How to Teach a Better Bible Class: Know the Lesson by Josh Hardin

The best way for a teacher to conduct a good Bible class is to study the lesson before trying to teach it. This sounds obvious, and most teachers will say, “Sure, I know that.” But many teachers still neglect to spend enough time in study before the class session. Weekly schedules are hectic. Our brains just want to shut down and rest after a day at work. Saturdays are filled with odd jobs to do around the house. Sunday sneaks up and the lesson still has not been studied. Any teacher who has run out of time and thought, “I know enough. I’ll just wing it,” knows what that experience is like. The class is rarely helpful and is often frustrating for both students and teachers. Those are the Sunday mornings when students fight to stay awake because it is obvious the teacher is not sure what to say or where the lesson is going.

The good news is that it really does not take long to prepare for a Bible lesson. The hardest part is the decision to start. A total of two hours of study time the week before will be enough. It can be thirty minutes a night, or an hour Friday and Saturday. It is also easier to study if a few points are kept in mind.

• Decide upon the ONE MAIN POINT you want to get across.
• Think about what the students need to think about in order to learn.
• Think about possible questions the students might ask.
• Write down passages of scripture that relate to the topic. Even if you are teaching from a book of lessons, try to find passages that the book does not give. It will help you understand the lesson and be more prepared to teach.

Many of these things can be done on the way to and from work. Think through the main points of the lesson, what needs to be said, and what the Bible says about the topic or passage. Think about how you, the teacher, came to understand the lesson and if there are questions you had or still have. This type of preparation takes up little time, helps students learn and stay interested, and gets easier with practice.

Preparation not only makes a Bible class more interesting and thoughtful, but it is also pleasing to God. Instructing others about the truth of the Bible is a serious matter. Teachers have a responsibility to God to give their very best for Him. In Malachi 1, God tells the people He is displeased with their offerings because they are second-rate. “Try offering them to your governor!” (verse 8). A boss or job supervisor would not be pleased with a worker who came to work unprepared, overdue on deadlines, or unfamiliar with what had to be done. Not only is it helpful for a teacher to be prepared, it is also a duty to give the very best effort to God.