Whether Sunday morning or Wednesday night, teaching is just a part of the fabric of youth ministry as we shepherd students toward walking in the ways of Jesus. And yet, teaching can be defeating, frustrating, and incredibly depleting (especially when you don’t feel like a natural teacher). Take it up a notch with six tips toward better teaching:
- Start early. The last minute crunch on a regular basis will only lead to messages that lack depth and creativity over time. Soaking on a Scripture or topic over 10-14 days will lead to a much more rich content. I have learned that I also need to carve out and protect my best working hours during the day for message preparation. A slow and steady preparation for delivering a message could be the single most important game-changer for improving your teaching.
- Try comparing different translations. Without a doubt, this is my favorite preparation technique that I have used over the years in teaching a passage of Scripture. I will arrange the same passage of Scripture side by side in different translations – ESV, New Living Translation, King James Version, etc. Take note of simple things like word repetition but also critically think about the argument, flow, and reasoning behind the passage in different translations. Throughout the planning stage, I will work from this same outline and by the end you can find the first draft of my message written somewhere in the margins.
- Take a few days to get in touch with your own story. What characteristics defined you as a child? Who were the most meaningful adults in your life growing up? What painful and positive experiences shaped who you are today? How is God at work around you this week? Where are you struggling to see Him at work? Discover hidden gems in your story and pray about the opportunity to share those with students. Remember that students don’t just want to hear what you have to say, they also want to know you more.
- Invest in a good set of commentaries (even one book at a time if you have to). Online commentaries and Youtube aren’t always the most reliable choices for in-depth study. A well written commentary will give insight into historical context and doctrinal significance that can be of great value to a teacher. If you are looking for a place to start, I suggest The Bible Expositor’s Commentary Series by Frank Gaebelein.
- The art of resurfacing. Let’s be honest, any audience of any age needs a mental break if you are going to talk for more than 10 minutes. “Resurfacing” is the strategic placement of a discussion question, a movie clip, a joke, object lesson, or a story that allows your audience to “come up for air” before diving into more content or your next point. If you want your message to stick, you will need to resurface.
- Become familiar with “the cutting room floor.” If you have prepared effectively and over time, you will be forced to leave out some (if not a lot) of your notes, ideas, illustrations, and ah-has. You simply will have too much content to teach!
Psalm 78 boldly proclaims Israel’s commitment, “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” What an amazing responsibility and privilege! Together, let’s teach with the confidence and diligence required for such a high calling.
