Archive for learning – Page 2

What Every Student Needs in Their Sunday School Classroom

By Dwayne Lee · Comments (0)
Sunday, October 9th, 2016

welcomeWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? The Bible conveys to us that we have been made creatures have need relationships. I know that many might disagree with that statement, but it the core of our being I believe we all desire community.

Certainly there are those moments when we all look for that time of peace, quite and solitude.  I look for that myself, but at the end of the day we need relationships. We need people in our lives that can be there in the good times and in the bad. Your small group or Sunday school class is a great place for that to happen.

WHAT DO I DO? Community begins to take place when you do things outside of the classroom or group time. Too many times we simply go to church, go to our class, listen to the lesson, move into the worship time, get into our cars and go home without communicating with anyone.

I’m not talking about the casual “hello” or “How is it going”… I’m talking about connecting with people you are doing life with. My wife and I have made connection with a couple in our group and every week we are together we always talk about the next time we are getting together to grab a burger! Then it’s at the restaurant we can really begin to laugh, share, pray and enjoy each other’s journey and hear what God is doing in their lives.

So make the effort to start (or continue) those relationships within your group and see how God will use that to spark new opportunities.

Hebrews 10:25-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Space, Space and Facilities, Teaching
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Getting the Attention of Your Members

By Fred Creason · Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 28th, 2016

attentionBy Dr. Fred Creason, Leadership Strategist, Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? We all know the routine: “Anybody got any blessings this week?”  “Anybody got any prayer requests?” “Anybody know how Emma’s surgery went?  I meant to go by the hospital, but I guess I didn’t.”  “Anybody know what happened to the Jones family?  Ken and Debbie haven’t been here for a while.  I meant to call, but I guess I didn’t.”

Some people like routine.  But many of us struggle.  We get tired of the same old questions, the same old answers, and the stifling sameness of our Bible study groups.

WHAT DO I DO? People don’t expect much from our Sunday School classes.  And they get what they expect.  But how do we change things?  How do we get the attention of Sunday School members, so that they look forward to coming to class?

We could redecorate the room, or rearrange the tables and chairs.  We could even try to move the blessing and prayer request time to the end of the class period.  But no lasting change will take place until we determine—as a group—why we meet.

Life-changing Sunday School classes know their purpose.  Sunday School began, in the late 1700s, as a ministry arm of the church—a way to get outside the church walls and into the community.  Every class has gifted members, people who can use their gifts and talents to serve others (carpentry, mechanics, yard care, cooking, etc.).

We won’t have to get our members’ attention, when God has their attention.  A class that ministers together will be excited to meet together.

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Learning, Teaching
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The Reason We Teach

By Dwayne Lee · Comments (0)
Monday, September 26th, 2016

biblegroupWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? We’ve all heard the old story about the Sunday school teacher who was teaching her class one day. She was describing this particular creature that was small and gray and had a long furry tail. As she continued with her description, one of her kids raised their hand. The teacher said, do you know the answer? The little boy said, well, it sounds like a squirrel but I’m going to say Jesus!

WHAT DO I DO? Jesus should be the reason we do what we do? As Sunday school teachers we have to start there. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Who asked me to teach?
  • Why did they ask me to teach?
  • Do I enjoy teaching? Why?
  • Do I understand the responsibility of my role?
  • Am I excited for each Sunday and its opportunities?
  • Do you sense a calling in your life to teach, or are you filling a need?

There are many other questions that you could ask, but the biggest one is the first one: who asked you to teach? I’m sure you thought of the Sunday school director, pastor, or minister of education who stopped you in the church hallway to ask you that staggering question: “Would you be interested in teaching a Sunday school class?” I would challenge you to go deeper to ponder the question, “Did Jesus ask me to teach?”

Consider the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:9: “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Teaching
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Expect God’s Word to Speak Twice

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (2)
Friday, September 9th, 2016

BiblenPenWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? First, God desires to meet the teacher in His Word before the teacher leads group time. For the teacher, that encounter is THE lesson. Teacher, expect Him to speak to you and change you.

Second, God desires more than reciting your encounter. While a testmony is inspiring, it is not life-changing. For needed life-change to occur in lives of group members, we must lead them to open God’s Word so they can meet Him. When we do so, God speaks, convicts, and changes.

WHAT DO I DO? Start your preparation time early. Seek a personal encounter with God in His Word before you put together your plan for leading learners to do the same during group time. I read the passage several times daily during the first half of the week before I open a commentary. I want to listen to what God is saying to me before I hear what others heard. My personal steps are listen, pray, commit, and obey.

Having encountered God in His Word personally, I listen for what God desires my group to hear and do. I put together a plan to facilitate their encounter. I may call, email, or text group members with a question or assignment. During group time, we open the Bible and listen. Questions and discussion are common. Lecture, if any, will be brief. No one but God talks more than half of the time, including the teacher. When God speaks twice, lives are changed!

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Learning, Teaching
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