SRE: Connecting children to God’s Word
Youthworks partners with churches and schools across Sydney and beyond to build effective ministries which orient children and youth to follow Jesus Christ and find life to the full in him.
Special Religious Education (SRE) in NSW public schools is a vital way that churches serve local families by providing faith education to students whose parents opt them in.
Youthworks Ministry Support Team (MST) plays a leading role in advocacy for SRE and in coordinating the curriculum and teacher accreditation, training and compliance which enables Anglican churches in the Sydney Diocese to continue providing SRE classes in their local schools.
SRE is important in the holistic education of NSW public school students, helping them form personal moral and ethical frameworks and nurture their faith at school. For many children, SRE is the only opportunity they get to explore God’s Word and have their spiritual questions answered from the Bible.
That’s why Youthworks is so passionate about helping every church provide effective SRE classes in their local schools through best-practice teacher training and age-appropriate curriculum.
“There are more and more kids who come from non-Christian homes and the only way they hear about our Lord Jesus and their loving God is through Special Religious Education.” – Judy, SRE teacher
Last year, Youthworks trained over 2,000 SRE teachers in areas like:
• Child development
• Classroom management
• How to use the authorised curricula effectively to help young people explore their faith.
“The training gives lots of time to discuss things with others and think about how to actually apply it. I found it helpful to hear different ways people handle the tough questions that the kids might ask. I’m keen to apply some of these things so that I can answer questions more thoughtfully and appropriately.” – Trainee SRE teacher.
How SRE benefits young people.
An independent study found that SRE promotes psychological wellbeing and cross-cultural harmony.
The report, titled ‘Special Religious Education & its value to contemporary society’ published in 2018, was based on academic research conducted by Zehavit Gross and Suzanne D. Rutland.
The following are key findings from the research:
SRE is an important part of the rich tapestry of contemporary Australian society:
Religion is an important marker of our changing cultural landscape. The proportion of Australians identifying with a spiritual or religious belief is declining, however, most Australians still identify with a religion or spiritual belief.
Christianity remains the largest religion although religious diversity is increasing. Faith and belief continue to be an integral part of Australian society and Special Religious Education (SRE) provides an important opportunity to integrate religious education into the Australian educational system.
SRE provides key benefits including:
Studies link positive health and wellbeing outcomes with:
“Today’s students are operating in a highly individualised society and have been referred to by some as ‘Generation Me’ (Twenge, 2009). This contemporary focus on individual needs rather than looking outward has created psychological problems that can be countered by focussing outward, on the ‘greater good’.”
— Zehavit Gross and Suzanne D. Rutland,
Study of Special Religious Education and
its value to contemporary society.
See SRE teachers in action
Read articles and stories of impact about SRE
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The long-term fruit of SRE
Be encouraged by Adam’s experience of running into a past SRE student he taught 20 years ago. Through SRE, Adam had sown seeds which now, it appears, God is growing. Praise God that SRE is producing long-term fruit in peoples lives
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Having discovered Jesus through primary school SRE, Luke is now leading youth towards Christ as a young adult.
Kirk Watkinson, children’s and youth minister at Kingswood Anglican, has had the joy of witnessing the faith journey of a young adult, Luke*, who came to know Jesus in his primary school SRE class. Now in his 20s, Luke is leading primary aged boys in their faith journey at church.
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Thanks to you, young people are engaging with God’s Word and asking questions in SRE
Holly is an SRE teacher who is deeply passionate about young people growing in their faith and understanding God better
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Your support for SRE is helping to nurture the faith of children and their families!
Sarah finds so much joy in teaching SRE. Her journey of becoming an SRE teacher started when she was a helper in the classroom 10 years ago.
Stay Connected
At Youthworks, as followers of Jesus Christ, we bring all that we do to God in prayer, seeking his guidance and provision as we help orient young people for life. Partner with Youthworks today by praying with us for opportunities to tell the good news of Jesus Christ with youth and children each week.
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