Christian Education Articles
- Sunday School: The Largest Discipleship Ministry
- Sunday School Today Interview With Scott Davis, Daniel DeLeon, and Randal Ross
Three pastors discuss how Sunday school has positively impacted the overall ministry of their churches. - Turnaround Sunday School, The Story of Landon Altizer
In coal-mining country, the early 1990s were devastating. Thousands of people lost jobs in Raven, Virginia, as mines shut down. Sunday School at Landon Altizer’s church declined as people left to find new jobs. But, as the Sunday School director, what else could he expect? He was satisfied with an okay Sunday School until his Best Friend whispered a plan. The whispered advice was, “Just OBEY.” Landon can tell you this Friend does not disappoint. Landon Altizer chose to obey God’s leading to turn around an “Okay” Sunday School to a “Gotta-Be-There” Sunday School. In Raven, VA, even economic downturns and church troubles were no excuse to stay the same. - Sunday School: A Recipe for Discipleship by Wes Bartel
What should an effective discipleship ministry look like in the 21st century? There are at least four necessary ingredients needed to create an effective Sunday School or Christian education ministry. - A Tale of Two Churches: The Case for Rousing the Sleeping Giant by Rob Burkhart
All the qualities of a healthy, growing church and ministry are supported and enhanced by this giant. - Where They Want To Be by Michael H. Clarensau
Growing Sunday schools are meeting the felt needs of their students. Discover how you can make Sunday school a place where people want to be. - Connecting Learning and Life (PDF) by Carey Huffman
Our society is full of people who say they believe but fail to apply their "faith" to their lives. Sunday school must teach people to live what they learn. - The Pastor: Key To A Vibrant, Growing Sunday School by Thom S. Rainer
In a new century and a new millennium, pastors are once again affirming the importance of Sunday school.
General
- Getting Into the Meat of the Word: Giving Thanks
- A Model for Sunday School
- Is Accountability Important?
- Accountability Log (PDF)
- Teachers: Why Fast?
- Quick Tips for Using Learning Centers
- Quick Tips for Storytelling
- Building a Basic Teacher’s Library
- Making Translations Work for You
- Interest Center Checklist
- Celebrate “Second-Birth Days”!
- Celebrate “Second-Birth Days”! Letter
- Tired Teachers: Ten Tips for Dealing with Burnout
- Reaching Out During the Holidays
- A Christian Educator Looks At Change and Continuity
- Should We Teach Denominational Loyalty?
- I Have a Dream for Christian Education
- Lines in the Water
- My Garage Sunday School
- Sunday School Is a Necessity
- The Pentecostal Frontier
- Leading A Multiethnic Congregation
- We Can Wipe Out Racism
- Keeping Up With the Culture
- Facilities, Furnishings, and Technology
- 57 Cents That Made History
From the Director Articles
- Do Methods Matter?
- Answering the Call to Teach
- Making Children a Priority
- From Dread to Discipleship
- How Do Churches Grow?
Early Childhood Helps
- The Teacher is Also a Counselor
- Where is Jesus in Your Sunday School? (PDF)
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- A Preschooler's Twenty-Third Psalm
- Active Students + Active Learning = Active Faith
- Building a T.E.A.M. Spirit
- Celebrating the Family
- Curriculum and You
- Discipline in the Early Childhood Sunday School Class
- Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Ministries—Hope for Tomorrow, Beginning Today
- Grouping for Early Childhood Learning
- Leading a Child to Salvation (PDF)
- Learning Strategies for Early Childhood (Birth—Age 6)
- Learning Together
- Parent Partners
- R. E. T. R. A. I. N.
- Responsive Discipline
- Romans 12:1 Living
- Teaching Method by Age Level
- Teaching With Play Dough
- The Young Child’s Religion
- Toddlers’ Learning Styles
- Using the Thinking Chair
- What Preschoolers Want Grown-Ups To Know
- Responsive Discipline
Nursery
- Cradle Roll Resources
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- Babies Are Smarter Than We Think (PDF, 144 KB)
- Baby Information Form (PDF, 460 KB)
- Grouping Toddlers and Twos (PDF)
- How Babies Learn
- Learning Strategies for Early Childhood (Birth—Age 6)
- Make Your Nursery Baby Friendly (PDF)
- The Truth About Toddlers (PPT - requires Microsoft PowerPoint)
- What Toddlers Wish Grown-ups Knew
- When a Child Bites (PDF)
- Habits of Highly Germ-Free Nurseries and How to Change a Diaper (PDF)
Elementary Helps
- God Grows Kids—You Can Help!
- Tips for Time-Challenged Teachers
- Sunday School Stars are here
- Make-Your-Own Musical Instruments
- Where is Jesus in Your Sunday School? (PDF)
- Developing Discipline in the Elementary Classroom (ZIP)
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- Active Kids Learn More
- Building a Teaching Team
- Children's Church Models
- Children's Questions About the Holy Spirit
- Grouping Children for Learning
- Humor in the Classroom
- Junior Characteristics
- Leading a Child to Christ
- Leading a Child to Salvation (PDF)
- Learning Strategies for Children (Grades 1-6)
- Make a Calendar of Memories to Symbolize Stability and Belonging
- Middler Characteristics
- Parental Involvement
- Primary Characteristics
- Responsive Discipline
- Self-Esteem, Essential or Dangerous?
- Teachers: Best Friends to Parents of Children with Disabilities
- Teaching Children to Share their Faith
- Understanding Elementary Students (PDF)
- When Campers Come Home
- You Can Be a More Effective Teacher
- You Can Tell a Story
- Never Ask, "What Did You Learn in Sunday School?"
Youth Helps
- We Can Wipe Out Racism
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- 10 Habits for Teaching Teen
- Are You a Student Teacher?
- Building Bridges to Teens
- Children and Evangelism (PDF, 596 KB)
- Communicating the Gospel to Teens
- Compassion in Crisis
- Don’t Just Sit There—Do!
- Grouping Youth for Learning
- Keep the Campfire Burning
- Learning Strategies for Youth: Ages 12-18
- Please Talk to My Daughter
- Preparing Teens for Christian Service
- Self-Esteem, Essential or Dangerous?
- The Church and Sex Education (PDF)
- Youth and The Holy Spirit Baptism (PDF)
- Youth Sunday School As Disciple Maker
Adult Helps
- The Helper - Depending on the Spirit in All of Life. Free Study Guides
- Outreach Ideas for Your Church and Community
- How to Build an Effective Sunday School (PDF)
- Ten Sunday Schools That Dared to Change (PDF)
- Seniors Who Believe in Sunday School
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- Adults Need a Lesson to Live By
- Answering the Call to Teach
- Attracting Adult Learners
- Avoid Information Overload
- Back to the Future in Adult Education
- Becoming a Teacher People Love
- Checking Your Class' Health
- Evangelistic Bible Studies
- Grouping Adults for Learning
- Identifying Ministry Gifts
- Insights from Branson
- It’s Not Rocket Science
- Learning Strategies for Adults
- Lesson Planning Worksheets (PDF, 95 KB)
- Making the Application
- Ministering to Mentally and Emotionally Challenged Adults
- Newspapers Give Clues for Updating Adult Bible Study
- Plan Learning Opportunities Adult Will Say YES To
- Reaching and Keeping Adults (PDF)
- Talk to Me: Facilitating Discussion in Adult Groups
- Teach All Your Students
- The Forgotten Family
Disabilities and Special Needs
- Articles related to Ministering to People with Special Needs
Evangelism and Outreach
- Evangelism in Sunday School (PDF)
- Find Others Who Need to Know—on the Internet!
- Four Convictions of Highly Evangelistic Churches
- Breaking Down Barriers
- Guess Who’s Coming to Sunday School
- Dimensions of Outreach
- Summer Outreach - Life in the Son
- The Sunday School and Its Community
- Guiding the Three-Generation Sunday School
- How To Keep Those We Reach
- Keeping Newcomers with a Pastor’s Class
- Dimensions of Outreach
- Visitor's Welcome Packet
- Holiday Outreach Ideas
- Inclusion Means Ending Racism
Family
- Is Your Sunday School Family Friendly?
- Sample Church Family Survey (PDF)
- What Is the Family? Structure or Function
- Sunday School Offers What Parents Want Most for their Children
- How can parents say “No” when the ads are screaming “Yes?”
- Managing Sibling Rivalry
- Parents Are a Necessary Part
- Sunday School and the Home
- Most of What We Need to Know About Parenting We Can Learn in Sunday School
- Breaking Down Barriers Building Bridges
- Ministering to Gen X Parents
- Pentecost for the Family
Growth
- Read articles related to growing your Sunday School and Christian Education programs.
Inspiration
- Teaching is a Unique Joy
- It Is More Blessed To Give
- Are You Growing?
- Disaster Strengthens Electrocuted Man's Faith
- Empowering for Ministry
- Learning to Live the Life
- Teachers Make a Difference
- The Teacher's Joy
- The Teacher's Loves
- Todd Beamer–9/11 Hero and Sunday School Teacher
- Tolerance or Appreciation?
Job Descriptions
- Ministry Description and Agreement For Sunday School Staff Members (PDF)
- Help for New Sunday School Leaders
- Top Ten Priorities of a New Sunday School Leader
Leadership Development
- Creating a Climate for Growing Leaders
- 10 Steps to Developing a Powerful Team
- Tensions in the Team
- The Theology of Training
- Finding and Filling My Place in the Church
- Build a Believer's Mobilization Bridge
- The Law of Investment
- Investor Quiz
- Map a Strategy for Training Using Jesus’Method for Discipling
- Emphasis on Sunday School Superintendent Training
- Empowering for Ministry
- Mentoring Leaders
- Fielding The Best Team (ZIP)
- Christian Education Is A Team Sport (ZIP)
- Using Your Team
Learning
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- Answering the Call to Teach
- Breaking Down Barriers
- Fielding The Best Team (ZIP)
- From Passage To Presentation (ZIP)
- Teachers as Learners
- Teaching and Learning Strategies
- Teaching Ministry
- Teaching With Style (ZIP)
Learning Strategies
- Learning Strategies: an Overview
- Learning Strategies for Adults
- Learning Strategies for Children (Grades 1-6)
- Learning Strategies for Early Childhood (Birth—Age 6)
- Learning Strategies for Youth (Grades 6-12)
Personal Development
- 55 Tips for Organizing Your Ministry
- Teachers: Why Fast?
- Finding and Filling My Place in the Church
- Discovering Ministry Gifts
- Ministry Gift Assessment (PDF)
- Motivational Gifts Profile (PDF)
- Avoiding Burn-out (Enrichment Journal)
- Teachers as Learners
Quick Tips
- Breaking Down Barriers
- Quick Tips for Storytelling
- Quick Tips for Using Learning Centers
- Keeping Records Equals Keeping People
Recruiting
- Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Volunteers (PowerPoint)
- Discovering Ministry Gifts
- Are You Teaching to Equip?
- Share the Personal Benefits when You Recruit
- Hey Coach!
- Reigniting the Passion in Veteran Teachers
- Recruiting the Best
- Keeping Volunteers Enthusiastic
- Recruiting Maxims
- Observation Guidelines
- Orienting New Volunteers
- Removing a Member from the Team
Resources
- Accountability Log (PDF)
- Tired Teachers: Ten Tips for Dealing with Burnout
- Celebrate “Second-Birth Days”!
- Send an E-Card
- ChristianCrafters.com
- Prayer Need Reminder (PDF)
- Bookmark: What's Missing from the USA's Spiritual Life? (PDF)
- Breaking Down Barriers
- Building a Basic Library
- Including All Who Come (PDF)
- Interest Center Checklist
- Lesson Planning Chart (PDF)
- Lesson Planning Worksheets (PDF)
- LIFE Acronym (PDF, 452 KB)
- Making Translations Work for You
- Teacher's Committments (PDF)
- Teaching With Style (ZIP)
- Preschool Helpers Signup Form (PDF)
- Activities Participation Form (PDF)
Teaching
- Can You Describe a Good Teacher?
- Teacher's Committments (PDF, 492 KB)
- The Greatest Resource
- Understanding the Teaching Ministry of the Church
- How Many Teachers in Your Church
- The Church's Teaching Ministry
- The Teacher is Also a Counselor
- From Passage To Presentation (ZIP)
- Teacher Training: Learning Styles (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- The Purpose of Christian Education
- Self-Esteem, Essential or Dangerous?
Trends and Statistics
- Articles related to National Trends and Statistics.
Book Reviews
- Off-Road Disciplines by Earl Creps
- 2005 Staff Training Book
- 101 Ways to Reach Your Community
- Perpetuating Truth Through Teaching (by Billie Davis)
- Perpetuating Truth Through Teaching (review by Roger Loomis)
- Perpetuating Truth Through Teaching (review by Mel Surface)
- Surprising Insights from the Unchurched (review by Mark R. Smith)
- The Younger Evangelicals: Facing the Challenges of the New World
- High Expectations: The Remarkable Secret of Keeping People in Your Church
Interviews
- Audrey Clay — The Testimony of Audrey Clay
- Billie Davis — author, former missionary, and longtime proponent of Christian education
- Rich Skerbitz — Youth Pastor
- Rich Hammar — Legal Counsel and Sunday School Teacher
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