Using Email Between Classes

One of the most powerful things you can do is to use email between class times to connect with your students. Done well, this really helps you move from "event" teaching to teaching as a ministry. (Note: If email is not a technology option, think about short phone calls or postcards.)

What do you put in the messages? Here are some ideas:

* Encouragement
* Additional information you could not cover in classtime that is related to a lesson
* Links to reference materials that cover a topic in more detail, for those who want to go deeper
* Testimony about how God is working in your life or the life of someone in the class
* "Forecasts" about what is coming -- builds anticipation, which will improve learning
* Preparatory information for a future class

Another benefit of this approach is that people will reply to your emails, and you'll pick up additional feedback, questions, and ideas that will sharpen your teaching in the future.

I cover this strategy is some detail in my book, Teach the Bible to Change Lives.

How are you using email to improve your teaching ministry?