Creating a good lesson plan is something all teachers want to do, but sometimes we just don’t know where to start. So like Julie Andrews once sang, “let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...” (and I couldn't agree more!)
Pray. Ask God to help you know what doctrines and principles He wants you to help your students learn.
Doctrines = The eternal, unchanging, and simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ (They answer the “why” questions of our lives) ex. The Plan of Happiness
Principles = Doctrinally based guidelines for what we should do (They provide us direction in the “what” and “how” of our lives) ex. Principles in the Plan of Happiness: obedience, progression, repentance and forgiveness
Study. As you study, think about your students and what you feel God would have them learn.
As you study, mark and/or write down doctrines and principles that catch your attention.
When you are done studying, look back at what you have marked and think to yourself: “If I could teach only one of these, which one do I feel God would have me choose?”
Once you have decided on the most important doctrine/principle you may do the same thing to find a second and third doctrine/principle. It’s important to note, that I rarely teach 2 doctrines in a lesson. I just don’t have the time and I never want to rush things as important as the learning process, so I usually just stick with one. But you do what you feel inspired to do and you will never go wrong.
Now that you have your doctrine/principle chosen, the next step is determining how you will teach it. Remember the goal is to help your students learn for themselves what doctrines and principles the Lord wants them to know, so always make sure you do any activity with that goal in mind. When determining what activities to do, ask yourself: “How will this activity help them discover and learn for themselves?” To help get your own ideas flowing I have provided a few of my favorite go-to activities below:
Ask the right questions (see my post "Asking the Right Question")
Working with a companion or small group (3-4 students) to study or read a passage, answer questions, share their thoughts, teach a doctrine/principle they discovered to the rest of the class.
Using the whiteboard to write a doctrine they discovered or answer a question asked.
Randomly choosing questions, passages to study or read and activit to do from a jar, the board, around the room, envelopes, a bag/box, etc.
Now it’s time to put it all together by using the “How’s” you have chosen to teach the doctrine/principle you decided on. (For some examples see my posts "Lesson Plan: The Sabbath Day" and "Lesson Plan: Temple Ordinances and Covenants)
Remember that you are a guide and that the Holy Ghost is the teacher. As you help guide your students, you will be amazed at the doctrines and principles they discover that you may not have seen for yourself. Always encourage them to tell you how they discovered what they did. This will enhance their confidence and ability to not only listen to the Spirit but to learn from Him. I know with God’s help you will be the teacher your students need you to be. You’ve got this!
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