12 April 2013 by Donna Uning CM-
Sis Amanda Albert stirs the group with her enthusiasm for Jesus and worship, it was hard not to take part and rejoice. As a former Sunday school student with the church and now a working adult, sis Amanda shared her experiences as well as some “bag of tricks” on how to communicate with children.
Why is serving in the Sunday school worship important? Matthew 19:14 tells,
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 also tells,
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
“Many things thought at Sunday school I’ve not departed from,” she said, recounting the number of times in her life how God’s Word helped her.
“You are teaching a child to worship. You are pointing them to a God who loves them more than anyone else in the world. Sunday school songs also help children learn scriptures and learn what the bible says about this great God,” sis Amanda continued.
She advised the crowd to shake off being a grown-up. King David said:
“I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.”
2 Samuel 6:22
“Why must you do this?” she asked. Whether you lead worship of not, Jesus commanded:
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Matthew 10:15
Learn to relate to the children as you lead, ask yourself what it meant to receive Jesus like a little child. “If it gets the kids moving and learning about God, looking silly is a small sacrifice and a great privilege!”
In between sessions, everyone got to move and sing as sis Amanda taught some action bible songs. She also taught about communicating with the children. Her ‘bag of tricks’ include advises and notes about children and worship.
“We want songs that all kids across all backgrounds can understand and know by heart,” she noted. Think about the meaning of the songs. Is the song a Bible verse, Bible story, a lesson or a prayer? She also advised to prepare songs early because the Lord deserves our very best.
“Kids learn from how you pray,” she said in the third session. Get the children to pray after you. Point to Jesus. We are worshipping the King of Kings.
“Put in practice what you have learned. Support the worship team and leaders,” she said. She also advised the teens that they are there “not to be watched but be bold, worship and love Jesus.”
There were three sessions in the workshop. Sis Amanda also touched on dealing with “difficult” children – “do not shame them,” and the questioning kid, “You never know the amazing plans God has for building the faith of a questioning kid!”
Value the slower songs; God is taking praises from the children as well, she added.
“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”
Psalm 8:1-2
These are the requirements you need. “Love for Jesus, a willing heart to serve and determination to do your best for Him who deserves our very best,” she ended, admitting that her experience came from being part of the Sunday school and “some very good teachers.”
About 30 people including children, teens and adults took part in the Children Ministry Worship Workshop last Saturday at the Parish Centre, St. Faith’s Church, Kuching. Sis Amanda worshipped at St. Faith’s before pursuing her studies in Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, Australia. Sis Amanda is currently starting her two-year stint as a dispatched doctor in the United State.
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