Sunday School Lessons

The hubs and I have been team teaching 12 and 13 year olds' Sunday School lessons for a couple of months now.  It's hard work finding ideas for the new curriculum, so I thought I would post ideas here so I can come back to them when I need some fresh ideas.

There was a poll posted on Huffalumps and Woozles that I use and have the kids fill out at the end of each month.  It helps us to understand the interests of the kids and what would be most useful for them to hear, since there are more lessons available that can be taught in one month.

We also have scriptures and other assignments for each child in the class so that they are somewhat prepared to contribute during class the following Sunday.  We make each assignment small, they share what they read (if they remember) and discuss how it applies to the topic. It has really encouraged more discussion and interaction from the kids.  Games and treats also keep their interest, so we're working on collecting more ideas that contribute to the lesson without detracting from the Spirit.  We also tried to issue a challenge for the week inspired by the lesson and follow up on it the next week, but there wasn't much positive response to it.  This month we're trying to issue one challenge for the month with several choices of how to fulfill that challenge.  We'll see if we get a better response this month. Listed below are ideas to try or ones that we've tried and have worked well.

JANUARY: 'The Godhead'

• How does the Holy Ghost help me learn?
• How can studying the scriptures help me learn about Heavenly Father?
• How can I help others learn about Heavenly Father?
• How can I learn to see Heavenly Father's hand in all things?
• How does the Holy Ghost help me teach the gospel?

FEBRUARY: 'The Plan of Salvation'
MARCH: 'The Atonement of Jesus Christ'
APRIL: 'The Apostasy and the Restoration'
MAY: 'Prophets and Revelation'

Game Ideas: Personal Revelation
JUNE: 'Priesthood and Priesthood Keys'
JULY: 'Ordinances and Covenants'
AUGUST: 'Marriage and Family'
SEPTEMBER: 'Commandments'
OCTOBER: 'Becoming More Christ-like'
NOVEMBER: 'Spiritual and Temporal Self-Reliance'
DECEMBER: 'Building the Kingdom of God in the Latter Days'

• Christmas: How can I share my testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Challenge: to invite a friend to a church related activity (Sunday church, youth activities such as mutual, Ward Christmas Dinner, etc.), bear testimony to a friend, or bear testimony during sacrament
• How can I learn to serve more effectively in the church?
• How can I become a better leader? Click here to see what we prepared.
• How can I become a better teacher?
• What are effective ways to share the gospel?
• How can I understand the symbols used to teach about the Second Coming?
• What can I learn from the scriptures to help me prepare for the Second Coming?