1. Trust in God

Take a deep breath and remind yourself that each of these children is on a journey of faith toward God. Something special and eternal is going on between God and them. God is doing the work in their heart, and you are His tool to help the child listen to His words.

Teach the best you can, but keep the focus on God. If you focus on yourself and strive to be some sort of “perfect teacher,” you can lose focus on both God and the children. Your stress over this can make the classroom environment tense or rigid.

Get to know the children and try to view them like God does. This will lead you to share God’s Word in ways that are intentional, stimulating and joyful.

2. Obey God

Children will listen to your words, but they will also watch your life and model after it. What kind of view of God will a child have if he or she hears you talk about God but sees you live a life that is immoral, insensitive, judgemental or apathetic?

3. Pray

Open your heart to God and ask Him to use you for His glory. Pray for the children in your group by name.

4. Stay True to Scripture

Select the Bible Story you will be teaching. Click here for a List of Bible Stories and Suggested Themes.

Read the Scripture and Background Information. Do any further study as needed.  Outline the story and become very familiar with it. If you don’t believe what you are teaching, then the children won’t either. Check yourself- don’t get so excited about games, crafts or themes that you stray away from what God is saying in His Word.

5. Focus

Don’t try to teach everything you know in one lesson. You will have to be selective about the amount of information that you share, or you will overwhelm your students.

When choosing what to focus on, consider what point(s) are most important to the faith development of the children in your group.  In this lesson, what is your goal for them to know, believe and be able to do?  Your lesson plan should not just be a random collection of “busy activities,” but should help the children reach the goals you have for them in this specific period of time.

6. Plan Ahead

Use the suggested lesson plan outline below (or click here for a printable blank lesson planner) to prepare your lesson. I change the order and adapt things to the setting and ages of the children I am teaching, but I almost always have all of the elements listed in the planner.

As you plan what will happen in your lesson, you can use these Teaching Ideas or your own.

Consider what the learning experience will be like from the children’s perspective. Sometimes, I even sit on the floor and look at the classroom from the height of my students so I can see things from their perspective. As a result, I sometimes change the way I use visual aids or display bulletin boards or posters.

Gather all the supplies you need and do any necessary preparation, like photocopying or pre-cutting parts of the craft. When you gather supplies, consider the abilities and safety of the children (scissors that fit little hands, scissors specifically for left-handed children, glue that is not dried out, etc.). If possible, set up the space you’ll be teaching in before the day of your lesson.

7. Create a Learning Environment

The most important factor in teaching children is that their learning space is safe, pleasant, and free from distractions as much as possible. Consider the children’s age level and learning needs as you create or arrange a space.

If you have a room for teaching, ensure it is clean and tidy. Room decorations should help the children focus on what is being taught and not be distracting. If you want the children to move around for a game or activity, arrange furniture accordingly.

• Boundaries:
  Children are less anxious if they clearly understand what the teacher expects. Simply defining a “story area” and a “free play area” immediately implies how children should behave in each.  A blanket spread on the floor or ground invites children to gather and sit in one place as the teacher speaks.
• Temporary Spaces:
  If teaching in a space such as a home, library, rented hall, or garage, try to minimise distractions. Seating should face away from doorways or windows where children can see people walking by. Perhaps you could create a temporary “wall” between areas by placing a blanket over some chairs. Encourage the children to take ownership of the room by inviting them to help you problem-solve.  How would THEY arrange the space to minimise distractions?
• Large Spaces:
  Teaching in a large space like a gym or outside a park can also be challenging. The open space can be great for games or activities, but most of your meeting time will probably be spent gathering together in one space. The teaching space can be defined by laying out a rope or even a garden hose to create a large circle where everyone gathers.  If possible, plan to gather the children near a fence or wall, so you have at least one clear boundary.

8. Really Be There

The time you have with children is precious, so focus your thoughts and energies on sharing God’s Word with them in this moment. Leave your burdens and problems with God (outside the classroom and class time) so you can be open to the needs of the children in your group.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the lesson begins so you can pray again and make any last-minute preparations. If you are calm and collected when the children arrive, this sets the tone for the entire lesson. Greet each child with a warm smile and help them feel welcomed.

9. Step Out in Faith

Even after many years as a teacher, I still get nervous sometimes. It might be a slip in confidence or perhaps I’m worried I might not relate to the children. I can say to you what I say to myself: “Jesus loves these children and I love these children. Their souls are more important than my inadequacies. I can do anything if God is with me.”

10. Expect to Improve

Every time you teach, you will also learn. Sometimes, you will learn through making mistakes. That is okay. When they know you care about them, children are very forgiving and patient.

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