the portion of the scripture.

Pray also for the your children that you will bring the “Word” in such a way that the Holy Spirit can use it.

2^nd day Tuesday.

Read the portion of the scripture again carefully. Write down all places of event and persons involved.

Who is the story about?

·         Jesus

·         Disciples

·         Crowd

·         Bartimeus

·         Many people

·         Were did it happen?

·         Jericho

3^rd day. Wednesday

Read the Scripture portion again. Now write down the order of events.

·         Jesus passes through Jericho

·         Blind Bartimeus reveals his faith in Jesus.

·         Jesus answers to his call to Bartimeüs

·         Bartimeus faith is recorded.

·          

4^e day. Thursday:

 While reading the story in the bible, write down difficult words and expressions that you will need to explain to the children. Look up their meaning in. (Thus course of study).??

·         Parallel passage

·         Bible dictionnaire

·         Bible commentary

·         Concordance

·         Other Biblehandbooks

If your church has a library fine/ . You can go to the library to make your own research. If not then you can go to any ordinary library to find out general background information.  

5^th day Friday

1.       Write your Theme or Teaching aim

2.      What is your teaching aim with the story? What message are you going to convey by telling the story. Get your central topic, basis or idea on which to express or expand as in a speech.  Ready…..  .

Select our visual aids or teaching. You must notice that in most cases, it will be the same thing you wrote down in the first day. Pray that the Holy Ghost will direct your thought to one taught that you want to pass on by means of your story. You should also pray that the Holy Spirit would work

6 ^thDay Saturday.

1.      Write down your introduction.

2.      That is giving first knowledge o what you want to teach. 

3.      Is the introduction short and related to the theme of your story? 

Example:

What would it be like to be blind? Everybody close your eyes and put your hands before your eyes. How can you know is someone is coming? Now listen carefully I you hear footsteps. When you hear them you can shout.

·         Hello is anyone there?

I gave this example because our story is about the blind Bartimeus.

Now write down your fist and your last sentence. The first sentence must be immediately arousing the interest to all the children. Because if they are not immediately involved it will be hard to catch their attention later on.

7 ^th day. Sunday:

1.      Presentation of your Bible story you have prepared for the children.

2.      Practice your story once more aloud and feel completely certain of yourself. You know the story.

3.      If necessary you may use a small crib (piece of paper with some information) and put it in your Bible, keep your Bible in your hand while you are telling the story. Then the children will understand that it comes from the Bible

4.      You can put the Bible down for a while when you are putting flannel pictures on to the board. Don’t make things difficult for yourself.

TIT BITS FOR BREAKING BOREDOM

The child, who love is shown, quickly responds to the love.

1.Show Love:

         Children have certain kind of love to teachers who genuinely show love Mat. 18???

    and concern to them. Math.18

2. Tapping / touching the shoulder:

    Children are emotional and for that reason, they feel at ease whenever they are

    being tapped or touched by the shoulders.

3.  Calling them by their names:

  A child really confides in the teacher who always calls him by name. It must be the teacher’s habit to be asking the name of the new children in the class.

4.   Cracking jokes:

  Encourage activities that can make them laugh. Laughing is a medicine. Any

  child who is happy automatically will either smile or laugh. It is the teacher ’s duty

  to share interesting, educating, healthy, reasonable and constructive, jokes that

 will enhance their spiritual growth. Caution! Avoid nasty jokes!

 5.  Carried them in their arms:

The Lord Jesus gave us an example to allow, by carrying the little children in his arms. Mark 10: 14-16

6.  Get involved in children’s activities

Children find it interesting when they see their teacher getting involved in their activities. They learn a big lesson of unity.    .

7. Be a friend

The teacher who is a friend to the children is loved by them, and share their secrets and problems with him. 

It is very necessary for the teacher to be active. Children prefer active teachers. You won’t enjoy the children when you are not active.

                               Suggested activities for breaking boredom

1. Jumping         -      Use any song to create jumping activity..

2. Hoppping      -     In an open space design in a way by which they can hop, that is

                                then when you notice dullness

3.Clap for Jesus  -      This is a way they can lift Jesus Name high.

      4.Everybody Roll

5.One finger clap

6.Crossing of hands and then clapping

7.Stand and sitting exercises

8. I know that Jesus is my Saviour Exercises

The class becomes very lively when the teacher involves children in an activity.

Behind every lively class is always an active teacher.

Written by pastor Isaac kamara

Design and translation Louise Poiesz