How does my competence in developing relationships affect my teaching? This is the central question addressed in this section of Online Training for Sunday School Teachers.

1. Ask teachers to write two paragraphs describing your church community. Share and compare the descriptions. What elements are common to many? What elements were described by only a few? Did the descriptions focus on people, programs, or environment?
2. Now, ask them to write two paragraphs describing the community in which your church is located. Compare the description of your church to the description of the community. How are they similar? Are significant discrepancies presented? Ask teachers to talk about how they might discuss these discrepancies with their students.
3. Help volunteers make a plan for talking about tough topics. Who can they contact for help? What is at the heart of their discomfort? What can they learn from other teachers?