Have you seen these t-shirts that say one size fits all? Isn’t that a oximoron? Take a look at that shirt and you will soon summize that you know someone that would get swallowed up in the shirt and equally you know someone that would be hard pressed to get the shirt on! This is how some of us are having to teach our Sunday School classes and Children’s church.

While large super churches seem to be popping up everywhere, there are still thousands of little churches around the nation and the world that are reaching people for Christ. This inevitably presents the problem of having one teacher and 8-10 children ranging from age 3 to 12. Mostly likely, there is a big age gap right in the middle of this. So what’s a teacher to do?

I wish I had a nice ’simple fix’ answer for that question. There is not. What may work splendidly one place would fail miserably at another. So what I propose to do here is throw out some ideas and products that have worked for me. Maybe there will be a nugget of help that will make your life just a bit easier or spark your own creativity.

Idea #1: Use your older children as helpers. You may not realize it, but they will be learning through this process. If nothing else, they will be learning that they can minister to others even at their young age. Match each older child with a younger child. They will be responsible for helping the small child look up verses, write down words, accomplish more difficult activities, etc., etc
You can also assign them specific jobs such as leading the music time, being in charge of snack time or game time, teaching the Bible verse, or maybe even telling the Bible Story if you happen to have a good story teller. Puppets and drama are two things that most pre-teen kids enjoy. In return for being in a class geared for younger children, take an evening once a month to do something special with this group only. This could range from an afternoon of bowling or putt putt to coming to your house to play video games or make cookies.

You will develop a relationship with the kids doing this and they will learn that church it not just about them receiving, but that they in turn should turn around and given back. It will probably solve the majority of your behavior problems just from the realization that they are now the example. The younger children will soon be looking up to these kids and looking forward to the day they get to be a helper.

Idea #2 Find a curriculum that incorporates all ages. David C. Cook and Group Publishing both offer some great resources that help you reach all ages at once. Check out the product details below.

Here’s a cool series that we have used with great success. There is a series of 4 books of 13 lessons. This particular one has special holiday lessons. (You know for the Sunday when half your staff is missing.)

Sunday School Specials By Lois Keffer / Group Publishing Discover 13 fun, Bible-based programs full of creative ideas for classes of ages 4 to 12. You’ll save time and money-just gather a few common, inexpensive items, photocopy the student handout, and you’re ready to teach creative Bible lessons your kids will love. Plan now for those extra Sundays. Use Sunday School Special 2 any time you want to teach meaningful Bible lessons to kids of different ages. Each Lesson comes complete with: active learning experiences to catch kids interest and teach them lessons they’ll remember; interactive Bible stories – to help even the youngest kids grasp the real meaning of Scripture; life application to encourage children to use what they’ve learned; take home handouts so children can share what they’ve learned with their families. Use this option whenever lots of family go on vacation – leaving just a few kids in each class; you want to give your teachers some time off; you’re having a special event Sunday; you just want to do something different in Sunday School or any other time you need to combine children of different ages in the same class. Several of the lessons also offer the option of including parents, grandparents, and other adults in the class. Lesson topics include learning to know God; showing God’s love and celebrating special times. Contents: Introduction: Active Learning in Combined Classes; How to Get Started with Sunday School Specials 2; Time Stuffers The Lessons: Learning to Know God: God in First Place; Circle of Forgiveness; The Trust Test; More Like Jesus Showing God’s Love: Promises to keep; All Kinds of Families; When Things Get Tough; Faith to Give Away Celebrating Special Times: Thank you Lord; God With Us; New Beginnings; A Little Love and Kindness; Jesus Lives

I’ve been using this Children’s Church curriculum for years. For less than $100 you have lesson for a whole year… two puppets included! There are three sets .. Red, Green & Blue. You could get by using the same one all the time, but I rotate them. It has a wonderful layout with two age options for teaching the lessons. You choose according to what will work best for your group.

Noah’s Park Children’s Church: Red Edition By NexGen

This ’summer program’ is a lot of fun, but may take more then just you to teach. You will probably have to get some teen helpers. I was able to delegate different adults to come in for one session to tell a story, do a craft, etc. Bringing in adults creates relationship. (It helps our kids see the adults as people rather than just something in their way on the way out the door!) This one is all about water (Fun!). I believe there are two other themes. One about 13 kings in the Bible and another all about Jesus.

Splish-Splash Bible Bash 13-week curriculum By David C. Cook

Well, there’s a start for you. I’m sure there are other ideas and products out there. Please comment on what has worked for you!

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Posted October 17th, 2009 by admin in Children's Ministry | No Comments »