Preparation for teaching God’s Word to a group of people is important. Preparation includes study of God’s Word and then planning for communicating that truth, including choosing teaching methods. Serious results demand unrushed study and planning. James 3:1 puts it this way:
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.
James 3:1, CSB
What and how we teach by word and example has influence–especially with results of thinking and life adjustment. Our efforts deserve stricter judgment.
Teaching Methods
An important part of this responsibility is choosing teaching methods. Methods are the means chosen to deliver content to learners. Those methods are best intentionally chosen based upon the content (passage) and the learners. Let’s talk about the influence of those two:
Content’s Influence
Every passage contains truth which God desires learners to encounter. The question here is this one: What are the best teaching methods to share the truth of this verse or passage? Most lessons will likely contain multiple methods. Allow me to offer an illustration. If you are teaching about the Passover meal, is it possible that the best method for communicating the truth of that passage may be to offer a Passover meal with teaching about the elements of the meal? Good Bible study curriculum usually offers a variety of methods, but sometimes the choices offered have less to do with the truth of the passage than about mixing the variety of method choices. Start by considering the passage and the truth that is to be shared.
Learners’ Influence
After considering the content, then add learners to your consideration. Here is the question to consider: What are the best teaching methods to communicate the truth of the verse or passage that will increase the interest of and retention by learners? Because learning style preferences vary among learners, the answer to this question will intentionally be a moving target. Allow me to offer an illustration. If you have kinesthetic learners (active, prefer movement), then enlisting them to help with the Passover meal may heighten their interest and retention in the lesson and experience.
Methods matter. Use them to capture attention. Increase retention of your teaching. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
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