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

Aaron Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2007

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'For church leaders intent on making the most of the Sunday school hour for children, this book presents a step-by-step guide to bringing the style back to weekend kids programming....Reynolds offers some 80 pages of ideas for creatively teaching the Bible to kids. Ideas are always good -- and Reynolds' suggestions are great. From audience participation (kinesthetic), to video clips (visual), his ideas may provide a shot in the arm for many children's programs in search of new life. Those who stand to gain the most from a read of this book are leaders overseeing Sunday schools and volunteers themselves....' -- Church Central

(Church Central )

About the Author

Aaron Reynolds is a children's ministry consultant, speaker, and workshop teacher whose mission is to equip teachers and churches to use the creative arts. He previously served as artistic director of Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek. He has written and produced over 300 creative scripts and lessons for kids and is the author of several children's books, including The Tale of the Poisonous Yuck Bugs, The Nineteenth of Maquerk, Breaking Out of the Bungle Bird, Chicks and Salsa, and the Tiger Moth series. He lives in the Chicago area with his wonderful wife, two great kids, and four neurotic cats. SPANISH BIO: Aaron Reynolds es asesor del ministerio de ninos, conferenciante y profesor de fallares, y tiene la mision de equipar a profesores y a iglesias. Anteriormente fue director artistico de Promiseland, el ministerio de ninos de Willow Creek. Ha escrito y producido mas de 300 escrituras y lecciones creativas para ninos incluyendo: The Tale of the Poisonouis YuciBugs, Te Nineteenth of Maquerk y otros. Reside en Chicago junto a su esposa.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310274338
• ISBN-13: 978-0310274339
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Aaron Reynolds is a children's ministry consultant, speaker, and workshop teacher whose mission is to equip teachers and churches to use the creative arts. He previously served as artistic director of Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek. He has written and produced over 300 creative scripts and lessons for kids and is the author of several children's books, including The Tale of the Poisonous Yuck Bugs, The Nineteenth of Maquerk, Breaking Out of the Bungle Bird, Chicks and Salsa, and the Tiger Moth series. He lives in the Chicago area with his wonderful wife, two great kids, and four neurotic cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, Inspiring,.. Fabulous!!!, April 26, 2007

By 

K. Conley "Kenny Conley" (Keller, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School: Transformational Techniques for Reaching and Teaching Kids (Paperback)

I can think of only one word to sum up what I thought of this book: Fabulous!

Honestly. Last week someone on my staff gave me this book. Although I have a creative streak, usually my administrative tendencies crowd out that part of my personality. Knowing that Willow Creek highly values and usually sets the standard on using the "arts" in ministry... I initially wasn't interested. I figured this would be a book I would skim. No, really. Any book that is purposelyfilled with funny and wierd sketches on almost every page is enough to make we want to sit in front of CSPAN all day. I think my deal was that I just don't like using drama and arts in the context of children's ministry because from my experience, it is usually crappy! So, I wasn't really interested.

That very night I was up late doing some work. It was 1:00 AM (yes, I don't have kids yet) and I wasn't quite ready to turn in for the night, so I pulled out this book. Finally at 3:30 AM I put the book down because I knew I was going to be trashed the next day if I didn't get at least 4 hours of sleep. One word... AMAZING! Totally not what I expected. Yes, the book is full of information about drama and the arts... but it's so much more than that. Simply put, it's completely about the most important part of what I do every weekend, the 20 to 25 minutes when I take God's word and give it to the kids who attend my service. This book is about maximizing that time, ensuring that it is a moment that will stick with them for longer than 20 minutes after they leave. Never have I read a book like this. It's theoretical, it's practical and man is it funny. I caught myself laughing out loud time and time again. Aaron (the author) has definitely been there and done that as I identified with many of the moments us children's ministers live on a regular basis.

Content covers everything from setting a stage, great prop ideas, lighting secrets, rehearsal plans, critique forms, sound ideas and so much more. As a speaker who constantly wants to get better, Arron gave me great new ideas of what to do with my hands, where to be when I'm making my big point, and what to do when those infamous 5th grade boys start a secret conversation of their own in the back. If that weren't enough, Aaron filled the pages with examples that he's used that put you right there in the middle of the application. He's also included a huge appendix filled with great resources so that I can do what he wrote about.

I just finished reading this book. I plan to read it again next week. Yesterday I bought 15 more for my staff and some key leaders. If you work with elementary kids (preschool too... there's a great section on preschool programming), you must have this book. Read it, soak it in and then put it into practice. I feel that this book will be one of the most influential books in the children's ministry at my church.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aaron Reynolds ROCKS!!!, December 8, 2007

By 

Jill "[e-mail]" (Sulphur Springs, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School: Transformational Techniques for Reaching and Teaching Kids (Paperback)

Aaron Reynolds has a great passion for helping kids apply God's Word to their lives. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit in on two of his children's ministry workshops, hosted my Willow Creek Community Church. Every time I have applied his techniques to my teaching, the kids LOVE IT! They hang on the edge of their seats, they don't interrupt, they're completely quiet, ready to participate on my signal. I don't have to stop teaching to tell someone to pay attention, not anymore! I have used Reynolds techniques on small and very large groups of kids, the results are the same...TOTALLY AWESOME!

Aaron's teaching style is unforgettable! And now, he's put it in a book for us to look on time and time again.
I highly recommend reading The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School for EVERYONE who teaches preschool to elementary age kids.

Reynolds techniques can be applied to teaching any subject, as well as God's Word. If you want the lessons to stick and have an audience that hangs on to the very end...you need this book. The kids will love you for it! They will remember what you taught them long after you will. Be prepared for kids to come up to you asking you about a lesson you taught two months ago. It really happens, trust me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Builds confidence, October 28, 2007

By 

Paul V. Verlangieri - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School: Transformational Techniques for Reaching and Teaching Kids (Paperback)

I run a children's program at my church. This book is full of great ideas and particle ways to build the confidence of your teachers in the class room.