Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it
is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Matt. 18:20
You have been entrusted with this vital mission; you are to lead this particular group of children to Jesus. This is a ministry which requires dedication and effort. Here are a few suggestions you may find helpful.
* Pray to the Good Shepherd, asking for his help in leading these lambs to his side.
*Example is the best teacher. Let the children see that you have a close relationship with Jesus, and often talk about how you much you love, trust and depend on him.
* Be well-prepared for each lesson. Try to deliver it without reading from the Manual. You'll be more convincing if you maintain eye contact with the children.
* Remember that the children's first experiences with God and the Church community should be pleasant. Try to include a fun activity or game in every lesson.
* The greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. Firmly discourage any acts of unkindness, arguments, or name-calling, as soon as you notice them. Promote self-respect, acceptance and respect for others.
* Keep a written record of any health problems or allergies the children may have. Arrange treats for special occasions, keeping these in mind. For children, sharing food with friends is equivalent to a party. Fruit for harvest time, candy for Hallowe'en, pumpkin cookies for Thanksgiving: all have potential to engender enjoyable seasonal celebrations.
* Try to develop a good rapport with the parents. They'll give you hints about what which lessons were most successful and carried over to the home scene. They'll also make you aware of any problems an individual child may be having. You could then follow up with a prayer or a group discussion, if you think either would be helpful.
*Look for ways the children could be made to feel that they are a part of the larger Church community. Perhaps they could act as greeters or ushers one Sunday. They could pass plates of cookies around at a tea or a concert. They could pass out bulletins as the congregation leaves the church. These little jobs give them a chance to meet the adult members, to develop a sense of responsibility, and help the Sunday School group feel that they truly belong to the larger community.
*Try to give generously of your time when you are involved in a Sunday School activity. Arrive early and be prepared to stay a little longer than might be expected. There could be an unexpected emergency, a parent with a question or one who wishes to ask your advice. The priest or minister may wish to speak to you. Someone may wish to see more than the flap of your coattails as you rush to get home. Remember, God will not be outdone in generosity.
*It is helpful if the children have something to take home to spark a discussion of the lesson with their parents. It could be a Bible picture to color, a photo of themselves with a friend, a picture on the current theme, cut from a magazine and glued on a lacy paper doily. The possibilities are limited only by your resources and your imagination.
You should now be ready and indeed anxious to proceed with your Sunday School ministry, encouraged and empowered by the Spirit of him who was himself often called "Teacher", and who continues to inspire all teachers with these words:
Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest
In the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such
child in my name welcomes me. Matt. 18:4-5
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