The Religious Education Ministry

 

Religious Education

 

 

Proverbs 22: 6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

The Religious Education Department is dedicated to facilitating the branches, and individual teachers as they actively strive to touch the hearts and minds of each person on their personal journey towards the kingdom.

Mission

        To become an effective church school helping people and equipping families to grow toward God.

        Building people into more perfect beings by loving and nurturing them in their journey to follow God.

        Binding people together in service to God and their fellow men.

        To help families and children KNOW Jesus, to GROW in their faith, and to GO into the World.

 

Shop our Religious Education Curriculum Catalog here

 

Why a Church School?  

“And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God, he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.” I Nephi 5:59

The Religious Education Department lists several reasons why Church School is vital to our church:

1. Every church family should realize the importance of attendance in church school as an important phase of the total family experience.  
2. Guided study of the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants, helps the family gain personal knowledge and experiences with God and Christ, encouraging both understanding and personal testimony.
3. The church school provides opportunities to expand knowledge of God, his purposes for us, and our own place in the gospel plan.
4. The church school community fosters family and individual relationships.
5. Through active participation in church school, families and individuals are encouraged to practice good prayer and personal worship habits.

Teaching:

“Tell me and I forget,

Teach me and I remember,

Involve me and I learn”

~Benjamin Franklin

What is the teachers’ job?

• Teach, encourage, and stimulate our youth
• Teach the truth of the gospel
• Make that truth so vital that it builds Zionic lives
• Teach them not to rely upon human wisdom, but seek knowledge from the Scriptures

Teaching is an important, challenging job.  The task of the church school teacher includes so thoroughly educating the students in the things they should know and feel that they will accept Christ and his life.

Skilled teachers who have obeyed and know the gospel can teach the truth of the gospel and make that truth so vital that it builds Zionic lives.

Jesus was a master teacher:

1. 1.He had a goal:John 10:10 ….I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

1. 2.He knew his subject: Matthew 13: 55 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this Jesus this wisdom and these mighty works?

1. 3.He was an example: John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1. 4.He taught truth: Luke 16:17 Then said Jesus unto them, The law and the prophets testify of me; yea, and all the prophets who have written, even until John, have foretold of these days. 18 Since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every man who seeketh truth presseth into it.

TEACHING GUIDELINES:

Practicing good teaching methods is critical to providing a good learning environment for our students.  The following teaching tips are geared for the pre-k and elementary /secondary teachers as ways to help enhance the lessons and further the learning.

It is important for you to write a lesson plan

1. To help you think through specifically what your objectives are
2. To plan the experiences or class procedure that you can follow to help the children achieve the objectives
3. To arrange for needed materials
4. To plan the assignment for work which you want your pupils to do outside the class period

The written lesson plan helps you remember the plans you have made, for you may be teaching the lesson weeks after your plans were originally made. Such advance preparation helps the teacher develop continuity and unity to the course. Each class session builds upon previously laid groundwork.

Teaching Tips:

Inexperienced teachers sometimes feel a need for a few suggestions to help them with their teaching problems. We are presenting a few hints that we hope will be of value.

1. Begin each lesson preparation prayerfully.

1. Know your material, tell the stories, don’t read to the class.  Probably the most important for teaching.  When you read you don’t have the opportunity to look at the student’s faces and gauge whether you’re engaging them in the story.  However, when the material is well rehearsed, you have the chance to see if the students are grasping the content, you can make adjustments to make the lesson more appealing, and help in their understanding.

3. Try to get to your classroom before the worship period begins so that you may lay out your teaching materials in such a way that everything will be at your fingertips when needed. This eliminates confusion at the beginning of class. It also frees your mind.
4. Never begin a lesson until all eyes are looking at you. Wait. Here are some expressions you might want to use: "When everyone is looking right at me, we are ready to begin." Or "I like the way Johnny and Mary are sitting this morning. It shows they are ready for the lesson." (The children who are not ready will immediately make themselves so.       They like approval, too, so be sure to mention them after they are ready.) "I am sure Jesus is happy that you are all ready for your lesson about Him today."
5. Make your lesson so interesting and full of life that the works of Jesus will stand out as being more real and important than the heroes of television and movies today.
6. Keep your voice low so all must listen to hear you. If one's voice is soft but can be heard by all in the class, it will help with discipline problems. If one's voice is loud, it disturbs other classes and one's own children do not need to listen since they can hear without an effort and can also carry on a conversation with others.
7. Make each child feel that his presence and contributions are needed. Always try to find something that is good in his contribution. The next time he will be more eager to contribute.

Technology:

Most of our children have electronic devices.  Look up a  YouTube Bible story, a kindness, or sharing lesson.  These videos are usually only two to three minutes in length. The video is a good tool to capture the children’s attention, and a helpful device for lesson reinforcement.   NOTE:  Always preview several and choose the one you think best captures the message you are presenting.

Memorizing scripture:

• Reveal it:  Reveal one word at a time as the children try to determine what the statement is. Consider covering each word with paper, placing the words around the room, or writing the first letter of each word on the chalkboard.

• Picture it:  Ask each child to draw a picture or diagram that represents the doctrine.

• Scramble it:  Scramble the words of the doctrine. Ask the children to arrange the words so they make sense.

• Match it:  Have children match pictures or drawings to scripture passages and teachings.

• Sing it:  Use songs from the Children’s Songbook and Hymns in a variety of ways to identify the doctrine.

Commitment / Understanding Doctrine:

• Setting goals:  Have the children personalize their commitment by writing a way to follow Jesus in their own footstep or writing a way to serve others in their own handprint.

• Visualize:

• Construct a paper chain
• Make road signs
• Craft a class banners
• Prepare salt dough figures
• Draw a picture
• Create bookmarks

Start with a Schedule:     Pre- K and Elementary

Time	Activity
9:30 – 9:35	While all the children are gathering for class…. Worksheets or fun activity that relates to the day’s lesson
9:35 – 9:40	Opening prayer (Children feel comfortable with circle prayers) Announcements – Give the children time to share what’s going on in their lives Birthdays
9:40 – 9:50	Lesson
9:50 – 10:00	Craft / Lesson reinforcement
10:00 – 10:20	Music

 

Secondary

Time	Activity
9:30 – 9:35	Group Conversations
9:35 – 9:40	Opening prayers
9:40 – 10:00	Lesson
10:00 – 10:15	Supplemental Activities / Lesson reinforcement
10:15 – 10:20	Music

• Suggested Activities For Church School Program

• Junior Church
• Drama
• Musical Productions