But you are also probably all too well aware of the fact that there is so much information that needs to be shared in just one hour a week (on a good week). And somewhere around 40 weeks out of the year. How on earth can we share the most important things they need for spiritual growth in that short period of time?
Not to mention...
The dreams of an interactive & engaging class time, but instead endure the "glazed over" looks during the classroom lecture on a weekly basis?
Your girls have no idea what you are talking about when you ask them a question from last week's lesson?
You struggle with your girls talking while you're talking? This is the one that gets me.
I think every Sunday school teacher, if they are truly honest, have struggled with any and all of the above at one point in life. Sometimes it really does have something to do with the people in the class, and other times it has far more to do with the teacher.
Here are some things that I have incorporated into my Sunday school class hour (or less). They have made a world of difference.
1. Plan Ahead
Ok, everyone, let's be honest... How many times did you wait until Saturday to come up with a lesson for Sunday morning? (or even Sunday morning to come up with a lesson for Sunday morning???) Well, the fact is... We've all done it. While you might have been able to pull off a great last minute college paper, a lesson that needs to have spiritual value just can't be done at the last minute. Can you truly say that what you thought about for the first time on Saturday night was what God wanted you to share with your girls on Sunday morning? I know for me, that is rarely the case.
To remedy the situation: Plan Ahead!
I mean, like more than a week ahead... Like a season at a time. If you have an eight-week or a twelve-week stretch of teaching, plan those lessons to tie together somehow. Maybe they all have the theme or message, or they are about the same Bible person. Maybe they all have the same topic of "Christianity 101" or dating, engagement, and marriage.
Whatever you do, you must plan ahead.
2. Review & Preview
How many times did your mom tell you, Repetition is the key to learning?
Well... it's true! Repeat, repeat, repeat. Remind your class of what they learned last week, and the week before - every week. By the end of a 12 week series my girls could, with very little prompting, tell me generally what each lesson was about and some of the main points. Why? Because we reviewed.
I also previewed each lesson. Give the girls an idea of what was coming up next week, and sometimes two weeks ahead. Give them the "big picture." Maybe in a few years they won't be able to remember each of the lessons, but if they remember the "big picture," you did your job right.
By the end of the series, they should have a small hit on each lesson at least 20 times.
Repetition really is the key to learning. Go figure!
3. Ask Questions
Normally it is the students who ask the questions, but turn the tables and ask them the questions. I always tell my kids if they want to talk during the lesson, they have to answer questions. That is their chance to talk and share their ideas or opinions.
So instead of me, sharing what I think about the Bible lesson, I started asking the girls what they thought. This took a long time to catch on (like five or six weeks). There were plenty of weeks that we just sat there, stared at each other, and waited for someone to answer my question. But by the end, they were accustomed to it and dare I say... Eager to answer.
The class became interactive. No longer did they have a "glazed over" look. They were prepared to answer a question, read a verse, or offer a comment.
Ask questions. Don't give up. Wait quietly and stare them down.
4. Be Flexible
When you start asking questions and ideas start flowing freely, don't stress out...when THEY start asking YOU questions. And trust me, it will happen.
(Be prepared to be asked questions that you don't know the answer to. Write the question down, get the answer, and personally answer it the following week. Not only will they be thrilled to have the answer. The class will respect the fact that you remembered, and the individual who asked will feel special knowing that you specifically answered their question.)
5. Be Animated & Spontaneous
You might have the most amazing lesson in the world, but if you aren't animated, they aren't listening. Be excited! Let them know you are excited. Have voice inflection. Use your hands and your body to teach the lesson.
Surprise the girls everyone once in a while. This will keep them interested. Sometimes I would bring a batch of cupcakes (like once very six weeks). Sometimes we would spend a large amount of time praying. To keep the class interested (in a world that is constantly vying for their attention), do things that keep them on their toes.
6. Have Rules
My rules were always really basic:
- Be to class on time, because we are starting with or without you. My hope was that the girls would be so uncomfortable entering the room late that they would make the effort to be on time walking from the youth room to our Sunday school area. It took time, but it worked.
- Bring your Bible. I got the girls into the habit of reading as much Scripture during class as possible. That meant that I incorporated a substantial amount of verses into the lesson (the Bible is more powerful than anything I have to say anyway). Then I had the girls read those verses. We went around the room. I picked them out at random. Some volunteered. But the girls were involved, they needed their Bible, and they were getting very familiar with God's Word. That's the goal.
The point of your class is to bring glory to God, to teach the girls truths from the Bible, and to grow in Christ. These days that doesn't happen by lecture alone. We have to keep them involved. Our world is too interactive to teach any other way. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!
~Kay
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