I love teaching in Christian Science Sunday Schools. I’ve had the opportunity of membership in several Christian Science branch churches over the years and have taught Sunday School in all of them. It’s a humble feeling of accomplishment and service when students are willing to think more deeply about God, their relationship to Him, and the practicality of prayer. Both teacher and student learn what this all has to do with our purpose in life, our happiness, fulfillment, and how we can bless others with this knowledge. There’s just nothing quite like it when a lively class discussion results in the students’ mental light bulbs going on. I know I’m doing something right when students in the class understand a new spiritual issue for the first time, and I can see that this understanding has had a real impact on them.
But not all classes have lively discussions. Sometimes, even with several in a class, the teacher can end up having a dialogue with himself! Let’s face it; some students look like they would rather be anywhere but in Sunday School. Some didn’t get much sleep the night before and try to catch up on it during class. Others may even have serious doubts about Christian Science or religion in general.
There’s no doubt that classes with engaged, interested students are easier to teach and usually give the teacher a better feeling at the end of the class. However, it’s both the short-term and the long-term effect on students that is at the heart of successful Sunday School teaching. And meeting that long-term need could just make the least responsive group of students the most important class one ever teaches.
