How can teachers make the shorter Sunday lessons truly count?
LDS Living recently created a video with our favorite tips for preparing and teaching quicker classes. We focused on five ways to help everyone get the most out of a 25-minute lesson. Watch the video now and find a summary of the points below.
1. Zero In on 1 or 2 Points
With the reduced window for teaching, you’ll only need to focus on one or two points from the lesson material. Think about your class’s needs and identify themes or principles that will help them most.
From there, you can build the rest of your lesson plan.
2. Prep with Conference Talks
To support your lesson prep, listen to general conference talks leading up to the lesson. This approach helps you connect the words of modern prophets to the scriptures.
Linking stories from Come, Follow Me to everyday stories in your lessons can invite your class to draw scriptural parallels and engage even more with the principles.
3. Brainstorm Questions
Next, list out specific, meaningful questions you could ask your class. Make sure your questions are open-ended to foster discussion. You might even send out the questions in advance to give people extra time to ponder.
Here are a few other ideas for brainstorming focused questions:
- Use “how” and “why” questions
- Talk about your answer and experiences first
- Invite people to share their testimonies and stories
- Include Christ-centered prompts
- Draft more questions than you need
4. Jump Right In
To keep lessons to just 25 minutes, keep your ice-breakers short.
Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman invites teachers to open their scriptures—and encourage their class to open theirs—within the first five minutes of class.
“This is something we’ve been doing as a council and as a presidency, and we have noticed some remarkable things, she shared. “The Spirit comes sooner, and it is stronger, our discussions are more meaningful, and we are learning more. But the very best [outcome] is our friendships are being strengthened.”
5. Connect Everything to Christ
Finally, start and conclude every lesson by testifying of Christ. As you organize your lesson flow, think about how the principles relate to the Savior’s life, example, and role in our lives.
More articles for you:
▶ Sister Browning: 2 ways to teach a quality 25-minute lesson
▶ The question Elder Bednar invites you to start asking after church
▶ Worried about shorter Sunday classes? Try exercising ‘generous authority’
