Transformational Teaching in Sunday School: A Journey of Discovery

Watch Part 1: Creating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan Duckworth. Dan Duckworth is the founder and host of LeaderQuest, an elite leadership program that transforms managers and executives into dynamic changemakers. He speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership and leadership development, and provides one-on-one coaching to leaders aiming to drive transformational change. Dan has served as a board member for Leading Saints since 2019. To learn more, visit idylli.co or find Dan on LinkedIn. Links Part 1: Creating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan Duckworth The True Purpose of Sunday School Why Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 1 | A Presentation by Dan Duckworth Sunday School Session Template From Aspirational Principles to Practical Principles Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights This is the second of a two-part podcast. The conversation continues, focusing on the transformative role of mentorship in youth leadership and the dynamics of effective Sunday school teaching. Dan shares insights on the nature of transformation in leadership. He stresses that effective teaching is not merely about mastering tactics but involves a fundamental shift in belief systems. This transformation requires educators to engage in a cycle of experimentation and reflection, challenging their preconceived notions of what it means to teach and learn. Dan illustrates this with examples from his own experiences, emphasizing the need for teachers to create an environment where students can co-create their learning experiences rather than passively consume information. The episode delves into the concept of culture within church settings, with Dan advocating for a proactive approach to challenging and reshaping cultural norms. He encourages leaders to embrace discomfort and uncertainty as they experiment with new teaching methods, using the metaphor of pushing against the walls of culture to gather valuable insights. The discussion also touches on the importance of fostering authentic community within Sunday school classes, where trust and openness can lead to deeper engagement and meaningful dialogue. Dan outlines practical principles for effective teaching, including the necessity of a single driving question to guide discussions and the importance of creating a safe space for students to share their thoughts and experiences. He shares a structured approach to lesson planning that prioritizes engagement and interaction, allowing for a more dynamic and impactful learning environment. Throughout the episode, Dan emphasizes the value of personal experiences and the need for teachers to be vulnerable and authentic in their interactions, ultimately aiming to facilitate a transformative experience for both educators and students alike. 02:09 - Discussion on Culture and Sunday School 03:39 - The Importance of Transformation in Leadership 04:55 - The Cycle of Experimentation and Reflection 05:43 - Challenging Belief Systems in Teaching 06:25 - The Nature of Culture and Disruption 07:28 - Building Confidence in Change 08:13 - The Role of Disruption in Teaching 09:17 - Avoiding the "Ex-Girlfriend Syndrome" in Change 10:20 - Learning from Failed Experiments 11:25 - The Role of Discernment in Leadership 12:29 - God's Omniscience and Leadership 13:03 - Teaching as Experience Design 14:07 - The Journey of Becoming a Transformational Teacher 15:20 - The Challenge of Teaching Transformational Principles 16:25 - The Importance of Actionable Principles 17:41 - Empowering Co-Creation in the Classroom 19:04 - The Pareto Principle in Teaching 20:22 - Structuring Class Time for Engagement 21:58 - Creating Positive Tensions in Lessons 23:00 - Building Authentic Community in Class 24:36 - The Role of Icebreakers in Fostering Connection