Good questions require learners to think. Consequently, a learner’s best answer is going to come after a bit of contemplation. Give your learners more time to think about key questions in your lessons by giving them the questions ahead of time. (more…)

When most people go swimming, they don’t just run to the side of the pool and jump in—although some do. I personally question the sanity of those who jump right in. I, like most people, want to take time to acclimate to pool water before I get all the way into it. In fact, I sometimes take as long as ten minutes to fully submerge myself in particularly cold pools. Of course the insane people who jumped right in are thrashing around and splashing the “freezing” water all over me. But, hey, they’re insane. They can’t help it!

The next time you teach a lesson, imagine that all of your learners are standing on the edge of a swimming pool. Your job is to get them all in the pool and acclimated to the water. You could reach up and grab their hands and pull them all into the pool. That’s fun to imagine! Or you could direct them to go to the shallow end of the pool and slowly wade into the water until they are acclimated enough to submerge themselves. (more…)

Will you help with a dilemma? These Sunday School and Bible study materials are desperately needed in partnering ministries around the world, but they will be recycled. Why? Read more.

While in seminary, I took a job as a painter. For the most part, I painted apartments. My first day on the job wasn’t too encouraging. It took me what seemed like forever to finish the job. I spent a lot of time that day cleaning the things I painted that weren’t supposed to be painted—the carpet, for example! (more…)

Help your learners practice what they are learning by conducting class projects. (more…)

Despite the incredible benefits of memorizing Scripture, most believers do not memorize Scripture without being challenged to do so. Emphasize Scripture memory in your class sessions. (more…)

The goal of effective teaching is to impact lives, not to cover as much material as possible. Reviewing key truths will help your teaching make a difference. (more…)

Teaching an entire lesson in one session is sometimes impossible. This can lead to an abrupt end to a lesson. (more…)

Maps are invaluable teaching tools, especially when teaching narrative portions of the Bible. Your learners will be able to keep track of the movements of key characters and will more readily recall the lesson. (more…)

Giving learners an opportunity to discuss Biblical truths is important. However, long discussions can actually diminish the impact of your lessons. (more…)