Do you think it's wrong for a Sunday School teacher to award a student?

Question

We give out awards, after each quarter to the student with the most points.

You get points for attendance, and for bringing your Bible, and for remembering the memory verse we worked on last week. I was given stickers for the students to record their points, and a page for the stickers to be afixed to.

Since I am still quite new at having my own class, this is the first quarter I'll be giving an award for. So I asked this other teacher if the church will give me a prize to award or do I need to buy something.

This other teacher said she does not give the award. Does not believe in rewarding a kid for doing what they're supposed to. She said this in a nasty, no nonsense way, which seemed to me to sound like "Why are you this stupid?"

This is the same teacher who doesn't bother to show up half the time, never calls in. We have to watch her class, take her kids in our class if she doesnt show. Sometimes she comes late, is angry if her kids are in my class. MY fault!

Answer 1

How old are the kids? Being rewarded for doing what you're supposed to do isn't a bad thing, especially for younger kids. But no matter the age, it is still OK. After all, isn't your salary a reward for doing what you're supposed to do? And those kids in the one class that aren't getting the rewards will feel worse when confronted by kids who are getting them. Ignore her, she sounds like a nasty piece of work.

Answer 2

There are two answers that I know of in Judaism.

1. We should not feel pride because we have studied the Torah and we have followed it, because this is what we were created to do. In this way, we are not even as high as a maggot or a worm as they give their full energy to doing what G-d created them to do and we always give less than full energy.

2. We are also taught not to create a situation where someone might be tempted to speak badly about another. If you give a child a reward for memorizing a verse, those who didn't memorize it will be tempted to speak badly about this child.

What if a child is sick and can only make half the classes due to chemotherapy? Is that child to be punished because of illness?

Children can often only attend if their parents bring them. A child who misses an award because of their parents might be tempted to get angry at the parents for not bringing him.

Another reason not to give rewards. Children will work for the material reward of recognition. If they are given a reward in this world, they may lose part of their reward in the next. They may also develop pride thinking they are something special for getting the reward.

Once my children were taught how public giving of rewards can incite bad comments from other children and lead to pride, they decided they would no longer attend awards assemblies at school as they recognized the truth of what I said above.

Shalom,
Gershon

Answer 3

The way society is nowdays I would reward the child for coming to Sunday school. It is a real chore to be there sometimes with so much else in their world to draw them away.
Sometimes when they are real small just seeing all the stars on their spot for attendance is enough.
If they are old enough to understand ask them what you should do for the person with the best attendance.
Maybe they could pick the song or story for the day, light the candles, collect the offering, tell a story or prayer.
Something other than things. Like privileges and praise.

Answer 4

Ask that teacher if she believes in the Bible that she is supposed to be teaching. As a christain I understand that we Christains will be rewarded in heaven for our achievements here on earth. If Jesus thinks we are worthy of awards or blessings should we christains think the same way. Discuss what I have written here with your pastor or Sunday School Dept leader if they agree with me have them to give these awards fairly to all who qualify in each class.

Answer 5

Know the basic etiquette of Judo tournament rules, look them up on google. From my experience, judo tournament events are seperated into 2 sections...ground technique and standing. Goal of ground technique is to pin your opponent for 30 seconds or submit your opponent... Goal of standing is to throw your opponent and get him on his back just relax and focus on deep breathing and concentration. Everyone has to have their first tournament, and many others will be just as nervous if not more than you, and after your first match most of the jitters will be shaken off and you'll be ready for more.

Answer 6

She has a problem.
If your kids are all alike, like one is not disabled where remembering what he/she has to is too hard, then it is great. Maybe you should even offer a reward to the missing teacher to see if she shows up and dose the job correctly.
By having the rewards, it will encourage the kids to come more. They will be more thrilled

Answer 7

I say kindly ignore her advice and give your kids the awards. Kids need positive encouragement. My daughter is 8 and our church give badges for each unit the kids complete. She loves them and I love watching her grow in her faith.

Sounds like your pastor might need to consider removing the other teacher from her post.

Answer 8

It is ok to give them awards as long as you teach them that that is not the reason to study the Bible and go to church. Giving awards can help them to develope the habit of reading and memorizing scripture and of going to church.

Answer 9

Sounds like you have it figured out...
I think it's wrong personally but you know, I also think that forcing a religion on a child is wrong and that could have somethign to do with it.

Answer 10

I would not go so far as to say that it is wrong, but if one is going to issue awards, it should be for scholarship, not side issues such as attendance.