Are your Bible lessons guided by an intentional scope and sequence, or do you find yourself teaching "willy-nilly"? Do your lessons feel disconnected, driven by whatever sparks your interest at the moment, or do you sometimes throw something together at the last minute because there wasn't time to plan ahead? I understand. Every teacher has been there. If it happens occasionally, it may not be a problem. But when this becomes the norm, it weakens the eternal work entrusted to us. We only have our students for a short season, and what we teach must be handled with care and purpose.

That's why I believe it is essential to prioritize a well-thought-out scope and sequence for the Bible lessons we teach. We must first ask: What are we aiming to accomplish? What lasting goals do we want our students to carry with them after their time with us?

For example, in the midweek Bible class I currently teach, we use a two-year plan divided into four semesters. Over that span, one of our goals is Scripture memorization from both the Old and New Testaments, woven into lessons that connect and build on each other. Our structure looks like this:

Year One
Semester 1: The Ten Commandments  (Old Testament)
Semester 2: The Lord's Prayer  (New Testament)

Year Two
Semester 1: The Twenty-third Psalm (Old Testament)
Semester 2: The Beatitudes (New Testament)

By the end of this two-year cycle, the children have not only memorized key Scriptures but also learned how these truths apply to their daily lives and point them to a deeper walk with Christ.

Do you agree with the idea of establishing a scope and sequence for your Bible lessons? I'd love to hear how you plan your teaching schedule and the goals you hope to achieve in your ministry to children this coming new year! Email me!

Self-reflection for Teachers
1. Do I currently teach with a clear plan, or do I often prepare lessons week-to-week without a bigger picture?

2. What long-term spiritual goals do I want my students to achieve by the end of this semester, or even two years from now?

3. Are the lessons I'm teaching connected in a way that builds spiritual growth, or do they feel more like stand-alone topics?

4. How can I balance flexibility (being Spirit-led) with intentional planning (being prepared and structured)?

5. If I had only one year with my students, what would I most want them to know, love, and remember about God?

Group/Team Discussion Questions
1. As a ministry team, what Scriptures or themes should we prioritize for children in the coming year?

2. How can we help our students see the connection between Old Testament and New Testament lessons?

3. What methods of Scripture memorization have worked well for you in your class?

4. How can we encourage parents to reinforce the scope and sequence we're teaching at church?

5. What obstacles keep us from long-term planning, and how might we overcome them together?


God bless you as you teach the children in your ministry!
Sarah Keith