Five Step Mini-Lesson

Vanessa S. shared this on the Come Follow Me Facebook Group, and I asked her permission to share it here.  She said:

"[A]fter some initially rather disastrous experiments having my girls teach, I eventually came around to this handout, which the girls told me has been very helpful. It outlines the steps for preparing a "mini-lesson" from a conference talk excerpt. I have a similar one that focuses on teaching from a scripture passage. I hand it out to one girl assigned to teach the following week, and I hand the talk excerpt out to all the girls, which gives everyone a week to prepare. So far even my most shy and reticent girls have been able to lead a decent discussion using this handout!"

Mini-Lesson Instructions

1. Read the enclosed talk, and as you read mark a few phrases or short sentences that seem especially meaningful to you. Pray before you begin, and ask the Spirit to tell you what message our girls really need to hear.
2. Ponder upon what you’ve read. Choose 2 or 3 specific quotes to discuss in class. How do you think those phrases apply to you and your sister Beehives here at church, at home, or with friends? Write down your thoughts to share.
3. Prepare an open-ended question (who/what/why/how) to ask the girls about each quote. For example: “What do you think Elder XYZ means when he says this?” or “How do you think this phrase applies to us in our families?”)
4. Do you have a brief personal experience you could share that illustrates your message? Sharing your experience will really invite the Spirit to enter the room and testify to the girls that what you are saying is true.
5. Share your testimony, your thoughts and feelings about the message you have shared during your lesson.

That’s all! Write down your outline with questions included and you are ready to go! Your lesson need only be 5-10 minutes. The time will fly by! If you find that the girls are engaged in your discussion please feel free to follow the Spirit and take as long as you like. Your teaching is the most important thing that will happen in class that day.

Thank you so much!

I love you!

Sister S

PS - Please call or email me if you have ANY questions or ideas. I will be so excited to hear from you!

You could use these five steps during class period or at mutual to help students learn to prepare a lesson with a leader present.  This way, if they have any questions or need help, leaders are right there to assist. After the first time, I expect that students will be able to easily prepare a mini lesson during class time.

Great for: Improving talks or devotionals, Lesson preparation

Class size: Any class size

Helps Students: SEARCH the scriptures or text, SHARE feelings, thoughts, or personal experiences

Prep Time:

Student Age: Any age

Equipment needed: