- Illustrations make the class curious
There is nothing more exciting than to have your class try to figure out where the message is going. I accidentally discovered the power of class’ curiosity quotient.
I was teaching a Wednesday Night class and in the middle of my message I remembered the props for my illustration. I didn’t want to have an abrupt transition when I got to that part of my lesson, so I grabbed the props during my opening remarks.
For this lesson I was instructed to gather some apples and a knife. During the illustration, I was instructed to cut through the apples to demonstrate the power of God’s Word to cut through lies, unbelief and fear.
What happened next, made quite an impression on my assistant and me.
I wasn’t ready for the apples yet. I would still need another 5 to 10 minutes to develop the message and cover our memory verse. I decided to just set the apples aside until I was ready for them.
The kids experienced something very different.
They saw me go out of my way to grab some apples. They must have thought that I would use them for something. To their surprise, I never mentioned the apples. I just carried on with my opening remarks. I went 2 minutes and never talked about the apples. They were just resting prominently on my podium with no explanation. Another 3 minutes past and still no answer. This went on for about 10 minutes.
No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t stop wondering about those apples. They were curious. They were in suspense. They were stumped.
When I finally got to those apples, the kids were entranced. They were fixed on my every word. The lesson took on the form of a 3 part play and now the class was enjoying a true catharsis!
I hope this story is highlighting for you the power of a simple prop or illustration. The class will begin to engage with the message on a deeper level…because they must! Something in them compels them to not be outsmarted by a few apples!
2. Illustrations can shrink or expand
Anyone who has worked in kid ministry knows that time is relative! Pastor’s message can go long, a room needs to be prepped for the fellowship lunch, a guest minister ends early and on and on the scenarios can go.
A Children’s Ministry Teacher needs to be prepared for a class to end 10 minutes or go 35 minutes long. A wise worker knows to have tools available to condense or expand a class. Illustrations are the perfect tools for such occasions!
Illustrations can be 2 minute segments or can become 20 minute group activities. An illustration is flexible. It serves the needs of the class and can be called upon to entertain the class, engage the imagination, explain the scriptures and exhibit powerful truths!
3. Illustrations help the class get involved
Children need action. They fidget and talk and react and play! They learn best when they are doing!
Illustrations are great to help the kids get involved. There is such a rush to see the hands fly up when you ask for a volunteer. Kids want to have fun and they are ready to get out of those seats! So let them play and learn!
4. Illustrations are memorable
One night I was discouraged after class. I worked really hard on the lesson, but I felt like the kids didn’t respond the way I was expecting. I could tell there was a disconnect and I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
I was sharing my thoughts with my Youth Leader at the time. When I had reached a reflection point he asked me a series of questions that have shaped my teaching style ever since.
He said to me, “Don, suppose I run into one of your students after class and I learn that you were teaching. And let’s say I ask them, ‘What did you learn from Mr. Don’s class?'” He said, “How would it make you feel if that student remembered ONE THING from your class?”
I said, “It would really bless me!” He continued.
“What if I ran into that same student a week from now and he could still tell me ONE THING he learned from your class tonight?”
“What if I ran into him again in a month? A year? 10 years? And what if he could tell me ONE THING he learned from this class?”
I said, “It would mean the world to me!!”
He leaned in and provided his simple encouragement, “If it would mean that much to you, Don, then why not just teach ONE THING?”
This transformed my class! I went from having 7 points with sub-thoughts to have ONE THING.
Illustrations became my best friend because it allowed me the variety my class needed while helping me to emphasize just ONE THING! Illustrations are memorable and combined with this new approach, I found that my kids were able to recall the many things we discussed!
5. Illustrations help you get to the heart of your message
You may have guessed that I am a verbal processor. I am convinced that all great teachers are! I discovered that I really didn’t understand a topic until I could go off-script and facilitate an illustration.
I love the helpful “Teacher’s Notes” in our lesson plans. Without those notes, it would have been much harder to understand the key themes of the lessons I was preparing. However, I found that relying too heavily on the written notes produced a detached feeling in the classroom.
The kids wanted engagement, eye-contact, stories and heart. Illustrations proved to be the best way to bring the messages to life. The illustrations drew the kids in and it gave me the freedom to share my heart on the topic.
If you are wanting a quick test to see if you are ready to share your lesson with the class, use an illustration! The illustration will get you away from your notes and help the kids really feel seen and engaged!
Check out our Lesson Plans for Children’s Ministry