The class of adults that I teach won’t act out the stories and they will not do art projects or other crafts. We are lucky if we can find someone to prepare to teach, let alone collect art supplies for projects no one wants to do. Please, give us what we want!
Signed: Weary in Whitewater

Dear Weary:
Adult faith formation involves more than the mind—it engages the heart and the senses as well. When adults use their hands to create art or poetry in response to a scripture text, or when they put themselves into the character of another person, they are connecting to God’s spirit at a deeper, nonverbal level.

As the teacher, you can be a conduit for God to work in and through adults by inviting them to go deeper than discussion.

Dear Anna:
I need more choices for each session. Some activities are too immature and some are far too advanced. I teach by myself and am not able to have multiple stations and help kids at each one.
Signed: Flying Solo

Dear Solo:
You did not say what age group you teach. I’m not sure whether you really need more choices or permission to let the kids try activities that you deem immature or advanced. Teachers who let kids choose from a few activities have reported that kids gravitate toward something that interests them, and they work well on their own or with a partner.

Can you offer choices that don’t require your assistance at each one? A box of dress-up clothes can inspire a group to reenact the Bible story without any help from a teacher. Art supplies and simple crafts usually don’t require much supervision.

I encourage you to take a risk. Begin by offering two choices. Teaching the children to make choices and to act responsibly on their own will help you and the kids to enjoy your time together.