Christian curriculum publishers always need creative Sunday school lessons for their publications. The list below outlines integral components of a strong lesson plan. One must always write with the stated learning objective in mind.
- Determine the audience for the lesson. The topic and activities should be age-appropriate, engaging, and meaningful.
- Determine the objective for the lesson. Complete this sentence: “The learner will …” Each activity should serve to accomplish the objective.
- Determine the running time for the lesson. Most Sunday school sessions last no longer than one hour; many are around thirty to forty-five minutes. Write for a thirty minute session, with a few optional activities that would extend the learning time if the teacher needs them.
- Determine the biblical direction of the lesson. Sunday school lessons are written either “Bible to life” or “life to Bible.” Plan with the lesson objective in mind. The lesson will begin either “Bible-focused” or “life-focused,” while both directions explore biblical implications and life application.
- Determine the flow of the lesson. Generally, most lessons begin with a quick activity (about five minutes) to engage the students. This could be a funny story or a game, for younger students. Next, the topic is introduced. The topic is then explored, often through group interaction or discussion. Independent work and/or reflection are important aspects of good lesson planning. The lesson should close with some type of challenge to the students to apply what they have learned and/or a call to action.
- Determine any “extra helps” for the teacher. List pertinent websites, books, study aids, or teaching aids.
A good study Bible and commentary are essential in planning Sunday school lessons. Studying shorter Scripture passages will make for tighter lessons and greater retention. When teaching children and youth, abandon the worn-out pencil and paper activities. Consider teaching to a variety of learning styles. Lessons can include visual, aural, and tactile stimuli, as well as opportunities for movement and personal interaction. Games, music, and art are also helpful vehicles for learning.
Test the Lesson Plan
Once the lesson plan is written, Sunday school teachers should put it to the “test” in a local church setting. If it is successful, pitch your Sunday school lesson to a Christian publisher for publication consideration. If it comes off with a few snags, fine-tune the lesson plan before approaching a publisher.
Resources for Sunday School Lesson Writers
Two excellent resources for effective Bible study and Sunday school lesson techniques are Teaching the Bible to Adults and Youth by Dick Murray (Abingdon Press, 1993) and The Youth Worker’s Guide to Creative Bible Study by Karen Dockery (B&H Publishing Group, 1999).
