A Sunday School Teacher

 

Qualifications of a Minister

When I was a young woman and a new convert, a new born again Christian barely saved for about six months, I heard of a need for a Sunday school teacher in our small church. By small I mean about 20-25 people. I came to my church in the 'pioneer stage', we were growing in numbers one soul at a time. Our little church had 3, sometimes 4 adolescent children that needed someone to teach them about Gods and his word. Wow! "That would be nice, to teach the children about Jesus" I thought. Then I laughed to myself because I remembered that I was in need of being taught so much.  I imagined that to be in any kind of ministry, a person must have certain degrees or certifications to qualify. I was unlearned and inexperienced. Maybe one day, when I had prepared, I could be a Sunday school teacher myself. 

Let No Man Despise Your Youth

You can imagine my surprise the following Sunday when my pastor's wife mentioned again the need for a teacher. I worked up the courage to ask her what was needed to be able to fill that ministry need and how much experience did I need?. She smiled and said, “Well, you must be saved of course. Other than that, just a right heart and willingness to teach and help our kids.” Incredible. I wondered if she could use me? So I nervously offered. Another week passed. Another sister, one that was older, perhaps with experience, and she was a wife and mother had also made herself available. I was embarrassed that I had offered, right then and there I dropped it out of my mind.

On the fourth Sunday, I was delighted, shocked and worried all at once when Kathy, my pastor's wife, asked me to be the new Sunday school teacher. Oh what an honor I felt, yes, she had asked me, but God had seen my heart. I so desired to be a Sunday School teacher. From that day, at nineteen years old I was a Sunday school teacher for about thirty years. My students were adolescent kids. That age group can have a bad rep sometimes but despite the dark cloud that hangs over them at times, adolescents are raw with emotion and sometimes need us more than ever.  

A Shift in Ministry

My life came to an almost halt one day when caregiving for my father was necessary. Then came the moment that I had to step down from my ministry. It took a long time for me to accept that I had to. I didn’t want to quit. then it took some time to let it go. When I did, I was busy, my hands were full, my father needed me and the ministry was thriving with new young teachers. Some of them had been my students. So I focused on my fathers need for a savior and for a caregiver and with my sister and we gave all that we could until he rested.

They Will Still Bear Fruit in Old Age: Ps 92:14

Then once again, my lovely God let me hear of a need for a Sunday School teacher. My heart pitter pattered. That couldn’t be, we had a thriving church with plenty of wise young and younger women that could teach these little children. Should I ask the Sunday School director about it? Would she even consider me again? Could I even do it? I was so different and maybe this generation of kids was too. So I tentatively approached the director and wondered if it was true. “Do you really need a Sunday School teacher? I wonder if you could use me? Will you pray with me about it? And so we prayed. 

I’m A Sunday School Teacher Again!

A volcano of emotions erupted this past week as I counted my busy days before my first Sunday back. I pondered at the wonder of teaching children that were my grand children's age. Lil Alba calls me “Momma Rosie”. I marveled at the idea of partnering with one of my old Sunday school students. I wanted everything to be perfect, but I over-prepared. How do you teach a just and balanced lesson on the Plague of the First Born? Be careful and gentle the lesson warned. More study, less details, oh I was nervous for sure. Before I knew it I was teaching our "little Angels" of the church. Little Everly said “When are we gonna do the craft? We always do crafts.” Oops! I didn’t plan a craft. I wanted to know how I did, but I didn’t want to know. It’s probably best that I do not know anyway. However, what I am taking from that first day back to Sunday School is this:

Two of my students wanted to be near the new Sunday School teacher (me) as we prayed at the altar. And, Little Kate, who has never ever really known that I exist, this past Sunday, she said “Bye Miss Rosie” as I was leaving. That made me feel validated. So very happy to be back on the saddle again!