4 Keys to Effective Lesson Planning

Written by Bill Craig

The potential for success in nearly any endeavor can be maximized with thorough preparation. While superior abilities, skills, or talent occasionally may provide limited success, the old saying about planning is true: To fail to plan is a plan to fail.

Leadership meetings provide one of the essentials for preparing to teach. Preparing for the Bible study experience - the Encounter portion of the lesson each week - helps equip teachers to focus on mission, on Bible study, and on relationships.

As you plan your Bible study lesson, prepare a Bible study lesson that lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on your church’s schedule. Your Bible study plan should follow a logical flow, from introducing the lesson to wrapping it up in such a way that learners will continue to study and learn on their own in the days that follow the session. Consider several ways to organize your teaching plan.

Build relationships and create readiness to learn. Help adults recognize how the biblical truth will answer a life question or meet a life need they have. 

Examine and apply God’s Word. The heart of the lesson seeks to lead learners to discover the answers to several basic questions: What does the Scripture say? What does it mean? What does it mean to me?

Encourage life change because of the biblical truth. The lesson should move learners to answer the question: What should I think, feel, or do as a result of understanding this Scripture? A lesson plan will help learners consider what specific changes they may make in their lives as a result of studying the Scripture.

Continue the lesson for accountability. The lesson plan and curriculum resources, such as the learner guide, should guide learners to continue to study the lesson and allow the Holy Spirit to transform them through their own personal Bible study and actions throughout the following days.

Bill Craig teaches in Sunday School at Glenwood Baptist Church, Nashville, and is managing director, Leadership and Adult Publishing, LifeWay Church Resources, Nashville, TN.

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