Let’s Learn By Doing!

Here are a few ways….

  1. Skits
  1. Drama (ex: act out Fatima story)
  1. Journalizing
  1. Food (ex: use chocolate foil coins to teach about money-changers
  1. Games
  1. Art projects
  1. Team-building activities
  1. Brainstorming (such as scripture)
  1. Making a banner
  1. Messages through music (theme songs to the lesson)
  1. Famous religious art (ex: Return of the Prodigal son)
  1. Group discussions, including debating
  1. Ice breakers
  1. Service in action such as collecting money for the poor
  1. Have a seder meal
  1. Biblical fashion show
  1. Work camps
  1. Field trips
  1. Church tours
  1. Witnessing
  1. Prayer services
  1. Your own ideas! 1

Personalize it! (example: journals, witness talks)

Have an interactive class (small group participation)

Learn by doing It! (everyone together as in a prayer service )

Use different styles (music, art, video, quotations, posters)

  • Remember the “Golden Rule” of learning:

People learn best “by doing.”

  • A good lesson plan provides alternating “active” and “quiet” activities

as well as “large” and “small” group learning.

  • People retain 90% of your lesson is you include active learning

compared to 10% if you do not.

Sample Lesson Plan Outline for A 75 Minute Class

6:00-6:10: (Large group) Welcome; Attendance or sign-in; Opening Prayer

6:10-6:20: (Large group or small group- Active) Ice breaker, interactive game, or

your own idea

6:20-6:35: (Large group-Quiet) Lesson (lecture, reading from text or prepared lesson sheet which can include a short video clip, parable storytelling, etc.

6:35-6:50: (Small group-Active) Small groups discern lesson by using;

  1. Prepared questions that can be answered by a chosen group leader
  2. Art such as creating scripture posters or art & craft assignment
  3. Drama such as a skit that relates to

the lesson

  1. Your own idea

6:50-7:00: (Large group-Active) Each small group presents their assignment, etc.

7:00-7:10: (Large group-Quiet) Meditation or quiet time listening to music that relates to the lesson. This time can also be used for journalizing.

7:10-7:15: (Large group) Closing prayer.

Sample Lesson Plan: Theme: “Wants Vs. Needs”

6:00-6:10: (Large group) Welcome, Attendance, Opening prayer is: The Lord’s Prayer said standing in a circle, holding hands (emphasis will be on “our daily bread.”)

6:10-6:20: (Large & small group) “Needs & Wants game.” Cut out pictures or words from newspapers and magazines that they think are wants and needs and glue each one on the poster marked “Needs” or “Wants.” Background music being played is: What About Me.” Next, have each group write their definition of “Needs” and “Wants” on the appropriate poster.

6:20-6:25: (Large group) Video clip from “Power Tools” called; “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

6:25-6:40: (Small group) Each group discuss video / look up a scripture passage from a prepared lesson sheet such as John 6:34 and discuss

6:40-6:50: (Large group) Let’s look at some other needs & wants: video clip from survivors of the Holocaust (From Steven Spielberg)

6:50-7:00: (Small group) Discuss video. Each student writes a short prayer to take home (background music is “I Am The Bread Of Life”)

7:00-7:05: (Large group)Video clip from Edge TV: Students work with LA homeless

7:05-7:15: Discuss video; prayer service:

In a circle on floor: light candle

Leader reads widow’s mite passage

While playing, “”All I Have”, pass around a loaf of bread and have each student break off a piece & eat. Pass the bread in remembrance of one that gave from all His wants & needs.

“Gifts That Count”

This woman gave from her

“Want” rather than her “Need.”

In the Lord’s eyes, this poor widow had given more than all the others put together, although her gift was by far the smallest. She had given all she had to live on, in contrast to the way most of us handle our money. Her small gift was a sacrifice, but she gave it willingly. As believers, we should consider increasing our giving- whetherof money, time, or talents- to a point beyond convenience or safety.

NEEDS VS. WANTS SHEET

A need is______

A want is______

God’s Promises:

Look up the following passages & note what God promises about our protectionand care.

1. Psalm 103:13______

2. Psalm 145:15-16______

3. Psalm 91:11-12______

4. Romans 8:28______

5. Matthew 6:33______

Daily Bread?

I think daily bread means….

Thanks!!

Dear Lord, Thank you for taking care of my needs, especially…..1

Endnotes

1. Copyright 1994 Family Films; The Lord’s Prayer Leader’s Guide (St. Louis, MO 63118-3968 ) 24-27