Breakthrough Kids Club

A journey through lockdown as a Sunday School Leader

When Movement Control Order (MCO), Malaysia's lockdown started, none of us

knew that it was going to last more than a month. As a Sunday School leader, I was

a tad worried about the little ones in my charge. At first, it was just sending out

YouTube videos with Bible stories and then worksheets for them to complete with

their parents. Then it was, learn up this song, tell a story and send in a video. But as

MCO kept being extended, I realized that was not enough and meeting them online

would have far more advantages.

Zoom was decided as the video conferencing app as it was free, stable and pretty

user friendly.

Online teaching structure

For those of you who might not know exactly what it looks like to be a Sunday school

teacher online, I’ll try to give a brief overview of what happens during our online

lessons.

As a teacher you want to connect with the kids as well as have them remember what

you have taught them in class. The format of online lessons need to be consistent in

order that kids know what to expect every lesson. Hence, the flow goes like this: start

with worship (one song), lesson (with a set of 4-6 questions), and a craft (usually A4

size paper origami as some parents do not have a printer at home).

Struggles of online lessons

When kids meet their friends online, they get easily distracted by the antics of one or

two on screen, plus turning on and off videos as they please, and not unmuting when

they need to.

I must say I am glad that my call for an assistant teacher was answered by a young

university student who was once my Sunday School student. With this young adult

online with me, it has been extremely helpful. Besides helping me teach, she has

had to take over as host when my WiFi connection wasn't good.

Another issue is actually getting the kids to come for online lessons. Since they are

12 and under, most of them do not have their own devices to be able to go online.

They will need to use either parents' devices which may not be available to them.

Also, younger kids (age 7-10) will need parent's supervision and help during the

zoom lessons. This may be difficult as parents may have work or have younger

child/children to care for.

Joys of online lessons

Thank the Lord it’s not all doom and gloom! Though it can be a struggle at first

(thank God for my older boy who helped me with the initial glitches) to do Sunday

School online but when it comes to the joys of teaching, these moments aren’t that

different to a typical Sunday School class. In fact, I think they are more enhanced as

we can see the joy on the kids' faces reflected on the screen.

This verse comes to mind when I think of the ministry with the kids.

" And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing

that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve

the Lord Christ." Colossians 23:23-24

I know it can be hard to lead in ministries, but I take it as a blessing to be able to

serve others. We need to work with all our heart, not just out of love for the people

we are serving, but because we are also serving Christ at the same time.

I have the hope that the experience of doing online teaching will not be in vain. If

time permits and if it is in God's plan, I do intend to keep using Zoom calls as a way

to include kids who might otherwise not be able to attend Sunday School.

Note to other Ministry Leaders

If you’re a ministry leader who’s struggling with doing your ministry online, just know

that you’re not alone. All ministries have their own challenges during this time. I am

just thankful and blessed to still have the opportunity to do this with the kids. I know

that God will surely work in the hearts of all who participated online.

Note to Parents

I will end with a special note to parents who kept the time aside for their

child/children every Sunday to come online. For the moms and dads who have to sit

alongside and help their little ones maneuver Zoom, help them understand lessons

and also with the sometimes complicated origami craft, I pray you find helping your

children along as a joy and not a chore. As without your help and motivation, the

online lessons would not be a success.

Proverbs 22:6:

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not

depart from it."

By Pay Chian Chew

Breakthrough Kids Club Leader