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Keeping God’s Word Front and Center-J/F 07 |
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 After
I demonstrated how to teach a lesson to children a youth pastor
commented, “That was really cool! I never thought about teaching right
from the Bible, letting it be a visual aid.” How you present, rely on
and revere God’s Word in your classroom is one of the greatest object
lessons you will ever teach!
God’s Word must be given an
emphasis in your class hour that will leave no question about its
authority and power in the Christian’s life.
Affirm Its Authority
•
Hold up the Bible regularly and state, “This is the Word of God!” or
“This is God’s true book!” Constantly remind your class that it is
truth kept for us through the ages so God can reveal Himself to us. Do
a study on the history of the Bible.
• Hold your Bible—not a curriculum manual—in your hands when you teach.
• Use the Bible to answer kids’ questions and respond to their comments.*
•
Ask questions! How is the Bible different from any other book? How do
we know the Bible is true? How do we know some people didn’t just make
up the stories in the Bible? If the Bible is so old how can it help us
today?
• Have children finish this sentence: “God’s Word is important becauseQ.”
•
Use Old and New Testament passages as commentaries on each other. Many
Old Testament people are mentioned in God’s “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews
11. Examples of New Testament principals such as perseverance under
trials (James 1:2-4) are mirrored in the lives of Old Testament
characters; e.g., Daniel, Joseph and Esther.
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When you sing a song based on a Bible text, look up the Scripture and
read the words directly from the Bible to reinforce the truth.
Point to Its Power
Stories
abound of people’s lives that have been changed through God’s Word—both
in Bible times and today. Point to promises of God that have influenced
individuals through the years. What could you tell
your class about the direction the Bible has given your life? Give
specific examples. Bring in guests who can share how God guided them
through His Word. Refer to Psalm 119:105 often as you teach.
Respect Its Presence
Have
extra Bibles in the classroom so everyone can have the same version.
Encourage use of the Table of Contents as your students find the memory
verse and location of the Bible story every week.
In most instances
read verses yourself with plenty of expression and give the children
something to listen for; e.g., “Can you hear what God says about having
a good name as I read Proverbs 22:1?”
Have a special place for your
classroom Bibles. Encourage children not to place them on the floor or
use them in disrespectful ways.
Making God’s Word front and center in each class hour is your responsibility, not the publisher of your curriculum!
staff
It’s Up to You!
Exalting the Bible in your classroom will be
an outgrowth of your preparation.
• Memorize the verse you assign to the children.
• Study the lesson from your Bible not only the manual.
• Study until you are excited about what you will teach.
*Web
Exclusive! Click “Web Exclusives” on the front page of TeachKidsMag.com
then “Contemporary Issues Scripture References” for a list of verses
that target issues today.
Copyright © 2006 —Teach Kids!
January/February '07 Teach Kids!
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