Prayer is Powerful

    Six years ago my daughter entered kindergarten and I entered a whole new world of P.T.A. and field trips. As part of my new found role of a mother with a grade school aged child, I joined a group of women who prayed each Monday morning for our children, their protection, their future, their teachers and administration. Our prayers were simple. "God, we love you and thank you for everything You are."' "God, protect our children.", "God, raise my child up to love you.", "God, help my child's teacher to teach with wisdom, integrity and love.", "God, help my child's principal to make wise decisions.", "God, if you want to use me in my child's school, use me."

    Occasionally our group would write a note to the teachers expressing our appreciation and support. Along with the note we would bring cookies, candies and other treats to the teacher's lounge surprising the teachers with an unexpected gift. I thought this was all so good and sweet.

    Then about November, the other women started talking about how they shared the history of the Christmas story in our classrooms. My first reaction was, "You've got to be kidding!" Then they asked me to do it because my daughters teacher had signed up. My reaction then was, "Will the teacher be watching?", Will the kids listen?", "How did you all start doing this?", " Are you sure we can so this?" The answers? "Maybe", "Probably", "With one woman", and "Yes!"

    Ten years previously one woman had simply asked her teacher and then the principal if she could share the history of Christmas at a holiday party. They said, "Yes!" What God has built is amazing. We now share the story with the majority of the classes in our school! 

    The history of our beginnings brought little comfort to the fact that I was the one doing it this time. But, even though I was feeling fear, there was no doubt that I wanted to try. So, I read my story book at home out loud a couple of times, bought some candy canes, and prayed for God's courage.

    I walked in with hesitation and I walked out with tears in my eyes and the realization that I had just shared the story of Jesus with 25 five year olds. I spent $1.50 and God used it to plant the seed of His name into the heart and mind of 25 precious children.

    You may be considering taking the plunge and doing the same. My encouragement to you is do it. God uses the bold and the shy, the go getters and the hesitant, the vivacious and the quiet.  

    God has used me. God can and will use you. 

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History not Heavy Handed Preaching

    When given the opportunity to share the Christmas or Easter story in the classroom, it is wise to step back and consider why. It is not our intention at this time to give a child an opportunity to receive Christ. Rather, it is our hope to reintroduce into our educational culture the history of the seasonal story.

    Our attitude in this setting must not reflect a desire to persuade but inform. In order to preserve the opportunity of sharing the story to future children in the school it’s important to respect our legal boundaries. We need to be respectful of other worldviews and religions whether or not we agree with them. But, we like to have our worldview of the history of Christmas and Easter presented in an accurate fashion. Simply said, it is our desire to present the history of the Christmas story and the Easter story.

    My goal is to share SOME truth with the children.  I can’t possibly tell them everything I would like to.  I try to focus on the basics of the Christmas or Easter story.  I don’t expect to give a complete gospel message and offer an opportunity to trust Christ.  I want to give them something to remember every time the holiday comes around.  My role is to add another brick to what the Lord is doing in their lives - to be part of the process.  

    When sharing the story I use phrases like, "Christians believe Jesus is God's Son" instead of, "It is absolutely true Jesus is God's Son." The truth is not compromised and neither is our opportunity to return.

    Thank you for jumping in and sharing the story in your child’s classroom. What an awesome privilege we have been given as we plant a seed in the heart and mind of a precious child... God knows & sees already how He is going to use your faithfulness!  

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    You have been invited into the classroom to share a story or lesson.  The teacher is happy to have you there.  You are a new face and a new voice and that adds much needed variety to the teacher’s plan.  He or she is aware of the thrill it is for the children to do something different.  

    Each tool is different and is designed to be appropriate for different age groups but the flow of your time is basically the same. Begin with an activity that draws the children in. Next, share the story. 

    Hopefully you will find the tools will present a memorable lesson that the children find engaging and interesting. Each tool will include what age group we recommend it for, simple instructions if needed and the body or outline of the presentation. At Christmas you may close with the Legend of the Candy Cane. At the end we pass out a treat like a candy cane at Christmas or chocolate eggs at Easter.

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Start small but still start

1. It is usually best to begin small.  Try approaching your child’s teacher to tell the story during the holiday party.  Don’t try to canvass the entire school the first year.  

2. Be an involved parent in the school through PTA, field trips, classroom parties, fund raisers, and special programs.  This will demonstrate that you are there for the welfare of the school and not just your own agenda.

3. Make an appointment with the teacher or principal.  If your teacher seems positive toward the idea go ahead and make an appointment with the teacher and then the principal. You want their undivided attention as you explain what you would like to do.  You want a relaxed, calm, encouraging environment.

4. Have a positive, helpful attitude.   Don’t come in prepared for battle.  Communicate in such a way that he or she knows you’re on the side of the school, wanting these children to have the best school experience possible.  Be sympathetic to the challenges of educators.  

5. Offer your services to share the historical story of Christmas or Easter.  Explain what you would like to do and show the materials you will be using.  Remember that you are offering history, not a sermon.  Your role in story telling is to give the facts, not persuade the audience. 

6. If you are challenged about the legality of this, offer to get the printed materials covering rights in the classroom.  Again, don’t be defensive, just helpful.  Very few people are aware of what is truly legal, and have been misled.  Don’t assume they are being intentionally difficult.  Say something like, "I’d be happy to get the information for you.  I, myself was surprised at what is permissible in the classroom.  I had believed it was much more restrictive than it actually is."  

7. A few good experiences the first year will help you as you offer a wider exposure later on. One solid recommendation of a respected teacher will go along way. 

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SITC-1.0-ENG-0003 17-Jul-2002