When preparing to teach a Bible story or passage, one of the most important steps is discovering its central truth, the key message God wants to communicate through it. This truth becomes the foundation of your lesson and helps make the story meaningful and relevant to the children.
Here is a simple, prayerful process to guide you:
- Look for repeated ideas.
As you read the passage, notice if a particular truth or theme appears more than once. Repetition often signals what God wants to emphasise. - Ask why God included this passage in Scripture.
Every part of the Bible has a purpose. Consider what this story reveals about God’s character, His plan, or His relationship with His people. - Listen for what the Holy Spirit is teaching you.
As you study, pause and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He wants you to understand and apply personally. - Think about the needs of the children.
How can this passage speak to the real-life experiences, struggles, or questions the children have? Connecting the truth of Scripture to their world helps it come alive. - Review what you have already taught.
Look for ways this lesson builds on earlier truths. Repetition and connection strengthen learning and spiritual growth.
Teaching from the heart of Scripture means discovering not just what the Bible says, but why it matters for the lives of those we teach.
* This is an extract from Mini Mag by Sam Doherty. Sam, who introduced the work of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in Ireland and later served as Regional Director in Europe, shares his insights on 75 years of ministry in this publication. You can subscribe to receive this publication here
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