What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know

by Elmer L. Towns

Sharing God's Word with children can be the most spiritually satisfying experience of your life. But if you've never taught kids before the prospect can be terrifying! Let Elmer Towns put your fears to rest as you read through 24 "bite-sized" topics covering everything from motivation to gifting to teaching methods! This easy-to-read book will inspire Sunday School teachers - new and experienced - to embrace with joy their important role of teaching children of all ages about God's amazing love.

Genres: Nonfiction, Teaching, Christian

180 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 1996

About the author

Dr. Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works (the editor of two encyclopedias), a popular seminar lecturer, and dedicated worker in Sunday school, and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education. He began teaching at Midwest Bible College, St. Louis, Missouri, for three years and was not satisfied with his textbooks so he began writing his own (he has published over 100 books listed in the Library of Congress, 7 listed in the Christian Booksellers Best Selling List; several becoming accepted as college textbooks. He is also the 1995 recipient of the coveted Gold Medallion Award awarded by the Christian Booksellers Association for writing the Book of the Year, i.e., The Names of the Holy Spirit.

He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).

He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.

Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.

His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Shiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and a crisp read. The book is to the point and very well written. No new information but definitely a practical guide on principles to take an effective Sunday School. A wonderful opportunity to also introspect one's role as a teacher in leading and shepherding the class. I found the book in our church Sunday school cupboard. Many thanks to the person who has contributed this book for the church. I would definitely ask other teachers to read.

[G. Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Several "nuggets" in this book made it worth it.

[Erin Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice for a brand new Sunday school teacher.

[Sarah Weidner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected to roll my eyes as I read this book at the outdated information, but actually most of this advice is timeless and I will be using it as a reference as I continue to teach.

[Deeps George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and practical book for all Sunday School teachers to read, learn and apply.

[Barry Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything by Dr. Towns. This was very encouraging and practical. Every Sunday School would benefit and be inspired to be a Teacher that impacts the world.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because it was given to me when I started teaching Sunday School. It did have valuable points in it, but nothing that blew me away as new knowledge. I'm terrible at non-fiction, so I'm happy that I finished this. I bettered my mind. :-)

[Sarah Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical intro to teaching and the key concepts teachers need to be familiar with, a quick and easy resource to use to train teachers!

[Thomas Kinsfather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long list of handy thoughts for children's teachers.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical advice. Short read. Good for all Sunday School teachers to improve their teaching.