Our Methodology
To fully understand what we do and appreciate why it works you should really read the book, come on a training course an see us in action. But in summary:
1. Commit to serving the educational needs of the schools with which you want to work. Put these needs ahead of any evangelistic aims of your church. Often you will find these are not mutually exclusive. But when they are, always put education first - it's the basis of your invitation from the school so respect that.
2. Before you start to think about any lessons - understand the school's needs, issues, and aspirations. Work with school's RE coordinator to understand the local RE syllabus and how it is delivered in the school. Get an overview of how they expect children's knowledge of Christianity to develop throughout their time at the school - and how they measure progress.
3. Focus on areas of the syllabus where learning about Christianity from the inside will have the biggest impact and where locating this learning in a place of worship would help most. This may be a difficult topic such as heaven and hell. It may be something simpler about how symbols are used in places and acts of worship. It may be something seasonal.
4. Use the skills of those already working with children in church and teachers in your congregations to plan lessons that respond to syllabus topics. Get them to think about what aspects of the topic is important to them as Christians. What are the important and interesting facts? How does practice follow from belief? Then get them to think about how best to communicate this and to enable the children to explore the topic further and to remember what they've learnt.
5. Make use of different approaches to learning within lessons - remembering that some children learn best by seeing, others by hearing, others by doing. Don't over pack your lesson though - leave plenty of time for conversations with children as they complete tasks in small groups, and for questions at the end.
6. Document your lesson in some detail and refine your ideas with the school. This helps you to be confident you are delivering something the school will be pleased with. The document is also a means to ensure all of your team will know what is expected of them and it ensures your brilliant ideas can be reused.
7. Start small - but think long term. Whatever you agree to do with schools do it well, with the best materials you can afford and with passion - even if you think there's something better or more you could be doing. You honour God and you are more likely to be asked back. So be ready to respond with ideas to help pupils progressively explore the Christian faith by building on what you've already done.
8. Be willing to work with other churches in the area. It's not about recruiting for one particular church. Nor is it about presenting one particular denomination's beliefs to the exclusion of others. No matter how close to THE TRUTH you are, I'm afraid RE does not recognise any denomination, or indeed faith, as having a monopoly on religious truth. We are not to saying you need to present the lowest common denominator. Rather let your church's expression of faith stand alongside those of others who profess faith in Jesus Christ. This is not saying that all beliefs are equally valid - it's recognising that there are things that divide us and being honest about them and willing to discuss these differences with children who might not otherwise find out about them. Experiencing such diversity greatly enriches the lessons. It raises questions that the curious will want to explore.
9. Draw on the skills and willingness of all in your churches who are comfortable being with children. OK, you need some Christians who are spiritually mature and confident speakers. But you'll find new Christians may bring added enthusiasm for their newly found faith. Even those less confident can play a role, maybe in preparing materials, keeping time, or serving refreshments. But most of our volunteers have found the confidence to help with the children if not lead a small group of 6-10 children.
10. Deliver lessons to whole year groups in church if possible. The surroundings of a church enrich the lesson; the space if often more practical; and the visit makes the lesson special. Working with a whole year group will make better use of your time than trying to run the session once for each class.
11. Stay honest. When you make mistakes be ready to admit to them. But more than that, actively seek feedback from teachers, children and your team.
12. Celebrate your success. Where the school will allow, take photos or videos that can be shown to your supporters in churches and to other schools in the area. Seeing is believing.
We hope that makes is sound doable. Whether you are itching to get started or still not sure we will be pleased to talk to you about how it works in practice; to have you come and see for yourself; and to come and help you get started.