My son, Jonathan, knows that I am a science fiction fan. I enjoy books and shows that are futuristic and involve space travel. One of my favorites over the years has been Star Trek. With that in mind, Jonathan and his wife bought me for Father’s Day and my birthday a Franklin Mint set of Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set. They found it at a flea market for a much better price than new.
I have written previously about how I enjoy playing chess. Tridimensional chess is different and yet the same. There are three major levels for the chess pieces to occupy. They are arranged slightly differently due the board, but the pieces all move the same as in chess. I have not gotten out the directions to read thoroughly yet–only to know how to arrange the pieces and which color went on the top level (gold) and which on the bottom (silver). In order to really understand it, what I need is someone to train me…
Which leads me to the fact that many new Sunday School teachers and workers are about to launch into new territory. They are about to start a new responsibility. And many of them have received no training. It is not too late to give them a book or article or send them to a website or blog. It is not too late to sit down with these new leaders to offer a private training/coaching/apprenticing process. And it is not too late to provide some training before or at least early into their new service.
In what areas do new teachers need training? Consider some of the following:
- daily quiet time/personal spiritual development,
- preparation tips,
- learning styles/teaching methods,
- fellowship ideas,
- value of and ideas for outreach,
- transformation/application/life-change,
- class organization,
- ministry/service projects,
- first impressions/class greeters,
- assimilation/care groups,
- safety/security,
- learning environment/classroom arrangement,
- apprenticing/starting new classes,
- and so much more.
It is always better when new leaders are launched following a year of apprenticing. But whether a leader has been apprenticed or not, training provided near the beginning of service can have great benefit. Encourage your teachers. Provide training. Be revolutionary!
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