Questions to Ask Before An Event Before You Teach

You said yes, and now you're preparing to teach. Before you start writing, one of the most helpful things you can do is talk with the person leading the event.

When you teach at another church, or even at your own, you're joining a ministry that was there before you arrived and will continue after you leave. The ministry leaders know these women in a way you don't. They pray for them, watch them grow and carry their burdens every week. If you teach without that background, you're guessing.

These questions also help you pray. Once you know who will be in the room, praying for them comes naturally. That turns your attention away from your nerves and toward the people you're there to serve.

Use this list to plan your call with the event leader. Take notes, or record the call if they're comfortable with that, and keep what you learn close as you pray and prepare.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WOMEN

  1. What’s your long term vision for the women of your church? What are you hoping and praying for, specifically for this event? 

  2. Tell me about the demographics of those who will attend–age, stage of life, married/single, new believers, unbelievers, mature believers, economic situation, etc. 

  3. What do you feel their spiritual needs are?

  4. What would the women say their greatest need is?

  5. Are there any types of suffering that many women are facing? (i.e. a lot of miscarriages or aging/dying parents)

  6. How is their Biblical literacy?

  7. Who are the other spiritual voices in their lives - podcasters, book authors, Bible study book authors, etc. 

  8. Have there been any big events in the life of the church (pastor stepping down, church splits, revival, etc.)

  9. What kinds of spiritual questions are they asking?

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT

  1. Do you have this event every year? Or is this a one-off event?

  2. What’s the schedule for the event? And when should I arrive? 

  3. How many times will I be teaching? How long do I have to teach?

  4. Do you have a theme for this event? Or key verse? How important is it for my teaching to coincide with this? 

  5. What is the teaching space like? Is there a stage? Large room, small room?

  6. What was taught last time?

  7. Will there be discussion time after I teach? Do you need discussion questions from me?

  8. IF TRAVEL IS INVOLVED: Where will I be staying? Can you reimburse my travel costs?