The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School: Transformational Techniques for Reaching and Teaching Kids

by Aaron Reynolds

Imagine a roomful of kids on Sunday absolutely enraptured by dynamic Bible teaching. Here and there a mouth hangs open as the kids engage the story of Boaz and Ruth with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for their new Xbox 360. Isn’t that what you want as a Sunday school teacher? You long to reach your kids on Sunday in a way that actually makes a difference in their lives on Monday. But how? A new book of crafts and activities? Nope. Fifty new conversation starters for kids and leaders? Nuh uh. One more booklet of reproducible coloring sheets? Don’t even. How about a book jam-packed with techniques and creative methods that lead to truly transformational teaching … the kind that leaves kids living life differently on Monday as a result of their time with you on Sunday. The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School is an indispensable guidebook to transformational teaching in children’s ministries of every size and setting. Create excellence for kids through four ministry-rocking values. Unleash fabulous and powerful techniques that lead to unforgettable teaching moments. Consult a veritable handbook of twenty creative methods that bring any Bible story to life. Designed with whimsical quirkiness and written with humor and passion, this book will transform the way you—and your kids—experience the life-changing potential of Sunday school.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Leadership

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Joe Cassada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is certainly a creative book, filled with good ideas and tips. It is more applicable to what most Baptists would call "junior church" than it would be in the traditional Sunday school class setting (unless of course Reynolds calls this book "The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School" because he wants us to change the typical small class setting into the larger junior church style setting.)

Theology drives methodology, and Reynolds' ministry affiliation made me read the book at arms length, so to speak. Willow Creek Community Church is known for their numerical success, but not for their lasting fruit in discipleship (see: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/michae...) So, I read wondering if the author knew the difference between being able to manipulate impressionable young children with prop and SFX wizardry and the genuine Holy Spirit conviction being wrought upon a young person's heart. I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Apart from those misgivings, and the overly decorated pages, the book has some good ideas which makes it worth the money to keep it on your shelf.

[Kenny Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read directed toward elementary aged ministry. I consider myself a gifted communicator to this age group, but I learned so much from Aaron's book.

[Jelmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for everybody in kids ministry

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I got a few ideas from this book, I'm glad I bought a cheap used copy. It is a quick read due to all the doodles on every page, which is fine, but I was hoping for more content. If you are an actor or drama is your gift, get this book. I don't think the author realizes that he has a gift and others can't necessarily replicate his method. It does explore how drama can help kids engage with the Bible stories...a good thing. However, it suggests not reading strictly from the Bible but rather paraphrasing in exciting ways, like a storyteller. Philisophically, I want the kids to dig into actual Bibles, and that's not always exciting. Overall, 3 stars. Not a bad book, and it gave me some ideas.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it may be outdated, the foundation is still solid. Reynold's pages are bursting with wisdom and creative teaching experiences for disciplining children. The one minus would be all the pop-culture references, but those are even addressed in the book as soon to be retired. Besides that small annoyance, it's a book I reccomend to all kids pastors.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jam-packed full of creative ways to organize and execute Sunday morning kids programming. Some of the particulars are a little dated (esp when it comes to technology), but the dated ideas still sparked a lot of creativity/ideas for me. An easy-to-skim essential for busy kids pastors needing fresh ideas for their ministries.

[Rachel Cowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical. Often more geared to big churches with kids staff. But gives good examples for all types of set up. Great tips for all to pick and choose what suits. Most reliant on team that will dedicate to rehearse for sessions for very interactive front led kids ministries

[Rob Markley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't remember the details but I wasn't convinced - although of course there were some good things

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me, this is an odd book. It is a book on teaching children the Bible written from an actor's perspective (as opposed to an educator's perspective). While I found the creativity both exciting and refreshing, the focus on teaching being primarily performance is a little unfortunate. The book is void of any significant description of learning theory. Still, I think most children's ministry leaders will find something here to enhance their work.

[Carol Wunderlich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas and thoughts for structuring a church school children's ministry... though vey specific to the model and theology of the Willow Creek church... still some awesome things to consider, adapt and straight up utilize.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book.It will help you a lot if you are in the children ministry, at least it helped me and my children ministry.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title felt a little misleading; still a great book on the power of good storytelling and how and why good storytelling matters.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! It is designed mostly for a Children's pastor/children's church type setting. But there was tons of good advice and ideas that could be molded to work in other settings.