How to teach pre-teens?

 

How to teach Pre-teens?

How to teach pre-teens? At this age a child is extremely socially aware; their image matters, and the views or opinions of those around them matter to them. They are at this age involved in something they are passionate about. They have a sense of independence they want to rely on their own guidance and thinking and that of their friends too. At times they are fearful and confused on whether they fit in; the world can be overwhelming at this point for them and this can cause an array of anxiety, and loneliness. How do we teach pre-teens?

Spiritual messages to teach them:

God cares:

Jonah and the whale.

Prodigal son.

John 3:16.

Romans 8:

ü  Learning Objectives: For pre-teens at the moment, it feels as though nobody cares but, remind them and make them understand that God does, more than anyone else God cares. They must understand that nothing can separate them from the love of God.

Perseverance:

Jesus’ relationship with those in the world.

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Lazarus resurrected.

ü  Learning Objective: The world is a cruel, cold, hard, and harsh place. We will face hard times and it may seem as though the odds are against us at times. They must understand through these lessons that Jesus went through the same hardships but persevered because, he allowed God to be his strength and guide. Like Jesus they can preserve if they allow God to be their strength and guide.

Importance of responsibility:

The foolish manager.

Parable of the talents.

Wise & foolish virgins.

The Good Samaritan.

ü  Learning Objective: The world can be misleading most of the time. Through God’s wisdom and guidance from his word we can bring warmth to those in the world, and we can be the light they need and by so doing, by being obedient to God we gain or ourselves an eternal rest an abundant quality of life with him.

What does God think of us?

Those who obey him are his children. – 2 Corinthians 6:18.

Jesus thinks children are part of the congregation. - Luke 18:15-17.

He created us in his image –

Those who obey him are a people of his own possession. –

ü  Learning Objectives: These lessons are meant to affirm who they are in God, and how special they are to God. They matter and have a greater purpose in life.

Worship service:

Difference between Old & New Testament worship.

Offering in the Old Testament & New Testament.

Different forms of service to God in his Church.

The Tabernacle and The Church.

How God wants to be worship in the Old & New Testament.

ü  Learning Objectives: These lessons are meant to highlight the importance of worship, and how God is to be worshiped, and we worship God according to his commands.

Christianity:

Why are we called Christians?

What is the church?

How can one be part of the church?

Who is the owner or the head of the church?

ü  Learning Objectives: Through these lessons they learn that Christianity is a gift given to us by God through his son Jesus Christ. They learn that through Christ we become a people elect, that is the Church his Church. Church of Christ because he died for it to save, and establish it. One can only be part of the Church through immersion baptism, that is how we are saved. There is only one head of the body of Christ, one head of the Church and that is Christ Jesus.

 

In the classroom:

Yes, yes, yes teacher you know the drill…Be on time, be prepared for your lesson; make sure you have everything you need and more, the class is clean and you are ready for a fresh start. Remember pray for yourself before they arrive for class, talk to Gd about your concerns and fears, and pray, pray, pray, pray for your kids’.

Songs we sing:

“Wrapped up, tied up, and tangled up in God.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0RUoGQrngw

“Stand up and shout it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLuvJCu7WDk

“I am in the Lord's army.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FqmiGwTqh4

They may not be as enthusiastic as they used to be about singing but keep being enthusiastic. Remember you set the tone and the atmosphere in the classroom, remember and keep to your routines, consistency is key. Right after singing you can have an ice breaker something active you could play just for five minutes; do what I say not what I do.

Lesson time: Prodigal Son.

What we must remember or bear in mind with this age group is that they are hard to please, so we need to make sure our lessons are wholesome. I know they should be wholesome for every age group but this age group all the more. Okay, what do I mean by wholesome? We need to ensure our lessons cater to all learning types; we need to ensure we have done our research on the lesson so that we can answer any question that may come our way. We need to ensure that we are prepared; know and understand the lesson. Another big factor is ensuring that all visual aids, worksheets, crafts, and games are age appropriate.

It is always a good idea to ask your class who knows the lesson you are about to teach, if there are any have them tell what he or she remembers from the lesson and then, you can teach. I like dress up so, I would dress up like the father in the story, and tell the story while moving around in the class. While telling the story ask them, what they think happened next. This just helps keep them engaged, excited, and attentive because that’s what we want right?

Remember another way of asking questions to find out if they were listening is during hand work; when they are colouring-in or doing their crafts. Ask questions that make them think about the moral of the lesson, and ask questions that apply to their daily lives, how they would apply the moral of the story in their daily lives.

Afterward we could colour-in, then get a craft done. If there is time I could have them act out the story.

Worksheets:

Crafts:

Activities:

Acting out the lesson.

Musical chairs.

Quizz.

How to teach pre-teens? Come down to their level, remember what it was like for you; being a preteen. They are sensitive, show compassion, be understanding, and patient with them. Remember we are sowing seeds, and not every ground is like the other, others need a little bit of patience, prayer, and compassion. Be consistent at all times, if you have means of discipline in your class make sure that they are applied for everyone. How to teach pre-teens? Have fun, laugh, play, jump, let them challenge you too. Enjoy teaching your pre-teens with love.