Responding to a Tragedy as a Sunday School Leader

Our hearts are broken for the families who lost children and loved ones this month in Newtown, Connecticut. We pray for them as well as for government leaders, first responders, the local church leaders and the school teachers and workers who have been involved in helping the people of that community.

Sunday School teachers can fulfill a special calling in such a moment of tragedy. We carry the burden and the privilege of teaching and speaking into people’s lives in moments of pain, loss, and confusion. Leaders in Bible times often shared a word from the Lord that was appropriate to the crisis at hand and we will often have a similar ministry. Let me offer some do’s and don’ts for you to consider as the people in your class respond to such unimaginable tragedies.

Do pray publically for those who have experienced the grief firsthand as well as those who are trying to make sense of things in your class. Include yourself in the prayer—being careful not to give the impression that you are above feeling the pain associated with the crisis.

Don’t try to turn it into a political issue or use it as an opportunity to share your pet peeves and opinions. We cheapen the deaths of the victims with such rants. This isn’t the time for getting on the soapbox.

Do listen to the expressions of hurt and the emotions that are being shared. Allow there to be moments of tears. Also listen carefully to the questions that are being asked—especially the children. With children, give brief short answers. Be careful not to over answer their questions with long theological explanations. They really just want assurance and hope--so do the adults.

Don’t use the crisis as a way of scaring people into a spiritual decision. Such decisions are generally superficial and based on the emotion of the moment rather than a real conversion or renewal. Certainly we are always ready to respond to a sincere seeker no matter when they come to us, but using a tragedy to manipulate someone is not likely a method the Lord would approve.

Do assure people that our church does have security precautions in place to help protect people while they are here. We have a person who is the director of church security. The halls are monitored regularly and the doors are either locked or they are manned during Sunday School and worship.

Don’t pretend to have all the answers. It is proper to explain that there is evil in the world and that evil happens because people refuse to let God control and direct their lives. But we should not pretend that we know why this incident happened to these people in this town. Remind them that this was not from God and that He is not responsible for bad things that happen to innocent people.

Do continue on with the teaching of your lesson. You can discern if you need to give the class a little more time than usual for prayer and interaction, but God’s Word has an amazing way of providing comfort and insight that we may have never imagined. I am constantly amazed at how God will allow His Word to speak to each individual in our congregation in ways I never expected when I was preparing the message. The Holy Spirit is so good at taking the lesson you prepared and causing it to speak to each person’s individual needs—trust Him with that.