Written by: CampUs4
1/20/2010 2:01 PM

 “But I’ve Never Taught a Bible Class Before”

by Jenni Langston

Almost every church, large or small, struggles with finding teachers for children’s classes. College students can help fill this gap.

A lot of people are intimidated by the thought of being in a room alone with more than two or three children. Some people think that they have to be biblical scholars to teach Bible classes. Others feel like they just do not know enough about teaching to do a good job. 

Consider:  Most lessons are written knowing that Bible class teachers are pressed for time and may not be as versed in scripture as they would like to be. Lesson writers also know that you may not be a full-time teacher at your day job. Most lessons used in the modern church classroom come with a full map of what to do and what to say. If it does not, there are people who know and would be willing to help you learn.

Future teachers should seek out a teacher whom the learners in your congregation seem to like. Ask that teacher if you could come in and watch him or her teach one day. See what that teacher does that you could use in a class you might teach.

Find a teacher who will mentor you and would be willing to let you be an assistant for a quarter. Especially in the younger age groups, an extra pair of hands is always welcome. Ask to co-teach. Make a plan with your mentor to start the quarter just reading the lesson, or leading an activity. Work your way up to where you are the class’s teacher and your mentor is your assistant for the last couple of classes. Ask your mentor to offer suggestions on what might improve your teaching style. 

Recruit a friend to teach with you. With a friend to share the work, your teaching experience will more likely be an enjoyable one that you will want to repeat.

There are four basic age groups in children’s Bible classes. Each age group has its own learning style and its own set of skills for students to master. Knowing what these are may help you decide which age group is best for you to begin teaching.

Beginners:  Cradle roll through three years of age compose this group. As babies begin to become aware of the world around them, Bible class teachers help them discover that God made everything they see, hear, and touch. Most importantly cradle roll needs to know that God made them and that he made the Bible. 

Two and three year olds are becoming more socially aware. They are playing in groups and learning how to treat other people with kindness and respect. Most lessons for these classes focus on the fruits of the spirit, respecting God and parents, and how to behave in church and with others.

Sponges:  This group is made up of four year olds through second graders. This group is starting to understand how the world around them works. They are full of questions and eager to learn. These learners love stories. They drink them in like sponges because they are non-readers or early readers. 

Repetition is the key with this group. These children, because they are non-readers or early readers, are excellent at memorization. Memory verses and learning the books of the Bible are important parts of their training. 

Thinkers:  Third through seventh graders are starting to develop their higher thinking skills. While games and reinforcement activities are important to keeping this group engaged in learning, asking application questions will spark some great conversations. This is also the group with which most churches begin to discuss baptism. 

Doers:  Eighth grade through high school students are still learning to put scripture into practice, but in more practical ways. Service projects, mission trips and other activities make this group’s study of scripture more alive for them.

There is no better investment in your own faith than to share what you believe with a child. You will be amazed at how much you learn by teaching a Bible class of young, growing souls. You will be making an investment in your learners’ souls, as well as your own.

Jenni Langston is a graduate of Abilene Christian University with a master’s degree in missions. She lives in West Tennessee with her husband, Rick, and their three children. She is a full-time mom and volunteers at her local congregation, teaching women’s classes and overseeing the Missions Classroom. Jenni helped write the two-year, rotating curriculum that is currently used in her church’s children’s classrooms.

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