Identifying & emphasizing the essentials
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(This post was originally featured on the Treasuring Christ curriculum blog, and you'll need to click through to read the whole thing.)
As those entrusted with the role of teacher, we need to know that essence of what we’re teaching. In other words, how would you answer this question:
If children and students at our church only grasp one thing today, what should it be?
(I don’t mean for that to be hypothetical. Please take a moment to think about your ministry as a whole. How would you answer that for your next Bible study or Sunday school class? How would you answer that if I were to ask what one thing you hope that children and students grasp before they reach adulthood? Take a moment, and think about that if you don’t have an answer already.)
Answering those questions can add clarity to your teaching for every child and student, but it becomes even more crucial for those with special needs. If a child has intellectual, emotional, or behavioral difficulties, then odds are good that you don’t really have the full class time to teach a plethora of points. You might just have five minutes.
Let me give you an example from a couple weeks ago: I was working one-on-one in one of our preschool classes with a little boy – who I’ll call Jack – who loves balls and blocks and who also happens to have Down syndrome... (continued here)
To read the rest, go here to the Treasuring Christ curriculum blog.
And, while you're there, check out the rest of the site too! You'll see a familiar face - mine! - among the contributors, but Steve Wright and Kim Davidson are the ones who really poured their time, effort, and love for Christ into this. And, while Steve and Kim are absolute rockstars in my book, God is the One who deserves the credit for this amazing resource.
As those entrusted with the role of teacher, we need to know that essence of what we’re teaching. In other words, how would you answer this question:
If children and students at our church only grasp one thing today, what should it be?
(I don’t mean for that to be hypothetical. Please take a moment to think about your ministry as a whole. How would you answer that for your next Bible study or Sunday school class? How would you answer that if I were to ask what one thing you hope that children and students grasp before they reach adulthood? Take a moment, and think about that if you don’t have an answer already.)
Answering those questions can add clarity to your teaching for every child and student, but it becomes even more crucial for those with special needs. If a child has intellectual, emotional, or behavioral difficulties, then odds are good that you don’t really have the full class time to teach a plethora of points. You might just have five minutes.
Let me give you an example from a couple weeks ago: I was working one-on-one in one of our preschool classes with a little boy – who I’ll call Jack – who loves balls and blocks and who also happens to have Down syndrome... (continued here)
To read the rest, go here to the Treasuring Christ curriculum blog.
And, while you're there, check out the rest of the site too! You'll see a familiar face - mine! - among the contributors, but Steve Wright and Kim Davidson are the ones who really poured their time, effort, and love for Christ into this. And, while Steve and Kim are absolute rockstars in my book, God is the One who deserves the credit for this amazing resource.