Getting Teachers to Use the Materials You Already Provide

The Frustration Is Real

You spent hours choosing the right curriculum, placing orders, and making sure every class has enough copies. But each quarter, it seems like some of your teachers never open the material you provided. Others skim it, then default back to doing things the way they always have. As a leader, this can be discouraging - especially when you know those lessons could genuinely help.

So how do you increase buy-in and get your teachers to actually use the resources you give them?

This post offers five practical ways to help your adult Sunday School and small-group teachers see your materials not as an obligation, but as a tool that helps them succeed.

1. Connect the Material to Their Real Needs

Start by asking: Why might they be avoiding it? Many teachers are overwhelmed. They may assume the material will be too rigid, too simplistic, or not suited to their teaching style. Or maybe they don’t see how it helps them do what they care most about: engaging adults in meaningful discussion.

Your job is to show them how your materials can save time, spark conversation, and give them confidence each week. Walk through a sample lesson with them. Highlight the parts that offer:

• Discussion-based questions

• Background context or commentary

• Application prompts

When they see how the material makes their job easier, they’re more likely to use it.

2. Model How to Use It

We often assume our teachers know how to use the curriculum we provide. But even experienced teachers sometimes need a refresher. Consider hosting a short demo session where you walk through a lesson together.

During the session, point out ways to:

• Customize or adapt the material without losing its core

• Use questions to open discussion instead of lecturing

• Prepare a 30-40 minute session without spending hours in study

If your curriculum includes optional tools (leader guides, printable questions, class handouts), show them how to access and use these.

3. Offer Supplemental Tools That Align

Sometimes the issue isn’t the curriculum itself, but a lack of confidence in using it well. That’s where supplemental tools can help. Look for discussion worksheets, summary outlines, or question-based guides that align with your existing material.

At StevesBibleQuestions.com, for example, we offer:

• Weekly Bible discussion worksheets that follow a question-based teaching model

• Content designed to supplement common curriculum themes

• Resources ideal for both new and veteran teachers who want more engagement and less prep

Our materials aren't designed to replace your curriculum - they reinforce it.

4. Celebrate and Share Success Stories

One of the best motivators is hearing from peers. When one of your teachers tries a new method or uses the materials successfully, share that story. Highlight what went well:

• "I asked one of the questions straight from the guide, and the group talked for 20 minutes."

• "Having a simple outline already done helped me focus on prayer and application."

Celebrate those moments publicly - in an email, at a teachers’ meeting, or on your church’s internal social page. It builds momentum and sets a positive example.

5. Make It Easy to Access and Use

Sometimes the barrier is logistical, not philosophical. Are your teachers getting the materials early enough? Are digital files easy to find? If someone loses their copy, do they know how to request a new one?

Try this:

• Email a digital copy of each lesson weekly

• Include links to helpful supplements or devotionals

• Provide a one-page overview each quarter that shows the key themes or objectives

And always invite feedback: What would make it easier for them to use the materials consistently?

Conclusion: It’s About Partnership, Not Control

Your goal isn’t to micromanage your teachers. It’s to equip them.

When they see your materials as a support system—not a script—they’re more likely to lean in.

And when they feel heard, encouraged, and resourced, they’ll teach with greater joy, confidence, and biblical depth.

Sample Worksheet