Ways to Establish Relationships with your Students in your Church Ministries

Teachers are wonderful people.  Think back to your childhood on teachers that you had in your life.  What an impact on young lives they had!  Are you a teacher? Perhaps for a Sunday School class, Awanas club, Junior Church program?  Here are a few tips to help you go the extra mile as a teacher.

1.  Establish personal relationships through home visits.

You may just chat briefly at the door for the first time.  Tell the parent how happy you are that their child is attending your class.  

Communicate that you are looking forward to seeing their child again.  Mention an upcoming church activity.  Give them information on our church's adult Sunday School classes or our Wednesday adult Connection Classes.  Invite their child to our Awanas Wednesday evening club.  

If no one is at home, leave a card with a message from you.

Idea:  Bring a small gift for your student.  They will love it and the parent will be very appreciative.

2.  Stay in consistent contact with your student's parents.

E-mail the parents during the week.  Mention the story they learned in class on Sunday.  Challenge them to learn the memory verse for that week.  The more the parent knows about what the child is involved in, the more they will be involved in your class.  

Idea:  Take a photo of each student on Sunday.  Send the photo to the parent that week and say:  "We enjoy ________ in our class.  We thought you might like to see what we do here."

3.  Contact your students.

Send a colorful postcard.  Send an invitation to a special class activity.  Telephone your student to ask about their day.

Idea:  Always send a "We missed you!" note to your students when they are absent.  Include their lesson worksheet that you used for that Sunday.

4.  Take advantage of our church sponsored family events.

These events are an easy way to invite and get your student's parents to attend church.  Send a special invitation home to the parent inviting them to attend. 

Idea:  The child can earn special points for bringing their parent to a special event.

5.  Examine your motives.  

The more you involve yourself into the life of another, the more passionate a teacher you will be!  You will truly care about the student and find yourself in it to change lives.  Not just to fill a teaching position.