21/09/2026
CENTRAL PRESBYTERY
SERENJE CONSISTORY - LEVEL 1 & 2 TRAINING WRAP-UP REPORT.
Venue:St. Paul’s Congregation, Serenje Consistory
Duration:Friday, 18th September 2026, 20:00hrs to Sunday, 20th September 2026, 11:00hrs
Theme: Changing the Narrative
Sub-Theme: Equipping the Teacher to Build the Local Church
Total Participants: 60 Teachers from all Congregations.
1. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
The Serenje Consistory Sunday School training workshop for Level 1 and Level 2 was successfully conducted with both levels running in parallel sessions. The primary goal of the training was to equip teachers with the understanding that Sunday School is not merely a children’s program, but the engine of church growth.
The workshop was officially opened on Friday at 20:00hrs with praise and worship and devotion led by Rev. Mary Selemani Chisenga, focusing on the theme, “Changing the Narrative for the Next Generation.”
2. LEVEL 1 HIGHLIGHTS – FOUNDATION CLASS (New and Refreshing Teachers)
Level 1 focused on laying the foundation of what Sunday School truly is.
Key Topics Covered:
a) Sunday School as an Agency for Building the Local Church
Teachers were taught that Sunday School is not a side activity; it is the church itself. It is the agency that:
- Reaches The Evangelism arm of the church
- Teaches The Discipleship arm
- Wins Converts souls
- Cares The Pastoral arm
It was emphasized that where Sunday School is strong, the local church is strong.
b) The Four Purposes of Central Presbytery
1. Reaching Out – Going out to bring children in
2. Teaching – Building them in the Word of God
3. Winning Souls – Leading them to Christ
4. Caring – Keeping and shepherding them
Teachers learned that missing any one of these purposes results in failure.
c) Why Evangelize Children?
- 85% of Christians are saved between the ages of 4-14 years (the 4/14 Window).
- Children are open, reachable, and can reach their parents with the Gospel.
- A child saved today is a leader of the church tomorrow.
d) The Message of Salvation*
Teachers were equipped on how to present a clear, child-friendly Gospel:
- God loves you
- Sin separates you from God
- Jesus died and rose for you
- You must repent and believe
Every lesson must have a salvation call.
e) Lesson Preparation and Presentation
This was a practical session on how to prepare a lesson, covering: Aim, Central Truth, Introduction, Lesson Body, Application, Salvation Message, and Memory Verse. Teachers practiced writing a complete lesson.
> Level 1 Outcome:Teachers left with a clear understanding of why we do Sunday School and howto prepare a life-changing lesson.
3. LEVEL 2 HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCED CLASS (Experienced Teachers)
Level 2 focused on growth, advanced skills, and addressing modern challenges.
Key Topics Covered:
a) Identifying Skills and Talents in Children*
Teachers were taught to be talent scouts, not just Bible teachers. They learned how to identify children with gifts in singing, praying, leading, preaching, and drawing, and how to give them a platform to develop. Like David, talents are developed in the field.
b) Mental Health of the Child and the Teacher
This was a very powerful session that covered:
- Trauma in children resulting from rejection, abuse, and loss
- Signs of a struggling child and how to respond appropriately
- Burnout in teachers – how to rest, pray, and practice self-care
- The principle that a teacher must be healed to heal others.
c) Lesson Presentation and Effective Delivery*
This covered advanced methods such as storytelling, drama, use of visuals, question and answer, and group discussions. Teachers conducted live demonstrations and were evaluated.
d) Technology and Media in Sunday School
Teachers were guided on how to positively use mobile phones, projectors, audio Bibles, pictures, and videos to teach Generation Z and Generation Alpha. A warning was also given on the dangers of social media and how to guide children in its use.
e) Biblical Counselling
Teachers were trained on how to counsel a child using the Bible and not just personal advice. The steps taught were: Listen, Empathize, Share Biblical Truth, and Pray.
f) Spiritual Growth in Sunday School
This focused on how to move a child from salvation to spiritual maturity through daily devotion, prayer, obedience at home, and service in church.
g) Effective Ways of Teaching Teenagers*
It was emphasized that teenagers are not big children. They need:
- Discussion, not lecture
- Real-life issues addressed – peer pressure, purity, and purpose
- Respect and friendship, not shouting
- Space to ask hard questions
> *Level 2 Outcome:* Teachers were challenged to move from merely teaching children to shepherding and mentoring them in this generation.
4. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
1. High commitment – Teachers attended despite long distances and remained present from Friday 20:00hrs to Sunday 11:00hrs.
2. The parallel running of two classes worked very well and ensured no time was wasted.
3. Practical sessions made the training lively and interactive, especially lesson presentations and counselling role-plays.
4. The training concluded on Sunday with a combined service featuring Holy Communion, issuance of certificates, and commissioning of teachers to go and build their local Sunday Schools.
APPRECIATION
We thank the Almighty God for a successful training. Special thanks go to:
- The Central Presbytery leadership for the vision
- The Serenje Consistory for hosting the workshop
- The three tutors for their dedication day and night
- All teachers who sacrificed their time to attend
The harvest is plenty. The children are waiting. We are now equipped to go.
Compiled by
Central Presbytery Superintendent.
Tr chisenga
