In the minds of many, the role of a Sunday School teacher in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has limited responsibilities regarding the students. Most teachers may know the students names and ages, but little else. This hands-off approach is simply not sufficient if we want to become a teachers that teach in The Savior's way. Getting to know them will take time and effort beyond just the 40 minutes of class time. With the youth and many adults, texting by cell phone is a great way to connect. And we encourage each Sunday School teacher to take an active part in encouraging participation and attendance in class. Reach out to your students if they miss a class, letting them know you are thinking of them and care for them. Encourage them to invite friends not of our faith.
President Gordon B. Hinckley shared a perspective for Sunday School teachers and leaders that goes beyond just lesson preparation and class time: “If I were a Sunday School officer, I would work as I had never worked before to see that in my Sunday School the spirit of reverence would be so impressive, the teaching would be so stimulating, the music would be so uplifting, that all who came on a Sunday morning would go away refreshed and with a desire to return a week hence. I would cultivate within my corps of officers and teachers a missionary spirit, an anxious desire to reach out and bring into activity those who are out in the shadows - and that would constitute about 50 percent - about one on the outside for everyone who is inside. I would ask my teachers to ask the ward executive secretary for the names of the home teachers of each such individual. I would then ask those home teachers to make a special effort in behalf of each individual and, if they could not accomplish what was needed, I would ask for the opportunity to assist them. I would not beg for attendance when I talked with those who were out in the shadows. I would pray for wisdom to find some kind of a challenging opportunity to offer to each one. People don’t respond to begging - they respond to challenges. And then I would make every member of my class a missionary to bring someone to Sunday School who isn’t acquainted with the Church.” - The Sunday School as a Missionary - APR-1971
Improve Quality of Our Teaching – Teach as the Savior Taught – Testimony Building, Not Information Sharing