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Arrive to church 15 minutes early
Beginning with this lesson, we will now discuss several "Sunday" best practices for the Sunday school teacher. The topic for today's lesson a good habit to develop, simply for the benefit of being punctual. However, there are several other practical reasons for developing this habit.
Why should you arrive early for Sunday school?
- Arriving early will give you extra time to do any set-up of the class - arranging tables and chairs or setting up the whiteboard or projector, etc.
- Arriving early may allow you to review needed materials for class, and make quick last-minute calls to someone who can bring them, if you realize materials you thought were in the room are missing.
- Arriving early as a practice sets a good example before your students how they should approach Sunday school and church attendance.
- Arriving early can allow you to spend some time in quiet thought about the lesson and prayer for you and your students.
- Arriving early gives you the opportunity to be available to students who may have spiritual questions, but are intimidated by the prospect of voicing them before the whole class.
We should recognize that good intentions do not develop good habits. What changes in your Sunday morning routine do you need to make in order to develop this habit?
A Vision of God's Throne
Lesson 5 - July 3, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 4:1-11
Central Truth: Christ's rightful place is upon the throne of our hearts.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list evidences that Christ is reigning in your heart now.
Lesson Outline:
- God's Glory Revealed (Revelation 4:1-3)
- God's Saints Exalted (Revelation 4:4)
- Unceasing Praise (Revelation 4:5-11)
Pray for your students and their needs daily.
What does it mean to be a Sunday school teacher? Probably for most, the mental image they have of a Sunday school teacher is a picture of a person at the front in a church classroom, teaching their students. The actual ministry of the best Sunday school teachers, however, includes far more.
The best Sunday school teachers are, in a real sense, like a pastor to their class. These teachers do not see their job beginning and ending with the "Sunday school hour." Rather, they work throughout the week to build a relationship with her students, minister to them spiritually, and train them to follow God. As such, a vital part of the Sunday school teachers’ work is to pray for their students and their needs on a daily basis.
What should the teacher do in order to know how to pray for students?
- Pray for God's will for your students, including their salvation, entire sanctification, spiritual growth, and involvement in Christian service.
- Keep a notebook or journal (hard copy or digital) of the prayer requests and praises of your students.
- Pray regularly for the Holy Spirit to reveal how you should be praying for your students.
A Call to Watchfulness
Lesson 4 - June 26, 2016
Key Verse: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Revelation 3:11).
Central Truth: The Christian attitude should be one of careful watchfulness.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify areas in their lives in which they should be more watchful.
Lesson Outline:
- Prepare for His Return (Revelation 3:3-5)
- Continue in Faithfulness (Revelation 3:7-11)
- Beware of Lukewarmness (Revelation 3:14-19)
Prayer – Lesson 3, A Call to Repentance
Heavenly Father, As our classes study this lesson today, help them to understand the truth that God tolerates no competition to His lordship of our lives. If there are any who are not living fully surrendered lives to Christ, may they repent and find grace in Your sight. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
How Does Compromise Begin?
In "God's Word for Today" Steve Oliver writes:
Compromise happens when we allow our interactions with this world to undermine our loyalty to Christ or our obedience to His commands. Although it may end with something flagrantly wrong, compromise begins small and is often almost unnoticed. It begins, not in our actions, but in our attitudes — envy at our neighbor's possessions indicate a worldly attitude of materialism. A sense of shame that our projects do not look like the Pinterest photos indicates that we are valuing ourselves by comparison to others.
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 16.