Prayer for our Bible School

Introduction

The biggest program that we have is the Bible School program. It is a program designed to teach all ages. Systematically we try to make sure that no matter the age of the participant, he or she is going to go through the Bible in a set period of time. Tonight we are going to put the spotlight ever so briefly on our teachers and supervisors. These are the ones who actively participate in our teaching program and who insure that we have a teaching program that is unparalleled. We’ll begin with a period of singing.

Departments

From birth through the twelfth grade, our Bible School is divided into four departments.

The first department is our nursery department. Patricia Corder has been our nursery supervisor for a number of years. Patricia not only supervises but teaches as well. She also coordinates those who will take care of our babies during our assembly times. Our nursery teaching program is not a babysitting time. In our nursery is a table with built in chairs. Our babies are propped up and cushioned or sometimes held by the teachers and taught all kinds of things. Animal sounds, short songs, and even something as simple as bowing heads and folding hands to pray. Our young ones will remain in this class until they are two years old. It is during this time that through repetition they learn many of the fundamentals about God that we take for granted.

They learn that God made them and everything they see. They learn that Jesus loves them. Those who have had children go through our nursery program know how valuable it is in training our children. I remember with both of my children that they learned how to bow their heads to pray, how to clasp their hands. They learned a number of things which helped us in trying to give them a good start in their walk with God.

Currently the teachers for this age group are Cheryl Fewell, Rachel Fowler, Patricia Corder, and Pat Tankersley. They deserve a pat on the back for their dedication and work with our youngest students.

Our second department is our preschool group. Vicki Goddard has been supervisor of this group for a number of years as well. We have been blessed over the years with a number of exceptional teachers for this age category. And while some have retired, we still have a number of teachers who give their all in working with this group. What is particularly unique about our preschool program is that much of the lesson material comes from our teacher’s minds. Our teachers using their creative talents have either written their own material or taken and adapted other material so that it is highly specialized just for our kids. This department builds on what is done in our nursery department.

Teachers for this department currently are Vivian Ryan, Sue Brownlow, Delora Tidwell, Tammi Watson, Sharon Cross, Megan Goddard, and Vicki Goddard. And I know that Tina Rogers has been involved in this group quite a bit as well.

Our preschool department while building on the nursery communicates in songs, words, games, and puzzles that God made everything and that He loves the children. Then many of the basic Bible stories are told to our little ones.

Our third department is the elementary group. This group goes from first grade through sixth grade. Cathy Stanz is the supervisor of this department. Cathy has done a really good job in this role. One of the things Cathy was encouraged to do was to think about getting through much of the Bible in six years and to think outside material which we have used in the past. With that thought, Cathy did her homework and has found a completely new Bible curriculum which is quite unlike anything I have seen before. Colorful but not juvenile; questions based on learning Bible facts and application which our children can comprehend. Our children in the elementary department will have the opportunity to go through the entire Bible in six years.

Currently our teachers in this department are Judy Mathis, Kris Shipley, Sandy Stewart, Lauri Morris, Miriam Castiglione, Billie Hesselrode, Jennifer Bailey, Debbie Bargo, Barbara Baldwin, Cathy Stanz, and Susan Strickland. These teachers dedicate their time and effort to the special challenges which come with highly active and inquisitive children.

Bible stories about the heroes of old are told and retold focusing on God’s love, meeting God’s challenges, and following God’s will.

Our fourth department under the heading of children is our teen program—grades 7 through 12. Tim O’Neal is the supervisor of this department as well as the teacher for this quarter. Others have taught in quarters past. Again the curriculum for this department is based on going through the Bible in six years as well as studying topics of interest. While our teens program extends beyond the Bible School, the time that they have in this department gives them the opportunity to solidify some of their thinking about the word of God.

A fifth department is for our adult program. Tank Tankersley is the supervisor. Tank does a wonderful job of utilizing many adults. Recognizing that most of our men have busy schedules, Tank has utilized a system whereby 2–3 men will teach in most adult classes. This allows for teaching time without the burden of trying to carry the entire class. The curriculum for the adult program is spread out in a seven year cycle so that over the course of seven years an adult who attends Sunday morning and Wednesday evening will get the entire Bible. For those who attend only on Sunday morning or only on Wednesday night it takes about 10 years. A number of men have taught in our adult program. We are thankful for each one and glad that we have so many who want to participate.

Under the umbrella of the adult department but out of Tank’s hands for supervisory work is our Ladies Classes. This is under the supervision of Josephine Albright, Jane Forgy, and Brenda Curtis. These ladies do a good job in providing a number of opportunities for our ladies to study God’s word in classes just designed for them.

There are also men’s classes which while not as defined as the Ladies program do try to provide opportunities for men to be together.

We have much to be thankful for. A real quick plug: I know that our supervisors are always looking for teachers. If you are interested in teaching, then contact the supervisor who covers the area you would like to be a part of: Patricia Corder for nursery, Vicki Goddard for preschool, Cathy Stanz for elementary, Tim O’Neal for youth, or Tank Tankersley for adult. I have asked Tim Stanz and Daniel Ryan to pray specifically for our Bible School, teachers, supervisors, and students.

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