Panel Discussion: Experiences in Children's Education
June 7, 2015 | Patrick Preheim

Last Sunday we completed another year of Christian Education.   Anita and I have talked about the sermon slot for this Sunday becoming a time in which we honour the ministry which has gone on in the S.S. program through the years, keep before the congregation next year’s sabbatical of Venture Club / Sunday School, and reinforce to the congregation that God will continue speaking to our children around here in other educational settings.  The best persons for this proclamation task, we thought, were Sunday School teachers.  Two weeks ago we got together and came up with a theme and structure for this round table discussion.  The broad theme we entitled “Experiences in Children’s Education”.  The sub sections will be in the life of the teacher, in the life of the students, and in the life of the congregation.  Before we begin our panel conversation let us pause for prayer: 

God of wisdom, today we recognize the gifts of teaching and learning in our community of faith.  May the insights you have stirred within this panel inspire us all to continue the work of the church in passing on the faith to those closest to us.  Amen.

Broad Theme:  Experiences in Children’s Education

  1. Teachers
    1. How did you feel nurtured growing up?  What positively impacted you as a child?  How did this shape your faith?
      1. Teresa begins
      2. Teresa has / will look for a visual aid
    1. How has teaching children informed your faith?
      1. Watching the children grow up
      2. Reflecting on the biblical story as narratives get framed for children
      3. Some traditions continue, others have ceased, new traditions have come into being
  1. Children
    1. What have you tried communicating to the children in your charge?
    2. What mediums have you employed to communicate the message?  Marshall McLuhan authored a book entitled The Medium is the Message.  Which mediums have connected with the children you have taught?
  1. Congregation
    1. Complexity and diversity within the lives of our children has come to Saskatoon.  How have you seen these sociological changes impacting Christian Education in the congregation?
    2. This congregation has affirmed multi-generational learning as important (deacon board Visionary Intention #3 as an example).
      1. How have we done this in recent memory?
How might we do this moving into next year?