THE Key to Effective Teaching

What makes a lesson effective?  Certainly there are many factors: preparation, planning, adding “wow” effects to hold the attention of the kids and, most definitely, prayer.  Sometimes it seems overwhelming–the task of preparing an effective lesson that will not only connect with the minds of the children, but will reach into their hearts. 

I’ve found over the years that there is one key to effective teaching that is so easy to overlook, but so vital in the preparation process.  One key, I tell the junior leadership team, the other teachers and sometimes, admittedly, I struggle to remember myself: The key to effective teaching is to let God teach the lessons to you first. 

Many years ago I was alone one afternoon in the kids church, studying and preparing for an upcoming lesson.  I was to tell the story at the end, reinforcing the lesson by using the characters and events to bring the Bible truths home for the kids.  I began my preparation by reading the story of a little girl whose father asked her to give up the fake pearls she loved so much.  She didn’t understand, and didn’t want to give up her pearls.  Finally, after several days, she gave her pearls to her father, only to find that he had a real strand of pearls waiting for her in return. 

I’ll admit that I felt a little silly sitting there by myself, with tears streaming down my face, while studying a kids story.  But God was speaking to me through that story, as there was something in my life that I needed to give up to Him at that moment so that He might give me what He had for me in return. 

And God was teaching me another important lesson: If I’m going to teach the kids something, I need to allow Him to teach me first.  I need to be open to what He is speaking to me through the lesson.  Am I doing a series on faith?  How’s my faith level lately?  When I’m looking over those notes on obedience, I need to reevaluate my own obedience to God.  If the kids need to learn about their thought life, I need to learn to live out those lessons in my own life. 

The Apostle Paul was so great at not only preaching, but being an example to those he served.  In 1 Corinthians 11:1 he wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 

We must be able to tell the kids we teach, “Hey, if you don’t get what I’m saying, if the lessons don’t make sense to you, if these abstract concepts just aren’t connecting with your concrete thinking, it’s okay.  Just do what I do, live how I live, act how I act, and follow my example.  Because I’ve allowed God to teach these lessons to me first, and I’m going to live them out loud for you.”

Know Your Weapon (skit)

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

Props: “devil” character costume, large Bible

Helper 1: Are you ready for the battle?

Helper 2: What battle?

Helper 1: Against our enemy…

Helper 2: We have an enemy?

Helper 1: Of course we have an enemy!  Where have you been?  Our enemy, the devil, is always trying to attack us.  He tries to contaminate our heart, mess with our mind, stop us from doing what’s right and pull us away from God.

Helper 2: Oh, maybe that’s why I’ve felt so beat up lately.

Helper 1: The enemy is out to get us and we have to defend ourselves by wearing the full armor of God.  Not only that, but we have to attack him with our sword.

Helper 2: Oooh!  We get to play with swords.

Helper 1: No, it’s not a sword that you can see, and it’s no game.  We’re not playing; we’re at war!  Our sword is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.  You know, the Bible!  (Hands helper 2 a large Bible).

Helper 2: (Looking over Bible).  It doesn’t look like much of a weapon to me, but I guess it’ll do in a pinch. 

Helper 1: I don’t think you understand how powerful the Sword of the Spirit is.  But you’re about to find out.  Here comes the enemy now. 

(“Satan” character enters and makes his way toward Helper 2).

Helper 2: Leave this to me.  I’ll fight the enemy off with my new, uh…“sword.”

Helper1: I don’t think you know what you’re…

Helper 2: I’ll hit him with the Bible!  (Hits the devil character.  Devil is not hurt and goes after helper 2).

Helper 1: It doesn’t work like that!

Helper 2: I’ll throw the Bible at him and hit him in the head. (Starts to throw Bible and is stopped by the devil character’s attacks.  Helper 2 ends up on the floor.)  

Helper 1: That’s not the way you use the Sword of the Spirit!

Helper 2:  Alright, then, Mr. Smarty Pants!  How do you suggest we defeat the enemy?

Helper 1: Speak the Word!  Obey the Bible!  Do what it says!  Live by it!

Helper 2: You can’t just talk to the enemy; you have to fight him!

(The devil character approaches Helper 1 to attack him). 

Helper 1:  God’s power in me is greater than the power of the enemy!

(The devil character cowers , then starts to attack again). 

Helper 1: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 

(The devil character cowers again, tries one more time to attack). 

Helper 1: It is the Lord who gives me victory over my enemies.  He has made me more than a winner! 

(Devil character runs away). 

Helper 2: Wow, it really does work! 

Helper1: God’s Word is powerful!  When you know the Bible, obey it and use it against the enemy, he has to run away!  (Starts to run after devil).  Get back here devil!  I’m gonna use the Word to put a bruisin’ on you! 

Helper 2: Yeah!

(Both exit).

Admit It When You are Wrong

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (RSV)

Props: pieces of broken glass in a dustpan, paper bag

Have helpers act out a scene of accidentally breaking a vase.

There will be times in your life when you make mistakes and are wrong about things. One of the most courageous things you can do is admit you are wrong. Courage is facing trouble without running away. (Show pieces of glass in dustpan). Look at this broken vase. What would you do if you had just broken the vase and your mom would be home in 5 minutes? You could hide the pieces in a paper bag and throw them away. (Show paper bag). You could blame it on the cat or dog or you brother or sister. Courage would be to face your mom and tell her the truth without hiding anything. Any wimp can hide. Any wimp can lie. It takes someone of real courage to admit the truth and face the trouble without running away. Learn to be a boy or girl of courage. Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re wrong and say you are sorry.

Welcome to Called to Kids

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