Rooted in Jesus has continued to expand this year, and has now been introduced to over 85 Anglican dioceses and training colleges, and a growing number of other denominational networks. Rooted in Jesus Junior, the companion course for children aged 8-14, has now been introduced to 17 dioceses. In most of these it provides the first ever syllabus for Sunday Schools, and the first formal training for Sunday School teachers.
This year we have focussed on the development of a new training manual for Rooted in Jesus Junior, and we are pleased to announce that this has just been published by The Mathetes Trust.
The new manual has been written with two audiences in mind. Firstly, it contains the information and resources to help a team run a Rooted in Jesus Junior training conference – how to prepare a diocese for the introduction of the programme, how to plan a conference, guidelines for the team leader and diocesan coordinator, and session plans for each of the different elements of the conference. It also contains testimonies from those using the course.
Secondly, the new manual is designed to provide resources for the Diocesan Coordinator, with suggestions for how best to implement and oversee Rooted in Jesus Junior once it has been introduced. It includes evaluation and report forms as well as the training material which can be used to support existing leaders or train new ones.
Rooted in Jesus Junior continues to surprise and delight us as we watch the impact it is having on the lives of children across Africa. It was a particular privilege this year to be hosted by the Dioceses of Fianarantsoa and Toliara in Madagascar; in Toliara the Sunday School teachers were able to try out what they were learning with about a hundred enthusiastic children. With what we are learning from the conferences, from the teachers and pastors who share their expertise by joining the training teams and from the feedback we receive from those using the course, we are confident that Rooted in Jesus Junior is making its own contribution to a new generation of Christians across Africa.
What do people say about Rooted in Jesus Junior?
TANZANIA: “Today at our church, Lamech led Sunday School and for the first time I heard wonderful joy and laughter coming from outside. I was so impressed. It was different. I made an announcement to explain why Sunday School were so happy this week” – Sam Daniel, Diocese of Mara
UGANDA : “From the time we adopted those materials, we experienced vibrant exciting Sunday school meetings with the children. The five Sunday school teachers that I trained using Rooted in Jesus materials have become very good teachers. This has improved much of the children’s zeal and love for Christ. A lot of spiritual gifts were realised like evangelism, worship, preaching, prayer, storytelling, drama, scripture memory verses etc. among the children. The number of the children which was about 25 at our church, it has now has grown to 150+”‘ – Pastor Ali Mukembo, Jinja
KENYA : “In November 2016, we conducted Rooted in Jesus Junior training to a group of Sunday School leaders in Ruiru, north Nairobi. Unbeknown to us this large church of several hundred members had been unable to keep Sunday School teachers for more than a few months before they resigned. From the training in early November, to our being there again in late April, not one Sunday School teacher had resigned, and some who had declared they felt they would not be able to offer anything in that line, had come forward to become part of the children’s ministry team! We thought this was great news!” Brian Keel, Kenya
SOUTH AFRICA : “Personally, I am enjoying teaching Rooted in Jesus Junior. I find that some of the topics/questions really encourage the children to ask questions, which I like. Ever since my Grade 5 started using Junior, they’ve always been 10-12 eager-beavers who are so committed to being in Sunday School every week and come at least half an hour before Sunday School starts. We go over what we learnt the previous week and then move on to our current lesson. I give the children rewards for learning their memory verses, and this seems to work quite well. It’s all about Jesus, and I can honestly say that the Holy Spirit is indeed with us.” Lucy Burgess, All Saints Belhar, Cape Town
MADAGASCAR : “There was one thing which completely took me aback. It was this: that there are lots of stories about children in the Bible! I hadn’t really taken that on board before. But here, in the Rooted in Jesus Junior conference, we looked at lots of stories about children from the Bible. That touched me profoundly. From here I will take home so many new things. When I get back to my parish I will do everything in my power with my team to improve the way in which we teach our children in the Province.” Canon Jean Flobert, Diocese of Fianarantsoa
In 2016 Rooted in Jesus Junior was, like the adult programme, recommended by the Anglican Communion report Intentional Discipleship. We hope that the new manual will make it ever easier to adopt and use.
The Rooted in Jesus Junior Manual was written by Revd Dr Alison Morgan, following the format of the existing manual for the adult programme. We are grateful to those team members who have lent their skills and experience to the development of the sessions.
To find out more about Rooted in Jesus Junior, or to contact us, please visit our website.
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.
Posted 17th November 2017
Rooted in Jesus 