Sometimes we avoid good teaching methods because they remind us of school. Testing and review are two of those methods that can be useful in Sunday School for reinforcing learning, measuring retention, and discipling participants. There are two especially useful times for using review: early moments and closing moments. Let’s look at how review can be useful in those moments.
Using Review in the Opening Moments
Effective opening moments for our Sunday School lessons include starting on time, capturing attention, review, preview, and reading the scripture. Review can even be a great way of capturing attention. I want to suggest four questions to use during review.
- What did we learn from last week’s lesson?
- What was the main truth/point of last week’s lesson?
- How was that truth/point relevant for life today and for you?
- What did God expect you to do as a result of encountering last week’s truth, and did you do it?
Do you see how looking back captures the attention of those who were in attendance last week? And normally, the ones who were absent last week are interested in the answers too. On top of that, it builds expectations into this week’s lesson that I need to pay attention so I can remember the answers for next week’s review.
Review reinforces learning. When learning is remembered, it is more likely to be applied and to produce obedience. The questions build discipling into every Sunday School lesson.
Review in the Closing Moments
In some ways, review questions in the closing moments are preparation for your questions at the beginning of next week’s lesson. In the closing moments, it is helpful to summarize the lesson, review, apply, respond in commitment and prayer, and make plans for living out the truth of the lesson. In a similar way, there are four questions to ask as you summarize and review today’s lesson:
- What did we learn today?
- What was the main truth/point of today’s lesson?
- How is that truth/point relevant for life today, and for you?
- What does God want you to do as a result of today’s lesson/truth, and will you do it?
Again, do you see how it reinforces what was taught, moves your participants to apply the lesson and truth to their lives, and gives them an opportunity to respond to God’s expectations? Can you see the intentional plan for discipling?
Many teachers cram so much into lesson plans that they fail during the closing moments to lead participants to look back or respond to God. Some teachers simply fail to set aside time for applying the truth.
Give the gift of discipling questions to your attenders weekly. Watch as they develop Bible skills, biblical worldview, and discipling skills as you lead them to practice these questions every week. To discover even more ways to disciple your members, get a copy of my book, Disciple-Making Encounters. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
Photo by Ana Municio on Unsplash
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