Even if we knew in our minds COVID would not be gone by now, we still had hope in our hearts that church as-we-knew-it would return and we’d be able to gather, side-by-side, listen to a sermon, sing some much-beloved hymns, pass the peace, process to receive communion and circle up for some in-depth study time in Sunday School. Congregational leadership teams have moved forward, in some way, with the centralized worship service, whether online, in-person (but spread out), or a hybrid, BUT many are still grappling with how to conduct a more personal time of study—Sunday School.
Because we really are stronger and better together, the Bishop’s office has pulled together a list of resources and suggestions so your congregation can offer Sunday School to young and old alike—whether in person (physically distanced), online or done totally within the family unit at home. Gary Pecuch, the SOS Youth and Family Ministry Coach, offers the following suggestions that he, and other resourceful and talented youth & family leaders in our synod (and a few outside our synod), created, used, refined and/or recommend for your congregation, regardless of size or budget.
If your congregation is doing something different and/or has overcome some challenge related to Sunday School and would like to share, please share in a comment below the story so others can glean your wisdom.
What’s In Your Bag? By Gary & Laurie Pecuch
Consider using Gary Pecuch’s book, “What’s In Your Bag?” with your Sunday morning or weekly youth & family groups. The book is designed to build participants’ ‘Ministry Assets’ so they can live out their personal calling in life. The concepts in this book work for people of all ages. Contact Gary (gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org) to get a FREE copy (e-copy of hard copy) of his book, the electronic inserts from the companion ‘Visionary Notebook’ project, and free access to faithwebbing.com, which contains video clips from Gary and his wife, Laurie, that introduce the skills and assets to participants. He is also happy to coach you through how best to use the resources.
Deacon Dan Jacob (SOS) website: bannerblue.org
Dan is the man behind the online VBS Mystery Museum offered to SOS congregation for free this summer. While developing Mystery Museum, he created a storehouse of other resources to help families form faith together. Some of the resources include: Movie Night Bible Studies, art-at-home Mosaic Murals for churches, the CATechism (cat gifs of the Lord’s Prayer, 10 Commandments, & Apostles Creed), and more. Check out Deacon Jacob’s website at www.bannerblue.org.
Recommended by Youth & Family Leaders in our synod:
*and for Amazon Prime Members the Whirl videos are free on prime.
Also from Milestone----Taking-Faith-Home is a good little one page front/back resource that you will easily get a hour long session out of: https://milestonesministry.org/taking-faith-home/
5. Just try something! As the prophet Isaiah wrote...
...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)