5 Ways to Encourage Your Sunday School Kids to "Be Jesus" in Their Schools
As Sunday school teachers, we are responsible for teaching the Word of God and encouraging our students to apply it in their daily lives. With school season fast approaching, it is the perfect time to inspire our kids to "be Jesus" in their schools. It may be daunting to ask little ones to emulate the Son of God, but with the right strategies, we can help them gain the confidence to do so and continue to grow up in the Lord.
Teach Them About Their Identity in Christ
The goal of growing up in the Lord is that kind of knowledge that recognizes who we are and who God is. Little children need to discover who they are in Christ Jesus. As Sunday school teachers, we can teach them that they are God's precious creation; he made them unique and has a purpose for their lives. This knowledge will give them the confidence to "be Jesus" in school. We can teach them scriptures like Ephesians 2:10 and Psalms 139:14 that emphasize that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.
God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. Ephesians 2:10, MSG
One way to teach them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made is to have them write their own "I Am" statement. Have each student look into the mirror and allow them to come up with three positive comments. For example, "I am an awesome friend," "I am kind," and of course "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me." Encouraging our students to identify positive characteristics about themselves will help build a strong foundation for their faith and assure them that they can positively influence others.
Encourage Them to Show Love
Love is the hallmark of Christianity, and every Christian should emulate it. We can encourage our kids to show love by imitating Jesus' life on earth. Jesus loved people and showed kindness to them. We can teach our students to be kind, helpful, and compassionate towards their schoolmates. They can show love by sharing what they have, helping, and speaking kind words. We can teach them the scripture 1 John 3:18, emphasizing that love should be demonstrated in actions and not just words.
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.
I John 3:18, MSG
We can also show them examples of real people showing love and kindness. Invite a guest speaker from the church to share their story or show videos of people doing acts of kindness. This way, our kids can better understand how they should be Jesus in school by spreading love and joy wherever they go.
Prayer is a powerful tool for every Christian. We can teach our students to pray for their schools, teachers, and friends. But don't forget to let them know that ANYTHING IS OKAY TO TALK TO GOD ABOUT. I love how Maurcia DeLean Houck from Children's Ministry.com says, "Don’t discourage a child from including a song from The Little Mermaid in her prayer. Let her thank God for her favorite movie and share what’s in her heart."
But besides encouraging honest pray for things they are thankful for, we can also encourage them to pray for opportunities to be a light to those around them. Through prayer, they can express their concerns to God and ask for help when they find it challenging to "be Jesus" in their school. We can teach them the scripture Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages us to bring our requests to God through prayer.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7, MSG
Furthermore, as examples, we can share our stories of how God answered our prayers. We can talk to them about when we asked God for help in difficult situations and how he intervened miraculously. This kind of conversation will encourage our students to trust that God is faithful and will answer their prayers too.
Encourage Them to Share Their Faith
As our kids grow in the Lord, they should learn to share their faith with others. We can teach them that telling others about Jesus is a significant part of being a Christian. They can share their faith through their actions and words. We can also teach them the scripture Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands His followers to go and make disciple-makers, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20, MSG
However, what does that ancient command mean for them now? Adam Sabados from The Arc simply and truthfully says, "Point out shadows and the way light plays on leaves. Delight in the songs of birds, the smell of fresh-cut grass, the touch of pets. Talk about God’s creativity displayed in roly-polies, puppies, horses, dolphins, and giraffes, and ask for their favorite animals. If our hearts overflow with praise, wonder, and gratitude, we’ll be more willing to talk about God with others."
We can encourage our students to share their faith by inviting friends to church, telling others about Jesus, and living a life of love in front of them. We can provide tangible examples from scripture where people shared their faith - like the woman at the well (John 4) or Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). By teaching these stories, we can help our students gain the courage to share their faith in school. We can also provide resources such as tracts and other materials they can give to their friends. Through these strategies, we can empower our kids to be bold in their faith and spread God's love at school.
Celebrate Their Efforts
As Sunday school teachers, we should encourage our kids to "be Jesus" in their schools and celebrate their efforts. We can recognize their achievements and encourage them to keep growing in the Lord. We can teach them the scripture Galatians 6:9, which enables us not to give up on doing what is right, for in due time, we will reap a harvest if we do not grow weary.
So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Galatians 6:9, MSG
Furthermore, the critical goal in the importance of celebrating their efforts is that it will give them confidence. We can praise them for acts of kindness, being a leader in their school clubs or sports teams, and inviting others to church. We can also provide rewards like stickers or certificates that they can proudly display. These recognitions may be small, but they will encourage our kids to trust God's promises and follow Jesus even when it is hard. This boost of encouragement will inspire them to do more and continue making a difference in their schools.
As Sunday school teachers, we must ensure that the correct values are instilled in them, and these strategies are a great place to start. With God's help, we can create an atmosphere where our students know how to spread love and be light in their schools. Let us continue to pray for our kids and their schools, asking the Lord to help them grow in faith. Let us strive to be examples of God's love in our children's lives.
Encouraging our elementary Sunday school kids to "be Jesus" in their schools is a crucial task that can be achieved with the right approach. As teachers, we can teach them about their identity in Christ, encourage them to show love, pray, share their faith, and celebrate their efforts. By doing so, we help them grow in the Lord, and they can, in turn, impact their schools and circle of influence with the love of Christ. Let us take up this task with joy and watch our little ones become ambassadors of Christ in their schools.