27. Take advantage of a new year! If you teach a children’s or youth class, you have had students in one particular age group since Promotion Sunday in June or when school resumed in September. Regardless of the number of months you’ve been teaching your class, the beginning of a new year will provide a surprising jumpstart. Perhaps it might have something to do with students returning from Christmas break and wearing new clothes, the pastor presenting the church theme and goals for the year, people creating new-year resolutions, or even your posting a new calendar on the wall—whatever the reason, the excitement in the air is palpable and downright contagious.
 
Perhaps consider drawing out that excitement by creating various opportunities for your students to make 2010 the best year of their lives, even though you’ll only have them in your class until the next Promotion Sunday when school ends in June or when school begins in Septemer (but you don’t have to tell them that).
 
Here are some goals that you might give to your students:
·         Read your Bible each day
·         Pray each day
·         Memorize new Bible verses
·         Obey Mom/Dad
·         Do weekly chores
·         Do something nice for Mom/Dad
·         Do something nice for siblings
·         Tell someone about getting saved
·         Invite someone to church
·         Attend Sunday school and church
·         Give offering in Sunday school and church
·         Do something nice for a senior citizen
·         Do something nice for Pastor/Pastor’s wife
·         Help with something in the church
 
Consider creating a chart that tracks all or some of these activities for your students to fill in each week in class.

Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 1
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 2
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 3
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 4
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 5
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 6
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 7
Tips for the First-Time Sunday School Teacher - Part 8

Crissi Hussin works as the Director of Children’s Ministries and Sunday School Administration at North Valley Baptist Church.

E-mail Crissi Hussin