Stage 5 students reflect on their Scripture service experience

Stephen Cathcart (the minister at Southern Illawarra Church of Christ) has been encouraged by our students' efforts and commitment to the role. 

Stephen says, "The students have been great. They have engaged in each of the lessons by being a presence and friend to young people struggling in class, as well as reading the Bible, praying, and answering questions about themselves with the class."

Students have also had the opportunity to act out Bible stories with Tullimbar students and some have shared something of their faith in Jesus and the reasons they have chosen to follow him or to attend a church or youth group.

We asked our students about their experiences helping teach Scripture at Tullimbar Public School, including why they decided to volunteer, how they have been involved, and some of their highlights from their time helping with Scripture teaching.

Here's what they had to say:

Why are you helping Tullimbar Public School with Scripture teaching (SRE)?

Abi: "I’ve always loved being able to connect with kids and have a relationship with them. I also really value the early years of being exposed to the gospel. I find the experience so precious and unique when a child begins to get to know God and Jesus." 

Dana: "I love helping the scripture classes because I went through public school scripture programs and I know how it can change your school experience. I loved scripture as a child and always wanted to be involved with scripture teaching when I got older so when the opportunity came to get involved, I couldn’t pass it up." 

Reilly: "I decided to join the scripture team to help serve the kids at Tullimbar Public School by teaching them about Jesus, and what he’s done for us."

Malika: "Because I love Jesus and I was eager to serve the kids there to show and tell them of his love."

Peppa: "I have been so blessed to be raised in a Christian home and to attend a Christian School. I understand that not everyone gets that opportunity and I am really thankful for that, so I want to share the good news with boys and girls who may not have been raised in a Christian home or have never gone to church."

Willow: "I had the blessing of growing up in a Christian home, and so I always knew God loved me. Now, I want to help kids to understand that they belong to Jesus, and that they have a better life once they come to know the Lord, and that he has a plan for their life and that He will never leave them." 

Jason: "I wanted to help the kids to experience the joy they get from having a relationship with Jesus."

Jake: "I love helping kids grow in their knowledge of God and helping them with that and being a part of it is great as it helps me to grow in my faith by seeing the Lord at work."

How have you helped with Scripture teaching?

Abi: "I’ve mainly worked with Years 1 & 2, and Year 6. These are both really different age groups and I’ve had to have varied approaches with them. The Years 1 & 2 kids really love to get stickers and sing songs so that is how we’ve helped. The Year 6 kids have a more mature approach to their learning and like to think about their lessons more deeply, however, they are SUPER competitive so we like to make discussion groups and games to get them involved."

Dana: "I have helped with Scripture teaching by answering some questions, I have been involved in fun activities to show the kids that it’s alright to have fun and get involved. I have also handed out stickers to the children and encouraged them in their learning."

Malika: "I have been helping teach Kindy, Years 1 & 2, and Year 4. It has been a really great experience and I enjoy helping the kids learn about Jesus through songs, bible readings, drawings, and prayer." 

Willow: "Answering questions from the teachers, handing out stickers, helping sing songs, doing actions, colouring pages with kids and telling kids about how Jesus loves them. I have helped in Kindy, Year 3 and Year 4." 

Jake: "Getting involved with the kids and helping them answer questions." 

What are some of your highlights from your time teaching Scripture at Tullimbar Public School?

Abi: "One of the big highlights for me while doing scripture teaching is being able to form relationships with the kids. Being able to visit them every few weeks has made it possible to become friends and get to know them better. These kids have so much to say about everything and I love just listening to them and sharing the good news with them." 

Dana: "It makes me so happy to see the absolute joy in the children's faces when they’re learning about the Bible. They are all so eager to learn and be the one to correctly answer the questions."

Reilly: "My highlight from teaching scripture is seeing all of the kids so excited and enthusiastic to learn about the Bible."

Malika: "My favourite time in Scripture has been the prayer time I got to lead with some of the Year 4 students. They were all very willing to pray and to ask for prayer. It was cool to see their enthusiasm and their joyfulness." 

Willow: "A Highlight for me is probably when the kids ask you about your pets or life and they get so excited when you tell them a cool fact about your life. I also love when the kids come running up to you and hug you, even if they don't know you, because they know that you're here to teach scripture to them and they are so excited to see you and to learn about God. I have also enjoyed watching their faces light up as the teacher asks them questions and they are all so eager to answer and tell the teacher about what they know about God." 

Jake: "The kids are great and they love to learn about Jesus which going in I didn't think they would be."