how to prepare a lesson for church

This is the advice he gave

people to prepare to hear

his teachings, and it's the

same advice he gives to

people prepare to help

others hear his teachings.

This is the advice he gave

people to prepare to hear

his teachings, and it's the

same advice he gives to

people prepare to help

others hear his teachings.

Know the

lesson well

enough that

you can

deliver it with

most of your

focus on the

participants,

rather than

your manual.

Sometimes we

see the lesson

preparation as a

necessary evil,

but we can

transform our

teaching practice

if we invite

ourselves to find

joy in the

preparation itself.

Here’s the

secret:

If you’re doing

it right, your

entire life is

preparation.

“There are three things which must

guide all teachers: First, get into the

subject … ; second, get that subject

into you; third, try to lead [those you

teach] to get the subject into them—

not pouring it into them, but leading

them to see what you see, to know

what you know, to feel what you

feel” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 424).

“There are three things which must

guide all teachers: First, get into the

subject … ; second, get that subject

into you; third, try to lead [those you

teach] to get the subject into them—

not pouring it into them, but leading

them to see what you see, to know

what you know, to feel what you

feel” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 424).

“There are three things which must

guide all teachers: First, get into the

subject … ; second, get that subject

into you; third, try to lead [those you

teach] to get the subject into them—

not pouring it into them, but leading

them to see what you see, to know

what you know, to feel what you

feel” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 424).

“There are three things which must

guide all teachers: First, get into the

subject … ; second, get that subject

into you; third, try to lead [those you

teach] to get the subject into them—

not pouring it into them, but leading

them to see what you see, to know

what you know, to feel what you

feel” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 424).

“There are three things which must

guide all teachers: First, get into the

subject … ; second, get that subject

into you; third, try to lead [those you

teach] to get the subject into them—

not pouring it into them, but leading

them to see what you see, to know

what you know, to feel what you

feel” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 424).

So how

do you

actually

prepare

a lesson?

Let's break these

steps down:

Connecting learners to the lesson

on multiple levels – spiritually,

emotionally, and cognitively –

is essential to creating a lesson

that is more than just a way to

spend 45 minutes on a Sunday.

Identify the key emotion elicited by

the principles of the lesson, and

make sure that your lesson is true to

that emotion.

Remember: each and every

teaching experience should

result in an increase in

testimony, an emotional

connection to the doctrine,

and an action to take in

one’s life.

In the movie "Searching for Bobby

Fischer," the Ben Kingsley character,

the chess teacher, tells his young

student Josh, "Don't move until you

see it."

In one memorable scene, he literally

sweeps all of the pieces off of the

chess board in order to help Josh see

the the plan in his mind before he

make a single move.

This same

principle applies

in teaching.

Don't move until

you see it.

You can't teach

everything,

so you have to

pick the most

important things

to be taught.

Identify the principles of

power within the lesson for

your learners in that moment.

The one that’s really got the

power to light them up.

Remember: you are entitled to

inspiration from the Spirit, who has

a vested interest in gospel teaching.

Use it.

The methods we’re going to

use are the last step in the

process, even though they’re

often what we think of first.

Imagine that

resources and

methods are a

color wheel.

You have primary

resources, like

primary colors,

that you should

use as your core

preparation

materials.

These are the scriptures and

Church manuals and materials.

Secondary resources are those

available from trusted church

leaders and sources (such as BYU

Education week pictured here).

Tertiary resources

are those created

by other teachers

or found outside of

the Church, and

they should be

accent colors only,

never the focus.

As you prepare, make sure the

greatest portion of your study

time is spent in primary

resource study. This will

ensure that the Spirit can be

the true teacher.

Don’t get stuck in a method

rut. Your class should not be

able to predict your methods.

Don’t stop here.

Variety increases

interest, is good

pedagogy and adds

spice to your lessons.

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The same is true of teachers.

Effective teachers use effective questions that lead learners to truth.

They allow participants to answer

open-ended questions with a

variety of answer possibilities,

rather than simply

who/what/where/when closed-

ended questions with one right

answer.

They allow participants to answer

open-ended questions with a

variety of answer possibilities,

rather than simply

who/what/where/when closed-

ended questions with one right

answer.

Avoid using questions to show

off your own knowledge.

Class is not a selfie.