Sunday School

Sunday School Has a New Look

The children’s Sunday School program is changing this year! We will be using a Rotation model for Sunday School, similar to the way our Vacation Bible School operates. Our rotation Sunday School for children in grades 1 - 6 will offer Bible study in a multi-sensory environment. Preschool and Kindergarten Sunday School will continue to be self-contained classes. 7th will be survey the biblical narrative and creatively link that narrative to the lives of kids today. (We are still looking for volunteers to teach segments of this class.) 8th will continue to be our year for confirmation and will be taught by staff members and mentors.

In our rotational setting, the same Bible story or theme is taught for four weeks. Children are led through four different learning environments while concentrating on one Bible story. Each week, learners rotate to a different learning station. The story remains the same, but the children encounter it in different ways in each station. The children gather each week for large group time and are introduced to the general concept, or they have a scripture verse reinforced. A "shepherd" is assigned to each age group and guides them to their area of study for that Sunday.
The various learning environments include the following:
-Storytelling offers the opportunity to hear the Bible story in the oral tradition.
-Arts and Crafts allows children to be crafty in many ways.
-Bible Quiz and Games helps children review and remember Bible stories using games and puzzles.
-Songs Workshop provides the children with time to make a joyful noise to the Lord!

One major change will be the change in the time commitment needed from teachers. Teachers can commit for as short as one month, and teach the same lesson week after week (with some age appropriate adjustments) to each new class coming in. We will continue to use the same curriculum, Growing in Christ, from Concordia Publishing House. In September we will study Jonah, in October we will learn about The Fiery Furnace, and in November we will get to know John the Baptist. In December, we will practice for the Sunday School Advent Service, which will be on Sunday, December 13 at 9:30AM. 2010 will begin with study of the Baptism of Jesus, in February we will study the Transfiguration, and in March we will learn about Jesus Healing. April will lead us to the Easter story, and in May we will end our year with Jesus Our Shepherd.

Volunteers are needed for these positions:
Shepherd—Shepherds do not teach. They will lead their group to their assigned class, take attendance, and help the teacher as needed.
Teachers—Teachers can choose their area of interest (Storytelling, Crafts, Games, or Songs) and teach the same lesson for four weeks. They can also teach our 7th grade class, which has a new lesson every week, for a few weeks or months at a time.

Please contact Beth Keller or Steve Driver if you are willing to help with our Rotation Sunday School.