Creative Use of Christian Posters as Teaching Aid

A few years ago I attended a small start-up church where I was asked to teach a Sunday School class of 4 to 6 year-olds. Without a budget to draw on, I needed to develop my own curriculum. I decided that our goal for that winter would be to teach these small wiggly students to memorize Psalm 23. When I told their parents what we would be doing, several of them expressed concern that their child wouldn't be able to learn it. However, I assured them that it was not a contest and that we would break it down into small bite-size pieces.

• The Lord is my Shepherd - Most children know that "Mary had a little lamb" and are familiar with what a shepherd is.
• I shall not want - Due to family problems or scenes of things like poverty on television, many children are looking for security.

I won't continue, but you can see how the lessons developed. Each week we would recite our new verse (both individually and as a class) and then add it to what we had already studied. I came up with color pages and such to round out the lessons.

What does that have to do with Christian Posters?

All teachers know the value of visual learning aids. Posters have become a standard classroom tool. What many teachers in small Sunday School settings don't know is that there has been a change in the print on demand technology. Where personalized content used to mean an expensive trip to the printer's store, today's posters can be ordered over the internet with your customized text. You can pick a poster you like, or create your own. Add and edit text and when you are satisfied, order it in a variety of sizes or even on other products, all offered at an affordable price.

I would suggest getting a large classroom poster with your scripture of choice printed on it. You could order two smaller posters for each student. Cut one into strips with the current week's verses to send home with the child. When they have learned the entire scripture passage, give them the complete smaller poster as a reward.

Children love to show off what they have learned and their parents are pleased with the results.

How did my class do? I am pleased to report that at the end of the year, we were able to recite the entire Psalm 23 with no lip-synching.

I pray God will open little hearts and minds as you teach them His Word.

Glenna