An Invitation
“Sunday School,” we called it. First thing on Sunday morning there were Bible classes in the white wood-frame church building. Two classrooms, as I remember. Neither large. Both behind pulpit area. The major source of heating was a pot-bellied wood stove. If you sat close to it, you were warm. The building was not insulated.
Classrooms might have a small kerosene heater.
OSHA would not have approved. Fire marshals never came by. We were country folks doing the best we could do. Chairs were hard. Benches were home-made.
Yet to this day there are positive memories of going to Sunday School. The teachers had not graduated from high school. Never had professional training. Probably had little training within the church. But two things those teachers did have: A LOVE FOR THE BIBLE and A LOVE FOR CHILDREN.
The easel was probably handmade. A piece of common flannel cloth would be draped over the easel. The teacher would use cut-out figures that would stick to the flannel cloth. Stories of Jonah and the Whale, Noah and the Ark, Moses and Pharaoh, Parting of the Waters of the Red Sea, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, David and Goliath, Elijah and the false prophets at Mt. Carmel...were pictured on that flannel and written into my heart.
I have attended many ministry events that were boring. Ministers on stage talking loudly---in a preachy tone---to students wanting to learn---students wanting to know how to do better. No interaction. No audio-visuals. No discussion. No conversation. Just one person talking.
At Covenant Church we seek with all our heart to engage people in learning. Bible studies are interactive, open for questions, and with a bold effort to engage students in interactive cognitive processes.
As a teacher I know that learning is best when students are participants. When teachers do all the talking, no involvement of students, no tools---students tend to daydream or simply disconnect. The best teachers are those who facilitate learning. Facilitating is an art that must be developed. The teacher understands that no one person, including the teachers, has all the knowledge. The teacher creates an atmosphere that encourages all persons present to share in the learning process.
We believe God intends every person to be involved in teaching/learning. Jesus did not design the Church for spectators. The Church is an ACTION Body…in motion.
This Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 8:30 we will have a rally at Covenant Church. You are invited. It will be focused, directed, interactive, and conclude by 11:45. You are welcome. No charge. Do not have to have title or position. Do not have to be a member. Do not have to call yourself a leader. You will learn important ideas about small group dynamics, and you will see in practice how training modules can be offered that engage the five senses in a learning process.
Our tools are a little more advanced than an easel, flannel cloth, and paper figures. But the purpose is still the same. We desire to empower others to know God, know the Bible, and know how to tell the wonderful stories of Jesus.
Come join us Saturday 8:30 AM at Covenant Church.
Pastor Bare
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth [II Timothy 2:15]