I started teaching Sunday school when I was sixteen. I loved teaching children then and I still do.
Here’s why.
1. Children are receptive. The Bible tells us to train children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). In the New Testament, we are told to spiritually nurture our children (Ephesians 6:4). Yes, those verses are directed to parents, but as teachers/leaders, we are part of the parental support team. (And for many kids, we are the only Christian adults they know.)
True, we have no guarantees that our kids will make the right choices in life, but our responsibility is to do the teaching. As D.L. Moody has famously quoted: If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!”
Trusting Christ at a young age can influence a child’s life direction. By being in children’s ministry, I am on the frontlines.
2. Children are energetic. Sometimes we might feel they have too much energy, but just think if we could channel that energy into good? What if that squirrely little boy someday uses that energy to become a pastor? Or that bouncy little girl someday designs biblically-based software for parents? God made them full of energy – our job is to direct them to use it wisely.
3. Children want attention. They like to be noticed … and how fun is it to give them a compliment or high five and have their faces crinkle into a room-brightening smile? (Can you imagine doing that to the staid lady in the fourth row who scowls through the sermons?)
4. Children are honest. You know what they are thinking. You don’t have to guess if they liked the lesson … or the snack … or the craft. They’ll tell you. Unlike adults who put on a façade of pleasantness and then complain about the service on the way home or put a snarky comment on Facebook.
Kids don’t let you get away with anything. You know when they’re unhappy. But that’s good. You don’t have to wonder about it. You know and you can immediately begin to solve the problem. (And sometimes a simple smile or a teasing comment is all that’s needed to get them back “with the program.”)
5. Children are forgiving. Yes, they didn’t like the snack and let you know by their scrunched-up faces and their very loud “Ewwwwww,” but by next week they’ve forgotten and enthusiastically chow down the offered food. Seven days have passed, they aren’t still upset about the yogurt-covered raisins or that they had to be on the green team and not the red. They’re so over that. Besides, you’re letting them put on the beanbags and that makes them feel super good.
6. Children are curious. When you tell them that the Israelites walked many miles – they want to know how long, whether they were tired and what they had to eat. Many adults are curious, too, but many adults tune you out. They’ve heard that story before and aren’t interested in studying it further. They’re slumped in the pews, wondering if the restaurant will be crowded by the time they get there for Sunday dinner or why Debbie walked by without saying “Hello.” (She just found out the other two children’s church leaders have the flu and not only does she have to teach, but was looking for someone to be in the classroom with her. She was not trying to be offensive. Really.)
7. Children are funny. Like fall-off-your-chair-laughing funny. Ok, pastors can be funny, too, but when that little kid pipes up in all seriousness and asks: “Why were the men creeping in their underwear?” And with a straight face you manage to get out that the verse in Jude says “in unaware,” not “in their underwear.” You can’t help smiling.
8. Children are wide-eyed listeners. You do your part to be enthusiastic and interesting and the children will totally be with you. Nothing more fun than a room full of kids watching you and waiting for the “rest of the story” or the next activity.
9. Children have a different perspective. They come up with unique takes on what you’re saying. Like when I was explaining God’s magnificent creation and how he made us so we could walk and breathe and eat and … . A six-year-old interrupted me with breathtaking awe, “And we don’t even have batteries!”
10. Children want to help. Children enjoy being part of projects. Whether it’s collecting food for a food bank or stacking chairs after class – they want to be part of it. They like holding the posters that have the words of the songs, they like collecting the game equipment, they like helping a new friend with a verse. What better way to prepare children for a life of service than to give them opportunity to serve when they’re young?
Yes, I’ve taught adults and I enjoy it, but there’s something unique and special about teaching a child.
How privileged we are to be in children’s ministry.
