how to prepare a lesson for church
TRANSCRIPT
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.
