Creative master teachers are often strong advocates of occasionally conducting their classes outdoors. They know it can bring added excitement and engagement from students. This bridge time as COVID winds down provides another great reason to consider moving your Bible class outdoors for awhile. Before you head for the door though, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- Classroom environment. You need to set your outdoor class space just like you would your indoor space. Bring blankets on which students can sit. Set up in the sun or under the shade of a tree, depending upon the weather. If it’s hot, have a cooler full of bottles of water. If there are cars or other potential hazards (like the water in the photo) nearby, make sure boundaries are set that will keep students safe and bring extra helpers outside with you.
- Prepare for distractions. Think about the area where you want to hold class. What are elements that could prove distracting? Is there a lot of noise? Constant foot traffic of others through the area? Bees? Fire ants? If your lesson is engaging, your students may be so engaged they ignore most distractions. If they can’t hear you or are getting bitten by fire ants though, the best lesson in the world won’t work.
- Take advantage of the environment. Plan engaging Bible class activities that take advantage of the extra space and the freedom to be a little messier or noisier. Plan a Bible treasure hunt that sends them all over the area. Have them search for things that remind them of God or for which to be thankful. Have them plant a garden to grow food for those who are food insecure or take care of the property you use as a service project. Bring in live animals….let them ride a donkey just like Jesus did or a chariot like the Ethiopian eunuch. Have different areas set up so they can explore their various possible gifts from God. Let them have cultural experiences like using a sling (ping pong balls only please) like the one David used. Have them become the Israelites wandering in the hot “desert” and whining for water. Or let them see how big Noah’s ark really was. (Our free activity ideas on our website are full of other great ideas you can use.)
So take your Bible class outside. Your students will love it and it will allow you the space to be as creative as you can be.