Purpose: To lead Children’s Sunday School teachers to discover the three facets of a dynamic Sunday School class: ___________________ Scripture Stories Shepherding

Find the missing letters in the following words: ___ sc___rt___in ___xplor___ H___r R___v___l L___nti___y P___re___iv___ S___ ___t___rmin___ R___liz___ ___r___sp ___t

Discover -- Ascertain Explore Hear Reveal Identify Perceive See Determine Realize Grasp Get

Sharps and Flats of Curriculum Supports Southern Baptist doctrines Easily adaptable to different- sized groups Activities are ready to understand Substitute teachers can quickly and easily understand Cost effective Bible Study for teachers provided Teaching procedures are clearly written Comprehensive plan for teaching children Lacks emphasis on life application Focuses on individual work Does not emphasize Bible usage Lacks clear lesson objectives Learner guides lack exciting graphics Lecture-based

Creating the Harmonious Sunday School:

1.Teachers – The heartbeat of the Sunday School movement – The Sunday School movement has not been built by ministers, but by men and women committed to following God’s call to teach children.

2.Learners – The focus of the Sunday School movement – The focus is for this group to not only gain a head knowledge of the Bible, but to see their lives transformed.

3.The Class – The genius of the Sunday School movement – A group of people who gather together, to learn from the Bible, in the context of a fun and caring fellowship of people.

4.Discovery – The mark of a dynamic Sunday School class – The only learning that changes conduct significantly is learning that is self-discovered. Never tell anyone anything he can discover for himself.

1.Limiting questions have a set of correct answers. Three Types of Questions: Example: How do you think it feels to be bullied? Example: What are the two major divisions of the Bible? Example: Did God create the world? 3.Open questions do not have one correct answer. 2.Closed questions can be answered with a “yes” or “no.”

ConciseChallenging ClearCreative CompleteControversial ConnectedConsiderate Conversational 9 Qualities of Great of Questions

Stories

Take a few minutes to discuss, as a group, hymns and songs that tell stories.

1.Who is involved in this story? 2.What happened in the story? 3.How did this story impact me? Creating Your Own Story in Three Part Harmony:

Shepherding

The Shepherd’s Heart 1.Focuses on teaching people the Bible. 2.Will cut the learners more slack than the prophet or exhorter. 3.Loves people and is protective of those under his care. 4.Usually remembers names, faces, and voices well. 5.Tends to be self-sacrificing.

Raising the Bar: Creating a Learner Database Vital Information: 1.Name and Contact Information 2.Birthday 3.Other significant dates (dates of brother’s birth, game day, etc.) 4.School

Raising the Bar: Creating a Learner Database 5.Extracurricular Activities 6.Familial Information (names of parents and siblings) 7.Has the child accepted Christ? 8.Has the child been baptized? Vital Information:

Raising the Bar: Creating a Learner Database Optional Information: 1.Child’s Temperament 2.Love Language 3.Favorite Things 4.Pet Peeves 5.Spiritual Gifts / Talents

The Sunday School teacher who implements the Discover Triad will: 1.Lead a group of children to enjoy fellowship around an open Bible. 2.Teach through allowing discussion of God’s Word. 3.Encourage his class through meaningful stories. 4.Care for each child through a system of shepherding.