Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Just a babysitter? No, an instrument God can use

  • November 30, 2021
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Church Life, Family, Featured, Latest News
Julie Redmond Donavan
(Stock photo)

Just a babysitter? No, an instrument God can use

By Julie Redmond Donavan
North Shelby Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.

If you are a preschool teacher at church, I’m sure this question has come to mind before. The fact that you change diapers, wipe snotty noses and clean sticky hands may make it feel like you’re just a babysitter, but I promise you are so much more. A babysitter watches children while the parents leave for a date or a special event. So, how are you not just a babysitter?

A preschool or grade-school teacher ministers to the entire family. You are allowing the parents to grow closer to the Lord while you watch their children.

The parents’ cups can be refilled at church so they can use the overflow at home with their children. This also means the children’s cups can be filled with God’s word. At church, every family member’s needs can be spiritually met.

A babysitter helps while the parents go on a date, yes, but you are ministering to families so they can study the Word, fellowship with other believers and worship God. While the parents are being spiritually fed so are the children.

Be intentional about your curriculum. Perhaps you do not use curriculum during your childcare hour. Now is a great time to start!

Special task: sharing truth

You have a special task as a teacher and volunteer at church — you do not want to waste the small amount of time you have with children. You probably only have an hour or two to share the truth of the gospel, so if you are the one in charge of what the children learn, research gospel-centered curriculum. In another article I will discuss what to look for to make sure the curriculum is gospel centered.

Invest time into your lesson and into knowing your children. Children know when you are unprepared and when you have a lack of interest.

How can you invest time into your lesson? Life is full of so many different tasks we must check off our list — house chores, picking up children, work, groceries, lawn care, taking care of dogs, visiting family — the list goes on and on. Be intentional when preparing your lesson each week; you could even tie it into your quiet time.

Setting aside time to prepare your lesson will go a long way, and you will start seeing results in your own life, as well as in the lives of the children in your classroom.

Writing letters

How can you invest time into knowing the children? Take a few moments during Sunday School or Bible study to ask your kids about their weekend or their favorite sport. This time does not have to last long, but you can make it fun by passing around a ball or rolling some dice to see who goes next. Later that week, write each child a letter commenting on what each said — children love to get letters!

If you teach a class of younger children who do not talk, you can still write letters saying how you had fun teaching them in your classroom. Parents notice and love the extra things you do for their children.

God’s instrument

You are not just a babysitter! You are an instrument God is using to bring Him glory and grow His kingdom.

God has given you a special gift to lead and love the children you teach. Remember to invest your time, be intentional in what you teach and consider how you are ministering to each child’s family.

Continue to use your gift in your Bible study and Sunday School class, knowing it has a purpose.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Study: More people associating pastors with church scandal
    Study: More people associating pastors with church scandal
    February 2, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • IMB trustees celebrate new missionaries, reports of increased engagement
    IMB trustees celebrate new missionaries, reports of increased engagement
    February 2, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Embracing the call: IMB celebrates 46 new missionaries appointed to the field
    Embracing the call: IMB celebrates 46 new missionaries appointed to the field
    February 2, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Study: More people associating pastors with church scandal

As fewer Americans interact with pastors on a regular basis, fewer say they trust clergy overall, a recent study shows. And amid recent headlines of

IMB trustees celebrate new missionaries, reports of increased engagement

International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 46 new full-time, fully funded missionaries, while also honoring the service of 87 missionaries and staff during

Embracing the call: IMB celebrates 46 new missionaries appointed to the field

It was an emotional night for Coats Baptist Church from Coats, North Carolina. Fifty church members barely held back whoops of joy as “their” missionaries

Disaster Relief volunteers help clear tornado damage in southeast Texas

Along a several-block stretch of Hillshire Drive in Deer Park, Texas, tree limbs were piled along the street as neighbors sought to clean up from

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel