Promoting faith with a pulse requires taking into consideration student interests. For many years, the prevailing Children's Christian Education model was listen to a story and then do a craft. While I absolutely love crafts, sharing faith stories and concepts in way that sticks with students for life requires additional strategies to ensure interest in learning opportunities for all students.
Common additional avenues to explore the Story have been through song with actions or sign language. For example, the sound of "Arky Arky" is sure to get hands moving by children and adults alike as we remember Noah through the lyrics. Games, science experiments, drama, and Godly play are additional examples of methods frequently implemented in Christian education to reinforce Bible learning.
The use of food is an additional practice Christian leaders can utilize to help teach the Story. Because student safety is critical, the consideration of allergies within a student population is imperative, but most of the time it is possible to create picture image of the Story with a sweet result every student is sure to enjoy.
Coming to Christian Education is always desired when students get a treat out of the deal because EVERYONE loves a snack! In this Faith Formation With {Peanut Safe} Food: Building the Story packet, four Bible lessons are included. Through the use of Q&A to get the next food item, a visual of an element of the Story is created, connecting the Story to food in way that will not be forgotten.
Whenever food is used, I suggest sharing out a list of items with parents in advance to be confident all items are safe AND to give caretakers a heads up to more intentionally choose their clothing on a messy faith day :).
As Christian leaders, we will most faithfully serve our population when we consider student loves and find way to implement it into their Christian learning. In doing so, excitement is generated, attendance is improved, and the result is a better grasp of how their faith connects to their everyday experience.
xx Melissa
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