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.”