Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sunday School (10/25/07)
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TITLE: Foundation Building | Previous Challenge Entry
By c clemons
11/01/07 -
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No, not from the pulpit from a fiery message, that was boring, and not comprehensible to a child. But I learned all the basics from weekly Sunday School and Sunday School Summer Camp. I remember each teacher and the age groups they had.
In the four to six years old the beginners class, Mrs. Mapp taught us about the baby Jesus. We learned of Mary and Joseph and their struggles. It was very timely information for the Christmas play or the Christmas speeches.” Lil’ Baby Jesus, Born on Christmas Morn.” How many times did that get recited? Then we learned about the cross and how Jesus had died for us. Just in time for the Easter speeches ” Jesus was crucified and Died, but now He lives this Easter Morn”.
In primary class, Mrs. Kennebrew taught the seven thru ten years old. We learned about other biblical characters, Noah and the Ark, Abraham and his nephew Lot, Joseph and his coat of many colors, Moses and the shepard boy David who became King. All very colorful characters, perfect to hold a child’s interest.
Intermediate class consisted of the eleven thru fourteen years old and at this age more reading and participation was expected. The Christian experience seeds were planted here. Baptism was more fully explained and the Apostles Creed, well maybe not explained but taught.
When you got to senior class, that meant your days of Sunday School were about over. Mrs. Davis had the teenagers from about fifteen until they graduated high school. And we all know that is the time when other things might be more important. There is the prom, who will be going to the prom and more importantly who will be taking you to the prom. All very pressing issues to a teenager. But Mrs. Davis had a way with kids. If we made it to Sunday School she would make the lessons very relevant and keep us focused on our spiritual not just our natural selves.
Mrs. Davis was well liked not only at Mitchell Chapel but also in the community. She had taught in the public school system for many years and she brought that gift to our little church. I did not know when I was a child that ours was the only A.M.E. in the county, several counties for that matter. It must have been important to her to remain in the denomination that she had grown up with. We respected her and would try to impress her every week with our attentiveness and knowledge of the lesson. The reward of her smile and her encouraging words were the biggest lift to our self-esteem.
I am glad there was a Mrs. Davis in my life before entering adulthood. She was one of the many shapers of who and what I would become. She set an example of how one can have their faith, command respect and be successful. Today in some of the larger churches Sunday School has fallen along the wayside and that makes me a little sad. It is even more obvious today that the influences in a child’s life are very important. I can now look back and see the solid foundation of home and church - Sunday School in my case but I am thankful for the teaching I received there.
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