While I have definite opinions on whether or not there should even be snacks offered in Bible class, that’s not what I want to talk about here. I’ve seen lots of ideas pinned on Pinterest about snacks that are being offered children in a Bible class. I appreciate the fact that teachers are trying to tie the snack they offer the children in with the lesson. I understand that children learn best when using all their senses. Snacks in Bible class should be held to the same standard as anything else used to teach our children. Whether it is a visual aid, a song, a bulletin board, a hands-on activity or a snack, everything we do in Bible class should do one thing — reinforce the truths found in the Bible.
I have on very rare occasions used snacks in Bible class. These snacks were not time fillers. They were not offered because the children were hungry. They were snacks, a better term would be teaching aids, that had a specific link to the lesson. For instance, when studying about Samson killing the lion, the children were offered a little honey. When studying about the kingdom being like leaven (Matthew 13), we saw how leaven makes bread rise and tasted some.
The problem comes when snack time is expected and teachers try to make the snack fit the lesson. Just do a search on Pinterest for Bible snacks and you will find a plethora of what I’m about to describe. I would link to the sites themselves but I know that the teachers are trying to do their best to teach and I don’t want to give them any bad publicity.
Some examples:
When studying about any of the New Testament lessons involving a boat, cut an apple into wedges and stick a pretzel stick in it to look like a sailboat. Add a few fish on the plate or napkin and you have a snack that is supposed to reinforce a lesson on Jesus helping the apostles to fish.
When studying about Jesus walking on the water, put blue jello in a clear cup and place a paper cut out of Jesus “walking” on the jello.
Two pretzel sticks with a strip of fruit roll-ups used during any lesson that involves a scroll.
This one might be a little difficult to visualize without a picture but I’ll do my best to describe it. A graham cracker with a little peanut butter spread on top has a small chocolate donut sitting on top of that with an oreo in front of it to replicate the stone that was rolled aside when Jesus was resurrected. Add a little green colored coconut and you’ve got a really cute little snack.
Why do I have a problem with these? I think the teacher is trying to put a round peg into a square hole. The snack does not really enhance the child’s understanding of the lesson. The child enjoys the snack. The child may get excited when it is being introduced and probably enjoys helping to put it together and especially enjoys eating it. The question I have is, does the child see the apple wedge with a pretzel stick in it as a boat or does he just see an apple and a pretzel stick? Does the child see the fruit roll ups wrapped around pretzel sticks as a scroll or just as some pretzels with fruit roll ups? Does the child see the cup of blue jello as water or just as a cup of jello? Does the child see the donut/oreo as Christ’s tomb or does he see a donut and an oreo?
There is so little time in a Bible class. We need to make sure that everything we do enhances the child’s understanding of the lesson being taught. Adding in something just because it is cute or the children will think it is fun defeats our purpose. Save those cute snack ideas for fun times at home or at school.
Diana, I agree with your convictions regarding snacks in Bible class. Another less spiritual and more practical concern was pointed out to me once in a class – so many children have food allergies that we might not know about. Once in a secular class I brought out Teddy Grahams (who can’t eat Teddy Grahams, right?) and a mom who was a helper in the class leaped up to exchange her child’s snack for the raisins she had brought from home. It really made me think about how something that seemed like a great idea to me could turn into a problem for my student. Thanks again for your thoughtfully prepared materials. They have helped me so much!
I think kids remember their lessons better when you involve all 5 senses which includes taste. Different kids learn differently. Some are auditory, some visual, some verbal, etc. My snacks always go with the lesson. I think they are a great way to help them remember what it was about.
wow! i just dealt with that in my class. I have realized today they were ready to have their cup of water and cheez its before i haed even began the lesson. what you said has really made sense as i drove home today thinking about what i need to do to catch their attention. 90% of the time they are absolutely quiet during my lesson. Bu to day I struggled. thank you.
When my students are asked by their parents about their bible class and what they learned or did….I want them to say……I learned about our awesome God……Rather than telling about an awesome snack
Great article! If I’m offering anything, it goes home with them. I’ll add a gold coin or fishy crackers but in a bag with a scripture on it. I d k , this is like fancy birthday parties though, it’s probably more for me than them.
But I had a girl who lived here and moved away say the same thing about eating potluck in the building. it’s more for convenience and she never saw a big deal with it or feeding kids in the classrooms. That’s a whole other topic though.
I use snacks in my Bible class. I use the time to teach the young ones to pray. At first I model the prayer for them and then they want to say they prayer for the food. Then our conversation will be about all the food that God gives us. I don’t think any of the time spent having snack has been wasted.
I could not agree more. Why do we need snacks in Sunday morning Bible class? The kids have just had breakfast. And Wednesday night? They’ve just had dinner!! Most if he time I feel like snacks are being used the eat up the time (pun intended). Great points. Thank you.