Overheard Lessons (a 1st and 2nd grade church school teacher)
© 1999 Don Rogers
Things are much different now than when I was a child.
I grew up on a farm, one of eleven children. I learned most of my Bible and religion from my mother and my grandfather. The whole big family was often together on Sundays for a meal or just to visit. Religion was often the subject of discussion so that, while I learned Bible from my mother, I learned a lot about other aspects of my faith from overhearing those discussions.
With that many children we didn't travel much, even to church. But one thing we had was a session every week in our public school that was led by some folk who also ran a summer Bible Camp. If you memorized a verse in the weekly program you got points. If you got enough points you could go to camp. I did both, memorized verses and went to camp. I liked camp because of the counselors and camp fires but most because of the craft projects. The same was true of our Vacation Bible School. I guess I'm just a crafty person!
For some time now I have taught in the first and second grade of the church school. I started out as an assistant and have loved it ever since. But its not the same. The children know more and ask more adult questions. And they are very aware of what is possible with the new technologies and we have a hard time competing with those.
One thing is still true. The children are as lovely as ever and I enjoy them very much.