Music by Eric Nordhoff used with permission, link to Quietime QuietimeMusic.com
Classroom Language
Students come to RI with their own understanding of religious terms and concepts which may be very different from your own. Therefore keep language simple, and explain words unfamiliar to them.
1. Language must be appropriate to students age and development.
2. You may need to explain phrases like ‘Jesus is the Lamb of God’ or the ‘children of Israel went to war’ [it was the adult soldiers]
3. Own what you say eg. ‘I believe.., I think, I feel etc.
4. Ground your statements eg. ‘The Bible says, Christians believe…
5. Known fact statements do not need owning or grounding.
6. Use language that allows freedom to accept them if they wish.
7. Explain religious terms or jargon eg. ‘saved’ ‘grace’ ‘born again’.
Prayer
Keep them simple, to the point and free from ’religiosity’.
1. Explain that prayer is talking to God as to a friend.
2. Praise and thank God for the school, day, blessings.
3. Pray for teachers, students and special requests.
4. In the younger classes, have them repeat after you…
5. Always pray ‘in the name of Jesus’
6. The Lord’s prayer is always a great example for our prayers.
Students come to RI with their own understanding of religious terms and concepts which may be very different from your own. Therefore keep language simple, and explain words unfamiliar to them.
1. Language must be appropriate to students age and development.
2. You may need to explain phrases like ‘Jesus is the Lamb of God’ or the ‘children of Israel went to war’ [it was the adult soldiers]
3. Own what you say eg. ‘I believe.., I think, I feel etc.
4. Ground your statements eg. ‘The Bible says, Christians believe…
5. Known fact statements do not need owning or grounding.
6. Use language that allows freedom to accept them if they wish.
7. Explain religious terms or jargon eg. ‘saved’ ‘grace’ ‘born again’.
Prayer
Keep them simple, to the point and free from ’religiosity’.
1. Explain that prayer is talking to God as to a friend.
2. Praise and thank God for the school, day, blessings.
3. Pray for teachers, students and special requests.
4. In the younger classes, have them repeat after you…
5. Always pray ‘in the name of Jesus’
6. The Lord’s prayer is always a great example for our prayers.