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"We are God's workmanship...
...created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
Meet Doug and Pam Graham
February 18, 2007
The timid three-year-old boy clung to his mother, afraid to be left alone in the room
full of strangers. Noticing that the teacher could use some help, the mother stayed in
the Sunday School class - and not just that Sunday. The boy is now 14 and in the
youth group, but mom Pam Graham is still guiding young children to pray and love
Jesus in Sunday School. A few years ago, Pam's husband, Doug, joined her in teaching.
"I started out when my daughter was in the three-year-old class and moved up
with her every year. She just turned eight," says Doug.
Doug notes that these children are at a "pivotal age" because
"they are starting to ask a lot of difficult questions
about God, and you have a chance to have an impact on
them. They begin understanding that even as children, God
has a purpose for them, and they are ready to accept
Christ."
It's not just Christ these first- and second-graders talk about,
but also some pretty "heavy" topics for young children. Pam says, "The longer you
are with them, the more they have stories that they share. A lot of their stories are
about hardships they have in their home, concerns about their parents who are sick or
struggling with their marriage. They know a lot of times they need to bring this up
because it is something they need to pray about."
Doug and Pam both feel strongly that anyone who cares about children can be involved
in Sunday School. Doug says, "The most important thing is that they have a
willingness to teach and enjoy working with children. The training is something
that you don't have to have ahead of time. You aren't there by yourself; you are a
team and have others helping you. The other thing is that it is a lot of fun."
Doug notes, when you are praying for Sunday School teachers, remember that "the
important thing is for us to be able to answer the questions the kids have in a way that
is relevant to their age." When praying for the children, Pam asks that you "pray that
throughout their life they find people and friends or other adults or church leaders
who will guide them - that people will be placed in their lives who will support
them in times of difficulty and encourage them with their walk and their spiritual
growth."
Teaching children may not be your "call," but Pam notes, "If anyone has a desire that
they feel is placed by God, they just need to realize that the mission is in their
hearts, and the church will equip them to do what they feel led to do. We all have
abilities, and we just need to take that extra step to go with our heart instead of waiting
and wondering when is the right time. The right time is just around the corner. It's
not in the distant future."
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