How to Get the Class Participating During Your Church Lesson.

Let's talk about awkward times during quorum meeting. You are ten minutes into your lesson and it isn't turning into an all-star lesson. Everyone looks bored and the content you are presenting doesn't seem to come across as overly interesting. It's time to save the lesson by getting the class involved–get them talking. So you naturally ask a question, "So brethren what are your thoughts on the scripture I just read?" And then you wait for the first hand to go up….

…and you wait

…and wait

…wait

…still waiting

By this time the feeling of awkward silence settles on the class like it did on your first date in high school. Sweat beads appear on your forehead and you just can't take it anymore so you break the silence yourself. "Well….ok….What about this…" By the time you finish answering your own question you get a few nods from the crowd. You then look uncomfortably back down at the lesson manual and move to the next point.  Hopefully there is a next point.

Tough crowd, eh? What is it that makes a crowd tough? 

Let's turn the tables. Remember the last time you were in a Sunday School class and the teacher asked a question that you knew the answer to but you didn't raise your hand? Or you whisper the answer under your breath? Why does this happen? Why don't you raise your hand and proudly proclaim the answer to the question? 

When we walk into a room with a group of people, regardless how familiar they are, our comfort level seems to reset. We naturally put our guard up and our personality takes a back seat. As soon as we regain that comfort we then have no problem expressing ourselves.

The Secret: Get them to hear their own voice among the group.

Many instructors in church jump into their lesson without realizing everyone in the room is naturally uncomfortable. Not uncomfortable to the point of leaving, but uncomfortable enough that they don't want to overly participate. No matter how intriguing you sound they won't participate even if they know the answer. It is your responsibility as the instructor to prime the pump before you start with your lesson plan. The mental switch happens once they hear their voice among the group and realize they are safe to participate. This involves simply asking basic questions and having a natural conversation with the group.

"Well thank you brethren for maknig it to Elder's Quorum. We are going to talk about missionary work today. I need five of you brethren to quickly tell me where you served your mission."

This is a simple question and many will feel comfortable speaking up with an answer. The trick is to make the question simple and have the feel of a normal conversation.

Additional examples of questions:

What are some things you miss about being a missionary?

Who enjoyed the MTC?…Who never wants to go back?

Who have contact with people from their mission?

Who still uses the languange they learned on their mission?

How many copies of the Book of Mormon have you shared since you returned from your mission?

The class should be inundated with questions such as these at the beginning of the lesson in order to get them used to participating. Once someone responds immediately give them a follow up question. "Brother Watts tell me in what capacity you still use your Icelandic since your mission."

The Shy of the Shy

The above technique may work for many in the class but there will always be a group of people that simply refuse to respond to your questions. It's important that you address this at the beginning of the lesson so all will feel comfortable participating throughout the class. Once you see who isn't responding ask them questions directly.

YOU: "Brother Nevershares, where is it you served?"
Brother Nevershares: "Antartica West Mission"
YOU: "Wow, What sort of food do they eat there?"
Brother Nevershares: "Frozen whale."

Continue with follow up questions until he feels comfortable speaking in the group.

Taking the time to get the class talking is so crucial. If you are able to help the class feel comfortable with active discussion at the beginning the rest of the lesson will be much more comfortable as the teacher. Or you can skip this step and enjoy the sound of silence after each questions. Your call…