The Sunday School Scenarios (from the Lay Teacher’s Workshop)

Written by Glen Dawursk, Jr. -- Redeveloped 12/03 – www.yuthguy.com

The following are scenarios for your small group discussion. While the situations may not have happened to you, the potential for them or a similar situation is possible. The purpose of this exercise is to find a solution, offer a direction, or to simply develop your problem solving skills. There may not be a perfect answer for the scenario and additional information may be required in a real-life situation. Throughout your discussion, remember, a Christian is like a tea bag - it doesn't come to full strength until it is put into a little hot water.' Plus, God says He will never give you more than you can handle. Trust Him, and all things are possible, even in a Sunday school classroom. PTL!

þ For the past six months, Julie has been a quiet girl who listened to directions and participated when asked to in class. However, for the past two weeks, Julie has been disruptive, obnoxious and at times disrespectful. It has become difficult to teach the Sunday school class. What would you do first? If the problem persists, then what? Why?

þ You want to teach memory work, but the youth don't want it and the parents don't seem to encourage their children to learn it? What would you do? Why?

þ Johnny always comes to Sunday school class 25 minutes late. He misses the Bible story time and always seem a little confused the rest of the class. However, he attends faithfully every week. What would you do? Why?

þ There is an argument between two children in the hallway outside your room. There is pushing and shoving, and the potential for someone to get hurt is high. You are the only one in your classroom at the time. What would you do? Why?

þ One of your students decides to question you in front of the rest of class about baptism. He says that his Mom doesn't believe that baptism is important and that he and his 2-month-old sister don’t have to be baptized until they are older. What would you do? What would you say? Why? What about Lutheran doctrine?

þ You have had a really bad morning and frankly, you don't feel like teaching this morning. You didn't get much sleep last night, your clock wasn't set, so you got up 15 minutes late, your children have been disrespectful, your spouse hasn't been very supportive, the car hasn’t been cooperative, and when you walk into class, you realize you prepared the wrong material. What do you do? Why?

þ You are a new teacher and are preparing your first lesson ... well, you are trying to, but you are not sure where to start. You've opened the book a few times, read the Bible story part of the way in your KJV Bible; BUT you aren't sure you understand either. What should you do? How should a teacher prepare? How could the teacher better understand the story or lesson? What should a teacher include in the teaching of the lesson so that the children will understand it?

þ The class seems bored. They seldom say anything, they just listen and leave. I follow the lesson plan exactly and even sing the song they suggest (usually by myself). I'm not even sure if they really are listening or simply sleeping with their eyes open. How could I find out if they are really listening? How could I get them to participate? What can I do to "liven-up" the class?