Prepare and Pray

So a new fall and winter season of Kidz Ministry is upon us!  Time to buckle down and get back into the routine of things! I thought I'd share some lesson planning thoughts to get us up and rolling along again. 

The week before teaching is a great time to just breeze through the lesson.  I like to "chew" on things, put my twist into a lesson-which, by the way, is TOTALLY ok to do!!!  Everyone teaches differently, teach your way, don't ever get hung up on the way someone else teaches. God gives us each gifts, each personalities...use yours :)  

Anyway....back to the lesson...
So, looking at it a week before gives you time to think through the lesson, the better you know the Bible story or Biblical application the lesson is pointing to, the easier it is to teach. This also gives you time to gather any odd supplies you may need.    
Most written out lessons will tell you exactly what you need and what to say during the course of the class time.  They will also give craft or activity ideas.  It's really great that these things are all laid out, BUT, I would hate for anyone to ever get stuck inside the box.  Like I said...everyone has their own way to teach.  If you have a great way to get the Biblical application across, go for it!!  If you are more comfortable with following a lesson as written, that's great too!  

Crafts and lesson ideas are BOUNTIFUL on Pinterest.  (I love that site...it's so fun to sit and pin and pin and pin...)  Why bother racking your brain when someone else already did all the work for you!   You can find some crazy and fun ideas for any Bible Lesson you are looking for.  Here's the link to my kids ministry ideas board on Pinterest:  Kidmin Stuff

If you are anything like me...you will do the bulk of your lesson preparation the night before teaching!  There...my confession.  I'm a procrastinator.  

Which is why looking through the lesson quickly a week before is a great idea! Then, I've already done my idea thinking all through the week.  The last minute details for a lesson prep is marking/underlining any thoughts in the lesson that you want to remember to get across to the class, read through all the Bible passages you'll be reading in class (trying to sound out some of those crazy biblical names on the fly, can be seriously embarrassing), making sure you have all the materials gathered for teaching and pray.  

Don't underestimate the power of praying over your lesson.  Pray for understanding for you and the kids. Pray for the ability to easily remember what you desire to tell the class.  Pray for peace in your room ( yep...sometimes you need this prayer more than others!). Pray for response- you want the kids to respond to what God is saying.  Pray for time management.  Pray for your ability to answer questions (you know...like, how much does God weigh? sigh). Prayer is vital when teaching.  

Teaching is an amazing opportunity.  This is a chance for God to speak through you to the little people that are our church.  They can hear from God NOW and what you teach makes an impact on eternity.  

Be prepared.