SUNDAY SCHOOL: Questions every Sunday school teacher should ask themselves

How will I prepare myself personally? Pray for guidance and trust God to inspire you. Review your teaching plan, read the Bible passages for the lesson and rehearse in your mind the points you'd like to share.

Who am I teaching? Talk to a teacher with experience teaching the same age group as you are. Ask them what to expect, what works and what doesn't; and ask for any suggested resources or activities.

What activities and resources will I plan? They shouldn't be "busy work." They should relate directly to the subject and help you communicate the main ideas. Plan as wide a variety of activities as possible.

How will I convey the main idea and involve learners? You must have a five-part strategy: invite, inform, investigate, illustrate and inspire.

How will I prepare the learning space? Arrange the room so everyone can hear and see without difficulty. Everyone should have easy access to materials and resources. Rearrange the room often to keep things fresh.

What questions will I ask? There are three types: informational, analytical and personalized. Informational questions are easiest to think of, but analytical and personalized questions encourage participants to use skills of reason.

How do I respond to participants? One of our primary goals is building Christian relationships, so responding in affirming and supportive ways is crucial.