Archive for Teaching – Page 3

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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4 Ways to Find Great Illustrations

By Clint Calvert · Comments (0)
Tuesday, September 27th, 2016

illustrationsWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Using great illustrations vitally captures the attention and imagination of a class. In the face of ever-decreasing attention spans, the use of great illustrations may mean the difference between a learner grasping the point of the lesson or mentally checking out for the duration of the class.

WHAT DO I DO? Here are four ways to find great illustrations:

  1. Listen to National Public Radio. NPR features many programs with fascinating concepts. NPR hosts websites with links to podcasts, pictures, and transcripts in support of their programming. Many “drive-way moments” when I continued listening after parking have become materials that were repurposed as great illustrations.
  2. Utilize Google News Alerts. Gmail account users can create news alerts which will notify them any time a specific phrase appears in the Google News aggregator. This is especially useful if your class is studying topics relating to current events.
  3. Read, Rip, Fling, and File. When reading magazines, tear out or copy articles you need to use later. When you read electronically, copy and paste the contents into a new document and then save in a portable document format. Fling these materials into a pile physically or electronically. File these materials topically or by keywords for later use as great illustrations.
  4. Use Examples from Movies or Sports. If you can credibly re-create a touching scene from a movie or re-enact an amazing sports feat, you will grab your listener’s attention. Unless prohibited by copyright, showing a clip of the scene will engage your learners.
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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, 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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Four Steps in Preparing your Lesson

By Mark Yoakum · Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 7th, 2016

Glasses on Open BibleWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Each week teachers need to prepare a new lesson to help their members live the Gospel of Jesus.   This requires work and focus.

WHAT DO I DO? Here are four steps to help teachers prepare:

  1. Read the entire passage early.  Preferably more than a week ahead, so you can share on this Sunday what you will be looking at next Sunday.  Read chapters in front of the focal Bible passage and chapters after it.
  2. Reread the passage on Sunday afternoon, allowing the passage to speak to your heart, praying through the passage and looking at commentaries on the passage. Try to get to understand these four things about the passage:
    1. When was this passage written?
    2. Who was it written to?
    3. Why was the writer sharing this information to begin with them?
    4. What does this passage have to do with your members and the way they live now?
  3. Discover the main point that applies to your member’s lives. Write your aim.
  4. During the week, look for creative ways to teach the lesson and aspects of these three parts:
    1. Create interest in this passage
    2. Have members examine it
    3. Have members apply it to their daily life.

_______________

Dr. Mark Yoakum, Director of Church Ministries, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Teaching
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