So by now you have introduced your Bible lesson with an introductory activity that has whet their appetite and they are hungry to know more. You have brought them to a time of encountering the truth of the Word. This Bible study time is primarily about imparting information that they can wrestle with, ask questions about, and discover the underlying truths that are found in the Word of God. During this time it is very important to be sure to ask some penetrating questions that will drive the class deeper and challenge them to see the fresh ways that God is revealing himself. The introduction and the Bible study time usually takes about 45 minutes of your hour long class time.
The last 15 minutes of your class should be the time to close your lesson and lead your class from information to transformation. It is imperative that your guard this time and plan to use it for bringing the lesson to a strong close. This is an opportunity to bring all of the content of the lesson into practical terms that will help your students to understand the application for their daily lives. How? Through good questions! Through a focused activity! Through dialogue/conversation! As a teacher/facilitator, it is up to you to use the best method or methods that will meet the needs of your students. These methods should help you drive home the points from the Truth and bring them into focus for day to day living. This time of application should help to bring them deeper into the Word where the answers live.
Sometimes as teachers we tend to wrap everything up in a neat little package and send them home with all the answers but the best gift you can give your students is a hunger for more and a fresh perspective in how the Word provides the practical tools for living. Now go and close that Lesson!!!
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Sandy Coelho is the Lay Leadership Director for the Baptist Convention of New England.
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