Sunday school lesson

[Grace]

I taught the adult ladies for many years and used very little of CLP's study book material. I used the suggested text but found a wealth of study guides elsewhere.

[ohio jones]

I taught the adult ladies for many years and used very little of CLP's study book material. I used the suggested text but found a wealth of study guides elsewhere.

Generally when I teach, I study from the text and other sources, and read the teacher's guide last.

[seinetsodumm]

What is CLE material?

I'm assuming the Sunday School study booklets (quarterlies) by CLP (Christian Light Publications) is what they are referring to.

Yes, You're right. We use CLP in church. Christian Light Education (CLE) is the education side of Christian Light. We have used both and I often incorrectly use the terms interchangeably. You can check out their website at christianlight.org. I do appreciate Christian Light, I find myself frustrated sometimes with their quarterlies, but I am thankful for them as a publisher.

I taught the adult ladies for many years and used very little of CLP's study book material. I used the suggested text but found a wealth of study guides elsewhere.

Generally when I teach, I study from the text and other sources, and read the teacher's guide last.

I often don't even read the teacher's guide or commentary offered. If I do, I try to always look at it after I have studied the Scripture. I'm wary of commentaries. I want to hear God's Spirit speaking to me about the lesson scripture, not a person who I know nothing of.

[ohio jones]

I often don't even read the teacher's guide or commentary offered. If I do, I try to always look at it after I have studied the Scripture. I'm wary of commentaries. I want to hear God's Spirit speaking to me about the lesson scripture, not a person who I know nothing of.

True. But other people do sometimes read the commentary, and I don't want to be blindsided if they bring something up that they read there.

[mike]

What is CLE material?

I'm assuming the Sunday School study booklets (quarterlies) by CLP (Christian Light Publications) is what they are referring to.

Yes, You're right. We use CLP in church. Christian Light Education (CLE) is the education side of Christian Light. We have used both and I often incorrectly use the terms interchangeably. You can check out their website at christianlight.org. I do appreciate Christian Light, I find myself frustrated sometimes with their quarterlies, but I am thankful for them as a publisher.

I taught the adult ladies for many years and used very little of CLP's study book material. I used the suggested text but found a wealth of study guides elsewhere.

Generally when I teach, I study from the text and other sources, and read the teacher's guide last.

I often don't even read the teacher's guide or commentary offered. If I do, I try to always look at it after I have studied the Scripture. I'm wary of commentaries. I want to hear God's Spirit speaking to me about the lesson scripture, not a person who I know nothing of.

I feel similarly about the quarterlies. It's not a bad idea to use some sort of plan for studying the Bible, saves time to have a pre-made guide. And not all teachers have equal ability to identify the logical outline of a text or do basic exegesis, so I guess it doesn't hurt to have a bit of commentary. Not everyone has the time or interest in generating questions based on the text, so I guess a list of pre-made questions are useful.

But it sure adds something when a teacher doesn't just lean heavily on all of that to get through a lesson. I think that a Bible study guide should be more like a hiking stick than a walker. If we use the guide like a hiking stick, a bit of a boost to assist us in exploring the landscape of the passage, it's a good thing. If we use the guide like a walker, without which we would completely collapse, we are not doing it right, and it's not going to be a great bible class.

And it would be really nice to have a Sunday school quarterly that is designed to stimulate biblical research and original thinking as opposed to simply prompt teachers and students to repeat time-honored cliches about familiar passages. That's what the CLP quarterlies can feel like sometimes. Not always, but sometimes.

[seinetsodumm]

True. But other people do sometimes read the commentary, and I don't want to be blindsided if they bring something up that they read there.

Yes, good point. That happened to me recently

But it sure adds something when a teacher doesn't just lean heavily on all of that to get through a lesson. I think that a Bible study guide should be more like a hiking stick than a walker. If we use the guide like a hiking stick, a bit of a boost to assist us in exploring the landscape of the passage, it's a good thing. If we use the guide like a walker, without which we would completely collapse, we are not doing it right, and it's not going to be a great bible class.

Good analogy.

[JohnL]

Colossians 4:2-18 with a focus on these verses...

2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

So many amazing personal stories from the 13 people in the SS circle... about praying for each other as fellow-believers.

1. Why we ask (or don't ask) others to pray for us
2. Who we ask to pray for us
3. How, why and when to pray for others who ask us to pray for them

And then, the most inspiring part - Jesus is our great example of intercessory prayer as our Great High Priest - Hebrews 4

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

I found this thread again and reread it. I really appreciate this post above. I’m going to suggest our SS do at least a month on this theme.

[Signtist]

Is it any wonder the teachers fail to inspire enthusiasm among their class?

Not sure exactly what was meant by this comment. I inspire my class, I just don't find my inspiration in the provided material. 3 months ago I had to teach at a youth conference. 450 youth in attendance. How do you effectively "teach Sunday school" at an event like that? I threw out everything I thought I knew about Sunday School and just went with what came to me. Didn't even use the chapter that was in the quarterly. I had permission to "do your thing" from the pastor who organized the event. Afterwards several youth contacted me and said that the 35 minutes of Sunday School was the best part of the entire weekend. All that to say, some people find some of us inspiring. But we don't always follow the book.

[ken_sylvania]

Is it any wonder the teachers fail to inspire enthusiasm among their class?

Not sure exactly what was meant by this comment. I inspire my class, I just don't find my inspiration in the provided material. 3 months ago I had to teach at a youth conference. 450 youth in attendance. How do you effectively "teach Sunday school" at an event like that? I threw out everything I thought I knew about Sunday School and just went with what came to me. Didn't even use the chapter that was in the quarterly. I had permission to "do your thing" from the pastor who organized the event. Afterwards several youth contacted me and said that the 35 minutes of Sunday School was the best part of the entire weekend. All that to say, some people find some of us inspiring. But we don't always follow the book.

My comment was in response to the several previous comments by folks complaining about having to teach.

[Signtist]

I doubt anyone complained about having to teach. But the materials provided for study were questionable at times.