If you are a Sunday school teacher you may be struggling with how much you need to prepare each week. You may also be wondering how to vary the lessons and to make them more interesting. Another problem area may be encouraging class participation. The methods that you will use vary widely if you are teaching fifteen-year-olds versus Gospel Doctrine. The church does recommend that you stick to church published materials, and that you stay as close to the lesson topics as possible. Here are five tips for making your Sunday school lessons more effective.
1) Prepare in advance. If you complete the reading and look over the lesson the week before you teach you will have time to think about experiences to share, and may find new insights or examples in your life. You will have extra time to research Ensign articles and other church resources for your lessons.
2) Pray before you begin to prepare each lesson. This will bring the spirit in. It may help you gain a greater understanding of what you are teaching, which you can pass on to your students. It can also guide you to cover certain topics in the lesson that your students may need to learn.
3) Use “Teaching: No Greater Call” for ideas on games or activities to add variety to your lessons. There is a section in the manual about each age group that you teach, and how to address their needs. Do not forget to use visual aids and videos when appropriate.
4) If you are teaching adults you should find ways to foster discussion. Some teachers bring candy to toss to people who make comments. Others ask open-ended questions. It is okay to be comfortable with silence. If you wait long enough someone is bound to reply to a question. Be careful to avoid asking questions where too much personal information is required in the response (especially regarding past transgressions).
5) If you are teaching youth, the most difficult, and the most important thing is to bring each lesson to their level. It is important for them to realize that the scriptures apply directly to their lives. You should look for ways to illustrate this point in every lesson.
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