6 Times is a Charm

I am currently consulting with a church. One of the things I am working with them on is improving their children's ministry programs and formats.

Last week, I taught the elementary lesson using the Connect12 curriculum. I am training the teacher and this weekend we will co-teach the lesson. That will be followed by the teacher teaching solo the week after.

One of the key elements of the curriculum is repetition.

Why? Because repetition is a big key to placing truth into children's long-term memory. Check this out...

If a child hears something one time in a month, they will only remember about 10% of it. But if a child hears something 6 times in a month, their retention rate will go up to 90%.

And if you have the same key truth for all 4 weeks in a monthly teaching series, that's a minimum of 24 times the kids will say the key truth during the series.

I see many teachers that will mention a key truth one or two times during a lesson. And then they wonder why the truth doesn't get into children's long-term memory.

The goal is for the teaching truth to be embedded into their mind for the rest of their lives.

One day, when a college professor says there are many ways to heaven, the truth they learned will override that.

One day, when they are sharing the Gospel with a neighbor, the truth they learned as a child will cause them to be bold to share about Jesus.

One day, when someone knocks on their door from a false religion, they will remember the truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven.

6 times is definitely a charm. Try it and see. Put it to the test. Months or even a year after the series is over, see if they can say the truth.

We only have a short time to help kids get God's Word into their long-term memory. We must be diligent.

p.s. You will also notice that the key truth rhymes. That is in place for a reason as well. When a phrase rhymes, it's easier for kids to remember it.

Each of our teaching series has a key truth that is repeated at least 6 times each week during the series. This enables you to take kids on a one year discipleship journey where they will learn 12 life-changing truths. You can get more information and get samples at this link.

6 times truly is a charm.