When was the last time you thanked your Sunday School teacher? Honor these unsung heroes of the faith and show how much you appreciate them with these simple and encouraging ideas:

PROMOTE CHURCH-WIDE AWARENESS OF YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM

• Bulletin/Newsletter Inserts

• Feature a different teacher or department each week or month in the bulletin or newsletter. Include personal notes about each teacher using the “Did you know…” format. Encourage the congregation to pray for these teachers during the coming week/month.

• Periodically list the names of teachers in the bulletin or newsletter. Encourage the congregation to thank these people for their effective teaching.

• Provide your bulletin/newsletter editor with a steady stream of quotes or short articles about Sunday School which can be dropped in as fillers.

• See a bulletin/newsletter insert example.

• Teacher Bulletin Boards

• Put up a bulletin board in a well-traveled area of the church facility. Feature one department or age level each month, showing individual pictures of teachers with their names and the grade level each one teaches. Include several pictures of teachers in action with their classes.

• Vary the headings on this bulletin board from month to month.

• See a sample heading.

• Demonstration Video

Place a video monitor in the lobby or hallway. Play it before or after services, showing a children’s class in action. Place a sign on top of the monitor, identifying the class, the teachers and the focus of the lesson. Provide a bulletin announcement, encouraging people to view it, explaining where the monitor is placed and what is being shown.

 

• Incorporate Children's Music within Your Worship

Coordinate with your church music leader to occasionally teach the congregation a song the children’s department has been singing. Have an adult explain what the children have been studying and how this particular song relates to their Bible lessons in Sunday School.

• Poster Parade

During the worship service or in any adult meeting, at predetermined points in the program (i.e. announcements), one or more children walk across the front of the room carrying large signs that ask and answer questions or make announcements. For example:

One child carries a poster asking “When is a school better than a school?” A minute or so later another child walks through carrying a poster that says: “When it’s a Sunday School!” A short time later, a third child enters with a poster announcing: “That’s at 9:30 EVERY Sunday morning! Don’t miss out!”

give SPECIAL GIFTS

• Mark a Special Occasion Through Encouraging Cards

• Send your Sunday School teacher an encouraging e-card. Click here!

• Thank-you notes or cards provide a tangible expression of gratitude for a job well done.

• Send birthday cards to teachers—and be alert to other special times (job promotion, anniversary, new baby, etc.) in the lives of your teachers. The caring you demonstrate for them will model the caring they should show their students.

• Encourage the Leaders at Your Church with the Following Resources

- Encourage your pastor
- Encourage your Sunday School teachers!
- Encourage your Youth workers
- Encourage your Children's Ministry workers!

Visit Christian Teachers Aid for encouraging gifts for Sunday School teachers.

• Teacher Treats

Designate one Sunday as a "teacher treat day." Ask a parent from each class to bring a basket of muffins, cookies or other treats to the child’s teacher, along with an encouraging card that all the students can sign.

• More Gift Ideas

• Flowers or potted plants
• Personalized mugs, tote bags, T-shirts, pens, pencils or notepads
• Books
• Food items (fresh fruit, baked goods, preserves, etc.)
• Gift certificates
• Class pictures

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