The Sunday School Child Speaker Dr Lydia Taiwo

Sunday Children Different types of children come to Sunday School Age ranges Age ranges from 0 to 12 years. Nursery and Primary School age 2– 5 years 6 -10 years plus Secondary School age 11 plus

Sunday School Children Children in church fall into three categories: Children in Christian homes who are not saved Children in Christian homes who are saved Children who are saved and parents or guardians who are not saved

Categories of Children Children in care Foster children are removed from everything they are familiar with and placed in a home that is probably out of their neighbourhood, has different inhabitants, and is generally as strange as a foreign country.

Children from Divorced Parents The word “Family” has been associated with feelings of safety, security and loyalty. Therefore when parents choose to end the marriage, children can feel that they have also lost their family, safety and security

Adopted Children Being Adopted.....is a lifelong issue. Even if it doesn't haunt you, even if you have a job and a family and a good self-image, the fact that the family that you grew up with is not the family whose genetics you share never goes away

How does the child feel? There is still a vacuum in the heart of that child, a question – who are my real parents? grief and abandonment Many feel unloved, scared, vulnerable and find it difficult to trust anybody

The Abused Child Physical abuse Sexual abuse Neglect Emotional abuse

How does the abused child feel? Fear Sexually abused children often feel that they have done something wrong and are fearful that their family will reject them. Guilt and Shame Children often blame and hate themselves

How does the abused child feel? Confusion If I tell, I will get into trouble. Depression and Isolation Children may be depressed if they believe that everyone knows about the abuse

Children with Disability A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area Families with disabled children do not feel welcome in church or attend church

Children’s Disability Types of disability anything that disables or puts one at a disadvantage hard of hearing physical disability – loss of a limb etc speech impairment children with behaviour problems - Autism

Sick Children Some children go in and out of hospital and will do so all the days of their lives except if God decides to intervene and heal them. Examples of illnesses or diseases Children with hereditary disorders – Sickle Cell Disease, Haemophilia, Down’s Syndrome, Leukaemia and other such illnesses

How does the disabled or sick child feel? A burden It’s all my fault Why can’t I be like other kids? Why can’t I play like other kids? Disabled and sick children must be responded to as individuals with their own specific needs, feelings, thoughts and opinions

General effects on the child Focusing is very difficult. Sense of emotional numbness-can last for varying length of time, depending on child * Reduced ability to concentrate * Major changes in eating and sleeping patterns * Roller coaster of emotional highs and lows

General effects on the child Frustration Rebellion Lonely Hurt Puzzled Disappointed Isolated Angry and anxious

How do the children behave in Sunday School

Child Behaviour Good behaviour Bad behaviour including the following: Behaving aggressively towards the teachers, Hurting other children in the class Disrupting the class session Hyperactive Quiet and not responsive Unhappy

We have all these children in our midst

How can we engage with such children? Pray and seek God’s face earnestly for revelation, redemption and restoration for the child. Get to know the child and be patient with them Earn their trust Get to know the parents of the child and be an encouragement to them.

What else can we do? Teach the children the word of God, let them know about the heavenly father we have. We need to love unconditionally Let us be a part of shaping the lives of the children in our midst – through the word of God Children need support. A safe place where they can express themselves, without worrying about anything bad happening to them Mentoring and role models Speak positive words to the children

What else? Pray for unsaved parents Pray for parents who are known to abuse children and bring it to the attention of the child protection co-ordinator in the church Pray for the salvation of the little children Teach the children to pray every day Ministry to the disabled

What else continued? The Law – Child Protection’s Act POVC/ POVA CRB Legal responsibilities of adults and leaders

And if we don’t? God will ask everyone of us when it is our time to stand before Him on the day of judgement

Questions and Prayer Questions Prayers