Teaching can be very demanding. You have to be ready for anything at all, so your best defense is preparation. Preparation includes creating the lesson plan and learning it, bringing everything you need or may need, and most importantly, preparing yourself. Following is a checklist you can use to prepare a lesson.
1. Read the lesson. This does not mean read it at church that day, the Saturday before you teach or even the week before. Read the lesson at least two weeks ahead, and it's always best if you know what is coming up for the next month. That way you can start gathering ideas as they come to you. Read it lightly a month before, and thoroughly two Sundays before you teach it.
2. Pray. Pray before you read the lesson. Pray while you read it. Pray after you read it. Pray every time you work on it. Pray every day that you will discover the best ways to teach your students this lesson.
3. Write the name of the lesson and the purpose. Make an outline of the key points. These will help you stay on topic. You may want to write each point (the parts in bold) on a separate sheet of paper so you can write down your ideas.
4. Begin gathering ideas. Don't worry about whether or not they are good ideas. At this point you just want as many ideas to choose from as possible. If you have a teaching file, look in it to see what you have. If you keep your old church magazines-and you should-search them for ideas as well. Check out the books on your shelf for quotes from church leaders, or for additional stories if you need them.
5. One week before you teach, go over the list of ideas you have gathered. Work on one section at a time. Cross out any you feel are inappropriate or unnecessary. Mark the ones that are particularly appealing to you.
6. Read all the scriptures used or referred to in the lesson. Often, even in lessons for young children, the book suggests studying certain sections of scripture. Do so. You may want to write them out and put them in your file.
7. Begin selecting the lesson materials you want to use. Always give preference to those in the manual. Use caution in using other materials-it is best to only add materials from approved church sources.
8. If you want to use personal experiences, select them prayerfully. Practice telling them briefly and be sure you are following church guidelines in doing so. (See Teaching No Greater Call.) Do not tell stories that reveal serious sins or that tell secrets about others.
9. Learn to tell all the stories in your lesson. Decide the best way to present each one. Strive for variety. Be sure the stories are appropriate.
10. No later than three or four days before you teach, write the final lesson plan. Create an outline to use when you are teaching and practice using it to avoid reading from the manual.
11. Prepare visual aids, crafts and handouts.
12. Make a list of everything you want to take with you.
13. Pack your bag early and double-check. If you are teaching children, bring crayons and paper or other appropriate activities in case you finish early.
14. The day you are teaching, arrive early and try to relax. Have fun!
Stop Struggling, Start Teaching
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