For Parents, Teachers and Leaders Who Want to Get Serious About Teaching Kids God’s Word!

 
Your Purpose: You want to have a consensus about where your children are in their growth walk with God. As a teacher wants to know if the students are learning what’s being taught, you also need to know what your children are being taught. You want to teach God’s Word while focusing on ways to create a lasting effect on your children. You don’t want to see your children ever forsake the church of God or His Word. You want God’s Word embedded upon their hearts and souls for life, to learn how to walk with God, and be faithful to Him. As you may know, that has been a problem for children and ministries everywhere and I believe you can do better at what you’re doing. 
 
This Handbook will serve as a type of curriculum on how to teach, what to do and what not to do and how to teach important topics such as; repentance before salvation, redemption, sanctification, and other important Biblical themes. This handbook will help you know and communicate the truths of scripture to kids of any age.
 

 
Addressing the Problem: Did you know that studies show that over 60% of kids raised within the church abandon the faith after high school? Over 40% of those who remain in the church don’t actually believe that Christianity is true. That is why it is so important to create good study habits, habits that are exciting, enlightening and even awe-inspiring. Isn’t that what God’s Word is? Let’s equip kids not just to learn about Bible characters and memorization, let’s work to engage them and learn to read scripture and think for themselves about Biblical principles and even to think critically and understand why God’s Word and Christianity are true.
 
Setting Expectations: We need to teach our kids that we expect them to; love God, follow Jesus, obey God’s Word, and serve Him. If we don’t expect results from them, even hold them accountable, they will create their own expectations or adapt to the expectations of the world.

 
Handbook Principals:
Principal 1 – God’s Word is not just for display/Role Play                
Principal 2 – Have Discussions/Focus on Content                             
Principal 3 – Preparing/Breaking Down Content                               
Principal 4 – Preparing/Reviewing Content Part 2                            
Principal 5 – Why Review?                                                       
Principal 6 – Review what you just reviewed                         
Principal 7 – Prayer Changes Students                                                
Principal 8 – Engaging Students                                 
Principal 9 – Are We Teaching ‘Personal Bible Study’?                     
Principal 10 – The Greatest Teaching Method: helpful Biblical principals, show and discuss your
           faithfulness as an example for them to be faithful
Principal 11 – Memorization                                                 
Principal 12 – Repentance                                                     
 

 
 
Principal 1. God’s Word Needs to be Handled by Your Children
 
The purpose for this handbook is to keep these important principles in mind as you build an atmosphere that teaches your children to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it, and be awed by our Great God. You want them to fall in love with God and His Word!

           
Principal: Our Bibles should be used and not just for display 
 
We are talking about teaching a class or Bible lesson without any student actually picking up a Bible and reading it. Here are some things we can do to help:  
Regardless of the student’s age, they should ‘handle’ God’s Word and get accustomed to it.
Touching and handling God’s Word breeds familiarity. Teach them how to use God’s Word.
For those not familiar with God’s Word, teach them the Table of Contents and Page Numbers.
It’s good for them to follow the verse as you read it.
It’s good for them to read a verse, even if they struggle with it. Help them as they struggle.
It’s good to open God’s Word and have them follow even if you are using just one verse.
 
Your Personal Notes & Comments: 
 

 

 
Curriculum Notes: ‘Role Play.’ Be excited – expression matters.
 
Using ‘Role Play’ in a lesson. Example: Mark 4:35-40, ‘Peace Be Still.’
When you do a ‘Role Play,’ example Mark 4:35 (where Jesus was sleeping in the boat while the disciples struggled during the raging sea). Use chairs to frame a boat, someone extend their arms and move them up and down to simulate the rolling waves and someone push their arms out continuously to simulate the winds that blew. Involve others if possible. Assign some to be disciples in distress and someone to be Jesus sleeping. Read the passage and be sure to act amazed as you explain how the disciples were amazed when Jesus said ‘Peace be still’ and everyone ceases from their motion. It becomes completely peaceful. When Jesus said ‘Peace be still,’ it was not a dull moment, IT WAS AMAZING! If you want them to be amazed by what Jesus did, then you will need to express that openly. Act amazed. If you are dull, they will be dull. This helps the Bible passages come to life and makes them think. Ask them if they have any questions. Some will realize things about the miracle you never thought of.
 
Your Personal Notes & Comments:
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Principal 2. Have Discussions                                                                         
The purpose for this handbook is to keep these important principles in mind as you build an atmosphere that teaches your children to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it, and be awed by our Great God. You want them to fall in love with God and His Word!

 
Principal: Discussions are key to helping your children learn and remember
 
We’re not talking about taking up the entire lesson time with just you or someone speaking. That is lecturing. You can’t hold their attention for that long.
 
So, here are some notes and things you can do:  
It’s good for them to read, even if they struggle with it. They need to struggle!
They need to see the verse(s) visually with their eyes and not just listen.
It’s very important to ask them questions and take their questions.
Show interest in every question they ask.
Sometimes, it takes a little bit of time or silence before they actually engage. That’s OK!
It’s very important to ‘have discussions’ about what they are reading. That’s your goal.
If they don’t discuss or open up about what they’ve read or heard, you won’t know if they understand it or not. You need to know if they ‘get it.’ You need them to respond.
If they don’t discuss or open up about what they’ve read or heard, they won’t really take in, ‘eat’ the scripture and maybe they won’t take in the truth you’re trying to teach. 
Discussions begin by asking a question about something you’ve covered in the lesson.
Discussions are most effective when the child begins to open up and really talk about the lesson or verse. You can use personal experiences to illustrate and apply the truth.
When having discussions, don’t be afraid to admit you don’t have all the answers – no one does.
Praise the child when they engage in discussions. It encourages them.

 
Curriculum Notes: Focus on Content
This may seem basic to you but as the lessons and weeks go by, you will learn how important content is. Content is the information you want your children to learn, such as a verse or term or a particular word and its meaning. Example: Jesus loves you; is the content. You want the child to understand three things here. ‘Jesus,’ and who He is, ‘Love’ and what love is, and ‘you,’ you want them to internalize Jesus’ love. This content seems simple but when a child grows in their faith and begins to learn about repentance, justification, redemption, and acceptance, that simple basic content becomes more important than ever. It is essential the child hears, understands, realizes, and remembers that simple content. It will be foundational to their spiritual life. 
 
Your Personal Notes:
 

 

 

  
 
Principal 3. You Need to Prepare                                                               
The purpose for this handbook is to keep these important principles in mind as you build an atmosphere that teaches your children to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it, and be awed by our Great God. You want them to fall in love with God and His Word!

 
Principal: You Need to Prepare for Each Lesson 
 
Preparation is taking some time to read, meditate (think about) and fully understand a lesson. Since we have the awesome privilege of teaching children God’s Word and His truths, we must be fully ready to teach those truths by knowing them ourselves. Make time to prepare; it’s vital for teaching effectively.
 
2 Timothy 2:15, 15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
 
So, here are some notes and things we can do:  
Why is Preparing Important?
It shows that you are ready for the lesson – never walk into a lesson and wing it.
If you are not ready for the lesson, they will know it and you will lose control.
You can’t possibly teach anyone unless you know it yourself.
If it’s important they learn the lesson (which is vital), you should treat preparation just as important (and vital). 
Their questions about important truths of God’s Word should compel you to ‘know’ your lesson – you will need to completely know every part of your lesson.
It’s what Jesus does! Isn’t it?
What is Preparing?
Read all of the lesson before you start. Even read it twice!
Make sure you fully understand what you are going to teach them.
If there is part of the lesson that is unclear, do the research, ask someone.
Not preparing for a lesson shows a lack of interest on your part.
Students can read your body language.
If you are interested in the lesson, they will be. If you are not interested, they won’t be.
Preparation and excitement on your part can translate to understanding and learning for them.
 

 

 
Curriculum Notes: Focus on Breaking Down Content
 
Part 1. Content is the information you want your child to learn, such as a verse/term/word and its meaning. Ex: Jesus loves you; is the content. You want the child to understand three things. ‘Jesus,’ and who He is, ‘Love’ and what love is, and ‘you,’ you want them to internalize Jesus’ love. When a child grows in their faith and begins to learn about repentance, justification, redemption, acceptance, that content becomes more important than ever. It is essential the child hears, understands, realizes, and remembers that simple content. It will be foundational to their spiritual life. 
 
Note: Scripture is truly illuminated and discerned by man through the power of the Holy Spirit. Without spiritual leading, scripture remains incomprehensible to the human soul. Therefore, always pray at the beginning of each class and ask God to move.
 
2 Cor. 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
 
Part 2. Breaking Down Content means: we don’t give the child too much information at one time. Example: Just as a baby takes in a small amount of food, your child may need the same small amount of spiritual food in order to ‘eat’ the truth of God’s Word.
 
Breaking down content
The age and maturity of the child determines the amount of a verse(s) they can understand, ‘eat,’ as in Hebrews: ‘Desire the sincere milk of the Word.’
Hebrews 5:12, “For indeed, although you ought to be teachers by this time, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and you have need of milk, not solid food.”
Hebrews 5:13, “For everyone who partakes of milk is unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant.”
Some children understand quicker than others.
Using good methods and proper skills, you ‘can’ keep everyone together when teaching verse(s) or Biblical truths.
Break down each part of your lesson or verse and give it to them a bit at a time. Example: Duet: 12:5 “But only to the place that Yahweh your God will choose from all of your tribes to place his name there as his dwelling shall you seek, and there you shall go.” This is a powerful verse, powerful truth! Here is how you can break it down and spend time on each part – not just read it and move on, but discuss it with the child.
To the place Yahweh, God chooses – teach Canaan is the place – the promised land. Understand that.
To place His name – teach God is putting His name in Canaan land? Yes, but in His people! (In His people who will live in Canaan land).
His dwelling place – teach God will dwell in His people while they are living in Canaan land.
You shall seek, you shall go – teach they did go and God dwelt with them and in them just like He said! Wow! Show excitement.
Once you learn how to break down parts of a verse or lesson, you will find they receive it better and actually learn it.
Take your time on each part even if it takes all day. You shouldn’t be on a schedule.

Principal 4. You Need to Prepare – Part 2
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal: How Do I Prepare?
 
Preparation is taking time to read, meditate (think about) and fully understand a lesson. We have the awesome privilege of teaching children God’s Word and His truths and we must be fully ready to teach those truths by knowing them ourselves. Make time to prepare; it’s vital for teaching effectively.
 
2 Timothy 2:15, 15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
 
Have you ever read a passage of scripture or a verse and wondered what its true meaning was? Putting deep philosophical prophetic scripture aside, I’m sure we all have, but answer this – why didn’t you search it out?  

 
For an example, let’s use Genesis 4:26, ‘At that time men began to call upon the name of the Lord.’ Did you wonder what the verse was trying to say? After reading the verse in Genesis, would you keep reading and say, ‘I don’t know what that means but, oh well – then keep reading the rest of the chapter? Why didn’t you find the meaning for that passage or verse? Short on time? You didn’t know where to find the answers? The verse is just one example, but doesn’t this happen a lot? These questions are key to helping you understand an important concept – ‘Understanding.’ Aren’t you curious?
 
Understanding is one of the most important tools you will need as a teacher.
Wouldn’t you agree: ‘not understanding the meaning of a passage or verse makes you wonder?’
Does it bother you when you’re teaching and there’s something about the verse you don’t get?
Don’t you wish to understand the verse completely and ‘know’ what to teach? Yes, is the answer.
Preparing is the Key – let’s solve all of this.
First, Pray. God knows the answer and through prayer, He, through the Spirit can reveal it.
Know where to look for the answers. 
Ask someone – a friend, a teacher, a pastor.
Use a reliable on-line site – such a ‘Blue Letter Bible,’ or a commentary.
Have a discussion with your fellow co-laborers about the verse. (Online or in-person).
C.  Do a search from a reliable source on the subject and see what others are teaching about it.
The Problem – We don’t teach our kids to read verses and find the true meanings.
This is a big problem and you can change the lives of your students.
We want our kids to read a verse, find its true meaning, and do what God says in the verse.
This could be part of why our kids leave the church – they just don’t get what the Bible says.
Don’t let ‘disinterest’ about the Bible infect your students – show them the awesome meanings!
Note: Gen. 4:26: The ‘Blue Letter Bible’ site says ‘call’ means to ‘proclaim’ the name of God, ‘YHWH.’ Therefore, people started to proclaim God’s name in Gen. 4:26, while others chose to go the ‘way of Cain.’ (Jude 8, 11).

 
Make time to prepare; it’s vital for teaching effectively.
 
Curriculum Notes: Focus on Breaking Down Content – Part 2
 
Part 1. Content is the information you want your students to learn, such as a verse/term/word and its meaning. 
Ex: Jesus loves you; is the content. You want to break the verse down into 3 parts: 1 ‘Jesus,’ and who He is. 2 ‘Love’ and what love is. 3 ‘you,’ you want them to internalize Jesus’ love. 
 
When a student grows in their faith and begins to learn about repentance, salvation, justification, redemption, forgiveness, the content becomes more important than ever. It is essential the student hears, understands, realizes, and remembers that simple content. It will be foundational to their spiritual life. 
 
Note: Scripture is truly illuminated and discerned by man through the power of the Holy Spirit. Without spiritual leading, scripture remains incomprehensible to the human soul. Therefore, always pray at the beginning of each class and ask God to move.
 
Part 2. Let’s Break Down Some Content!
We don’t give the student too much information at one time. Example: Just as a baby takes in a small amount of food, your students may need the same small amount of spiritual food in order to ‘eat’ the truth in God’s Word.
 
Matthew 5:7, ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.’
First, let’s break the verse into parts: Blessed, Merciful, Obtain.
Blessed (I’ve looked up the words in the BlueLetterBible.com).
Blessed means happy, merciful means compassionate, obtain means mercy on them.
Now we see: happy are they who are compassionate for compassion will be on them.
Now, add some examples of compassion.
Jesus wept – John 11:35
Search the scriptures for other examples.
This example seems easy and simple to do but when we teach more difficult verses, you find this method helps. Here are a few thoughts about this form of Bible study:
Take time to look up meanings and definitions when you read something you don’t understand.
If our students never search out the meanings of things, they will ‘not get it.’
If our students don’t get it, what will the result be?
Teach your students to do the work of study and look up things they don’t understand.
Understanding Bible verses, terms and things brings light and peace to your mind and soul.
We are challenging you to ‘do the work of study’ when you prepare and teach – so you will understand what God is teaching you. 
Make time to prepare; it’s vital for teaching effectively.
 
Note:




 
Principal 5. Let’s Review!
 
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:   What is Review?
 
When I was in grade school, I loved review time. For me, it meant we were having some sort of game or contest and if you remembered past lessons, you could win. Then, as a teacher, I used review time to prepare my students for quizzes, tests, and exams. What a difference ‘review’ had on me and those students! 
 
We are all in a different classroom situation now – God’s classroom of life and the truths we are trying to teach have eternal value. Think about that for a second. We are preparing them for the battles they now face and a life with God in Heaven, and we hope all of our students find salvation through Christ. Review could be the difference.


Facts about Review 
Review transfers short-term knowledge to long-term memory.
10-15 or 28? For students to learn a new word, it takes hearing it 10-15 times – average, 28 times for others.
Repetition and practice rewire the brain – let’s rewire their brain for God!
Teaching vocabulary and math requires much review. Why not review with God’s Word?
Review should be short and sweet.
Week after week after week, review should go on ‘forever.’ And ‘forever.’ And ‘forever.’
They might not ever learn your weekly lesson but they will never forget that continuous review!
 Review the things of God.
Review the memory verse, then review the memory verse and after that, review the memory verse.
What You Need for Good Review Time
You must have your lessons in one place and all together. How else could you grab them?
Make a note when you’re teaching something you want them to remember. So, you can go back and find it.
Play a game with a handful of lessons from a bunch of your notes. That’s Review!
How Is Your Present Review Time Going?
If you realize how important review is, grade yourself now.
Think about your students – what do they know right now and what have they learned?
Test them and examine the results. Determine what you need to review with them and get back on track.
What memory verses do they know? Take a test on memory verses and grade your teaching skills.

 
Reviewing God
Think about what God wants your students to learn and understand. Test them and see if they got it.
I think it’s true that God wants them to learn His Word – one verse at a time, reviewing it weekly. Right?
They won’t learn the entire lesson but you need to give them the main truth. That’s what you should be reviewing.
 
Reviewing is one of the easiest and most productive things you will do and you will be an effective teacher. 
 

 
Curriculum Notes: Keep your Lessons Together – You Need Them!
 
One thing a good teacher should always have – good organizational skills. 
 
By that I mean, where are your past lessons? 
Are you able to grab a lesson from 2 or 3 weeks ago? 
Do you ever learn new truths and want to go over it again? Say yes.
 
Let’s get organized
Is there a place in your classroom where you keep all of your lessons together? Let’s hope!
Are your past lessons in proper order – they should all be numbered or dated.
Do you make notes on your lessons?
Use a highlighter or marker
When you are teaching a lesson and discover a new truth about God, you should highlight it.
Your notes and your ‘new truth discoveries’ should be shared with your class.
Your lessons usually come with other resources, pictures, crafts, and you should keep them too.
Examine your classroom and see what needs to be organized. 
Your lessons should receive top priority – they are used to teach children who God is.
 
 
Make time to prepare; make time to review and make time to organize, it’s vital for teaching effectively.
 
Note:




 
Principal 6. Review What You Just Reviewed!                                                                  
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:  We Will Review What We Just Reviewed?
 
To help you understand why we are looking at ‘Review’ ‘again,’ I will point you to a verse from Jesus, in Matt. 11:15, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” and in Matt. 13:9, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” and in Matt. 13:43, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  If you see what I see then you’ll ask yourself a question. What does this phrase mean? Doesn’t everyone have ears on their head? Yes. So, that’s not the point. Here’s the point: ‘ear’ in this verse means ‘perceive with your mind’ and ‘hear’ means to listen and consider.’ Jesus had the same problem with the Jews that we have with our students – they don’t understand what we are saying.
 
Why?
Maybe it’s the first time they heard it.
Maybe it’s too amazing to believe and they need to hear it again – like about Heaven.
Maybe it’s too hard to believe and they don’t want to believe it – like about Hell.
Maybe their thoughts and minds are on earlier events or circumstances they just experienced – like a family matter. 
Maybe they just saw a bird – no attention span.
 
I believe there are two major problems to address here, poor attention span – because Satan knows how to ‘snatch’ the Word away (Matt. 13:19, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart”) and the evil culture of the world – (2 Cor. 11:3, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”).
 
The Solution: 
Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” ‘Train’ means to dedicate. ‘Dedication’ is a full-time commitment and it’s a lengthy process, a full-time job. 
 
If it took Jesus 3 years to ‘train’ His disciples, and that was every day, and you have your students for 2-3 years, once a week, do you think you will ever be able to ‘train’ your students in God’s Word? No. We will need parents to ‘train’ them. We also, as a combined Sunday school and Bible study group, take part in this awesome task of ‘training’ people for God’s Kingdom.
Conclusion: Make review a regular part of your class time and only be satisfied by seeing them remember past truths. If you’re happy with those results, keep doing it. Review, review, and then review!
Reviewing is one of the easiest and most productive things you will do and you will be an effective teacher. 
 
Curriculum Notes: Reading Is Important. So is Getting Them to Read God’s Word – all ages!
 
Reading “influences every aspect of your life.’ Let’s get them to read! All ages!
 
Molly Woodworth is with ‘Ounce of Prevention Reading Center’ in Flushing, Michigan. Here’s her take on reading:
Total book reading is declining significantly, although not at the rate of literary reading. The percentage of the U.S. adult population reading any books has declined by -7 percent over the past decade, dropping dramatically over the past 20 years. Less than half of the adult American population now reads literature. (This means they won’t read the Bible either).
 
Molly Woodworth states, the American education leaders have a little secret about reading: Elementary schools across the country are teaching children to be poor readers — and their own educators may not even know it.
 
A shocking number of kids in the United States can’t read very well. A third of all fourth-graders can’t read at a basic level, and most students are still not proficient readers by the time they finish high school. It can lead to a downward spiral in which behavior, vocabulary, knowledge and other cognitive skills are eventually affected. Previously, the question of how to teach reading had focused on one of two basic ideas.
 
A Visual Memory Process. The teaching method associated with this idea is known as “whole word.” The whole word approach was perhaps best embodied in the “Dick and Jane” books that first appeared in the 1930s. The books rely on word repetition and pictures to support the meaning of the text. The idea is that if you see words enough, you eventually store them in your memory as visual images. A popular advertising ploy.
 
Reading Requires Knowledge of the Relationships: between sounds and letters. Children learn to read by sounding out words. This approach is known as phonics. It goes way back, popularized in the 1800s with the McGuffey readers.
 
Why should we teach our students to read the Bible: 10 reasons to read the Bible:
Reading the Bible shows us God’s character. The Bible is our definitive source for the answers to our questions about God.
Reading the Bible teaches us to imitate God.
Reading the Bible helps us discover our next step.
Reading the Bible keeps us from sin.
Reading the Bible helps us to renew our minds 
Reading the Bible allows us to be certain of what God said. The Bible is our final authority.
Reading the Bible allows us to receive the desires of our heart.
Reading the Bible is how we learn about the gospel.
Reading the Bible gives us courage.
Reading the Bible helps us to be fruitful.
 
Reading “influences every aspect of your life.’ Let’s get them to read! All ages!

Principal 11. The Memory Verse
                                                                                                                       
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:  We are called by God to memorize Scripture.
 
The statement above ‘We are called by God to memorize scripture’ is absolutely true! Where in the Bible are we commanded to do this, you ask? Before I show you, I want to ask you a question. How does the statement make you feel? Does it trigger a sense of responsibility in you? It should.
 
Here are some scriptures showing we are commanded to memorize God’s Word.
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.” Dwell means inhabit or remain with – so the verse is telling us that scripture should inhabit or remain with us; it should dwell in us.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “6, And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Question: when don’t we have God’s Word with us? Aren’t verses 6-9 the very definition of memorization?
Proverbs 3:3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.” Question: How would you write God’s Word on your heart? Memorization.
Psalm 119: 15-16, “15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” Meditate and contemplate is memorization. Question ref, v 16: To not forget means to do what? To remember. Memorize.
Joshua 1:8, “8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.” Question: What does meditating day and night mean? To memorize.
 
When you hide God’s Word in your heart and it’s constantly on your mind, it will help you to obey God, live according to His Word, and stay away from sin. In a sense, memorizing scripture gives us the ammunition we need to fight off the urges to sin.
 
How do you go about memorizing scripture?
Write out the verse.
Put the written verse in a place where you will see it often.
Do step 1 and 2 several times so they are in several places: refrigerator, night stand, in your car, bathroom, on a wall in your house.
Use the verse in your prayers: when you eat, bedtime and starting the new day.
Share the verse with others and your class, so you can begin to live it daily.

Principal 7. Prayer Changes Students
 
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:  Your Students Need Your Prayers
 
I have discussed this question before: How do we keep our students from falling away from their faith and church? 
When we talk about prayer, this important question always comes to my mind. We all want our students to follow Christ throughout their entire life, be spiritually responsible and live out discipleship. How do we do this? How do we help nurture what Christ has done in their hearts? There are many things we can do and this principal focuses on one – prayer.
 
Can you relate to this true story? 
When I was lost and had no understanding about salvation, several friends were praying for me.
When I visited their church on Sunday, they were praying for my salvation.
As I was growing in the Word, several of the church leaders were praying for God’s direction for me.  
I am saved and still growing in God and serving where He has led me and now, I am doing the same for others!
 
If this is true in your spiritual life and you had people praying these things for you, you understand what happened and what God did. Now, you can do the same for others and your students. You can be the one who prays for them and watch them be saved and follow Christ!
 
I would love to see our students remain faithful, come every Sunday of every year, watch them follow Christ and grow in their faith until they become whatever it is God wants them to be. But this generation we live in today is full of hate, enmity toward God, and many evil devices and we see the battles they face and the results of those battles. It will take prayer to change it. 
 
Consider this:
In class, either on paper, white board or poster board, write out the names of your students or have them write their own names. Give them these verses and challenge them: (This section will be in one of your upcoming lessons). 
 
Hebrew 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
 
2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
 
 
               Discuss: Explain to them how God wants us to be faithful.            
Discuss: Tell them you will pray for each one. (Knowing someone is praying for you helps you realize your faith).
 

 
Praying is one of the most productive things you will do, and you will be an effective teacher.
 
 
Notes:




 
Principal 8. Engaging the Students     
                                                                       
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:   You Need to Challenge and Engage with Your Students 
 
We’ve had similar topics that touched on this principal topic such as; asking questions, getting the students to have discussions and open up about what they think and believe. This topic, ‘challenging them and engaging with them’ is more specific – it’s very direct.
 
Being direct with a student goes something like this: you are teaching a particular point during the lesson and as usual, you ask the class what they think and then there’s open discussion. Then you call on someone in particular, like Joe or Jennifer, and ask that student directly, what they think about the point you are teaching.
              
Is this ‘calling out someone’ (putting a student on the spot)? Yes! And it’s not scolding, it’s not picking on them and you should let them know that and your intent.
Rather than calling them out, what is it? 
Explain to them what ‘accountability’ is. You are the teacher, they are the student and students need to hear, listen, think about it, discuss it.
Explain to them ‘it’s how I know you understand.’ Question: How would you know if a student understands what you are teaching if you don’t engage with them? Directly engaging with a particular student should be part of the teaching process.
 
You often see students fall through the proverbial cracks of learning when the class sizes are large. In this situation, it is very difficult to engage with all of the students, it’s nearly impossible. The teacher mostly lectures, the students are to take notes or listen, and that’s all that can be done sometimes. Teachers of large classes know this. There is some time to answer questions if a student makes the request but far too often the student that is not understanding the point of the lesson also does not raise their hand and ask the question. I did that a lot when I was in grade school and I let opportunities to ask slip by. Whether it’s fear of public speaking, or ridicule for not learning it the first time, the fact is – it happens. No engaging. No asking. No learning. 



When calling on one student for an answer:
Let them know what you are doing – ‘Joe, I want to know if you understand what I’m teaching. Can you answer this question?’ Then Joe understands why he’s been called upon. After Joe answers, it’s OK to ask Jennifer: ‘Jennifer, I want to know if you understand what I’m teaching. Can you answer this question? Jennifer will understand what you are doing.
It’s important to let your class know ‘you need to know if they get what you’re teaching or not.’
 
What is the alternative?
You teach, they listen, they either get it or they don’t – This could be part of the problem we are trying to solve: students leaving their faith after high school. Imagine what would happen if they understood God’s Word and knew their great God. They might be more inclined to follow Him.
The alternative leads to students not speaking. This doesn’t sound too bad but it is a major problem and not just in the classroom, but in their life as well. I’ve seen many students sit in class and never say a word. Think about that.
They don’t ask questions – are they really learning? How do you know?
They keep everything inside and they are not willing to ‘share.’ This could be damaging in many different areas of their life. 
They don’t share much; they don’t share their faith. What does that say about them?
Is it a problem?
Solutions!
Play games that encourage everyone to engage. If they feel they are part of the class, this may help them to ‘come out of their shell.’ 
Put them on a small team and see if they get involved. Go and be part of that small team for a moment to encourage everyone to participate. Be a team member to that student.
Find a time to speak to that student and let them know 1 why they should engage (it helps them and others) 2 you will help them engage – because without it, they may not be learning as they should, 3 you need that student to help others like them to overcome the problem. 
Tell them you will pray for them. One day Jesus may need them to speak to others.
 
Matthew 10:20. “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
 
 

 
               There was a 5th grade student sitting in English class, trying to follow the teacher’s lesson. He followed quite well, doing his lesson and filling in the blanks in his workbook until a new concept was taught. In a moment, the teacher was several steps ahead of him. He let the steps go unanswered thinking he’ll get it soon enough. He never did and it resulted in an important building block to go unlearned. The quizzes and tests were poor, the teacher didn’t have enough time for him and others like him and at the end of the year – he failed English class. 
               He never remembered anyone taking the time to explain what was missing from his lessons and his parents assumed the school would handle things like that. He eventually failed the entire 5th grade because of 2 things – English class and the fact that he was slightly introverted, not engaging with the other students. It could have been prevented if the teacher recognized it, had the time to help, got the student to raise his hand and engage, or his parents paid closer attention to his grades. I know this because it was me. 
               Let’s not let that happen in God’s classroom when we teach His Word. 
 
*Jean Luc Picard said it best when he said to his helmsman, “Engage!”

 
Principal 9. Are We Teaching ‘Personal Bible Study’?                                                                 
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:  You Should be Teaching Your Students How to do Personal Bible Study 
 
This topic, ‘personal Bible study’ is in fact what you have been doing with your child/student if you have been teaching scripture in any capacity.
 
Did you know this was happening: if you have been following our principals and doing them and if you have been following these methods as you teach your class, you have been teaching them how to do Bible study. It is our hope they will soon learn how to do their own personal Bible study because you have been doing it for them and with them. Sound simple? Let’s look.
              
According to your lessons, here’s what you have been doing in class:
Turning to a verse and making them read the verse.
Taking a certain word or words from that verse and defining them – telling them what the word or words mean.
Showing them how the word in the verse applies to the (1) character in the Bible passage and (2) how it applies to the context of the verses surrounding the word.
Using other scripture similar to the word to support it.
Finally, showing how they are to use the context, verse or word in their own personal lives. 
Here’s what you have shown them and done for them 
They now know how to (1) go to a verse, a verse they may not know or understand (2) read it (3) choose a particular word they wish to know the true meaning of. For example, ‘vain.’ They can do this part on their own.
They can also look up words and discover true meanings. 
If they can connect the meaning with the context and connect it to their own personal life, we’ve taught them how to do basic Bible study and apply it to them. 
 
One very important part in all of this is – you must be doing it and getting it yourself. The lesson given you is the key because I have shown you how to do it. Think about this: if we can teach our students how to break down verses, word meanings, biblical contexts, and show how the biblical characters such as Moses and David related to God, these studies should speak to their hearts. If God’s Word can reach their hearts and change their hearts, they will become faithful followers of God. Amen? 
 
I’m not sure if this method will break the trend we’ve had to deal with in the past, seeing generations of students and young people depart from their faith, but I do believe that we are making an impact on the students we have now. Let’s keep working together and let’s keep doing meaningful, intentional, powerful Bible study in our classes.

 
Principal 10. The Greatest Teaching Method                                                                     
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:   Show and Discuss Your Faithfulness as an Example for Them to Be Faithful 
 
This topic: ‘your faithfulness’ has an impact on your students. Share your faith with them. 
 
It’s been said: ‘Sometimes the only Bible a person may see is a faithful Christian.’ That may be true. You might be interacting with people who will never pick up a Bible, go to a church service or even consider their eternity. You might be the only God-fearing, Bible-believing person they know. What a thought! And what a responsibility!
 
It’s been said: ‘You might be the only faithful Christian your students may ever see.’ Well, let’s hope the students in our classes are surrounded by people who know God and love God but we don’t know. Right? We don’t know what we don’t know. Here’s some things I’d like to share just in case you are the only faithful Christian in their life.
              
Show them you are a faithful Christian
Take some time during class and discuss some of your personal struggles that led you to salvation.
Share your personal testimony with them.
Share with them how you have persevered through trials and remained faithful to God.
Share with them how God’s Word has helped you in:
Growing in your faith
Giving you strength in hard times
Learning about how God loves you
Learning about how God leads you
Let your students know you are there to help them become a faithful Christian (Your goal).
Tell your class they should make faithfulness to God, and His Word a goal in their life.
Emphasize to your students that you can teach them to be faithful. You are the example. You are giving them scripture which will teach them faithfulness.
Tell your students you care about them and their eternity.
Let your students know you want to see them become a faithful Christian.

One very important part in all of this is – you must be that faithful Christian who they can look up to. You must be the godly influence in their life just in case you are the only one. We pray that you are not the only one but we just don’t know. It might be a good discussion for your class: to ask them ‘who do you look up to?’ Ask them, ‘Do you have a godly example?’ Addressing the question openly might inspire them to take notice. We want them to learn to be a faithful Christian and it all might be up to you. Find out.

 

 
Principal 12. Repentance
                                                                                                   
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal: Without Repentance You Cannot Be Saved.
 
In my personal ministries, I’ve seen many salvation explanations go wrong. When you are leading someone to Christ, that is: leading them to the Lord to be saved, I believe they must know what repentance is and then repent. Right?
 
Easy believism, a phrase that came out years ago, means this: ‘Just say this prayer, “Jesus forgive me of my sins,” and you will be saved.’ The truth – no you won’t, no they won’t. Why?
 
A person must first understand what sin is, 
what their sin does to them and what God says about sin
 
Here are some scriptures showing we must repent first.
Matthew 3:2 – John the Baptist said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He was saying Jesus is here (at hand) and Jesus will be The Way to heaven.
Matthew 3:7-8, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” John told the religious pharisees they have not repented, though they were supposed to be the religious examples for God. They did not have changes in their life!
Acts 8:32, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. Peter tells Simon the sorcerer he must repent of wickedness, (turn from it) and pray to see if God will forgive him.
2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.” Paul says, godly sorrow (which is reading and hearing God’s Word and you become sorry about your sin – because the Holy Spirit is convicting you), causes you to turn away from or change your actions about sin. You believe God and Jesus’ sacrifice then decide to turn to God and obey His Word.
 
We desperately need to teach this to our students – and it may take months or years before they actually understand it. And, if it takes that long, it’s OK. The best way to teach them this truth is for you to memorize it and know it.
 
Facts about repentance
– Repent means to ‘change your mind,’ ‘turn away from,’ ‘abhor or hate something.’ In this case, change your mind about sin because that’s what God’s Word says, turn away from sin, abhor or hate sin.
               – An unsaved person can repent and be saved.
– A saved person can also repent. Such as from an ongoing sin or repent from something they didn’t know God did not approve of.
– Feeling bad is not repenting.

13: The Greatest Principal: Show Them Love – Tell Them You Love Them
 
The purpose for these principles: We want to keep these important objectives and principles in mind as we build an atmosphere that teaches children and students to fall in love with God’s Word, explore the amazing truths found in it and be awed by our Great God. We want them to fall in love with God and His Word!
 
Print out these principals and build your personal notebook. Review them often so you can teach more effectively. Your objective is to ‘be better at what you are doing!’

 
Principal:   Love is a great teaching tool – it motivates. 
 
This is one of the most basic concepts from the Bible yet we seldom tell our class, ‘I Love You.” When was the last time you told your child or a student(s) you love them?
 
Here are some ways we can show them God’s love:  
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus told His disciples that He loved them. Now, you do it.
Children respond to love and affection. Use this God-given tool to instill within your child/student that you love them because God loves them.
I believe some children/students leave the church when they get older because: 
Love is not expressed properly or regularly.
Students get mixed messages: they are mistreated yet told they were loved.
Some people never say ‘I love you.’ 
Love without action is like faith without works.
Show them your love – as Jesus showed the disciples God’s love through His life and words, we as teachers need to do the same. “Teacher, are you showing God’s love to your students?” Tell them you love them and see what happens. Sometimes we never say it.
Some of the greatest acts of love in scripture:
Jesus bending down and washing His disciples’ feet.
Jesus taking our punishment and sin on the cross.
Jesus forgiving characters like the adulteress woman, woman at the well, many other.
List some of your ideas.
 
Your Personal Notes & Comments: 
 

 

 

 

 
 
Acknowledgements:
 
NKJV
 
60% leave church: Polling: Lifeway Resources: https://research.lifeway.com/2019/01/15/most-teenagers-drop-out-of-church-as-young-adults/
 
Why are the Young People Leaving the Church; Rueben Joseph
 
Reading concerns: Molly Woodworth is with ‘Ounce of Prevention Reading Center