How to Lead an Episcopal Adult Formation Class

You will need Microsoft PowerPoint on the device you plan to present from — a phone, tablet, or laptop. The good news is that Microsoft offers a free PowerPoint app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Just open your app store, search for Microsoft PowerPoint, and install the official app from Microsoft.

If you use a Windows laptop or desktop, PowerPoint may already be installed. If not, a free Microsoft account gives you access to PowerPoint for the web at office.com — no download needed.

Apple users: your device may already have Keynote, Apple's presentation app. Keynote can open PowerPoint files and works well for this purpose. Just be aware that some fonts or layouts may look slightly different after opening a PowerPoint file in Keynote.

Most TVs made in the last five or six years are Smart TVs, which means they can receive a wireless picture directly from your phone, tablet, or laptop — no cables needed. This is called screen sharing, screen mirroring, or casting depending on your device.

If you have an iPhone or iPad: swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Tap the icon that looks like two overlapping rectangles — it is labeled Screen Mirroring. Your TV should appear in the list. Tap it and your screen will appear on the TV. This feature is called AirPlay and works with most Smart TVs made in recent years.

If you have an Android phone or tablet, or a Windows laptop: look for a Cast or Screen Mirror option, usually found by swiping down from the top of your screen to see quick settings. Tap Cast or Screen Mirror and select your TV from the list. This works on most Smart TVs using a standard called Miracast.

Once connected, open your PowerPoint file and start the slideshow. Whatever you see on your device will appear on the TV for the whole class to see. A 40-inch or larger TV works well for a small group. A 55-inch or larger is even better.

If your TV does not support wireless screen sharing, you can add that ability very inexpensively. A Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick plugs into the HDMI port on the back of your TV and turns it into a Smart TV. Both are widely available at major retailers for around $30 to $50.

Once the Chromecast or Fire Stick is set up and connected to your church's Wi-Fi, you can cast your screen to the TV the same way described above. Setup takes about ten minutes and only needs to be done once.

If wireless is not working or your TV does not support it, an HDMI cable is a simple and reliable alternative. Plug one end into your laptop or adapter and the other end into the TV. The TV will display whatever is on your screen.

Most laptops have an HDMI port built in. If you are using a newer MacBook, iPad, or phone, you will need a small adapter — a USB-C to HDMI adapter for most modern laptops and iPads, or a Lightning to HDMI adapter for older iPhones. These adapters are widely available for under $20.

One practical tip: get a longer HDMI cable — at least 10 to 15 feet — so the cable reaches from the TV to wherever you will be sitting or standing without being in the way. Long HDMI cables are inexpensive and make the setup much more comfortable.

Projectors still work fine and many churches already have one. If yours does, you can connect to it the same way as a TV — wirelessly if it is a newer Smart projector, or with an HDMI cable if it is an older model.

Keep in mind that most entry-level projectors require a fairly dark room to see the image clearly. A TV does not have that limitation, which is one reason a TV is often the simpler choice for a Sunday morning classroom setting.