Tag Archives: Bible

Growing in God’s Word: Helping Children Memorize Scripture

Posted by Jun 9, 2017 children, Methods for teaching children, Serving , , , , , , , , ,

Summer is here and it’s time to review the year, and consider ways to sharpen our teaching skills for our future students. If you’re in children’s ministry, you’re probably teaching throughout the summer. But one thing  is for sure if you’re a good teacher, you’re always learning new things and looking for ways to improve your teaching!  In my last blog,  I discussed the importance of helping children memorize Scripture. Here are some practical ways to help them learn—and retain Bible verses in their long term memory.

  • Psychologists tell us that information that’s presented both visually and verbally is easiest to remember. This is why using visuals and objects when teaching children is important.  And why explaining an idea with words, and visually is especially effective. When teaching children something new, associate the new concept or information with something they already know, and build on that. For example, when teaching about baby Moses, using a doll wrapped in a blanket will help young children associate something they’re familiar with, with a new story about a baby who was protected by God.
  • Before you have children memorize Scripture, teach them the meaning of the verse. They’ll remember it longer and be able to apply it in their life (in keeping with their age and maturity).
  • Children also learn through experiences, and they remember activities more when they talk about them. The experience of working together to put the words of a memory verse in order, filling in blank spaces of a verse, or playing games that reinforce Scripture will help them memorize better. Children will look forward to your class each week if you make it interesting and fun.  Surprise them occasionally with a new game or activity that will bring enthusiasm to your Bible verse learning time.
  • Because short-term memory is very brief—only 20-30 seconds in duration according to memory experts, it will be lost unless new information is connected to your long-term memory. For example, most people can only remember a new telephone number briefly unless they write it down, repeat it, or associate it with something for recall.  Experts tell us that long-term memory comes from well-learned information, which leads us to the importance of organization and repetition
  • Well organized information is easier to learn and memorize than disorganized material presented in a haphazard way. For this reason, we should take care to teach Bible verses in a systematic way. Teaching, explaining, reviewing, and linking verses from week to week will help children retain them in their long-term memory.
  • Repetition is essential for helping children memorize new information. Once they’re familiar with the verse and its meaning, use a variety of methods to repeat and review the verse.  Do this periodically with verses they already know to reinforce them as well.

    (The above steps for teaching Scripture to children are taken from my book, First Steps for Effective Teaching) 

    In my next blog I’ll share a variety of Bible verse learning activities.

God Bless You Today!

Verda Rubottom

 

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Learning to Love God’s Word

Posted by Mar 2, 2017 children, Serving , , , , , , , ,

Every Sunday in churches across America, gleeful preschool children sing out the favorite traditional song:  “The B-i-b-l-e , yes that’s the book for me!”  It’s a familiar song to those of us who grew up in church and learned about the Bible at a young age.

But I sometimes wonder if we understand just how important it is to teach the Bible to little children today. We know from Scripture that the Apostle Paul understood how important it is.  In his letter to Timothy,  Paul reminded the young preacher of the spiritual training in his early childhood years that brought him to faith in Christ. Paul writes,  From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.2 Timothy 3:15

Like Timothy, I was blessed with a mother—and grandmothers —who taught me the great stories of the Bible and helped me learn portions of Scripture.   When I was just five years old,  my mother helped me memorize the first chapter of the book of Psalms. Although I understood some of the verses,  I didn’t understand all the words in the King James Version. I didn’t grasp much about “the seat of the scornful” or the “chaff which the wind driveth away” (Psalms 1:1 & 4). But when I was older I learned more about the meaning of those words.  As I grew, my understanding grew. And that Psalm has stayed with me throughout my adult years!

My Sunday school teachers understood the value of teaching Scripture to children too. My 5th grade teacher,  encouraged our class to learn Bible verses each week.  I took the challenge and enjoyed watching the gold stars accumulate each Sunday on the chart until at last I earned my very own Bible! It was special because of the gold edged pages and the golden zipper with a cross. But what made the award even more special was the appreciation and praise of my teacher.  She expected us to learn and do well, and we did.  Her teaching was not too hard for us to grasp—but it was not too easy either. I had to think in her class and I liked that! I’m not sure if my teacher knew how much she influenced my life, actually I doubt that she could know.  But now as I recall those days, I’m encouraged and believe that my young students will one day benefit from learning their Bible verses each week too!

Helping children learn and memorize Scripture is an important part of our teaching ministry because it will help them grow spiritually. It will help them now—and in the years to come. We don’t know what the future holds for our students, where they will be ten or twenty years from now, but we can prepare them for the days and years ahead by helping them hide God’s Word in their hearts.

In my next blog, I’ll discuss different methods for teaching Scripture to children that are both effective and easy to use.

God bless you as you teach today!

Verda Rubottom 

 

 

How Would You Define a Successful Children’s Ministry?

Posted by Jan 25, 2016 Serving , , , , , ,

When I was asked this question it caused me to reflect on some of the most important things in childrenJesus_Blessing_the_Children‘s ministry.  I was reminded of this familiar picture of “Jesus Blessing the Children.” The artist clearly depicts Jesus’ love for children. He was not disturbed by their childish ways or the inconvenience of stopping to give them personal attention on a busy day. This picture beautifully illustrates a foundational characteristic of a successful children’s ministry. I’ve listed others as well that I think are worthy of our best efforts.

1. Children feel loved and welcome. One of the most important things we can do in our Sunday gatherings and weekday clubs is to make children feel welcome.  This may seem like a small and pretty obvious thing, but I think it’s worth a reminder because children really aren’t welcome in many places today.  Like adults, children appreciate a welcoming smile, a pleasant greeting, and being called by their name. I think we all have to work at remembering names, especially if you’re new, filling in for a teacher, or have a very large class or children’s church. But it’s worth the effort because it means a lot to a child.  If you forget a child’s name, as I often do, it’s perfectly fine to ask for a reminder from them.  Name tags really help with those forgetful moments. Additionally, I often take pictures of my students and either display them in class, or keep them in a notebook to help myself and other workers learn their names.

2. Teachers are prepared. Part of welcoming children is preparing for them. When you arrive early and are well prepared, you are more free to enjoy your students and get to know them better. Your lessons will be more interesting as you can readily draw from your ideas and plans—and at the same time be flexible in your teaching and adjust to the needs of your students. Praying is an essential step in preparation and increases our effectiveness. And praying in class helps children learn about the importance of prayer and experience it themselves. Be prepared to pray with the students each time you meet.

3. Volunteers work in harmony as a team. I’m convinced that a successful children’s ministry is a team effort involving many dedicated people using their gifts and talents together.  There is a tendency in our churches to overlook the talents of people of all age levels who have something to offer.  We should be on the look out for people in our church who may have something meaningful to contribute to our class. For more on how to develop a team ministry, see my  two-part article “Building a Successful Teaching Team” on the resource page of this website which you can download now.

4. Learning is both fun and meaningful. I think most of us who work with children realize how important it is that children have fun while learning.  I’m all for this and believe that children are active learners and we should always be mindful of including the fun aspect.  But to be truly successful, we need to go beyond having fun and make sure that we are giving our students something that will last long after church is over. Learning must be meaningful if you want your students to really grow spiritually; if you want them to learn to be young disciples of Jesus and build their lives on a solid foundation.

5. Children are taught the Word of God.  Children need spiritual food to feed their souls. And that comes by learning about God, His Word, and how it applies to them in their daily lives.  We are successful in ministry when we  provide children with opportunities for spiritual growth, and gently lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus.  As we prayerfully sow the seed of the Word of God at their level of understanding, our students can grow and mature spiritually.

6. Children want to come back and bring their friends.  Church should be a happy and exciting place for children—a place where they feel loved and valued! Are you excited about your class?  Then your students will be too!  Are you making plans beyond this Sunday or Wednesday for new learning experiences for the children? Do you see potential in your students? Are you praying for them during the week? Do you know something about their likes and dislikes? where they go to school? what activities they’re involved in? Giving attention to these things will help create a wonderful atmosphere for learning. There will always be challenging situations that arise in a teaching situation. But if you are consistent—and the children can count on you to prepare an exciting time of learning together—they will want to come back for more!

(This concludes a five-part, brief summary of my philosophy of children’s ministry. I invite you to also read the first four listed on the sidebar and leave your comments or questions.)

God Bless You Today!

Verda Rubottom

 

How Do You Teach Children the Basics of Discipleship?

Posted by Oct 8, 2015 Serving , , , , , , , , , , , ,

lightstock_216002_xsmall_verda_rubottom_Part three of “What is Your Philosophy of Children’s Ministry?”  Undoubtedly, the most effective way that we teach the basics of discipleship is by our example.  Guy Doud, Teacher of the Year in 1986, wrote this short poem that is food for thought for anyone who teaches children.

Sermons We See

By Guy Doud

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

I’d rather you walk with me, than merely show the way.

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear.

Fine counsel is confusing, but examples always clear.

Child specialists tell us that children will often pattern their lives after the people they admire the most.  It’s important to be a good role model—and to introduce children to other role models they can look up to.  Children also notice who their parents admire and will tend to follow that as well. The people that we give attention to, and show high esteem for, will likely earn the attention of our children.  Despite our changing culture, parents are still the most powerful influence in a child’s life. For this reason, I encourage leaders to involve Christian parents in their children’s ministry when that is possible. Involving parents in some way sends a message to the child that their class is important.

Of course, the greatest role model we have is our Lord Jesus. And even very young children can learn from his example when we teach Bible stories at their level of understanding. Helping children understand Scripture takes effort on our part, and will often involve bringing visuals and various and sundry hands-on items to help translate the meaning to children. But it is well worth the effort when you see little eyes light up and older children show excitement as you begin to teach your lesson.

The last thing I want to mention in this post about discipleship is that we need to give our students opportunities to serve— just like Jesus did—when he was training his disciples. He asked them questions, tested them, and gave them many opportunities to practice what they were being taught. Jesus involved the disciples in serving the people.  Likewise, children need to learn to serve; to do more than sit and listen, as important as that is. They need to learn to help in small ways, and gradually move to greater responsibility as they show they are willing and capable. This will take a little planning on our part  because it seems easier to do all the work ourselves. But learning to be a disciple involves action, and we can help our students take that important step as they are learning and growing in the Word.

God bless you as you serve Him today!,

Verda Rubottom

 

Please note: For a more thorough discussion on this topic, go to the resource page on this website and read the article, Partners in Christian Education,  published in the Christian Education Counselor.  It’s available in PDF so you may download it free and use it as a resource for your staff.

“Learning to Serve” (Part 2)

Posted by Feb 2, 2015 Serving , , , , , , ,

Ashlee pictureI believe this topic is so important for children because it lays the foundation for a life of purpose—and helps them see wonderful possibilities for their future. So today I want to continue a discussion from one of my first posts last year (10/28/14) about teaching children to serve.

When we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and accept his free gift of salvation, we realize at some point, that he also has a job for us to do.  It’s wonderful to know that God actually wants to use us to accomplish his purposes on this earth!

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

This is a good verse for children to memorize. It will help them value themselves as someone created by God—and will give them the assurance that God has planned something special for them to do with their lives.  If we want children to believe that they can be doers of the Word, and not merely spectators, we need to teach them these things:

  • God has a plan for their lives
  • Discipleship is for children too!
  • Children can serve their families, their church, their community, and the world.
  • Children are the church of tomorrow—and today!

The picture in this post is an example of what I’m saying. Ashlee Vann received the key to the city of Springfield, MO for her volunteer work at the Kid’s Café Food Pantry several years ago.  Active in her church, and a good student, Ashlee still found time to serve others in her community. I enjoy collecting articles like this of children  who have already learned that serving others is one of the keys to happiness and fulfillment in life.  There are many other examples, perhaps some in your own community that will inspire your students.

Valentine’s Day is a great time to teach our students about God’s love for them, and for all people.  Here is another portion from Scripture that is easy for all age groups to memorize: Galatians 5:13b….serve one another in love.  (14) The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

God bless you as you serve Him today!

Verda

Wisdom For Teachers From A Timeless Book!

Posted by Jan 12, 2015 Serving , , , , , , , ,

lightstock_112728_medium_verda_rubottom_I think every teacher needs to read the book of Proverbs. Because in this book, we can find wisdom to help us understand our students, and glean insights on how to deal with problems that come up in the classroom

This year I decided to begin my daily devotions in this wonderful book because–and I think you’ll agree—as parents and teachers, we need all the wisdom we can get!  Proverbs gives us valuable principles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that we can apply in challenging situations that will affect the environment, and bring a sense of peace and order where learning can take place.

Here are a few nuggets I’ve underlined in my Bible (NIV):

  • Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (15:22)
  • Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.(16:3)
  • The lips of the wise spread knowledge;  not so the hearts of fools. (15:7)
  • A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
  • The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (15:4)
  • A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! (15:23)
  • A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; and good news gives health to the bones. (15:30)
  • He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.(19:8)

Teacher, whether you’re in a public or Christian school setting, you bring the wisdom that God has put in your heart into your classroom.  It will come out, even in unspoken ways as you lovingly teach the children, with patience, diligence, kindness, and understanding.  Even correction, will be more easily  accepted by the children when we use wisdom. The wonderful thing is—God is ready to give you the wisdom you need! Just ask Him! (James 1:5)

God bless you as you teach today!

Verda