"Teach the Jesus Way" available again

The "Teach the Jesus Way" training course is available again.

This is a very thorough set of audio, text, and online video lessons about using questions, story, and dialogue -- as Jesus did -- in your teaching.

Over the past few weeks I made a lot of information available about this topic. Check out the blog if you'd like to get caught up.

Recommended: Wild Goose Chase

Mark Batterson's new book, "Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God" is delightful, accessible, and just the thing God could use to speak to you.

If you aren't yet where you need to be, get this book. It would also be an excellent book for class or group discussion.

Highly recommended!

Teach the Jesus Way

If you've not been keeping up, check out all the great content about "Teach the Jesus Way." It will be available Tuesday, Aug 26th.

But You Only Waited 1.873 Seconds!

It's a common problem for teachers who are using questions in lessons, and trying to promote dialogue: not giving enough time for someone to answer. You ask the question, and then...the silence and lack of response hangs there...and your brain is screaming, your emotions are churning...and you go on without waiting for them to answer.

The fact is, you waited about 2.249 seconds.

I know it felt like an eternity. I know it was long enough to hear inner voices shouting "What's wrong with them!?" and "I must have asked a horrible question!" and "This is taking for...ev...er!"

So you ask another question. And you wait about 1.873 seconds. Your brain is watching this scene is super slow-motion replay.

Here's a tip to help you wait a more reasonable time for a response, and best of all, have a better mindset:

Sing a line from the hymn, "Amazing Grace" in your head. (Not out loud, please!) That's it. Just sing, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me."

That will take about 4 to 5 seconds. And your mindset is more focused on good things, rather than thoughts of the class spinning out of control.

You'll need to train yourself to do this, because it is a new habit. The payoff is terrific: a calm pause after you ask the question will give people time to think and respond. And they'll sense your calmness, rather than anxiousness.

Do you think this tip will help?

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me."

Creating Creative (and Effective) Sunday School Lessons

The Sunday School Revolutionary has some excellent counsel -- and links to several additional articles -- about creatively planning adult Sunday School lessons. I heartily concur with the emphasis on creating lessons out of time invested in prayer, studying God's Word, and spending time with the people you are teaching.

Free Lesson : Teach the Jesus Way

Later in August I'm going to be releasing an updated version of "Teach the Jesus Way," our intensive training course on using questions, story, and dialogue to teach powerfully and effectively -- as Jesus did.

Leading up to that I plan to share a lot of related information. I have only one requirement: you need to "raise your hand" and let me know you're interested. This is easy to do! Just go to this web page, enjoy the three minute video, and sign up to receive the first audio lesson and transcript free.

Go there now, enjoy the video, and sign up.

Qualifications for Sunday School Teachers

Our friend at the Sunday School Revolutionary has a 2 part blog post on the qualifications for a Sunday School Teacher. Recommended.

Read it, and re-read it. Where can you improve?