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Stifling the Story
One challenge that became apparent to me while working in Children’s Ministry is what I call “Stifling the Story.” This challenge can originate with the curriculum or with the Bible teacher. The challenge occurs when Bible teachers read the Bible story to their class directly from the curriculums teacher’s manual without adding any drama, excitement, personality, student participation, variety or visuals to make the story more interesting to the children. Teachers just follow the same boring routine each week.
Preplanned Bible curriculums usually include a shortened or paraphrased version of the weekly Bible story, neatly typed out and easy for the teacher to read. This is a great help and a great reference tool but sometimes it makes it too easy for the teacher to get in the habit of just quickly reading the story aloud each week. For children, sitting and listening to the same teacher read the short story from the teacher’s manual each week is boring, not appealing. This is what I call “Stifling the Story.”
In addition, I’ve noticed that sometimes important facts about the curriculum’s Bible story get left out in the process of shortening it. Several times, when I prepared for my classes, I found important information that had been left out. Curriculum designers can’t possibly know how the teacher wants to do the story so they can’t always get it perfect for everyone. For this reason, I believe the Bible teacher should make the time to read through the scripture and make sure the important facts have not been deleted.
For children a stifled story can be a big disappointment. Children want to be involved in the learning process and there are many ways children can have fun with Bible stories. Children can help with visuals or by putting flannel-graph pictures on the flannel board. They can also hold up puppets or craft-stick characters as the teacher tells the story. Some of the children, who already know the story, may know it well enough to retell it to their classmates, though the teacher would want to monitor and make sure the correct information went out.
Periodically stopping in the midst of the story to ask the students questions about what you’ve read may also encourage the students to participate and pay attention. They generally want to be ready with an answer if you should ask them a question. They also like to add comments along the way.
Bible story time opens the door of curiosity in the mind of a child. Suddenly they want to share an experience they’ve had or ask a question. At times they even bring up their personal concerns, seeking answers to the challenges they face in life. Discussion about the story (an on occasion about other topics) can be a good way to address these issues, help the students get to know each other better and keep their attention.
This challenge of stifling the story can be solved, in part, by curriculum designers. They can include activities for story time and they can make CDs and DVD’s with animated stories from the Bible lesson on them. Audio and video equipment can be used to enhance the weekly story with visuals and sound effects. Computer presentations can also be used as well as a wide range of visual aids such as artwork, cartoons, drama, drawings, paintings, photographs, video clips and video tapes.
Also, Bible stories can be used to teach educational concepts such as comparisons, cause and effect, characterization, retelling the story and sequencing of events. They can also teach Biblical principles such as the fruit of the spirit, obeying the commandments and praising God. There is no shortage of ways to enhance Bible story time for the children. Curriculum manufactures can brainstorm with their employees to come up with even more ideas.
Teachers can also work to find their own solutions to the challenge of stifling the story. They can use the gifts and talents God gave them to come up with solutions that will work for them. Part of overcoming this challenge will be taking adequate time to plan and prepare each lesson. Sometimes extra time and effort are needed to keep variety in story time. Putting forth a little extra time and effort can make a big difference. Your students will be blessed, God will be glorified, and you will reap an eternal reward for your special effort. So let’s see what we can do to quit “stifling the story.” Students should be excited about learning about God!
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