God wants to teach the boys and girls in your ministry from the overflow of what He’s already taught you in your heart. Here’s the problem, many of us find ourselves too busy to seek the flow from God’s Word and end up with a “trickle” (at best) instead of the fresh flow that comes from regular personal Bible study.
So, how do you find time in your very busy schedule for this important discipline?
I love teaching Sunday School and I want to be a good teacher to the kids I’m blessed to teach so I’ve decided to make this a priority. Each week I use the Bible content that I’ll be teaching that next Sunday as a guide for my personal Bible study. Each week (when I’m being a really good Bible study teacher) I start early in the week and spend 5-10 minutes a day reading, studying, and considering what God is wanting to teach me through the Bible content I’ll be teaching the kids.
Here’s my plan:
Day 1: Read the text from your Bible. Take out your favorite Bible and read the text … even if you know the account, read it again. God wants to speak to you fresh and new every time you read His Word.
Day 2: Read the “Leader Bible Study” in the leader guide. Take a few minutes on Day 2 to consider what the curriculum provider thinks about the text. In Lifeway’s on-going resources we provide a one-page deeper dive for leaders for each of our sessions.
Day 3: Re-read the text in a different translation. If you always read from the KJV then consider on Day 3 reading from the HCSB (or the other way around). For me, this is where I get out my paraphrased version of the Bible. A paraphrase helps me to hear the text differently and react to the translator’s interpretation.
Day 4: Choose a favorite commentary to read and consider. God has gifted many men and women with a deep understanding of Scripture and many have pinned their thoughts into commentaries. I’m simple, so I like a simple commentary, J Vernon McGee’s “Thru the Bible.” Find one you like (and understand) and enjoy the deeper dive of their thoughts.
Day 5: Read and review the Bible account, as it will be presented in the session. Go back to your curriculum and read, review, even practice how you will present the Bible account to your kids.
Teach kids from the overflow. You’ll enjoy it so much more!
Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Bill has served as a Kid’s Minister and currently teaches 2nd Grade Bible study and Kindergarten Choir.
