10 Sunday Morning Questions for the Teacher
It is Sunday morning. The morning light shining through your window awakens you from a sound sleep. Lying there, you begin think of the activities of the day: being with God’s people at church, relaxing with the family afterwards, and teaching your class.
You review a mental checklist of questions and it occurs to you that thousands of awakening teachers are asking the same questions.
Have I thoroughly prepared the lesson in the curriculum?
Have you ever been in a Sunday School class in which the teacher seemed to be reading the curriculum for the first time? How did you like the class? Preparation for teaching is never optional.
Here is a brief checklist to help you measure how well you know your curriculum
- Can I explain the goals for the quarter and for today’s lesson?
- Am I thoroughly acquainted with today’s Bible text?
- Am I familiar with the main points in the lesson?
- Have I selected the teaching activities to be used?
- Have I prepared the handouts and resources?
Am I spiritually prepared?
Teaching in Sunday School is an inherently spiritual effort with eternal impact. Ignoring spiritual preparation compromises the very purpose of teaching in the discipleship process.
Spiritual preparation includes reading and studying the biblical text, meditating on it, and praying about the lesson and its impact on the students.
Do I have all the resources I need?
Learning to use the resources in the lesson will help you make the lesson exciting and will engage the students so that more and better learning takes place. What resources will you use today? Do you need specific books or extra Bibles? How about construction paper, scissors, writing paper, or pencils? Will you need an overhead projector, a VCR, or cassette player? Do have extension cords and extra bulbs on hand? Set up equipment before class and conserve your class time for teaching.
Is the room prepared?
Your room can be a valuable teaching aid. How you arrange the chairs, use the chalkboard, and decorate the bulletin board and walls conveys important messages to the students. Writing a thought-provoking question on chalkboard or placing a picture on the door for the students to see as they enter the room can be a discussion starter. Is the room well ventilated and lighted? These considerations make your room a teaching asset.
Have I communicated adequately with my assistant or members of the teaching team?
Have you planned together? Does each team member clearly understand his or her responsibilities in the teaching plan? Make sure all team planning is done early in the week so all teachers and assistants are comfortable as they arrive Sunday morning.
Do I know my students?
The students are the focus of your efforts, so all your planning should lead toward helping them become what God wants them to be. How well do you know them? Are you familiar with their families and schools? Do you understand their unique abilities? Can you describe their relationship with Christ? Remember you are a shepherd to those in your class and you should treat them as Jesus would if He were in the room.
Am I prepared to welcome visitors?
Always plan for visitors. Have extra sets of student materials ready for newcomers. Get their names and addresses so you can follow up their visit with a card or phone call. Do everything you can to make your guests feel welcome.
Am I prepared to invite students to accept Christ?
Thousands of people, especially children, accept Christ each year in Sunday School classes. Therefore, teachers must be diligent in their efforts to guide students toward personal faith in Christ. Be sensitive to the needs of your students. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guiding you to make an appeal.
Will I be in my classroom early enough?
Teaching the Bible is a precious and eternal exercise that requires our best efforts in every area, To be done effectively, there must be preparation in the classroom. That can happen only when teachers arrive early enough to set up their classes, pray, and relax before the first student arrives.
What is my frame of mind?
Your frame of mind and attitude in the class are crucial to the success of the lesson. What will the students think and feel when they see you this morning? Will they see a clam, happy, friendly, and caring person? Or, will they see a nervous, moody curt person trying to gain enough composure to teach a lesson? Get up early enough to be relaxed and composed. Avoid arguments or conflicts that can upset your peace of mind. Seek the Lord to prepare both spirit and temperament.
Asking these questions each Sunday morning will help you improve all aspects of your teaching ministry.
