Who made grandparents, aunts, and uncles special?

LESSON PLANNING 101

Get the Big Picture

• Scan the lesson title and the objectives. • Read through the memory verse and the Bible story as it is printed in this book. • Read the Bible story and verse from your Bible.

Scan Your Activities

• Read through all the activities in a lesson. Notice the ones you like or that will work well with your class.

Pray about It

• Ask God to help you plan the lesson well. • Ask God to help you present the lesson well. • Ask God to use you to change lives.

Plan the Five Key Elements 1—Bible Story. This is the center of each lesson.

Choose how you will tell it. Will you use props? actions? role play? Make God’s Word fun and memorable. 2—Spiritual Response. How will you lead children in prayer and life application? 3—Memory Verse. How will you help children learn the verse and apply it to life? 4—Arrival Time. How will you get class off to a good start? Simpler is better. 5—Review Activities. How will you help children remember God’s Word and apply it to their lives? See the activity rules that follow.

Basic Activity Rules

1—The 10-Minute Rule: Each activity will take about 10 minutes. This estimate is based on one teacher and a class of 10 students. 2—The Spare Rule: Always have a spare activity in mind. This takes care of activities that are shorter than expected. It also takes care of activities that “bomb.” 3—The “First Things First” Rule: If you really like an activity or think it is important, make it the first activity after the Bible story. That way you don’t run out of time for it. 4—The Variety Counts Rule: Choose different types of activities. Try to include something for each child in your class, from the “sit-and-listen” child to the “wiggles-all-the-time” child to the “loves-to-talk” child. 5—The Quick-Kid Rule: Be prepared for the child who finishes first. Plan to let him start the next activity. Or plan a simple in-between activity such as free drawing.

Pack It Up

• By Saturday night have all your materials ready and in the car or by the door. • On Sunday, get to church early so you are ready when the children arrive.