Would you like to learn how to teach kids the Bible that captures their attention? A teacher that kids look forward to hearing? A teacher that kids can’t wait to learn from?
You can be.
Here are 10 tips about how to teach kids the Bible that can help you be a great kids’ Bible teacher.
- Don’t monologue for more than 5 minutes at a time. It is vital that you honor kids’ attention spans. The rule of thumb is you have 1 minute per the child’s age….maxing out at 5 minutes.
If you will stay inside this guideline, kids will love coming to your Sunday school class. Here’s an example of a 20 minute lesson that will grab kids’ attention and hold it.
- 4 minutes – monologue teaching
- 4 minutes – activity about lesson and dialogue discussion
- 4 minutes – monologue teaching
- 4 minutes – game about lesson
- 4 minutes – monologue teaching
Your goal should be to have just as much dialogue as monologue in your lesson.
2. Vary your voice decibel. Don’t stay on the same level or you will sound like a robot droning on and on. Use whisper level, regular talking level and exciting level.
Here’s an example of how to teach kids the Bible with monologue.
David heard the Philistine come out and challenge someone to come fight him (regular voice). His heart began to pound as he felt God telling him to go and fight Goliath (whisper voice). David began to swing his sling around and around and around. And then at just the right time, he let the rock fly and God guided it right into the head of Goliath. Boom. Down Goliath went (excited, loud voice).
3. Use object lessons. Kids are visual. Don’t just tell them about an item. Show them the item while you are talking about it. And if you can’t locate a physical item, then at least put a picture of it on the screen.
Here’s an example of how to teach kids the Bible with visual lessons.
You are telling the story about Moses’ rod becoming a snake. Have a wooden walking stick and a fake rubber snake to show the kids while you are talking.
4. Tell stories. This tip comes straight from the greatest teacher of all time – Jesus. Jesus used parables (stories) when He taught. There is something about a story that grabs kids’ attention. Become a good storyteller and you will become someone kids love to listen to.
5. Involve the kids in the lesson. Kids love to get up and move. Bring them into your story.
Here’s an example of how to teach kids the Bible with involvement.
You are telling the story of Peter sinking when he tried to walk on the water to Jesus. Make a boat by grabbing a table and turning it over. Have some kids sit on it and pretend they are riding in the boat. Have other kids make sound effects of the wind blowing, water splashing, etc. Have someone play the part of Jesus. Have someone play the part of Peter. You get the gist.
6. Use video clips as illustrations.
Here’s an example. You are teaching the kids about faith. Show the clip from Indiana Jones’ Last Crusade where Harrison Ford has to step out in faith onto the invisible bridge. Follow up with some questions and discussion about how that is like trusting Jesus.
