Lesson Prep & Structure | Train Bible Teachers Blog

FAQ about Lesson Preparation

Posted on March 5, 2021 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

FAQ about Bible Lesson Preparation

Bible lesson preparation takes time and effort. Let’s be careful we’re not just making excuses in finding reasons why we don’t need to prepare.

Questions Sometimes Asked about Bible Lesson Preparation

Why do I need to study Scripture when preparing a Bible lesson since the curriculum does it for me?

First and foremost, it is God’s Word that is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17), not the curriculum. We need to know what HE says, not just what the curriculum writer thinks. Sometimes the curriculum isn’t quite accurate but how will we know if we don’t study the Scripture passage? God holds us personally accountable for our teaching (James 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:15). We can’t hide behind the curriculum.

Second, the curriculum writers don’t know our students or our specific setting. They write for the general age grouping. We need to know the lesson well enough to determine how to adapt it to our particular students and setting.

Third, sometimes students ask questions that aren’t answered in the curriculum. Perhaps if we took time to study Scripture ourselves, we would be better prepared to answer those questions.

More Resources to Help with Lesson Preparation:

Tweaking the Curriculum

Posted on November 10, 2017 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

A previous post questioned the validity of always blaming curriculum when teaching doesn’t go well. Sometimes lessons could go better by simply making some adjustments — tweaking the curriculum.

What Tweaking the Curriculum Might Mean

Sometimes tweaking will simply take changing illustrations within the introduction or application to make it more relevant to your particular students but it could mean redoing the entire section.

Sometimes tweaking will involve using guiding questions to fill in the gaps, add to, or clarify what the curriculum provides to ensure your students understand based on their level of Bible literacy.

Sometimes tweaking will mean making adjustments to methodology but it could require looking at completely different Bible teaching methods based on the abilities or interests of your students.

On occasion it might be necessary to lay aside the entire lesson plan and write your own Bible lesson. However, in most cases, you should still use the same topic or key passage. One of the purposes of using curriculum is so over the course of time, people receive a well-rounded understanding of Scripture. The scope and sequence chart used by curriculum companies maps out that plan. This is particularly essential for children’s classes.

Questions to Help Determine if Tweaks are Needed

Does the introduction need to be tweaked to make it more relevant to your students’ interests?
Do methods or visuals need to be tweaked to make them more interesting to your students or to better fit your facilities or time schedule?
Do you need to add more depth or detail to the lesson because your students already know the truths being presented?
Do you need to bring it down to your students’ level by focusing in on only the general concepts being presented?
Does the application need to be tweaked to make it more relevant to your students’ life experiences?

If you skip or add activities be careful not to lose the flow of the lesson. Watch for transitions and bridge any gaps your adjustment may leave.

Teacher Training Resource: When You Need to Adjust the Curriculum Worksheet

Lesson Prep: Accountability Needed

Posted on July 28, 2017 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

Accountability in Bible Lesson Preparation — (Click to enlarge image in Pinterest & repin.)

With an awareness of the uniqueness of the Text we teach, teachers should make an appraisal of their Bible lesson preparation to ensure they’re teaching “as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed” (2 Tim. 2:15). They’re handling the authoritative, life-changing Word of God! No wonder God says “we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1).

Questions than Remind Bible Teachers of their Accountability in their Lesson Preparation

Respond to the following questions with yes, no, or sometimes. Teachers who truly understand the accountability that comes with teaching God’s Word will want to turn all responses to ‘yes’.

Do you invest the time and effort that the Bible deserves rather than let what’s convenient or comfortable dictate how you prepare?

Worksheet: Bible Lesson Preparation

Can you honestly say you “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15)?

Do you manage your time well in lesson preparation, in the classroom, and in follow-up?

Worksheet: Time Management for Teachers

Lesson Prep: Appraisal Needed

Posted on July 21, 2017 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

Bible Lesson Preparation Require Appraisal — (Click to enlarge image in Pinterest & repin.)

Assuming you believe in the unique Text you teach as the authoritative, life-changing Word of God, then it’s time for appraisal of how you prepare your Bible lessons. Teachers need to make sure in their lesson preparation that they “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) so it lines up with its intended purpose. With adequate preparation comes the potential for accurately and effectively presenting the lesson in ways that change lives.

Questions for Appraisal of your Bible Lesson Preparation

Respond to the following questions with yes, no, or sometimes. Follow the links provided or order the resources listed to help move closer to ‘yes’ responses. An appraisal has little benefit if steps aren’t taken to improve.