Basic age groups in local congregations

 

1.    Eph. 5:17 says “be not foolish, but understand the will of the Lord.”

2.    Col. 4:5 says “walk in wisdom towards them that are without” (i.e. the unsaved).

3.    1 Pet. 3:7 says husbands are to “dwell with their wives according to knowledge.”

 

EACH OF THESE VERSES INDICATES THAT CHRISTIANS ARE TO HAVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO INTERACT WITH SOME PEOPLE.  IN THE BUSINESS WORLD THERE ARE ACTUALLY RESOURCES THAT TELL PEOPLE IN ONE COUNTRY HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY INTERACT WITH PEOPLE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY.

 

1)      This is hardly something that is new.

2)      In the Bible we find that when people tried to teach others, the teachers understood their audience.

3)      Paul said he was “weak” when he was with the “weak” (1 Cor. 9:22).

4)      He said he was like the Jews when he was trying to teach them (1 Cor. 9:20).

5)      It is going to be difficult to teach others unless we understand our students.

6)      This is true in a Bible class setting, in the home, and even in society at large.

 

7)      This sermon may seem a bit odd, but it provides some very practical information.

8)      We want to briefly explore the various stages of mankind and discuss how to teach each age group.

9)      This lesson seems to almost require a handout so we are doing what we normally do on Sunday mornings.

10)  This is an exception to the Sunday morning system; it is not going to be a new way of doing things.

 

a)      Tonight we start with what many congregations call a “cradle roll” or “baby class.”

b)      As the name suggests, this type of Bible class is for babies.

11)  Some congregations do not have this type of class and some parents to do not believe in it.

12)  There are elders in the church who think a baby Bible class is useless – what can babies learn? Some ask.

13)  All the parents I have ever met seem to think their infant can learn some things.

a)      Can we name a parent who refused to teach their child anything at all during the first year of life?

b)      Who waits until a child is at least 1 before speaking to them or trying to teach them something?

c)      We do not wait a year in the physical realm to start teaching babies, so why wait in the spiritual?

 

14)  There is a place for a baby class in a local congregation and this is an important work.

15)  At this stage babies need loving physical care and clean surroundings in their class.

16)  “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is an expression that is not found in the Bible.

17)  This should be the way a cradle roll class teacher operates—sanitation is very important.

18)  There is also a great benefit in having this type of class.

19)  Small children can absorb the attitudes of those who care for them and begin to focus on simple words.

 

20)  A class up from the babies might be called the “toddlers” (1 year of age).

a)      By this time children are usually on the move; they are learning to talk.

b)      All five of their senses are normally in full operation.

c)      The have limited vocabulary, like to imitate things, and have about a 2 minute attention span.

d)     They are learning to be with other children and can be fearful and tire easily.

e)      We can make the most of our teaching time with them if we know what this age bracket is like.

f)       It is important to frequently change activities and give them a strong sense of security.

g)      These children can usually do well with simple stories and basic concepts about God, Jesus, the Bible.

h)      Simple songs, puzzles, and discussing pictures are all good things for this age group.

 

21)  The next class in most congregations would be the “twos and threes” (children between the ages 2-3).

a)      By this time, as most of us know, these children are extremely active.

b)      Their attention span is increases to about 3-5 minutes.

c)      Vocabulary is still somewhat limited, but it is quickly growing.

d)     This age bracket also likes to imitate actions and speech.

e)      There is a need for discipline in the class and home, a sense of security, and some repetition.

f)       Simple stories are still appropriate.  Jesus can be described as a friend.

g)      Teachers may refer to the Bible as a special book.

 

22)  Children between the ages of 4-5 are next and this is also a very active age group.

a)      The attention span for most children in this group is now often 5-10 minutes.

b)      Children often enjoy playing with other others.

c)      There are usually a lot of questions.  Children are learning to relate to other adults.

d)     Their imaginations are steadily growing.  There is a increasing sense of right and wrong.

e)      This is an age when children often do well with sharing.

f)       It is possible for children in this age group to have a simple degree of trust in Christ.

g)      Discipline is still important.  Teachers should be especially warm and friendly in the classroom.

h)      It is still useful to frequently vary the teaching activities.

23)  Children should be coming to a time when they know God created the world.

a)      They should  know some things about Jesus and want to please Him.

b)      They also think of the church as a happy place—Bible class is a fun place to be.

c)      This is a time when they can invite some friends to come to Bible class as well.

 

24)  Next on our list is might be called the “primary” class (grades 1-2).

a)      By this time children are very talkative, have a lot of imagination and like group activities.

b)      They also want personal attention from their teacher.

c)      There is a growing sense of masculinity and femininity.

d)     The sense of morality is also increasing; the conscience is steadily developing.

e)      Children are thinking in concrete terms; they are honest and eager to learn.

f)       There is emotional immaturity, but the attention span can now last about 7-15 minutes.

g)      Teachers can give the children a chance to talk and display reading and writing skills.

h)      Children at this time in life can look as the Bible as a special book and love God/Christ.

i)        They can start to understand sin and begin applying Bible principles to life.

 

25)  Grades three and four are next, and there are some similarities with the previous age group.

26)  By this time, however, there should be some evidence of memorization skills.

27)  Children in this age bracket often want to help.  The attention span ranges from about 10-15 minutes.

28)  Teachers can start touching on things like chronology, sin and the need for salvation.

29)  Bible games, some limited research, and memory are often good for grades 3-4.

a)      In grades 5-6 students may be “loud” and want to be like their peers.

b)      Children are beginning think abstractly and they usually have many different interests.

c)      They like competition.  They will have some heroes.

d)     Many will not be all that enthused about outward displays of affection.

e)      Attention can now easily go from 10-20 minutes.

f)       At this stage in the teaching process there is a need for firm and loving discipline.

g)      Children learn some things in Bible classes.

h)      If a teacher lets them run wild in a class, they may think this is the way things go.

i)        All teachers should pay attention to discipline in class as it helps everyone concerned.

 

30)  Students in grades 5-6 should be challenged to start memorizing the scriptures.

31)  This is also a good age to intrude some forms of competition.  Encouragement is important.

a)      Children can begin to relate various things in the Bible to the Christian lifestyle.

b)      At this time children are able to start processing some background information on the Bible.

c)      They can literally start applying the Bible to their daily lives.

 

32)  Grades 7-9 are often very difficult grades for children.

a)      Many young people feel somewhat awkward during these years.

b)      There can be rapid physical growth.  Boys and girls often feel self-conscious.

c)      Many will try to be boisterous and very independent in the home and elsewhere.

d)     Children at this time often want more approval from their peers instead of adults.

e)      This is the time when there is a major interest in the opposite sex.

f)       Girls are often thinking about boys and boys are often thinking about girls.

g)      Children in this age bracket are able to reason.

h)      It is possible (and necessary) for children at this point in life to start developing their own faith.

 

33)  Mom and dad’s faith may have brought them to this point, but now an individual faith must be developed.

34)  Teachers should not be surprised to find some “doubts” when working with this age group.

35)  This is an important for anyone who teaches this age group.

a)      Students should feel like they are in an environment where they can express questions and doubts.

b)      If people have concerns, we should seek to make them comfortable enough to say what they think.

c)      From grades 7-9 it is important to be a guide but not be perceived as pushy.

d)     Children need to be given some freedom so they can learn to make decisions.

 

36)  Some may have the idea that children need to be contained until they are 18 or 21.

37)  We do all the deciding for our young people until they are an adult.

38)  That is not a good way to raise children or be a Bible class teacher.

39)  It is wiser to let the reigns loose little by little so children do not have feet that run to mischief.

 

40)  Children in the 7-9th grades need good and consistent Christian role models.

41)  Those role models will usually be found in their local congregation.

42)  The examples that we set as a Christian have a significant impact on this age bracket.

 

43)  This is also a time when young people can profit from some social activities such as devotionals.

44)  This also a period when they can be exposed to some challenging material.

a)      Discussions about modern ethical issues might be explored – abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia.

b)      Teachers might take their class on some “field trips” (make some hospital visits).

c)      Take children in this age bracket to a nursing home for a worship service.

d)     Maybe get them to help with some type of evangelistic effort.

e)      Give them some exposure to the Christian life.

 

45)  Senior high for many congregations consists of 10th-12th grades.

a)      During this time of life some children may have a “know it all” attitude.

b)      They may act like a grown up one day and an absolute child the next.

c)      The final primary school years is when they are forming their own value system and their own faith.

d)     Children are often cliquish and thinking about a career.

e)      Teachers can often well during this time if they supervise but do not over supervise.

f)       Guidance on dating might be offered, especially in the home.

g)      There should be discussions about decision making. Christian social activities are important.

h)      This is often a congregation’s last shot at helping young people be prepared for their later life.

i)        Some go off to college and never return.

 

46)  After high school Some congregations have a “young adult class” (ages 18-24).

a)      At this stage in life many Christians are on their own and establishing a home.

b)      Some are looking for a mate, completing their education, or working at a job.

c)      These Christians need to continue to see how Christianity can be applied to daily life.

d)     It is important for them to see various ways they can serve.

e)      It is also important that others express love and care to those in this group.

f)       People in this bracket who feel unloved or uncared for often drop out.

g)      After about the age of 25, people are certainly adults.

 

47)  Teaching adults is a lesson in and of itself because many things are involved.

48)  Adults  in their 30’s are different than those in their 40’s.

49)  Those in their 40’s are different than those in their 50’s and so on.

50)  Adults need to be encouraged to keep going and stay on the path we find in the Bible.

51)  We can be better prepared to teach if we understand how people think.

52)  Tonight we hope that each one of us is trying to reach others as we are in a new year.