Titus 2:3-5

…teachers of that which is good…

The hall by the church offices began filling up with bags and sleeping gear. “What a lot of stuff!” Thought Mary Rose. Ever since her family had arrived that afternoon she had noticed how some places around the church’s building seemed to be bustling with activity, but what she hadn’t realized is the activity she was seeing was actually the outcome of many who had done lots and lots of work before this day. Ladies had come from different places who had been preparing for this special week for months before and now that week was just the beginning. The week of Future Teacher Training Camp (FTTC)! Mary Rose watched as the young ladies of the teen class warmly welcomed other young ladies as they arrived for registration. She couldn’t get over how excited they all were to see each other. Many of them had attended FTTC in years past and others, it being their first year to attend could only imagine all that awaited them in the coming days. Mary Rose noticed how nice these young ladies looked and acted and how each of them had their Bible and note book with them. She wondered, “What is this all about anyway?” One of the older teens bent down and put an arm around Mary Rose. She asked her what she thought of everything. It was perfect timing for her to get an answer to her question. She was told, “FTTC is where young ladies who want to be a Bible class teacher come and spend a week learning some AMAZING skills for teaching Bible class. They learn how to study, prepare, and deliver a Bible lesson for a specific age group. First they choose a Bible character from a list and spend the week going to classes that help them develop a lesson about that Bible character. They even have a visual aids class where they make at least one visual aid to go with their lesson.” Mary Rose’ eyes lit up as she understood more of what it was all about! Down in her heart she wished she was old enough to attend FTTC.

Godly focus begins each morning before breakfast by circling up, singing the theme song, (From the Rising of the Sun) and having one of the young ladies volunteer to lead the prayer.

The theme of this particular week was Pursuing Integrity. The lessons developed and presented by the teens would be about a specific Bible character who was a person of integrity. The book of Daniel would be the main text of study. It was awesome to see how attentive and eager the Future Teachers were to dig deep into the Word!

Their daily classes included:

• Topical class: Prayer
• Textual class: The book of Daniel
• How to teach (1 and 2)
• Research and Visual aids Lab
• Recreational activity
• Free time

Study, study, study! Research class is where they dig into their lesson texts to really understand what is being taught. They learn how important it is for everyone to do this but especially teachers for their judgement will be one that is stricter. James 3:1  After supper the ladies evening worship is led by the Future Teachers. They lead singing, prayer, introduce the lady guest speaker, and then close by leading another prayer. Each of them are encouraged to choose at least one of these things in which to serve during the week. The day’s activities come to a close with something called Spoken English. This is helps each one including counselors get acquainted with being up in front of others and also helps them with their speaking skills. It is during this time that the counselors answer any Bible questions preciously found in the Q and A Box, (Question/Answer). Even though some questions are more in depth than others it is the goal to always give a Bible answer to these questions. They close out the evening by circling up for a chain prayer. Before lights out sweet voices are lifted in singing praise to God.

What a special program to be part of!

Mary Rose had been asked to help her mother serve lunch that week and in doing so she was able to see everyone! She loved being around others and it was especially exciting for her to be around these “big girls” and listen to them talking about their classes. She heard such things as, what they enjoy most, and how one year in their visual aids class they really enjoyed making the costumes of their Bible character. (An outreach group of the congregation called “Hands Sharing Hope and Happiness” were ready with their sewing machines to help them sew the costumes they had prepared.) The Future Teachers also discussed some of the things they needed help with. Mary Rose thought it was especially fun listening to what happened during their recreation time. Laser tag was one of their favorites! Friendly competition between campers and counselors! As the week progressed it was time for their lesson presentations. Mary Rose came with her mother to watch and listen. They enjoyed listening to teaching classes 1 and 2 as they presented their lesson plans and Bible lesson overviews. Mary Rose and her mother were so impressed with everything they shared. They also came back that evening as they had been doing to hear the guest speakers but this time they would get to hear devotionals from the pulpit by each one in the teaching 2 class! They all did a wonderful job and you could tell they put a lot of thought and study into their lessons. The last evening of the week was reserved for the annual FTTC banquet. Proud parents, siblings, friends, elders and their wives attended. What a rich way to end the week. Mary Rose said her goodbyes and the same as when they arrived, there were hugs all around. She was looking forward to the time when she would be able to attend Future Teacher Training Camp!

Greetings! To my Sister Bible class teachers,

Needless to say Future Teacher Training Camp is for a particular caliber of teen young lady who not only has an interest in becoming a Bible teacher but is also is willing and mature enough to pay attention in class and take seriously the task of developing a lesson for the week. The young women who attend this session are introduced to the Bible through study in a way that deepens and broadens their understanding of what Bible study really is and in the process learn the joy of discovery! Godliness is gained by all. Many of you have heard of Future Preacher Training Camp for young men who have a desire to preach. Future Teacher Training Camp was created for teen young ladies who have a desire to become Bible class teachers and are directed and encouraged to do so. One of the things you may have noticed through this article is how that even though Mary Rose was younger she was encouraged by the Future Teachers. Titus 2:1-5 speaks of the older teaching the younger. Let us keep this in mind and remember we are always older than someone. There are little eyes upon us and like it or not we will ether encourage or discourage others from this good work. 

Oh be careful little mouth what you say…

Click here for this month’s featured visual aids! The Visual Aids Class made mobiles to go along with their lesson of the Bible character who pursued integrity and a poster for review for any lesson they may teach called – Do You Know?

Click Here to have a peek into our week !

IF you would like to know more about FTTC on Face Book click here!

My prayers and encouragement go with you.

Serving in Christ,

Gwendolyn Schnell

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Gwen Schnell

Gwen has been married to her supportive husband Dan for 38 years. Dan has been the pulpit minister for the Owasso Church of Christ for over 20 years and they both love working with the congregation there. They are blessed with 3 faithful children (a son, a daughter, and a son) who are married to Christian spouses, and they also have 3 wonderful grandchildren. Gwen has experience in teaching children’s Bible classes from cradle roll – 6th grade for over 30 years and has also had the pleasure of opening up the Word with teen and adult ladies classes. She loves to share God’s word and continues to grow with her students. Her favorite class to teach is 4th-6th grades.

Latest posts by Gwen Schnell (see all)

• Perk Up Your Bible Class with “Sandwich” Bible Characters! - August 25, 2018
• Perk Up Your Bible Class: Just Bubblin’ Over - June 20, 2018
• Mary Rose and Me “Mending” - April 25, 2018