is indeed a tremendous accomplishment. Hopefully, your church has found means to connect most of your congregants to worship, but what about disci- pling the children and youth in your church? The Greenwood (SC) ARP Church has recently
begun an outdoor, family-style Sunday School. To avoid the typical Sunday School mentality of every- one divided by age, we are calling it Roots and Fruit based on Jeremiah 17:7-8.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Our goal is to equip families to develop stronger
roots in Scripture so that they thrive spiritually and bear fruit for God’s glory. Roots & Fruit is based on the family structure,
whether that be parents or grandparents. Parents/ grandparents come with their children and sit at their own table in our picnic shelter. Being outside, spaced by tables, and seated together as families allows us to abide by CDC guidelines. Chilly weather may mean we have to bundle up or consider a patio heater, but we will persevere with this outside set-up as long as possible. Roots & Fruit begins with singing—simple songs
like “My God Is So Big” with motions to engage the youngest children. We sing our theme song, “Stand- ing on the Promises of God” every week—already familiar to adults but will be known by even the youngest child by the end of the school year. Then we delve into God’s Word using Truth:78’s,
“The Promises of God”—a perfect study when so much else is uncertain. The curriculum’s target age group is 2nd grade, but with adaptations and creativity all ages are enjoying and learning through the lessons.
RECOUPING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DURING COVID-19 W
By Laurel Patrick
hat!? Recoup Christian ed? How is that even possible right now!? It’s hard enough to pro- vide worship every Sunday!
You are right. Worship during these strange times
Whenever the lesson suggests drawing an illustration on a whiteboard, we ask families to pull out the notebook in their family’s basket of supplies (pro- vided by the church). Adults may be asked to write out a particular verse being studied. A child is asked to circle an important word. Another child may be asked to draw a simple image. The youngest children will not com- prehend everything being taught, but they will learn key words, concepts, and Bible verses. During the week, families memorize a Bible verse and recite it together
on Sunday. All memorization efforts are celebrated with noise-makers. Some weeks we go on a hunt, to find clues about our Bible lesson. With intentional- ity, every age can be engaged. Our Roots & Fruit format may not work for your church. But can you
tweak these ideas and make them work for your situation? Pray for creativ- ity and innovation! Be willing to think outside the box and brainstorm with others. I firmly believe God loves to give us creativity when we are trying to reach others with the Gospel. Here are more ideas from CEM to help you find ways to disciple your
church families: • If space is limited, consider having families with similar self- quarantine boundaries sit together in your church facilities or at someone’s home. Lessons can be virtual or led by a parent in the group.
• Set up a video recording area in your church. Ask teachers to teach their lessons during the week and then send them to your families.
• Zoom Bible studies may be possible, especially with adults and older youth.
• Provide a quality children’s Bible to your church families (see CEM website for suggestions). On Sundays, read a story from it and teach a virtual children’s sermon. Then ask families to read the next 5-6 stories during the week. On the next Sunday, send out another video with comments about stories read during the week, a reading of the next Bible story and a bit of application.
• Send out family growth challenges: assign a Bible story to read together and a simple, relevant activity to do together. Ask families to take pictures or video of the activity that can be shared with others.
Most importantly, pray for God’s vision for the most effective way
to reach your families. Pray for the creativity, energy and people needed to bring about this ministry in spite of your difficult circum- stances. Let’s find ways to make sure we pass down to the next gen- eration the greatness of our God, even during a pandemic.?
Helping Christians Grow 10 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Christian Education Ministries
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