“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Congratulations! As a teacher, you’re serving in a position of honor. You’ve been called—chosen—and with your curriculum in hand, you’re ready to go. Whether this is your first time teaching Sunday School or you are a veteran, you may find a few butterflies in your stomach. That’s OK…here are a few tips to banish those butterflies.
• Pray. Ask God to calm your nerves and use you to help children grow closer to him.
• Prepare early. Read the lesson early in the week. Gather supplies before Saturday night if you’re teaching on Sunday. Run through the lesson several times—aloud. In front of a mirror, if that’s helpful.
• Ask questions. Check to see that the supplies you’re assuming are in the room are really there. Make sure they work. Talk to someone if you have questions about policies or procedures.
• Arrive early. This gives you time to make preparations that can only be made at the last minute. Plus, you can make sure the room is as you expect it.
• Review guidelines and expectations. If you’re a new teacher, take time to establish guidelines and expectations. Setting two or three clear rules for your classroom will save you from conflict later.
• Focus on relationships. Learn names. Tell kids about yourself. Model the relaxed friendship you want children to have with each other.Any lesson is improved when you’ve prepared, when you’ve prayed, and when you’ve practiced!
Take this training deeper as you think over these questions:
• What would a perfect day of teaching look like?
• What do you need to do to feel prepared and confident when teaching?
• If you were a child in your class, what would you expect from your teacher?
Spend a few minues with God:
Lord, my prayer for the next lesson I teach is…
The memories I want the children in my class to have are…
Lord, bless me with confidence as I plan for and deliver my next lesson. Help me think of everything I need to make this next lesson effective. I want to be a light to your children! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lastly...
Set aside time in your calendar to prepare for your next lesson at least five days before you present it. If you develop this habit, you’ll find more time to tweak the lesson and ask any questions you have well in advance. The peace of mind is worth it!
Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. www.group.com
