Here’s another tip when it comes to asking kids questions. Yes and no questions won’t cut it. If you really want to see them engage in dialogue, then ask open-ended questions.
Don’t be a talking head. You’ll have a hard time getting them to listen.
They are not listening to your lesson because you’re not making it relevant to their life. God’s Word never changes. But how we present it must change so we can help children engage with it. Here’s an example.
Kids love video games. They spend hours trying to “get to the next level.” What if you used this to help them understand this verse?
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)
Connect this to trying to get to the next level in a video game. You don’t want to stay on the same level. You want to get to a new level. It’s the same with growing in your faith. We should strive to get to the next level in our relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading God’s Word, asking for His help, etc. Then encourage them to remember this each time they are playing a video game.
You start talking about video games…something very relevant to their life…and you will have their undivided attention.
They are not listening to your lesson because you’re not building a relationship with them. We’ve all heard this saying:
People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
When children know you care about them, they will listen to what you have to say. Build a relationship with them. Spend time before class talking with them and getting to know them. Call them by name. Look them in the eyes and and let them know you are so glad they came.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
