Planting Difficult Seeds

Planting and nurturing seeds can be compared to teaching Sunday school. In any subject, some concepts take root and grow right away, while others require more cultivating. Teaching biblical concepts is no different. In fact, it can be harder because God’s Word has many levels of understanding. Does that mean we should skip over difficult biblical principles? Not necessarily. Although you may not see immediate recall of more difficult concepts, introducing them can still be beneficial to your students. Some seeds of biblical doctrine may lie dormant for a while, but students can reach new understanding when they hear them in another format, lesson, or even grade level.

Just as seeds need careful attention, some biblical concepts may need an extra push. Here are some suggestions to help these seeds take root and sprout more quickly in your class:

• Ask questions to keep students (of any age) on track as you teach and review. If your students seem slow or unable to answer, try changing how you ask the questions. For example, if asking, “What does sovereignty mean?” gets no response, convert the question to a yes or no format: “Does sovereignty mean God is in control?” You can also give two options, such as, “Does sovereignty mean God is in control or God is all-powerful?”
• Try to incorporate a variety of learning styles (i.e., auditory, reading/writing, kinesthetic, and visual). Before new ideas can take root, some students need to hear a concept repeated. Be intentional to restate the main points of the lesson throughout the class-time activities. Some students may need to connect with the new concept in a tangible or personal way. You can provide tactile activities, such as games and crafts, or invite students to share their thoughts and experiences. Others need to see visuals, which can be lesson illustrations, drawings on the board, pictures from the internet, or physical items.
• Encourage students to think deeper by involving them in the teaching process. When students “teach” a concept they’ve learned, it is more likely to stick with them. Allow students to direct each other in a role-play of a Bible passage. Ask them to guide you to draw a picture, a diagram, or a timeline on the board. Play a game of quick draw or charades so students can recall elements from the lesson.

Go ahead, plant seeds—and don’t be afraid to sprinkle in some difficult ones! Ask good questions and try different styles to promote growth. Cultivate seeds of truth from God’s Word and watch God do the growing.

Happy planting!

In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)