Comments on: #591. The things your kid brings home from Sunday School.

By: This Week In Children’s Ministry for 10/14/2009

This Week In Children’s Ministry for 10/14/2009 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:12:46 +0000

[...] Something Funny: The “Stufff Christians Like” blog points out the obvious problems with the things your kid brings home from Sunday School. [...]

By: Stargirl

Stargirl — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:31:31 +0000

I've been a Sunday School teacher for a very long time. I work hard to make it a happy place where children have opportunities to encounter God in a relevant way. Sometimes that means making a little mess. It often means hours of preparation and tidying up for a teacher before and after the event.

I hope that parents understand that it's not just about what your children bring home. It is about the attitude you bring with you, a thank you or a word of encouragement goes a long way. If you object to 'messy' crafts or sugary snacks – why not offer to organise snacks for the teacher or provide some suitable craft materials. Just don't complain – do something about it. Be a Timothy – encourage one another.

By: hardtoquit

hardtoquit — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:16:51 +0000

Just over a year ago, I found myself asking the same question. Smoking was making me feel awful and draining quite a bit of money from my pockets.

By: K Storm

K Storm — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:19:48 +0000

Love glitter, wet paint, wet glue and trying to avoid getting it all over us and the car!

We have a class that has an outer space theme to teach the book of Acts…the kids love it. But the other day I was singing in choir and saw some 3rd graders with antenae in the congregation…guess the aliens landed in that class!

By: bean

bean — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:39:56 +0000

This is too funny. Seriously.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:36:15 +0000

Hilarious! On Sunday, I am teaching a bunch of 5-year-olds about Gideon's battle with the Midianites… and I considered buying a bunch of party horns to help illustrate, all the while fighting a lurking doubt in the back of my mind. You have tipped the scales in favor of NOT committing such a foolish act(especially since one of those 5-year-olds– my son– will be coming home with me!). Thanks!

By: Resurgam

Resurgam — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:27:17 +0000

As a Sunday school teacher, I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments, and I promise to avoid marshmallows and even goldfish crackers, due to having students with multiple food allergies. I vow never to send home a living thing, be it fish, frog, or plant, and so far I have never sent home anything wet, be it glue or paint (we even let the "air dry clay" oil lamps sit an extra week in the classroom to make sure they were cured). I'm not ordering the curriculum take-home papers this year because I believe neither the children nor their grown-ups read them, but I do have crafts and this year's bunch of kids LOVE to color. Even my soon-to-be kindergartner adored the picture he colored of the feeding of the 5000 and said, "I'm going to put this up in my room!" and by golly he did.

I agree we have a responsibility to make the lessons meaningful, economical, and environmentally sound. Like Jon, I agree that letting them just run till they drop can be a valuable learning tool, so they can see why the disciples needed a little rest after Jesus sent them out by twos, for instance, but letting them have *fun* is also an important matter.

Do we want people to think that Jesus was a killjoy? Does God never smile? Does the Spirit lurk around sullenly, keeping an eye out for a Christian who might be enjoying him or herself? Hinder them not!

There's room in children's ministry for everyone who thinks they could do a better job of it. That might be your calling.

I agree 100% with Leanne's post above: Leanne said…

"As a wise children's ministry mentor told me, "If kids learn nothing in their early childhood classes other than church is a place that they want to be each week, then you have done your job."

I say BRING ON THE GLITTER!!! The more, the better!!! No, it never goes away, but I doubt people who visit a church and see some glitter in a dark corner somewhere are thinking, "Yuck – glitter!" Guaranteed, they're thinking, "This church cares about their kids." This is a good thing. "

(Besides, how can you do a picture depicting the Transfiguration and NOT use glitter?)

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:59:55 +0000

the environmental issues from kids bringing crap home from sunday school always gets me…

By: Lisa Sickles

Lisa Sickles — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:46:40 +0000

a seed planted in a little pot covered with indistinguishable stamps (wet paint!). Half the soil will be spilled in the car on the way home. Next, the joy of trying to remember to water the seed, which I will do randomly. My young children will become distressed at the sight of the dying plant, and we will resuscitate the plant a number of times before a weekend away finally does the plant in and the children are heartbroken and I am wracked with guilt. I killed a CHURCH plant!

By: Mr. and Mrs. H

Mr. and Mrs. H — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:55:54 +0000

Thought someone would have mentioned Froot Loop necklaces, with a dangling pendant (not edible) of Jesus or the memory verse. These have been a favorite of our children's ministry. Keeps that sugar high going and going all the way home…