I've received several notes recently from teachers struggling to remain patient with students who don't learn quickly, or seem interested in learning.
"1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."(Ephesians 4:1-6)
Did you catch the counsel there for teachers? "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
When this kind of frustration happens to us, our irritation and anger is surging because of some dimension of our pride. Yes, it may be true that your students are slow to learn. They may be resistant to incorporating the clear lessons from Scripture into their lives. They may seem dull of hearing, or bored, or desiring more entertainment rather than solid food. But the Lord may well have used these circumstances to expose your pride for what it is.
Our response must be the same as God's response to us: patient instruction, faithful perserverance, humility that we, too, need God's great mercy. We continue to love and bear with one another, acknowledging that living in community is hard at times. We wait and pray for the Holy Spirit to do His work in their hearts (and in our hearts!).
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Oscillating Between Learning and Teaching
Teaching and Learning work hand-in-hand. They strengthen each other. You learn as you study the Word, as the Lord directs you through life experiences, as you fight the good fight of faith. And you sharpen that learning as you prepare for teaching. Teaching actually widens the avenues of learning!
I've seen many people stagnate or plateau in their learning -- until they teach or mentor others, and then their own growth continues.
I believe God has wired us this way. It's one of the attributes of relational community.
Let me give you some counsel about the rhythm of learning and teaching. You will naturally oscillate between the two. There is a flow between the "modes" of being a student and being a teacher. Neither is better than the other; they complement one another! Trust that the flow between them is a positive experience.
My recommendation is to monitor your motivation. If you monitor your motivation level, you'll notice that sometimes feel more motivated to learn and study. Other times, it will swing and you'll feel practically compelled to teach. (I believe this is often a signal from our Lord, a calling.) When you feel less motivated to teach, switch to student mode. And when your motivation for learning more weakens, see if switching to teaching mode is helpful.
My personal observation is that when I resist this "motivation" signal, I only feel more lazy, more uninspired. My enthusiasm is rejuvenated when I honor it.
Have I also handled this teacher/student oscillation well? No. I'm still learning! (And now I'm in teaching mode :-)
I've seen many people stagnate or plateau in their learning -- until they teach or mentor others, and then their own growth continues.
I believe God has wired us this way. It's one of the attributes of relational community.
Let me give you some counsel about the rhythm of learning and teaching. You will naturally oscillate between the two. There is a flow between the "modes" of being a student and being a teacher. Neither is better than the other; they complement one another! Trust that the flow between them is a positive experience.
My recommendation is to monitor your motivation. If you monitor your motivation level, you'll notice that sometimes feel more motivated to learn and study. Other times, it will swing and you'll feel practically compelled to teach. (I believe this is often a signal from our Lord, a calling.) When you feel less motivated to teach, switch to student mode. And when your motivation for learning more weakens, see if switching to teaching mode is helpful.
My personal observation is that when I resist this "motivation" signal, I only feel more lazy, more uninspired. My enthusiasm is rejuvenated when I honor it.
Have I also handled this teacher/student oscillation well? No. I'm still learning! (And now I'm in teaching mode :-)
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Base Materials for Teaching Biblical Principles of Money
I've gotten a few requests about good materials for teaching classes on handling money God's way. This is certainly an important topic for the Church today!
I heartily recommend the materials you can find at the Ten Talents Club. You can get to all their resources through Todd Smith's page (Don't miss the great story about the killer mold in their basement and the "spacemen" who come to take care of it.)
(By the way, I'm not making any commission here, just recommending solid materials you can trust.)
I heartily recommend the materials you can find at the Ten Talents Club. You can get to all their resources through Todd Smith's page (Don't miss the great story about the killer mold in their basement and the "spacemen" who come to take care of it.)
(By the way, I'm not making any commission here, just recommending solid materials you can trust.)
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Ilustrations of the Temple
The soon-to-be-released ESV Study Bible has some wonderful illustrations. The latest to be previewed are of the Temple. These give you a much better feel for the dimensions!
As you may know, I'm not generally a fan of study Bibles for regular devotions (all the extras distract people from the text), but they are great for reference. I plan to get a copy of the ESV Study Bible and will let you know what I think about it.
As you may know, I'm not generally a fan of study Bibles for regular devotions (all the extras distract people from the text), but they are great for reference. I plan to get a copy of the ESV Study Bible and will let you know what I think about it.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
20 Resolutions from James
Sinclair Ferguson gives us 20 resolutions from James:
James 1:5 To ask God for wisdom to speak and with a single mind
James 1:9-10 To boast only in exaltation in Christ, & humiliation in world
James 1:13 To set a watch over my mouth
James 1:19 To be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak
James 2:1-4 To learn the gospel way of speaking to poor and the rich
James 2:12 To speak always in the consciousness of the final judgment
James 2:16 To never stand on anyone’s face with my words
James 3:14 To never claim as reality something I do not experience
James 4:1 To resist quarrelsome words in order to mortify a quarrelsome heart
James 4:11 To never speak evil of another
James 4:13 To never boast in what I will accomplish
James 4:15 To always speak as one subject to the providences of God
James 5:9 To never grumble, knowing that the Judge is at the door
James 5:12 To never allow anything but total integrity in my speech
James 5:13 To speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer
James 5:14 To sing praises to God whenever I am cheerful
James 5:14 To ask for the prayers of others when I am sick
James 5:15 To confess it freely whenever I have failed
James 5:15 To pray with and for one another when I am together with others
James 5:19 To speak words of restoration when I see another wander
HT: Between Two Worlds
James 1:5 To ask God for wisdom to speak and with a single mind
James 1:9-10 To boast only in exaltation in Christ, & humiliation in world
James 1:13 To set a watch over my mouth
James 1:19 To be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak
James 2:1-4 To learn the gospel way of speaking to poor and the rich
James 2:12 To speak always in the consciousness of the final judgment
James 2:16 To never stand on anyone’s face with my words
James 3:14 To never claim as reality something I do not experience
James 4:1 To resist quarrelsome words in order to mortify a quarrelsome heart
James 4:11 To never speak evil of another
James 4:13 To never boast in what I will accomplish
James 4:15 To always speak as one subject to the providences of God
James 5:9 To never grumble, knowing that the Judge is at the door
James 5:12 To never allow anything but total integrity in my speech
James 5:13 To speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer
James 5:14 To sing praises to God whenever I am cheerful
James 5:14 To ask for the prayers of others when I am sick
James 5:15 To confess it freely whenever I have failed
James 5:15 To pray with and for one another when I am together with others
James 5:19 To speak words of restoration when I see another wander
HT: Between Two Worlds
Saturday, September 27, 2008
No More Frustration
It's the season of the year when I start getting more messages like this one:
"The guy just talks and talks and TALKS and takes all the air out of the room! I'm not getting through the lesson. He obviously can't read our body language, because he just keeps..on..going..forever. I talked with him once and he said he was sorry. Then he did it again even worse the next week. Two people have dropped out because he finds a way to go from our Bible lesson to the presidential political race (and of course they don't like his preferred candidate). Glenn, I'm about to close down this study, because it's just not worth it. What should I do? How do I fix this guy?"
Small groups and new Bible studies are starting up, and after a couple of weeks the "difficult" people become evident, don't they? This guy is describing the classic "excessive talker." You can also run into know-it-alls, lesson-hijackers, therapy-seekers, non-responsives, and aggressive skeptics.
I've made about every mistake you can make, at least with the difficult people who usually appear in Bible studies and small groups and adult Sunday School classes. And God has graciously allowed me to learn about ministering effectively with "tougher-to-love" people that He puts in my classes and groups.
If you need this information, you need it bad!
If you don't need it now, you likely will soon. Every Bible teacher encounters these people. It's part of our growth plan!
By the way, the answer to "How do I fix this guy?" is "You don't. You love them." No where in the Bible are we told to fix people -- that's work that only God can do. But how do you love people in a way that helps them develop, giving them useful and constructive feedback? That's what this audio lesson is all about!
"The guy just talks and talks and TALKS and takes all the air out of the room! I'm not getting through the lesson. He obviously can't read our body language, because he just keeps..on..going..forever. I talked with him once and he said he was sorry. Then he did it again even worse the next week. Two people have dropped out because he finds a way to go from our Bible lesson to the presidential political race (and of course they don't like his preferred candidate). Glenn, I'm about to close down this study, because it's just not worth it. What should I do? How do I fix this guy?"
Small groups and new Bible studies are starting up, and after a couple of weeks the "difficult" people become evident, don't they? This guy is describing the classic "excessive talker." You can also run into know-it-alls, lesson-hijackers, therapy-seekers, non-responsives, and aggressive skeptics.
I've made about every mistake you can make, at least with the difficult people who usually appear in Bible studies and small groups and adult Sunday School classes. And God has graciously allowed me to learn about ministering effectively with "tougher-to-love" people that He puts in my classes and groups.
If you need this information, you need it bad!
If you don't need it now, you likely will soon. Every Bible teacher encounters these people. It's part of our growth plan!
By the way, the answer to "How do I fix this guy?" is "You don't. You love them." No where in the Bible are we told to fix people -- that's work that only God can do. But how do you love people in a way that helps them develop, giving them useful and constructive feedback? That's what this audio lesson is all about!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Suggested Self-Check
A suggested self-check for Bible teachers: What's the temperature of your passion for Jesus?
Passion is not purely an emotional state. It covers drive, grit, determination, joy, and hope.
Take a few minutes for a self-assessment. Write in your journal about it. You'll learn things from our Master. You'll learn things about yourself (and you might not like all of them) -- watch how much rationalization surfaces in your thoughts.
Surrender all of it to Jesus.
Passion is not purely an emotional state. It covers drive, grit, determination, joy, and hope.
Take a few minutes for a self-assessment. Write in your journal about it. You'll learn things from our Master. You'll learn things about yourself (and you might not like all of them) -- watch how much rationalization surfaces in your thoughts.
Surrender all of it to Jesus.
Friday, September 19, 2008
There are Many Benefits for the Teacher!
Our prolific friends at Sunday School Revolutionary documents some of the many benefits received by the teacher/leader of adult Sunday School classes.
It's absolutely true -- the process of study, lesson preparation, teaching, and follow-through will put you on a fast track to personal growth, so long as you remain humble before our Lord.
It's absolutely true -- the process of study, lesson preparation, teaching, and follow-through will put you on a fast track to personal growth, so long as you remain humble before our Lord.
Warnings on Hebrew/Greek word study
Peter Mead has several warnings about original language study. I say a hearty Amen! This is one of the strengths, I believe, of my introduction to Hebrew and Greek word study.
I believe competent Bible study includes the practical ability to look up words in the original language, using trustworthy tools, and staying doctrinally "healthy" in the process!
I believe competent Bible study includes the practical ability to look up words in the original language, using trustworthy tools, and staying doctrinally "healthy" in the process!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thoughtful Views on the Emergent Church
If you're confused about all the "emergent" church conversations, and maybe a little concerned about what you're hearing, you aren't alone.
Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church, helpfully talks about four different streams of the emergent movement, based on a 2-x-2 "grid":
Don't Change Change
----------------------------------------
Doctrine
----------------------------------------
Practice
----------------------------------------
Pastor Driscoll argues for retaining orthodox doctrines (consistent with Jude 3), and being willing to change our practices to reach a changing culture. He helpfully warns about the problems that are occur when we abandon doctrines on scripture, Jesus Christ, gender, sin, salvation, the cross, hell, and authority.
Go here to get the 4 page PDF file, titled "A Pastoral Perspective on the Emergent Church." Excellent, concise, worth reading.
Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church, helpfully talks about four different streams of the emergent movement, based on a 2-x-2 "grid":
Don't Change Change
----------------------------------------
Doctrine
----------------------------------------
Practice
----------------------------------------
Pastor Driscoll argues for retaining orthodox doctrines (consistent with Jude 3), and being willing to change our practices to reach a changing culture. He helpfully warns about the problems that are occur when we abandon doctrines on scripture, Jesus Christ, gender, sin, salvation, the cross, hell, and authority.
Go here to get the 4 page PDF file, titled "A Pastoral Perspective on the Emergent Church." Excellent, concise, worth reading.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Where Do You See Bible Teaching Going?
I'm curious...where do you see Bible teaching going? What are the trends in your church or neighborhood? Are there enough Bible teachers? How are people responding to teaching? Are lives being changed?
Your comments appreciated.
Your comments appreciated.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
CCEL Resource
Great resource: The Christian Classics Ethereal Library
The CCEL provides most of the major works from Christian history for free and a “Study Bible” feature that pulls up historical church commentary, sermons, hymns, . For example, if you're studying 1 John Chapter 1, then you have access to all this.
CCEL links to The Hymnary, a wonderful search tool to find hymns by keyword, tune, and verse. Hymns, in my view, are an under-utilized source of commentary and encouragement.
Add this to your favorites list.
The CCEL provides most of the major works from Christian history for free and a “Study Bible” feature that pulls up historical church commentary, sermons, hymns, . For example, if you're studying 1 John Chapter 1, then you have access to all this.
CCEL links to The Hymnary, a wonderful search tool to find hymns by keyword, tune, and verse. Hymns, in my view, are an under-utilized source of commentary and encouragement.
Add this to your favorites list.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Put Personal Devotion First
I received an interesting email from Jill. She has a lot of time pressures, and writes "because of all the lesson preparation time, I don't have any time left for my personal devotions."
My counsel is to prioritize personal devotion time first, ahead of lesson prep/planning time.
Why?
You can't teach to change lives if you aren't first connected and re-connected and tight with our Lord. Wrestle through sin issues (like fear and anger and anxiety) before you teach. If you're concerned about how much time this takes away from lesson prep, put it aside. Hear the testimony of experience: lesson prep will go smoother and faster and better AFTER personal devotion time with the Lord.
YOU are the tool God will use to reach people. Put yourself in a regular position to be "worked on" by the Master, and you will be much more useful to Him.
My counsel is to prioritize personal devotion time first, ahead of lesson prep/planning time.
Why?
You can't teach to change lives if you aren't first connected and re-connected and tight with our Lord. Wrestle through sin issues (like fear and anger and anxiety) before you teach. If you're concerned about how much time this takes away from lesson prep, put it aside. Hear the testimony of experience: lesson prep will go smoother and faster and better AFTER personal devotion time with the Lord.
YOU are the tool God will use to reach people. Put yourself in a regular position to be "worked on" by the Master, and you will be much more useful to Him.
Monday, August 25, 2008
"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.
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.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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!
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.
Monday, August 18, 2008
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."
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."
Saturday, August 16, 2008
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.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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.
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?
Read it, and re-read it. Where can you improve?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
45,000 Illustrations
I highly recommend Peter Mead's post on where to find 45,000 illustrations -- free!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Penalty for Possessing a Bible
Veith points out: "In the heyday of Soviet Communism, the penalty for possessing a Bible was 3 years in prison. Think of that the next time you dare to read that dangerous book."
That would be whether you read it, or believed it.
When I was in college I spent some time with a young man who had fled Russia. (This was before Gorbachev and glasnost.) He told me that he figured out there must be a God, and capitalism must work, because there were only two things the Communist Party teachers repeated over and over and over:
"There is no God."
"Capitalism is corrupt."
Everything else they pretty much said one time. So he logically concluded that they were afraid of God and Capitalism, and repeated these mantras out of legitimate fear.
That would be whether you read it, or believed it.
When I was in college I spent some time with a young man who had fled Russia. (This was before Gorbachev and glasnost.) He told me that he figured out there must be a God, and capitalism must work, because there were only two things the Communist Party teachers repeated over and over and over:
"There is no God."
"Capitalism is corrupt."
Everything else they pretty much said one time. So he logically concluded that they were afraid of God and Capitalism, and repeated these mantras out of legitimate fear.
Friday, July 25, 2008
BiblePlaces.Com -- Terrific Resource
You should add this site to your Favorites list:
http://www.bibleplaces.com
Amazing photographs from hundreds of Bible locations described in the OT and NT! These can be useful in your teaching, to give people a sense of geography and scale of the places where the biblical story took place.
http://www.bibleplaces.com
Amazing photographs from hundreds of Bible locations described in the OT and NT! These can be useful in your teaching, to give people a sense of geography and scale of the places where the biblical story took place.
Accurate Depictions of Golgotha and Jesus' Tomb
You probably have some images in your mind of what Golgotha looked like, and the tomb where they laid Jesus' body. Some of that might be wrong! Check out these short interviews with Leen Ritmeyer:
Golgotha
Tomb of Jesus
Golgotha
Tomb of Jesus
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Books on Preaching
I know there are many pastors and other serious students of the Word who read this blog. There is a significant overlap in the process of developing and delivering a sermon (preaching) and creating interactive learning environments for effective teaching. So books on preaching can be terrific material for Bible teachers to study. Peter Mead has an excellent list of recommendations for you.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Teaching Tips -- They Work!
Sharing two responses I've received in the past two days:
Wanda tried my suggestions about using a hymnal for devotion time, and then used a hymn as part of the class:
Elmer writes about the value of using what he's learning:
Way to go, Wanda and Elmer! Keep on teaching to change lives. If you're interested in taking your teaching up to a whole new level, go here.
Wanda tried my suggestions about using a hymnal for devotion time, and then used a hymn as part of the class:
"Now , Glen, this tip brings me great joy!
About three months ago while
praying, studying,
and preparing for 7-9 year olds Sunday School
I found
such a hymn..... then I sang
it to the class that Sunday.
Know which
one it was......"I Surrender All".
Well they were so amazed. Never
- had a teacher sang to the class.
Midweek Praise and worship was much
the same with hymn "prayers"
we all know, " Jesus loves the little children",
Jesus loves Me".
It improved our relationship....
changed their behavior and participation."
Elmer writes about the value of using what he's learning:
"It's a big help Glenn, from now, I start reading in a loud voice and I've seen
already the improvement of my speech.
I do more interaction in my teaching,
manage my time always, and coaching my co-teachers on how to become more
effective in their teaching.
I'm planning now to buy a bible with a large
margin and some of the teaching tools.
I praise God for directing me to your
site and in giving me this ebook.
Thanks also for your coaching
continuously."
Way to go, Wanda and Elmer! Keep on teaching to change lives. If you're interested in taking your teaching up to a whole new level, go here.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Be a Learning Session Designer!
I trust your teaching ministry is going well, and the Lord is showing himself strong through you -- may many lives be changed because you are cooperating with the Lord!
Here's a challenge for your next class:
Instead of thinking of yourself as a teacher, think of yourself as a learning session designer. The objective of any Bible study, lesson, or devotional time is to help people grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.To that end, then, what can you do to design the opportunity to maximize the potential to learn?
* How do you set up the room?
* What questions generate more learning?
* How can you use illustrations to give people something tangible or memorable, and increase retention?
* What kind of handout materials will improve interaction and sustain attention?
* How can you set up the timing of the parts of the lessonor study so people don't get distracted or bored or overwhelmed?
* How can you inspire them to do pre- or post- work to learn more on their own?
Why do I recommend you think this way? Because often when we think about ourselves as the teacher we get too focused on -- ourselves.
Thinking about how to best todesign a learning session puts our focus where it needs to be -- on the students. Try this approach. I'm sure you'll come up with ever better ideas and strategies.
Here's a challenge for your next class:
Instead of thinking of yourself as a teacher, think of yourself as a learning session designer. The objective of any Bible study, lesson, or devotional time is to help people grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.To that end, then, what can you do to design the opportunity to maximize the potential to learn?
* How do you set up the room?
* What questions generate more learning?
* How can you use illustrations to give people something tangible or memorable, and increase retention?
* What kind of handout materials will improve interaction and sustain attention?
* How can you set up the timing of the parts of the lessonor study so people don't get distracted or bored or overwhelmed?
* How can you inspire them to do pre- or post- work to learn more on their own?
Why do I recommend you think this way? Because often when we think about ourselves as the teacher we get too focused on -- ourselves.
Thinking about how to best todesign a learning session puts our focus where it needs to be -- on the students. Try this approach. I'm sure you'll come up with ever better ideas and strategies.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Power of Encouragement
The Lord frequently reminds me of the power of encouragement! I received this delightful letter from one of God's great teaches in Phoenix. Check it out, pray for him, and then ask yourself -- whom can you encourage today?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hello Glenn, I have taught 'teen and/or adult Bible study my entire adult life (I will turn 73 in a few months). Started at 17. God has blessed this calling.
I'm writing this email to thank you for the email I just received with the title line,"I'm just writing to encourage you"
You see, I just walked in the door of my home, from a visit with my doctor. He told me that I have prostrate cancer and wants to do some scans and further testing to know the full extent and possible treatment. I walked in, turned on my computer, opened up my email, ,at the top of the list of un-opened messages was your "Encouragement" letter.
I'm an ol' retired construction worker and am pretty spunky. At one point in my life I had gone over 33 years without missing a days work, for which I give all the glory to He who died for my sins. But I have to tell you, I was more than a little bit "down."
I'm not wanting sympothy, I don't feel a single pain, and look forward to life as usual, totally dependent on HIM. But the word ENCOURAGE simply popped off ofmy screen. And I intend to do just what you recommended. In your words, "Persevere if things are going great. Persevere if things are not "going" at all."
My class of 15 or so adults is presently enjoyingin a study based on James W Garlow's book,"The Covenant." Pray for me as I lead this little group and that lives will be changed as a result of the truths we discover.
In Christ, Wayne Kronz in sunny, hot (113 today), Phoenix, Arizona. P.S. Oh yes. Pray for my situation, also.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hello Glenn, I have taught 'teen and/or adult Bible study my entire adult life (I will turn 73 in a few months). Started at 17. God has blessed this calling.
I'm writing this email to thank you for the email I just received with the title line,"I'm just writing to encourage you"
You see, I just walked in the door of my home, from a visit with my doctor. He told me that I have prostrate cancer and wants to do some scans and further testing to know the full extent and possible treatment. I walked in, turned on my computer, opened up my email, ,at the top of the list of un-opened messages was your "Encouragement" letter.
I'm an ol' retired construction worker and am pretty spunky. At one point in my life I had gone over 33 years without missing a days work, for which I give all the glory to He who died for my sins. But I have to tell you, I was more than a little bit "down."
I'm not wanting sympothy, I don't feel a single pain, and look forward to life as usual, totally dependent on HIM. But the word ENCOURAGE simply popped off ofmy screen. And I intend to do just what you recommended. In your words, "Persevere if things are going great. Persevere if things are not "going" at all."
My class of 15 or so adults is presently enjoyingin a study based on James W Garlow's book,"The Covenant." Pray for me as I lead this little group and that lives will be changed as a result of the truths we discover.
In Christ, Wayne Kronz in sunny, hot (113 today), Phoenix, Arizona. P.S. Oh yes. Pray for my situation, also.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Value In the Process of Preparing
Almost weekly I'm asked "Do you have a lesson on ____ that I can use?" Sermon collections abound, and we're awash in pre-made lessons and video teaching series. There is "lesson maker" and "sermon creator" software available. All of this promises the microwave, instant end-product, practically-no-work-on-your-part result.
Don't shortchange yourself or your students. You're better than this. The Lord wants more, much more, for you and for those whom you teach.
The process of wrestling with the Word and praying for your students is good time with the Lord, very good time. "Shortcutting this" denies you the learning and growth opportunity! Crafting a lesson and working it over and over changes you, dear teacher, and helps incorporate the lesson into your life.
And, except for lessons which require special knowledge that you may not have (e.g., a video presentation on the geography and architecture of the Temple of Diana), I am firmly convinced that God will deliver precisely what His children need at this time through the lesson that you and He create together. This is spiritual work.
Yes, it is more work. Yes, it will take more time. The process is beneficial, and the result authentic. Teach to change lives!
Don't shortchange yourself or your students. You're better than this. The Lord wants more, much more, for you and for those whom you teach.
The process of wrestling with the Word and praying for your students is good time with the Lord, very good time. "Shortcutting this" denies you the learning and growth opportunity! Crafting a lesson and working it over and over changes you, dear teacher, and helps incorporate the lesson into your life.
And, except for lessons which require special knowledge that you may not have (e.g., a video presentation on the geography and architecture of the Temple of Diana), I am firmly convinced that God will deliver precisely what His children need at this time through the lesson that you and He create together. This is spiritual work.
Yes, it is more work. Yes, it will take more time. The process is beneficial, and the result authentic. Teach to change lives!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Info Overload -- and Little Absorption
From a useful, short article about the problem of information overload (italics mine):
"Even those of us who cheer new technologies for the choices and access they bring realize we're early in the process of humans using these technologies wisely. Data show that technology is a huge productivity enhancer – and a huge source of inefficiency. Research company Basex estimates that more than one-quarter of the day of the typical information worker is taken up by interruptions such as email, instant messaging, Twitter, RSS feeds and other untamed information flows. Less time is spent each day on activities such as writing emails, going to meetings or searching for information. The researchers concluded that only about one-tenth of the day is spent thinking and reflecting."
Now you might be thinking, "Uhm, why are writing about this on a blog for Bible teachers?"
Many of the people that you're teaching are treading water in a sea of information, and spending little if any time reflecting on the meaning of the information they have. So I strongly recommend you work to help people THINK and REFLECT and TAKE ACTON on what they are learning.
May I be blunt? Many of the same people who complain about info overload and being too busy are actually addicted to this state. They love it! How do I know? Given a spare minute, they go get more or start doing something else! (Their motivation may be guilt or pride or fear, or just for the rush of it.) Rather than focusing on one task, they go after the slightest opportunity to be interrupted. ("Ooh! Someone texted me, let me see who that is.")
So in your teaching preparation, dear teacher, understand what you're up against. Teach less material in a very engaging way. Teach for deep understanding of a single verse. Give a powerful, useful framework for topics so they can fit in what they learn more accurately, and retain it. Teach for application -- what will they do today with what they learned from the Word?
And to those who beg you to go faster, cover more, drown them with more information...be patient and mature -- but teach to their needs, not their wants.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught at an underground seminary at Finkenwald for a time. His rule for the pastors-in-training was to focus on one verse per week. 52 verses mastered and absorbed well would be worth much, much more in their spiritual development than thousands of verses considered poorly.
I'll be interested to see your comments on this important issue.
"Even those of us who cheer new technologies for the choices and access they bring realize we're early in the process of humans using these technologies wisely. Data show that technology is a huge productivity enhancer – and a huge source of inefficiency. Research company Basex estimates that more than one-quarter of the day of the typical information worker is taken up by interruptions such as email, instant messaging, Twitter, RSS feeds and other untamed information flows. Less time is spent each day on activities such as writing emails, going to meetings or searching for information. The researchers concluded that only about one-tenth of the day is spent thinking and reflecting."
Now you might be thinking, "Uhm, why are writing about this on a blog for Bible teachers?"
Many of the people that you're teaching are treading water in a sea of information, and spending little if any time reflecting on the meaning of the information they have. So I strongly recommend you work to help people THINK and REFLECT and TAKE ACTON on what they are learning.
May I be blunt? Many of the same people who complain about info overload and being too busy are actually addicted to this state. They love it! How do I know? Given a spare minute, they go get more or start doing something else! (Their motivation may be guilt or pride or fear, or just for the rush of it.) Rather than focusing on one task, they go after the slightest opportunity to be interrupted. ("Ooh! Someone texted me, let me see who that is.")
So in your teaching preparation, dear teacher, understand what you're up against. Teach less material in a very engaging way. Teach for deep understanding of a single verse. Give a powerful, useful framework for topics so they can fit in what they learn more accurately, and retain it. Teach for application -- what will they do today with what they learned from the Word?
And to those who beg you to go faster, cover more, drown them with more information...be patient and mature -- but teach to their needs, not their wants.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught at an underground seminary at Finkenwald for a time. His rule for the pastors-in-training was to focus on one verse per week. 52 verses mastered and absorbed well would be worth much, much more in their spiritual development than thousands of verses considered poorly.
I'll be interested to see your comments on this important issue.
Software for Planning a Sunday School class
You might be interested in this free "Easy Sunday School Planner" software from RCL software. The company also provides a whole range of software for churches and pastors to use.
I have not tried this software myself yet, but wanted to give you a head-start in checking it out.
HT: Paul
I have not tried this software myself yet, but wanted to give you a head-start in checking it out.
HT: Paul
Friday, July 04, 2008
Antennae Up!
What is God teaching you these days? Today?
I encourage you to be aware of what you're learning, and be aware that you, as a disciple of Jesus, are in learning mode. You know how difficult it is to teach someone who isn't open to learning, right? Don't be guilty of this yourself!
Get your antennae up and out, so you're ready to take in lessons from the Word and what you observe in your experiences every day. Waggle those rabbit ear antennas if necessary so the signal comes in stronger. Focus your attention on Jesus. Pray, "Lord, teach me. I'm yours." Renew your confidence that the Lord himself is your Teacher, Friend, and Guide.
Remember that YOU are a tool that God will use to teach, encourage, and instruct others. He's going to prepare you before He uses you. What a ride!
I encourage you to be aware of what you're learning, and be aware that you, as a disciple of Jesus, are in learning mode. You know how difficult it is to teach someone who isn't open to learning, right? Don't be guilty of this yourself!
Get your antennae up and out, so you're ready to take in lessons from the Word and what you observe in your experiences every day. Waggle those rabbit ear antennas if necessary so the signal comes in stronger. Focus your attention on Jesus. Pray, "Lord, teach me. I'm yours." Renew your confidence that the Lord himself is your Teacher, Friend, and Guide.
Remember that YOU are a tool that God will use to teach, encourage, and instruct others. He's going to prepare you before He uses you. What a ride!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
We Could Use a Few More Studds
Mark Batterson points us to a daring twentieth-century missionary, C.T. Studd, who said
"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Meditating on the Word
Christian meditation is the practice of focusing our thoughts on the revealed Word of God -- not trying to empty our minds, which is the Eastern meditation strategy.
I recommend this article on meditation by Henry Blackaby. He has a wonderful definition:
"Meditation is that moment when God confronts you with the truth about Himself. It is that moment when you go into the presence of God and let God discuss it with you until you know exactly how to respond to Him, however long it takes."
If you're dedicating yourself to teach the Bible to change lives, then you want to help bring your students to the brink that experience with God, right to the edge. And you need to have gone there yourself in order to teach this way.
Aren't we privileged men and women? We have an Awesome Lord and God, who personally instructs us!
HT: Sunday School Revolutionary
I recommend this article on meditation by Henry Blackaby. He has a wonderful definition:
"Meditation is that moment when God confronts you with the truth about Himself. It is that moment when you go into the presence of God and let God discuss it with you until you know exactly how to respond to Him, however long it takes."
If you're dedicating yourself to teach the Bible to change lives, then you want to help bring your students to the brink that experience with God, right to the edge. And you need to have gone there yourself in order to teach this way.
Aren't we privileged men and women? We have an Awesome Lord and God, who personally instructs us!
HT: Sunday School Revolutionary
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Diving Deep in the Mysteries, and Coming Up Worshipful
Melinda at "Stand to Reason" captures something critical for Bible teachers: we explore the depths of the Bible on doctrines like the Trinity, with great humility about our ability to truly comprehend, and come away with greater awe and worship.
"The Bible teaches us truths we can apprehend, but these truth are also facts we'll never master because they are so deep and profound. We don't abandon trying to understand the revelation; we work hard at it as a way to honor God's revelation of Himself to us. And the more we learn, the more we are moved to worship as His greatness becomes more apparent in the details rather than leaving things in blurry vagueness."
Help your students experience this truth as you teach. Give them the opportunities to be drawn into the Word and into experiencing God. Model it for them.
"The Bible teaches us truths we can apprehend, but these truth are also facts we'll never master because they are so deep and profound. We don't abandon trying to understand the revelation; we work hard at it as a way to honor God's revelation of Himself to us. And the more we learn, the more we are moved to worship as His greatness becomes more apparent in the details rather than leaving things in blurry vagueness."
Help your students experience this truth as you teach. Give them the opportunities to be drawn into the Word and into experiencing God. Model it for them.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Quote the Text
If you are studying and preparing material for a while, you tend to forget that your students haven't immersed themselves in the text and know it as well as you do. So you need to need to make sure you quote the biblical text.
Say it out loud!
John Piper does something consistently in his sermons that every teacher should do: he quotes the biblical text specifically. He repeats the specific part of the verse that he is referring to. He does not say, "As Jesus said in John…" but says, "Look at John 17:7." Then he quotes the text. "Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you." Then he explains his points. Sometimes he quotes the text again.
Quote the text directly, and out loud. Do your learners a tremendous favor and quote specifically. Don't leave them scratching their heads wondering which verse you got that
idea from. You want to them to be able to put their fingers right on the text.
It's ok and appropriate to repeat key texts two or three times. The Word is meant to be heard.
Say it out loud!
John Piper does something consistently in his sermons that every teacher should do: he quotes the biblical text specifically. He repeats the specific part of the verse that he is referring to. He does not say, "As Jesus said in John…" but says, "Look at John 17:7." Then he quotes the text. "Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you." Then he explains his points. Sometimes he quotes the text again.
Quote the text directly, and out loud. Do your learners a tremendous favor and quote specifically. Don't leave them scratching their heads wondering which verse you got that
idea from. You want to them to be able to put their fingers right on the text.
It's ok and appropriate to repeat key texts two or three times. The Word is meant to be heard.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Pew Forum Results Don't Surprise Me -- Here's Why
The Pew Forum recently released a study of religious views in the United States -- and it's getting a fair amount of media exposure. Don't depend on this blog post or sound bites in the media if you're really interested. Check out the actual report for yourself.
The analysis is based on a survey of 35,000 people. This sounds like a big number, but given the breadth of religious groups identified, some of the groups might have 50-200 people, and are those numbers representative? Maybe. I'm not a statistician, but it's likely they've done some reasonable analysis.
Survey results are often skewed by the way questions are asked. When 21% of self-categorized athiests say they believe in God (yes, it's in the report), you have to wonder if it's the questions, or is that genuinely true for the group? Also, respondents are grouped as politically liberal, moderate, or conservative -- how was that determined?
Having written a few surveys over the years, and looked at the results, I know how difficult it is to do them well. And this makes me very suspicious, by experience, of political polls and politicians who would steer by them!
Let's assume that all the results are accurate, all the labels are legitimate, and large numbers of Christians believe there is more than one way to heaven, that God is an impersonal force, or that the Bible is not the authoritative Word of God.
I'm not surprised by this. It shows up in the way American Christians live. The biblical knowledge of many -- including those who have been in church services regularly for many years -- is shallow, and they have a weak doctrinal foundation. There is an incredible syncretism between secular and non-Christian religious ideas and orthodox Christian teaching. These things are evident to Bible teachers and pastors everywhere.
But rather than being discouraged, I am encouraged. Our Lord has granted us a wonderul ministry opportunity, a MASSIVE opportunity! Let us keep teaching the Bible to change lives!
The analysis is based on a survey of 35,000 people. This sounds like a big number, but given the breadth of religious groups identified, some of the groups might have 50-200 people, and are those numbers representative? Maybe. I'm not a statistician, but it's likely they've done some reasonable analysis.
Survey results are often skewed by the way questions are asked. When 21% of self-categorized athiests say they believe in God (yes, it's in the report), you have to wonder if it's the questions, or is that genuinely true for the group? Also, respondents are grouped as politically liberal, moderate, or conservative -- how was that determined?
Having written a few surveys over the years, and looked at the results, I know how difficult it is to do them well. And this makes me very suspicious, by experience, of political polls and politicians who would steer by them!
Let's assume that all the results are accurate, all the labels are legitimate, and large numbers of Christians believe there is more than one way to heaven, that God is an impersonal force, or that the Bible is not the authoritative Word of God.
I'm not surprised by this. It shows up in the way American Christians live. The biblical knowledge of many -- including those who have been in church services regularly for many years -- is shallow, and they have a weak doctrinal foundation. There is an incredible syncretism between secular and non-Christian religious ideas and orthodox Christian teaching. These things are evident to Bible teachers and pastors everywhere.
But rather than being discouraged, I am encouraged. Our Lord has granted us a wonderul ministry opportunity, a MASSIVE opportunity! Let us keep teaching the Bible to change lives!
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Place of Bible Commentaries
I'm regularly asked for advice and recommendations onBible commentaries. Here is an article explaining my convictions about the place of commentaries in your Bible study toolkit:
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/commentary.htm
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/commentary.htm
Variety
If you teach frequently, you may find that you are in a rut, teaching the same way, using the same kinds of devices, even relating stories again after only a short while.
Your students will likely notice it sooner than you do.
Pray about this, and try using a different approach. It might not feel comfortable. It might not feel as effective. Set aside your self-judgment on this, and push out. You'll grow in your abilities as a teacher.
Your students will likely notice it sooner than you do.
Pray about this, and try using a different approach. It might not feel comfortable. It might not feel as effective. Set aside your self-judgment on this, and push out. You'll grow in your abilities as a teacher.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Attention! Attention!
One of the most significant challenges teachers face is capturing -- and then holding -- the attention of the people in your class or study group.
(A nice article documenting the extent of the problem today is here.)
Better results come from a combination of improving the skills of the teacher, and from practice and discipline on the part of the listeners.
You can encourage and foster the latter, dear teacher, through prayer and by working on your teaching craft. Sharpen your hooks to open the lesson and get them engaged. Try using even more questions and discussion to keep their attention on the content. Recommit yourself today that you are in a ministry to teach to change lives!
(A nice article documenting the extent of the problem today is here.)
Better results come from a combination of improving the skills of the teacher, and from practice and discipline on the part of the listeners.
You can encourage and foster the latter, dear teacher, through prayer and by working on your teaching craft. Sharpen your hooks to open the lesson and get them engaged. Try using even more questions and discussion to keep their attention on the content. Recommit yourself today that you are in a ministry to teach to change lives!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Message from Pastor Laurence
I wanted to share this message from Pastor Laurence in Belfast, Ireland, to encourage all of us to remain true to our calling from the Lord.
May our Lord continue to bless your teaching ministry! Be a stalwart teacher.
Hi Glenn.
Pastor Laurence here. Yes I am enjoying your course, and I always look forward to your readings. Your reading plan for going through the Psalms and Proverbs is very good. I intend to bring it into my church. I pastor a little church is East Belfast. I'M sure you heard of the troubles in Northern Ireland. Well The Upper Room Church is situated in the middle of the most troublesome area. We have had bullets shot through our windows, paint graffiti sprayed all over the walls, car windscreens broken, foul language painted on the doors, and much more. If the church was filled to capacity it would hold 90 people, our congregation is between 15-25. It is a very hard location, but God has me there. It is not a rich church, I don't get a wage from it, but God meets my needs somehow. Thank you for what you are doing on behalf of our most gracious Lord. May you continue to do what you are doing for Him. Thank You and May the Lord bless all your loved ones and bring to pass all your visions
and dreams you have for Him.
Pastor Laurence Belfast
May our Lord continue to bless your teaching ministry! Be a stalwart teacher.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Sharpen Tools, Sharpen You
Here's an insightful quote:
"We shape our tools and thereafter they shape us." -- John M. Culkin
Mr. Culkin was speaking about technology advances like the plow, water wheels, steam engines, electicity, automobiles, and computers.
But you can shape better tools for Bible study and teaching, too, and they will improve your ability to bring the meaning and application of the Word of God to the people God puts in your life.
I strongly recommend you mark up your Bible and make it yours. (I like a wide-margin Bible for this purpose -- more space for notes.) Capture key sermon points next to the text as you listen. Capture the insights God gives you from devotion and study time in His Word. These quickly become the basis for devotions and lessons in the future. You can work directly from your Bible without any other notes.
Add photocopied paragraphs or lists that you find useful. For example, I have a list of recommended Bible passages to use during hospital visits taped in the back pages of my Bible. I've also tucked in a compact Bible timeline booklet that is a great reference guide. And I have a photo-reduced copy of my 52 Model Questions tucked in there, too, when I need some quick help. A friend of mine keeps copies of his favorite hymns with his Bible.
All these efforts add up over time to make your Bible more and more valuable to you as a tool for teaching, encouraging, and correcting. And you'll find that when you interact with your Bible this way, marking it up, you actually remember more as well. Plus you're developing a tremendous gift to leave behind for another generation -- they will see your record of our Lord's faithfulness to you over years and years.
Teach to change lives!
"We shape our tools and thereafter they shape us." -- John M. Culkin
Mr. Culkin was speaking about technology advances like the plow, water wheels, steam engines, electicity, automobiles, and computers.
But you can shape better tools for Bible study and teaching, too, and they will improve your ability to bring the meaning and application of the Word of God to the people God puts in your life.
I strongly recommend you mark up your Bible and make it yours. (I like a wide-margin Bible for this purpose -- more space for notes.) Capture key sermon points next to the text as you listen. Capture the insights God gives you from devotion and study time in His Word. These quickly become the basis for devotions and lessons in the future. You can work directly from your Bible without any other notes.
Add photocopied paragraphs or lists that you find useful. For example, I have a list of recommended Bible passages to use during hospital visits taped in the back pages of my Bible. I've also tucked in a compact Bible timeline booklet that is a great reference guide. And I have a photo-reduced copy of my 52 Model Questions tucked in there, too, when I need some quick help. A friend of mine keeps copies of his favorite hymns with his Bible.
All these efforts add up over time to make your Bible more and more valuable to you as a tool for teaching, encouraging, and correcting. And you'll find that when you interact with your Bible this way, marking it up, you actually remember more as well. Plus you're developing a tremendous gift to leave behind for another generation -- they will see your record of our Lord's faithfulness to you over years and years.
Teach to change lives!
Monday, June 09, 2008
Teacher Training Materials
Daryl Wilson points us to a large collection of free teacher training materials. Check it out!
If you're involved with church Sunday School programs (children or adult), make sure you monitor Daryl's great blog, the Sunday School Revolutionary.
If you're involved with church Sunday School programs (children or adult), make sure you monitor Daryl's great blog, the Sunday School Revolutionary.
Growing Big People
Good insights from Mark Batterson:
“I think we focus too much energy on church growth. I think it's all about personal growth. It's not about growing a big church. It's about growing big people--people who serve sacrificially, give generously, dream ridiculously, and love gracefully."The fundamental task is to achieve smallness within a large organization."The way to grow larger is to grow smaller via small groups. I honestly don't think God will grow us beyond our ability to disciple people. And if small groups are our primary context for discipleship, then the number of small groups we have will determine our growth potential as a church.”
Make sure your teaching ministry focuses on the needs of the individuals in your groups and classes. Some needs you will learn, as you work hard to shepherd the flock in your charge. Others you likely only understand as you pray, pray, pray for them! The Lord knows exactly what you should bring to your next teaching opportunity, in order to bless His people through you.
“I think we focus too much energy on church growth. I think it's all about personal growth. It's not about growing a big church. It's about growing big people--people who serve sacrificially, give generously, dream ridiculously, and love gracefully."The fundamental task is to achieve smallness within a large organization."The way to grow larger is to grow smaller via small groups. I honestly don't think God will grow us beyond our ability to disciple people. And if small groups are our primary context for discipleship, then the number of small groups we have will determine our growth potential as a church.”
Make sure your teaching ministry focuses on the needs of the individuals in your groups and classes. Some needs you will learn, as you work hard to shepherd the flock in your charge. Others you likely only understand as you pray, pray, pray for them! The Lord knows exactly what you should bring to your next teaching opportunity, in order to bless His people through you.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Which Study Bible?
I'm periodically asked, "What study Bible should I use?" There certainly are many available!
My recommendation is the Thompson's Chain Reference Bible. I wrote a special report on this study Bible to explain why I prefer it over study Bibles, and I posted a short
audio message about study Bibles.
You can check out my other Bible study tools recommendations .
My recommendation is the Thompson's Chain Reference Bible. I wrote a special report on this study Bible to explain why I prefer it over study Bibles, and I posted a short
audio message about study Bibles.
You can check out my other Bible study tools recommendations .
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
50 Years and Going Strong
I received this wonderful email yesterday:
(Diana gave me permission to share her email.)
Way to go, Diana! It's encouraging to see how God's faithful servants are engaged in teaching ministries around the world, loving people and encouraging them. May the Lord bless Diana's teaching ministry and yours, for years and years, for His glory!
I have been teaching Sunday School for 50 years since 1958 and I truly wish I
had access to these materials back then, however I am thankful to have them now.
These materials and guides are wonderful. Thank you so much for letting us take
a peek.
I am 74 and will be teaching a series in a Bible group of
primetimers. I am used to the Sunday School setting but this will be a far
larger group. More comments for more intense learning. I am so
looking forward to it.
Please pray that the Lord will continue to prepare me
as well as the group.
In His Service,
Diana Cofield
(Diana gave me permission to share her email.)
Way to go, Diana! It's encouraging to see how God's faithful servants are engaged in teaching ministries around the world, loving people and encouraging them. May the Lord bless Diana's teaching ministry and yours, for years and years, for His glory!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Let's Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters in Iran
Recent news indicates that persecutions against Christian converts in Iran is increasing (see this story, and this one), even as extraordinary numbers of Muslims are converting to Christianity in many predominantly Muslim countries.
There is actually a long and rich heritage of Christianity in Iran.
Let's pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran, interceding for them, and asking our Lord to show His Wonder and Power there.
There is actually a long and rich heritage of Christianity in Iran.
Let's pray for our brothers and sisters in Iran, interceding for them, and asking our Lord to show His Wonder and Power there.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Leadership Lessons from the Church at Corinth
It's not easy to lead churches. Or any organization of sin-encrusted flesh-and-blood people with a finite range of spiritual maturity.
1 Corinthians is a fascinating letter in many ways. The church at Corinth obviously had a lot of problems, and Paul must have been hearing about things from a distance (e.g., "...some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 1:11) This must have been hard to endure as a leader. I'm sure Paul was distressed, possibly even angry.
But notice two things:
First, look at how Paul opens his letter:
"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Cor 1:4-9)
Paul is looking not at the demonstrated weakness of the church at Corinth, but at the greatness of the Lord. He's more amazed that anyone is saved in Christ than he is that church communities have problems.
That's a great leadership lesson for people leading churches.
Second, Paul's letter to this sick, struggling church has some marvelous instruction and beautiful theology -- on marriage in chapter 7, on love in chapter 13, and more. God was able to bless many in that generation and in many since, all because they had problems.
1 Corinthians is a fascinating letter in many ways. The church at Corinth obviously had a lot of problems, and Paul must have been hearing about things from a distance (e.g., "...some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 1:11) This must have been hard to endure as a leader. I'm sure Paul was distressed, possibly even angry.
But notice two things:
First, look at how Paul opens his letter:
"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Cor 1:4-9)
Paul is looking not at the demonstrated weakness of the church at Corinth, but at the greatness of the Lord. He's more amazed that anyone is saved in Christ than he is that church communities have problems.
That's a great leadership lesson for people leading churches.
Second, Paul's letter to this sick, struggling church has some marvelous instruction and beautiful theology -- on marriage in chapter 7, on love in chapter 13, and more. God was able to bless many in that generation and in many since, all because they had problems.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Too Dynamic To Be Safe!
Mark Batterson talks about Jesus as a rebel:
Makes me think of Aslan: "not a tame lion," and we find Him bigger as grow up.
In your teaching ministry, don't let Jesus become a domesticated housecat.
One of the things I love about Jesus is that He remained the rebel his
entire life. He didn't bow to the Pharisees. He didn't bow to Pilate. Truth is,
He didn't bow to anyone except His Heavenly Father. That is what it means to be
a spiritual rebel.
In the words of Dorothy Sayers: "To do them justice, the people who
crucified Jesus did not do so because he was a bore. Quite the contrary; he was
too dynamic to be safe. It is has been left for later generations to muffle up
that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We
have declawed the Lion of Judah and made him a housecat for pale priests and
pious old ladies."
Makes me think of Aslan: "not a tame lion," and we find Him bigger as grow up.
In your teaching ministry, don't let Jesus become a domesticated housecat.
Don't Distance Yourself From Your Students
Peter Mead has some excellent comments about teaching from wholeness, with integrity, being open and engaging with our students:
He's referring to Peter Palmer's book, The Courage to Teach.
Please remember that your teaching is a ministry, not just a task. This means your efforts are co-joined with the Life of Christ in you, so that you abide in Jesus and the Word (see John 15), and work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. That's the way to teach to change lives.
Early on Palmer is describing what makes a good teacher or a bad
teacher. He quotes one student who could not describe her good teachers
because they were all so different, but she could describe her bad ones because
they were all the same. “Their words float somewhere in front of their
faces, like the balloon speech in cartoons.” Parker notes that bad teachers
distance themselves from the subject they are teaching, and therefore from their
students also. But good teachers join self and subject and students in the
fabric of life.
How true this is for preachers too. We preach poorly when we
distance ourselves from our message, but we preach well we make sure the message
is coming from inside us and going directly to our listeners. True
preaching, by definition, is the delivery of a text’s message
“which the Holy Spirit first applies to the life of the preacher, then through the preacher, to the listeners.” (Robinson’s classic definition).
Remember the simple, yet profound formula in Palmer’s book – effective
teaching is much more about identity and integrity than mere technique.
He's referring to Peter Palmer's book, The Courage to Teach.
Please remember that your teaching is a ministry, not just a task. This means your efforts are co-joined with the Life of Christ in you, so that you abide in Jesus and the Word (see John 15), and work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. That's the way to teach to change lives.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Team Preparation for Teaching
One of the most powerful and helpful ways to prepare lessons is to work with others.
I haven't done an official survey, but I observe that the large majority of Bible teachers do their preparation alone. (Same for pastors preparing sermons.) That approach, so long as you are prayerfully studying and preparing, is effective.
I do recommend you prepare your lesson by working together with others.
We have several adult classes at our church, and often are teaching the same topic or study series. We've periodically been able to get the teachers together, and simply worked through the Scripture together, sharing ideas and insights from the text. We could share our ideas and plans for hooks, illustrations, questions, and application. We sharpened one another, and enjoyed rich fellowship in the process.
You can engineer this kind of preparation, even if you are the only teacher. Get a few people together and study. Put your thoughts and ideas forward, try out your questions, and practice reading Scripture out loud.
(Yes, this means you have to be working days in advance, rather than procrastinating to the night before. Trust me, you'll find that having others involved makes it easier to work farther in advance, because you create some automatic accountability for preparation in good time.)
This is also a critical approach for mentoring other teachers. Share in the teaching process, and they'll learn faster and better!
I haven't done an official survey, but I observe that the large majority of Bible teachers do their preparation alone. (Same for pastors preparing sermons.) That approach, so long as you are prayerfully studying and preparing, is effective.
I do recommend you prepare your lesson by working together with others.
We have several adult classes at our church, and often are teaching the same topic or study series. We've periodically been able to get the teachers together, and simply worked through the Scripture together, sharing ideas and insights from the text. We could share our ideas and plans for hooks, illustrations, questions, and application. We sharpened one another, and enjoyed rich fellowship in the process.
You can engineer this kind of preparation, even if you are the only teacher. Get a few people together and study. Put your thoughts and ideas forward, try out your questions, and practice reading Scripture out loud.
(Yes, this means you have to be working days in advance, rather than procrastinating to the night before. Trust me, you'll find that having others involved makes it easier to work farther in advance, because you create some automatic accountability for preparation in good time.)
This is also a critical approach for mentoring other teachers. Share in the teaching process, and they'll learn faster and better!
Monday, May 26, 2008
And On Day 8, There Was Grass!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Holding All Things Together
Here's a diagram of the structure of the laminin protein, which is a cell adhesion molecule -- literally holding things together.
Isn't that cool?
Louie Giglio has a fun story about how he learned about laminin, in this short video:
Thursday, May 22, 2008
My Home Golf Course
If you want an update on my effort to replace 18 trees with grassy areas, check out this post on my blog for husbands and fathers, "Bold and Gentle.
Who Grows More, the Teacher or the Student?
Teachers often learn more than the students. This is because of the preparation time, and the effort required to master material well enough to present it to someone else. (I encourage the adults in my classes to use what they're learning in their small groups, with their families, neighbors, and coworkers -- that will cement the learning in their hearts and minds.)
The question becomes, will you as the teacher grow more than your students?
Spiritual growth is not only about intellect, but about the condition of our hearts before the Lord. Spiritual maturity, biblically, is relational rather than intellectual. Relational is seen as action (or specific lack of sinful actions), rather than a body of factual knowledge.
Isn't knowledge important? Absolutely. But knowledge alone does not lead to godliness and spiritual growth into maturity. Satan knows the Bible very well, better than you or I do.
Therefore let me remind you, dear teacher, to be concerned about the condition of your heart. Be humble before God, and give Him all the praise for your ministry opportunities and challenges. They're designed to create better soil for growth, both your students' and yours.
The question becomes, will you as the teacher grow more than your students?
Spiritual growth is not only about intellect, but about the condition of our hearts before the Lord. Spiritual maturity, biblically, is relational rather than intellectual. Relational is seen as action (or specific lack of sinful actions), rather than a body of factual knowledge.
Isn't knowledge important? Absolutely. But knowledge alone does not lead to godliness and spiritual growth into maturity. Satan knows the Bible very well, better than you or I do.
Therefore let me remind you, dear teacher, to be concerned about the condition of your heart. Be humble before God, and give Him all the praise for your ministry opportunities and challenges. They're designed to create better soil for growth, both your students' and yours.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
It Takes More Dirt Than You Think
We had 18 trees taken out of our yard a couple of days ago. Some were too originally planted too close to the house, some were dying. It was an amazing process over 6 hours -- 10 guys, chain saws, chipper, two trucks to haul away the chips, stump grinder -- and a lot of hustle.
So now I need to fill in 18 holes and plant grass.
First step is to pull out more of the roots. The stump grinder does a great job, but there are still loads of roots around the edges, and I needed to pull them out. I worked over two holes in the front yard with a mattock and yanked out a nice pile of roots.
Then I picked up ten 40lb bags of dirt at our local Ace hardware (because I like to support the local hardware store) and brought them home in the back of our 1987 Saab. I expected I'd get 3 or holes filled, then repeat the process a few times.
Wrong.
I emptied all ten on 1 hole in the front yard. One. 400 lbs of dirt for that hole!
I'm sure there is a Sunday School teaching illustration in here somewhere :-)
New tactic needed -- get a 3 ton load of dirt delivered to our house.
Did I mention my muscles are aching today?
So now I need to fill in 18 holes and plant grass.
First step is to pull out more of the roots. The stump grinder does a great job, but there are still loads of roots around the edges, and I needed to pull them out. I worked over two holes in the front yard with a mattock and yanked out a nice pile of roots.
Then I picked up ten 40lb bags of dirt at our local Ace hardware (because I like to support the local hardware store) and brought them home in the back of our 1987 Saab. I expected I'd get 3 or holes filled, then repeat the process a few times.
Wrong.
I emptied all ten on 1 hole in the front yard. One. 400 lbs of dirt for that hole!
I'm sure there is a Sunday School teaching illustration in here somewhere :-)
New tactic needed -- get a 3 ton load of dirt delivered to our house.
Did I mention my muscles are aching today?
Last Minute Lesson Prep
I coach Bible teachers to have a number of short lessons and devotions in their "back pocket" for those times we're called on to teach with short notice. And I also believe that the best devotions are the ones which come out of your personal devotional life -- the Lord is usually opening His Word to you in order that you can share it with others.
There's another "last minute" preparation situation.
This is when you've actually known about the teaching assignment for a while, but just didn't get the preparation done. Maybe you procrastinated until the last minute, firttering away the time. Maybe your planned time was used instead on good things that distracted you.
I really appreciate Peter Mead's counsel in this matter:
"If I genuinely have had to prepare at the last minute, then I ask God for help and know that He understands. But then there is a second part to it too – if I have procrastinated and end up preparing at the last minute, then I confess that, ask for forgiveness and still ask God for help."
This seems exactly right to me, depending upon the grace and help of our loving Lord in both situations -- rather than working to justify ourselves.
There's another "last minute" preparation situation.
This is when you've actually known about the teaching assignment for a while, but just didn't get the preparation done. Maybe you procrastinated until the last minute, firttering away the time. Maybe your planned time was used instead on good things that distracted you.
I really appreciate Peter Mead's counsel in this matter:
"If I genuinely have had to prepare at the last minute, then I ask God for help and know that He understands. But then there is a second part to it too – if I have procrastinated and end up preparing at the last minute, then I confess that, ask for forgiveness and still ask God for help."
This seems exactly right to me, depending upon the grace and help of our loving Lord in both situations -- rather than working to justify ourselves.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
"Ministering Effectively" Transcript Available!
Ever since I released the audio lesson "Ministering Effectively to 'Tougher-to-Love" People" last year, I've had dozens of requests for a transcript.
People were excited about the content, but wanted it in print format, too. And frankly, some people simply prefer to read than to listen.
I'm delighted to annouce that I've got a 27 page word-for-word transcript ready for you, and will bundle that with the audio lesson.
Until May 15th, you can get the audio lesson, the worksheet guide, *and* the printed transcript for the same price: $12.
Go here right now and order:
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/NoMoreFrustration
Doug M. wrote me about this material and said, "This audio saved our house church! You helped me understand the motivations behind the know-it-all and the critic in our house church fellowship, and respond in a loving but effective way."
The fact is that every teacher will encounter know-it-alls, critics, non-responders, skeptics, lesson hijackers, and others whose behavior can make group dynamics miserable.
The issue becomes: can you respond to them without losing your mind and your ministry opportunity?
Remember, the best time to have this information is *before* you need it. Get it today.
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/NoMoreFrustration
People were excited about the content, but wanted it in print format, too. And frankly, some people simply prefer to read than to listen.
I'm delighted to annouce that I've got a 27 page word-for-word transcript ready for you, and will bundle that with the audio lesson.
Until May 15th, you can get the audio lesson, the worksheet guide, *and* the printed transcript for the same price: $12.
Go here right now and order:
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/NoMoreFrustration
Doug M. wrote me about this material and said, "This audio saved our house church! You helped me understand the motivations behind the know-it-all and the critic in our house church fellowship, and respond in a loving but effective way."
The fact is that every teacher will encounter know-it-alls, critics, non-responders, skeptics, lesson hijackers, and others whose behavior can make group dynamics miserable.
The issue becomes: can you respond to them without losing your mind and your ministry opportunity?
Remember, the best time to have this information is *before* you need it. Get it today.
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/NoMoreFrustration
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
We Say Goodbye to a GBT
Mr. TrueSaved died April 25th.
“Mr.TrueSaved” was his email handle, and he and I only had a relationship via email. His given name was Tony Hedge.
Tony was a Great Bible Teacher in my book. We’ve been corresponding since early 2006. Tony’s emails were full of passion for God’s Word and for sharing it with the people God had put around him. Some of his students have learning disabilities, so he periodically queried me on new ideas to help them learn.
As a sign of God’s timing in these matters, the last email Tony received from me was about moving ahead, taking the next step, and walking in faith. And Tony has done just that!
We honor you, Tony, and praise our Lord because of His ministry in you and through you. You’ve been a GBT here, and the world is a better place because you follow-through on what God gave you to do. And we recommit ourselves to follow in this same way.
“Mr.TrueSaved” was his email handle, and he and I only had a relationship via email. His given name was Tony Hedge.
Tony was a Great Bible Teacher in my book. We’ve been corresponding since early 2006. Tony’s emails were full of passion for God’s Word and for sharing it with the people God had put around him. Some of his students have learning disabilities, so he periodically queried me on new ideas to help them learn.
As a sign of God’s timing in these matters, the last email Tony received from me was about moving ahead, taking the next step, and walking in faith. And Tony has done just that!
We honor you, Tony, and praise our Lord because of His ministry in you and through you. You’ve been a GBT here, and the world is a better place because you follow-through on what God gave you to do. And we recommit ourselves to follow in this same way.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Grace, Not Moralism
Peter Mead continues to hit home runs:
From "Preach Grace, Not Moralism"
Tim Keller makes a critical point. Too often as preachers we preach a
gospel that moves people from rebel to legalist. We so easily preach so
that younger sons become older sons, but somehow miss the glory of the father’s
prodigious grace in humiliating himself for the sake of both sons.
Let us be careful to distinguish rebellious sin and moralistic self-righteousness (still
sin), from true grace. We cannot overstate the danger of preaching that
turns worldly rebels into pew-filling moralists, but fails to preach the unique
distinctive of grace that only the Christian gospel has to offer.
From "Preach Grace, Not Moralism"
Friday, May 02, 2008
"We're Handling Dynamite!"
Peter Mead has a wonderful blog for preachers, and much of what he offers there is valuable for teachers of the Word in any setting. Here's an excerpt from a recent post about the 'let-down' we sometimes experience even though we should have great expectations:
And we should be amazed! What a ministry! What a privilege! May the Lord bless your teaching ministry today, dear friends.
"It is easy to let the normal-ness of ministry diminish our sense of
expectation. It is as if we don’t really expect people to be transformed
or the Spirit of God to be at work. It is understandable, but it is
wrong. As Haddon Robinson has put it, “we’re handling dynamite, and we
didn’t expect it to explode!” The Spirit of God is at work, the Word of
God is powerful, and whether we see it or not, we should prepare and pray with
great expectation."
And we should be amazed! What a ministry! What a privilege! May the Lord bless your teaching ministry today, dear friends.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Repeating Yourself
If you teach the same people over a period of time, sooner or later you're going to wonder about how much to repeat -- lessons, stories, key points, passions.
Perry Noble gives some helpful advice (written for preaching, but applies for teachers in most every situation). Relieve this pressure on yourself, and don't believe that people remember everything you said the last time you taught. Also, it's important to be reminded of important truths.
Teach (the same things as often as God leads you to) to change lives!
Perry Noble gives some helpful advice (written for preaching, but applies for teachers in most every situation). Relieve this pressure on yourself, and don't believe that people remember everything you said the last time you taught. Also, it's important to be reminded of important truths.
Teach (the same things as often as God leads you to) to change lives!
Staying Humble
John Piper gives some excellent advice about staying humble. An excerpt (emphasis mine):
"I said to our staff yesterday morning, when we were talking about reputations of the church, etc., to pray that we as a staff would daily be stunned by grace in our lives. Because if we aren't amazed by grace towards us, we will be a finger-pointing church mainly. That was the issue. Bethlehem takes a lot of stands, and therefore we are unhappy with a lot of people's views and can be very negative. I said that the only solution there—since Paul had a lot of things he disagreed with and got upset with a lot of people—the only answer is to be more amazed that you're saved than that they're lost."
How much better could our families, our communities, and our nations be if every Christian was stunned by grace daily, and more amazed at our own salvation than running around pointing out the sins of others? Imagine the amount of legalistic, soul-squishing crud that would evaporate!
"I said to our staff yesterday morning, when we were talking about reputations of the church, etc., to pray that we as a staff would daily be stunned by grace in our lives. Because if we aren't amazed by grace towards us, we will be a finger-pointing church mainly. That was the issue. Bethlehem takes a lot of stands, and therefore we are unhappy with a lot of people's views and can be very negative. I said that the only solution there—since Paul had a lot of things he disagreed with and got upset with a lot of people—the only answer is to be more amazed that you're saved than that they're lost."
How much better could our families, our communities, and our nations be if every Christian was stunned by grace daily, and more amazed at our own salvation than running around pointing out the sins of others? Imagine the amount of legalistic, soul-squishing crud that would evaporate!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Keep All Your Notes
Teaching tip: keep ALL your notes.
After you're done teaching a class or a series of classes,it's very tempting to toss out everything except the"finished" work - the final handout, your polished teaching outline and notes - just the pristine material that looks good. All the scribbles and edits and handwritten notes tend to get tossed. "After all," you think, "who would ever be interested in those?"
Answer: YOU will.
Trust me on this.
The day will come when you'll pull out your file (because you're teaching that again, or a related lesson), and spend a lot of time wondering how you arrived at those questions, that specific handout, etc. It will help a lot if you keep the whole passel of notes you made. You'll be prompted to remember more about how you developed the end product.
Often, what you really need now is not in the end product for that lesson, but in the pile of stuff that you considered, meditated on, but didn't use then. It's perfect now!
One more thing: a day will come (God willing) that you can be coaching some other teachers. These files will become great example materials to work through together, so you can show the process by which you arrived at the perfect-for-this-class material.
After you're done teaching a class or a series of classes,it's very tempting to toss out everything except the"finished" work - the final handout, your polished teaching outline and notes - just the pristine material that looks good. All the scribbles and edits and handwritten notes tend to get tossed. "After all," you think, "who would ever be interested in those?"
Answer: YOU will.
Trust me on this.
The day will come when you'll pull out your file (because you're teaching that again, or a related lesson), and spend a lot of time wondering how you arrived at those questions, that specific handout, etc. It will help a lot if you keep the whole passel of notes you made. You'll be prompted to remember more about how you developed the end product.
Often, what you really need now is not in the end product for that lesson, but in the pile of stuff that you considered, meditated on, but didn't use then. It's perfect now!
One more thing: a day will come (God willing) that you can be coaching some other teachers. These files will become great example materials to work through together, so you can show the process by which you arrived at the perfect-for-this-class material.
Friday, April 25, 2008
The Big List of Bible Maps and Stuff
Tyndale Tech has compiled a large list of Bible mapping resources and map collections.
Maps will help your students understand the geography of a Bible story or background of a situation. They help ground a story in their mind. (This psychological fact is why even fiction writers put maps in a book, such as what is in the Lord of the Rings.)
Now you have one less excuse for providing a map when you teach!
Maps will help your students understand the geography of a Bible story or background of a situation. They help ground a story in their mind. (This psychological fact is why even fiction writers put maps in a book, such as what is in the Lord of the Rings.)
Now you have one less excuse for providing a map when you teach!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Getting Unstuck
One of the realities of Bible teaching is that you sometimes get stuck. You can't think of what to do. Or maybe you just lose some of your passion. You feel over-whelmed.
I call it "being stuck."
I've discussed this phenomenon with a number of teachers.A frequent result of being "stuck" is that you have this weird drive to find new material. You wind up thinking like this:
"If I just get a newer study Bible, I could get some new ideas from the study notes. I wonder if Lifeway or The Navigators have a new study guide. Maybe I should check out that other commentary that so-and-so mentioned. I bet I'd do better if I switch to another Bible version. Actually, I wonder if God wants me to be teaching at all!"
And those kinds of thoughts just accelerate until you're ready to go off and do almost anything else except what you should be doing.
Learning how to get "unstuck" is a very important skill to develop.
Here are my two radical, counter-intuitive tips to get unstuck:
1. Slow down. Don't be like the drunk man, unsure of direction, who speeds up. Remind yourself that the Lord is going to help you, because He cares deeply about His sheep (including you!)
2. Go look at "old" stuff. At least 100 years old.
I'm serious, dear teacher. Our Lord has arranged for Great Bible Teachers in every generation, and the Word has not changed for thousands of years. There are plenty of powerful sermons, devotions, and books available.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to newer writing. It's how we speak to this generation. But much of the Church today has lost appreciation for "thegreat cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. Andwe have much to learn from saints-now-glorified, dear teachers. "There is nothing new under the sun."
I recommend this material for getting you unstuckbecause it is high quality, time-tested, and yet will feel fresh. Reading this (and don't forget to read itout loud for even more powerful impact) will move your mind and spirit into a new groove. You'll be unstuck!
Where do you find the best "old" stuff? Here are some links to free material to get your started:
Charles Spurgeon sermons
http://www.spurgeon.org/index/aindex.htm
E.M. Bounds on prayer
http://www.raptureready.com/resource/bounds/em_bounds.html
William Law, "A Serious Call"
http://www.ccel.org/l/law/serious_call/htm/i.htm
A collection of great Puritan sermons
http://www.puritansermons.com/toc.htm
I call it "being stuck."
I've discussed this phenomenon with a number of teachers.A frequent result of being "stuck" is that you have this weird drive to find new material. You wind up thinking like this:
"If I just get a newer study Bible, I could get some new ideas from the study notes. I wonder if Lifeway or The Navigators have a new study guide. Maybe I should check out that other commentary that so-and-so mentioned. I bet I'd do better if I switch to another Bible version. Actually, I wonder if God wants me to be teaching at all!"
And those kinds of thoughts just accelerate until you're ready to go off and do almost anything else except what you should be doing.
Learning how to get "unstuck" is a very important skill to develop.
Here are my two radical, counter-intuitive tips to get unstuck:
1. Slow down. Don't be like the drunk man, unsure of direction, who speeds up. Remind yourself that the Lord is going to help you, because He cares deeply about His sheep (including you!)
2. Go look at "old" stuff. At least 100 years old.
I'm serious, dear teacher. Our Lord has arranged for Great Bible Teachers in every generation, and the Word has not changed for thousands of years. There are plenty of powerful sermons, devotions, and books available.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to newer writing. It's how we speak to this generation. But much of the Church today has lost appreciation for "thegreat cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. Andwe have much to learn from saints-now-glorified, dear teachers. "There is nothing new under the sun."
I recommend this material for getting you unstuckbecause it is high quality, time-tested, and yet will feel fresh. Reading this (and don't forget to read itout loud for even more powerful impact) will move your mind and spirit into a new groove. You'll be unstuck!
Where do you find the best "old" stuff? Here are some links to free material to get your started:
Charles Spurgeon sermons
http://www.spurgeon.org/index/aindex.htm
E.M. Bounds on prayer
http://www.raptureready.com/resource/bounds/em_bounds.html
William Law, "A Serious Call"
http://www.ccel.org/l/law/serious_call/htm/i.htm
A collection of great Puritan sermons
http://www.puritansermons.com/toc.htm
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Historical Reliability of the Exodus Account
Many people are skeptical about the historical reliability of the Exodus account. The information below comes from the soon to be released ESV Study Bible:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/04/020335.php
Historical Reliability of the Exodus
Doubts have often been cast on the historical reliability of the exodus account. It is true that no remains of the Israelites have been found in the area of Goshen in the eastern Nile delta or in the wilderness of Sinai. But in neither area would such remains be expected to survive. The mud-built huts of the Israelites have long been destroyed by repeated flooding, and wandering through the wilderness they would not have left buildings or other permanent traces. It thus is unreasonable to expect such archaeological evidence. Furthermore, we should not expect to have extrabiblical texts regarding Israel’s stay and departure from Egypt because the story is negative about Egypt. Egyptian texts are quite propogandistic and such a defeat would not be mentioned by them.
Nevertheless there is plenty of data that seems to corroborate the biblical account: (1) It is most unlikely that a nation should invent a story of its origins as slaves in a neighboring country. (2) The second millennium b.c. was an era when there were many foreigners in Egypt, some of whom were employed making bricks for building projects. (3) The name of the city Ramses is unlikely to have originated or have been remembered later. (4) The organization of the covenant texts in the Pentateuch (e.g., Exodus 20) fits the pattern of second-millennium treaties, not later ones. (5) The tent-tabernacle has many parallels in Egypt and Canaan from the second millennium. Indeed traces of a tent shrine dating from about 1150 b.c. have been found in the wilderness at Timnah, not far from the route of the Israelite wanderings. (6) A stele (an inscribed tombstone-like stone slab) from the Egyptian pharaoh Merenptah, c. 1200 b.c., mentions that he had conquered the people of Israel in an invasion of Canaan. This would fit with an exodus from Egypt some time before this and demonstrates that Israel was already settled as a people in Canaan.
This archaeological evidence makes skepticism about the historicity of the biblical account of the exodus unwarranted. This is not to deny that the story is told to make theological points: much historical writing is motivated by the desire to teach lessons from the past. Nor does the archaeological evidence require us to believe that the book of Exodus gives us a complete and full account of what happened: there are obviously many gaps and events that are passed over. But the evidence does make it unreasonable to challenge the central affirmation of OT faith: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (20:2).
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/04/020335.php
Historical Reliability of the Exodus
Doubts have often been cast on the historical reliability of the exodus account. It is true that no remains of the Israelites have been found in the area of Goshen in the eastern Nile delta or in the wilderness of Sinai. But in neither area would such remains be expected to survive. The mud-built huts of the Israelites have long been destroyed by repeated flooding, and wandering through the wilderness they would not have left buildings or other permanent traces. It thus is unreasonable to expect such archaeological evidence. Furthermore, we should not expect to have extrabiblical texts regarding Israel’s stay and departure from Egypt because the story is negative about Egypt. Egyptian texts are quite propogandistic and such a defeat would not be mentioned by them.
Nevertheless there is plenty of data that seems to corroborate the biblical account: (1) It is most unlikely that a nation should invent a story of its origins as slaves in a neighboring country. (2) The second millennium b.c. was an era when there were many foreigners in Egypt, some of whom were employed making bricks for building projects. (3) The name of the city Ramses is unlikely to have originated or have been remembered later. (4) The organization of the covenant texts in the Pentateuch (e.g., Exodus 20) fits the pattern of second-millennium treaties, not later ones. (5) The tent-tabernacle has many parallels in Egypt and Canaan from the second millennium. Indeed traces of a tent shrine dating from about 1150 b.c. have been found in the wilderness at Timnah, not far from the route of the Israelite wanderings. (6) A stele (an inscribed tombstone-like stone slab) from the Egyptian pharaoh Merenptah, c. 1200 b.c., mentions that he had conquered the people of Israel in an invasion of Canaan. This would fit with an exodus from Egypt some time before this and demonstrates that Israel was already settled as a people in Canaan.
This archaeological evidence makes skepticism about the historicity of the biblical account of the exodus unwarranted. This is not to deny that the story is told to make theological points: much historical writing is motivated by the desire to teach lessons from the past. Nor does the archaeological evidence require us to believe that the book of Exodus gives us a complete and full account of what happened: there are obviously many gaps and events that are passed over. But the evidence does make it unreasonable to challenge the central affirmation of OT faith: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (20:2).
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Free Software to Make Your Own Bible Maps
Check this out -- very cool software (free) to create your own, customized Bible maps!
http://www.biblemapper.com/
I like how you can add and subtract different categories of information, and the amazing level of detail (e.g., geographic features) that this supports.
Another cool tool for Great Bible Teachers like you to have in the toolbox. Check it out.
http://www.biblemapper.com/
I like how you can add and subtract different categories of information, and the amazing level of detail (e.g., geographic features) that this supports.
Another cool tool for Great Bible Teachers like you to have in the toolbox. Check it out.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Reviewing the Lesson -- Afterwards
Completing the process: I do a self-review, and share the kind of feedback I received.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Preparing a Lesson on Exodus 3-4: Part 5
Sunday morning early -- very excited! Here is my commentary about the last preparations and what I will do when I get to the church building:
Comment below...I'm very interested in your feedback!
Comment below...I'm very interested in your feedback!
Chart: Kings and Chronologies
Here's a great reference tool for you: charting the biblical kings and their chronologies
You can look up some of these types of things online when you need them, but it's nice to have a printed file to refer to when you're doing preparation study -- less distracting than hopping on the computer.
You can look up some of these types of things online when you need them, but it's nice to have a printed file to refer to when you're doing preparation study -- less distracting than hopping on the computer.
Your Prayer Support Team is Critical
I take it as a fact that no lives are changed
unless someone has prayed. (Isn't it a wonderful
encouragement to know that Jesus is praying for
you right now? Wow! See Romans 8:34)
Too many teachers are just assuming that someone
is praying for them, or asking for general prayer
support.
Great Bible teachers never hesitate to ask for
specific, sustained prayer support.
In fact, I believe you need to organize a prayer
team of people who will lift up your teaching
ministry before the throne of all grace.
Who should you include on your team?
Your spouse, if you're married.
A pastor, elder, or deacon -- someone who is in
spiritual authority over you. (I know many of you reading
this blog are pastors yourselves. Seek out a
like-minded pastor who can partner in prayer with you.)
Someone of your own gender who is a friend and is
walking with the Lord.
And I seriously recommend you invite at least one
person from your class to be on your prayer team.
How do you help your prayer support team? By giving
them specific information and specific prayer requests.
Here are some ideas to help you:
* Your teaching subject or passages you're working from
* The key application points that you want to make
* When the class will occur
* That discussion will be dynamic and fruitful
* That you would be able to discern the needs of the class
* Names of students you believe God will touch
* That the Lord would work individually and collectively
to open eyes, minds, and hearts
* For lasting change that honors Jesus Christ
Work with your prayer team before and after a class.
It's really important to follow-up a class with prayer.
And don't ever forget to THANK your team for their labor
for the sake of the Gospel. It's one of the biggest
mistakes that teachers make, actually, to fail to thank
those who have helped.
If you're serious about helping your prayer team,
check out this resource:
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/partners.htm
unless someone has prayed. (Isn't it a wonderful
encouragement to know that Jesus is praying for
you right now? Wow! See Romans 8:34)
Too many teachers are just assuming that someone
is praying for them, or asking for general prayer
support.
Great Bible teachers never hesitate to ask for
specific, sustained prayer support.
In fact, I believe you need to organize a prayer
team of people who will lift up your teaching
ministry before the throne of all grace.
Who should you include on your team?
Your spouse, if you're married.
A pastor, elder, or deacon -- someone who is in
spiritual authority over you. (I know many of you reading
this blog are pastors yourselves. Seek out a
like-minded pastor who can partner in prayer with you.)
Someone of your own gender who is a friend and is
walking with the Lord.
And I seriously recommend you invite at least one
person from your class to be on your prayer team.
How do you help your prayer support team? By giving
them specific information and specific prayer requests.
Here are some ideas to help you:
* Your teaching subject or passages you're working from
* The key application points that you want to make
* When the class will occur
* That discussion will be dynamic and fruitful
* That you would be able to discern the needs of the class
* Names of students you believe God will touch
* That the Lord would work individually and collectively
to open eyes, minds, and hearts
* For lasting change that honors Jesus Christ
Work with your prayer team before and after a class.
It's really important to follow-up a class with prayer.
And don't ever forget to THANK your team for their labor
for the sake of the Gospel. It's one of the biggest
mistakes that teachers make, actually, to fail to thank
those who have helped.
If you're serious about helping your prayer team,
check out this resource:
http://www.teachtochangelives.com/partners.htm
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Preparing a Lesson on Exodus 3-4: Part 4
Ok, it's coming together! I have some confirmation now about the way to go, and still need to sharpen the hook and a transition to the follow-up lesson.
Comment away...
Comment away...
Preparing a Lesson on Exodus 3-4: Part 3
About 24 hours to go, and I'm forcing myself to stay patient. I have the pieces and parts (too many, in fact!) and need to stay with the preparation process. I put my confidence in God and submit myself to the process.
Please comment...
Please comment...
Preparing a Lesson on Exodus 3-4: Part 2
My thoughts after several days of study and prayer about preparing this lesson.
Comment away...
Comment away...
Preparing a Lesson on Exodus 3-4: Part 1
I made some audio recordings so you'd have an idea of my thought process as I create a lesson for a specific group of adults. This lesson is based on Exodus chapters 3 and 4 (the famous "burning bush" scene where the Lord commissions Moses to return to Egypt and confront Pharoah).
I hope you see how the process I share in "Teach the Bible to Change Lives" works in practice.
Here's the setup for this lesson:
I'll be curious for your feedback on sharing these thoughts. Please comment!
I hope you see how the process I share in "Teach the Bible to Change Lives" works in practice.
Here's the setup for this lesson:
I'll be curious for your feedback on sharing these thoughts. Please comment!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Get Excited!
I was sharing some insights from my preparation on Exodus 3-4 with my pastor today. We laughed and were in awe together. Good stuff! And then he said,
"If you're excited about it, they [meaning my class] will be, too."
Important words, key concept.
So invest yourself in your study and prep, and get excited. Get really excited -- and it will come through in your teaching.
"If you're excited about it, they [meaning my class] will be, too."
Important words, key concept.
So invest yourself in your study and prep, and get excited. Get really excited -- and it will come through in your teaching.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
It's a Loud Time, Not a Quiet Time!
I was delighted to see this guest post by David Powlison: "Should We Really Call It a 'Quiet Time'?"
Key idea: "prayer is verbal because it is relational," so pray out loud most of the time!
Try this, it can change your prayer life enormously. This also fits well with what psychological research has shown: we remember much more about what we say. Our brain is more engaged when we're talking.
Recommended.
Key idea: "prayer is verbal because it is relational," so pray out loud most of the time!
Try this, it can change your prayer life enormously. This also fits well with what psychological research has shown: we remember much more about what we say. Our brain is more engaged when we're talking.
Recommended.
Why You Should Consider Blogging
Teachers, you should consider setting up a blog. Abraham Piper lists 6 reasons why pastors should blog, and these apply to Bible teachers of all kinds:
1. To Write
2. To Teach
3. To Recommend
4. To Interact
5. To Develop an Eye for What is Meaningful
6. To Be Known
Don't underestimate #5 -- developing discernment requires practice. Also, the discipline of writing regularly (#1) will brodly benefit all your communication.
Want to get started? Here guides for Blogger and Wordpress.
1. To Write
2. To Teach
3. To Recommend
4. To Interact
5. To Develop an Eye for What is Meaningful
6. To Be Known
Don't underestimate #5 -- developing discernment requires practice. Also, the discipline of writing regularly (#1) will brodly benefit all your communication.
Want to get started? Here guides for Blogger and Wordpress.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sensitivity to Different People's Situations
Peter Mead provides some excellent advice for teachers and preachers on appropriate senstivity (without losing power and effectiveness) to singles, the childless, women, the elderly, and the unemployed. Recommended.
Christian vs. Muslim Views on the Crucifixion
The Islamic view is that Jesus was a prophet, but that he himself did not die on the cross. The Islamic perspective is that each person bears the burden of his sins alone -- and that repentance and obedience to God's commands are the means of redemption.
Check out this short blog post by Gene Veith for more on this contrast with Christian understanding of redemption.
It's important to understand these fundamental differences.
Check out this short blog post by Gene Veith for more on this contrast with Christian understanding of redemption.
It's important to understand these fundamental differences.
This Specific Truth Will Make You Free
Melinda at STR makes the great point that many people mistakenly quote John 8:32 out of context by saying "The truth will make you free."
If you read this in context, you will see that the truth Jesus refers to is that Jesus himself is the Truth -- a specific, objective truth, not a relativist or subjective truth.
Note: This would make for a great short lesson or devotional.
If you read this in context, you will see that the truth Jesus refers to is that Jesus himself is the Truth -- a specific, objective truth, not a relativist or subjective truth.
Note: This would make for a great short lesson or devotional.
It Felt Awful...and the Lord Used It!
Have you ever put a lot into a lesson, and then didn't feel like it worked well afterwards?
Most of the time I feel good after I teach, because I've seen again the power of God's Word to touch hearts and minds. But sometimes I go into a lesson confident that I've heard from the Lord how to set up the hook, the best questions, strong applications -- and it just doesn't feel like it clicked. For me, or for my students. Dud. Flat.
The week before Easter I experienced this when I was teaching a large class of adults, talking about Jesus as our substitutionary sacrifice as pictured in Isaiah 52-53.
In baseball terms, I swung and hit the ball maybe 8 feet up the 1st base line.
"Ok, we go on," I said to myself.
But on Easter Sunday I heard that two people were powerfully impacted by the lesson. (One was a visitor who is Muslim.) Another person told me that they shared the key ideas with his neighbor and they were persuaded to come to Easter service.
My feelings did a 180 turn and I rejoiced that God had used it well. I really was teaching to change lives!
I share this with you to encourage you. Your feelings are real, but they are not the final arbiter of value of a lesson. Follow through on what you receive from the Lord in preparing a lesson.
Most of the time I feel good after I teach, because I've seen again the power of God's Word to touch hearts and minds. But sometimes I go into a lesson confident that I've heard from the Lord how to set up the hook, the best questions, strong applications -- and it just doesn't feel like it clicked. For me, or for my students. Dud. Flat.
The week before Easter I experienced this when I was teaching a large class of adults, talking about Jesus as our substitutionary sacrifice as pictured in Isaiah 52-53.
In baseball terms, I swung and hit the ball maybe 8 feet up the 1st base line.
"Ok, we go on," I said to myself.
But on Easter Sunday I heard that two people were powerfully impacted by the lesson. (One was a visitor who is Muslim.) Another person told me that they shared the key ideas with his neighbor and they were persuaded to come to Easter service.
My feelings did a 180 turn and I rejoiced that God had used it well. I really was teaching to change lives!
I share this with you to encourage you. Your feelings are real, but they are not the final arbiter of value of a lesson. Follow through on what you receive from the Lord in preparing a lesson.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Keeping Christ at the Center of Our Teaching
It is always good to be reminded that we need to keep Christ at the center of our teaching, no matter what passage of Scripture we're teaching from, and irrespective to whom we are teaching. Consider this counsel from Charles Spurgeon:
"I believe that those sermons which are fullest of Christ are the most likely to be blessed to the conversion of the hearers. Let your sermons be full of Christ, from beginning to end crammed full of the gospel. As for myself, brethren, I cannot preach anything else but Christ and His cross, for I know nothing else, and long ago, like the apostle Paul, I determined not to know anything else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. People have often asked me, "What is the secret of your success?" I always answer that I have no other secret but this, that I have preached the gospel,—not about the gospel, but the gospel,—the full, free, glorious gospel of the living Christ who is the incarnation of the good news. Preach Jesus Christ, brethren, always and everywhere; and every time you preach be sure to have much of Jesus Christ in the sermon. You remember the story of the old minister who heard a sermon by a young man, and when he was asked by the preacher what he thought of it he was rather slow to answer, but at last he said, "If I must tell you, I did not like it at all; there was no Christ in your sermon." "No," answered the young man, "because I did not see that Christ was in the text." "Oh!" said the old minister, "but do you not know that from every little town and village and tiny hamlet in England there is a road leading to London? Whenever I get hold of a text, I say to myself, 'There is a road from here to Jesus Christ, and I mean to keep on His track till I get to Him.'" "Well," said the young man, "but suppose you are preaching from a text that says nothing about Christ?" "Then I will go over hedge and ditch but what I will get at Him." So must we do, brethren; we must have Christ in all our discourses, whatever else is in or not in them. There ought to be enough of the gospel in every sermon to save a soul. Take care that it is so when you are called to preach before Her Majesty the Queen, and if you have to preach to charwomen or chairmen, still always take care that there is the real gospel in every sermon."
-CH Spurgeon, The Soul Winner.
"I believe that those sermons which are fullest of Christ are the most likely to be blessed to the conversion of the hearers. Let your sermons be full of Christ, from beginning to end crammed full of the gospel. As for myself, brethren, I cannot preach anything else but Christ and His cross, for I know nothing else, and long ago, like the apostle Paul, I determined not to know anything else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. People have often asked me, "What is the secret of your success?" I always answer that I have no other secret but this, that I have preached the gospel,—not about the gospel, but the gospel,—the full, free, glorious gospel of the living Christ who is the incarnation of the good news. Preach Jesus Christ, brethren, always and everywhere; and every time you preach be sure to have much of Jesus Christ in the sermon. You remember the story of the old minister who heard a sermon by a young man, and when he was asked by the preacher what he thought of it he was rather slow to answer, but at last he said, "If I must tell you, I did not like it at all; there was no Christ in your sermon." "No," answered the young man, "because I did not see that Christ was in the text." "Oh!" said the old minister, "but do you not know that from every little town and village and tiny hamlet in England there is a road leading to London? Whenever I get hold of a text, I say to myself, 'There is a road from here to Jesus Christ, and I mean to keep on His track till I get to Him.'" "Well," said the young man, "but suppose you are preaching from a text that says nothing about Christ?" "Then I will go over hedge and ditch but what I will get at Him." So must we do, brethren; we must have Christ in all our discourses, whatever else is in or not in them. There ought to be enough of the gospel in every sermon to save a soul. Take care that it is so when you are called to preach before Her Majesty the Queen, and if you have to preach to charwomen or chairmen, still always take care that there is the real gospel in every sermon."
-CH Spurgeon, The Soul Winner.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
What Are You Missing in the Bible?
Check out this 30 second awareness test:
So what are you missing in the Bible, because you see only what you are looking for?
Let's face it, our minds are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and yet we have to work hard to overcome our natural tendencies. Build these into your study plans:
1. Read systematically, not just your favorite passages
2. For passages that you are teaching, read them over and over and over again -- two or three times a day for several days
3. Work through those passages in reverse order (it's amazing how many new things will occur to you)
4. Read passages aloud
5. Ask "What is this not saying?"
6. Check cross-references and related passages (tools like the Thompson's Chain Reference Bible are great for this work)
These study habits will help you uncover what casual reading misses! And you'll be better prepared to bring "fresh bread" from the Word to your hungry students.
So what are you missing in the Bible, because you see only what you are looking for?
Let's face it, our minds are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and yet we have to work hard to overcome our natural tendencies. Build these into your study plans:
1. Read systematically, not just your favorite passages
2. For passages that you are teaching, read them over and over and over again -- two or three times a day for several days
3. Work through those passages in reverse order (it's amazing how many new things will occur to you)
4. Read passages aloud
5. Ask "What is this not saying?"
6. Check cross-references and related passages (tools like the Thompson's Chain Reference Bible are great for this work)
These study habits will help you uncover what casual reading misses! And you'll be better prepared to bring "fresh bread" from the Word to your hungry students.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
John Ortberg on Teaching the Bible
I highly recommend this short essay by John Ortberg, "People of the Book." He wonderfully analyzes the paradox of the availability of the Bible and yet the incredible lack of knowledge people have from the Bible -- and then goes on with sound advice about proclaiming Scripture.
A few excerpts to whet your appetite:
"How do I proclaim the Scriptures in a way that honors their authority, and at the same time recognizes where my hearers are (as opposed to where I wish they were)?"
"In many ways our situation is increasingly like that of the early church. The gospel had to compete in a multi-religious, pluralistic environment where, as Edward Gibbon put it, "the masses considered all religions equally true, the philosophers considered them equally false, and the politicians considered them equally useful." Historians like Rodney Stark say that the reason the church exploded across the ancient world was, to a large extent it was because the church incarnated the word—cared for the poor, fed the hungry, embraced the orphan, risked sheltering the sick. The gospel had to win a hearing by being incarnated along with being proclaimed. Those of us who preach the Scriptures, along with being nourished by it ourselves, have to figure out along with our congregations how we can incarnate the gospel in our community, or we will preach to a religious ghetto."
"I assume that if preaching the Scriptures is going to get under the skin of people I speak to, things will have to get a little edgy. We get so used to the Bible, we miss its edginess."
"The Scriptures really are used by God in a unique way to change lives. But those of us who teach them must be gripped by this conviction. It cannot be faked or forced. It comes as a gift."
Read the whole essay.
A few excerpts to whet your appetite:
"How do I proclaim the Scriptures in a way that honors their authority, and at the same time recognizes where my hearers are (as opposed to where I wish they were)?"
"In many ways our situation is increasingly like that of the early church. The gospel had to compete in a multi-religious, pluralistic environment where, as Edward Gibbon put it, "the masses considered all religions equally true, the philosophers considered them equally false, and the politicians considered them equally useful." Historians like Rodney Stark say that the reason the church exploded across the ancient world was, to a large extent it was because the church incarnated the word—cared for the poor, fed the hungry, embraced the orphan, risked sheltering the sick. The gospel had to win a hearing by being incarnated along with being proclaimed. Those of us who preach the Scriptures, along with being nourished by it ourselves, have to figure out along with our congregations how we can incarnate the gospel in our community, or we will preach to a religious ghetto."
"I assume that if preaching the Scriptures is going to get under the skin of people I speak to, things will have to get a little edgy. We get so used to the Bible, we miss its edginess."
"The Scriptures really are used by God in a unique way to change lives. But those of us who teach them must be gripped by this conviction. It cannot be faked or forced. It comes as a gift."
Read the whole essay.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Test Yourself
Kevin Nelstead points us to a great test: "God's Test For Everyone"
See how you measure up to the 10 Commandments. Like Kevin, I scored a 0/10, and put my hope in Christ:
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2 ESV).
See how you measure up to the 10 Commandments. Like Kevin, I scored a 0/10, and put my hope in Christ:
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2 ESV).
Make Sure Your Notes Are Readable!
Teaching tip: make sure your notes are readable.
I recently made the mistake of taking notes made in light pencil into the room where I was teaching. I didn't have any problem reading them in the light where I wrote them -- but the light was much stronger in the room where I was teaching, and my notes were practically invisible in the glare off the page! (Maybe my aging eyesight was a factor, too.)
Be sure to use pen or pencil that will have good contrast, so you can read even in challenging lighting conditions. Contrast is the key. It also helps to have a broader pen-stroke than a finer one.
I recently made the mistake of taking notes made in light pencil into the room where I was teaching. I didn't have any problem reading them in the light where I wrote them -- but the light was much stronger in the room where I was teaching, and my notes were practically invisible in the glare off the page! (Maybe my aging eyesight was a factor, too.)
Be sure to use pen or pencil that will have good contrast, so you can read even in challenging lighting conditions. Contrast is the key. It also helps to have a broader pen-stroke than a finer one.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Boredom Begone!
Howard Hendricks admonishes his seminary students: "Don't you dare bore them with the Gospel!"
Your students register your level of enthusiasm for a Bible passage or topic by the the tone of your words, your body language, and everything you "project" while you are teaching. You can't readily fake this passion (nor should you try).
Peter Mead has an excellent blog post, "Banish Boredom from the Sermon," which has a few paragraphs of helpful ideas for teachers. He correctly points out that the problems are far easier to repair in the lesson preparation time than during delivery!
"Enthusiasm and imagination are keys to unlocking boredom from a sermon, but try to overcome the problem ahead of time. Try to avoid discovering the sermon is boring by the facial feedback of a disconnecting congregation. It’s far easier to fix in the study than in the service!"
Your students register your level of enthusiasm for a Bible passage or topic by the the tone of your words, your body language, and everything you "project" while you are teaching. You can't readily fake this passion (nor should you try).
Peter Mead has an excellent blog post, "Banish Boredom from the Sermon," which has a few paragraphs of helpful ideas for teachers. He correctly points out that the problems are far easier to repair in the lesson preparation time than during delivery!
"Enthusiasm and imagination are keys to unlocking boredom from a sermon, but try to overcome the problem ahead of time. Try to avoid discovering the sermon is boring by the facial feedback of a disconnecting congregation. It’s far easier to fix in the study than in the service!"
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Amazing Audio Library
Check out this amazing collection of hundreds of free audio messages -- searchable by topic, Bible passage, or speaker! Recommended.
Discipleship Library
HT: Brad Roth
Discipleship Library
HT: Brad Roth
Monday, March 10, 2008
"I have had enough, Lord!"
Perhaps the best unanswered prayer in the Bible is in 1 Kings 19:
"[Elijah] came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
Our gracious Lord, who answered Elijah's prayer about rain and fire from heaven to demonstrate his power, did not answer this prayer for death. Instead He gives Elijah what he really needs: a reset.
Many times in teaching roles and leadership roles we come to points where we feel like saying, "I have had enough, Lord!"
And God will deal graciously with us as He did with His servant Elijah:
1. He strengthens us with what we need (angels provided Elijah with food and drink twice -- see 1 Kings 19: 7-8)
2. He gives us time to listen (Elijah traveled 40 days and nights to Horeb. The Lord certainly could have spoken with him after a day or 5 days, but Elijah needed time to be prepared to hear clearly.)
3. He checks our mission and alignment ("What are you doing here Elijah?" v. 9b) and even if we get all whiny and complainy as Elijah did, He demonstrates his power and presence to us.
4. He provides new orders and guidance (Elijah didn't get any sympathy -- it would not have helped! -- but was told to go annoint Hazael and Jehu and Elisha v. 15-18)
Leaders are looking for help. I suspect Elijah heard the Lord say, "Yet I have reserved seven thousand..." and thought "Really? Where are they?" So do not be discouraged if you don't see the workers yet, but keep praying.
Elijah's God is our God. And He likewise deals with us, as we need it.
"[Elijah] came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
Our gracious Lord, who answered Elijah's prayer about rain and fire from heaven to demonstrate his power, did not answer this prayer for death. Instead He gives Elijah what he really needs: a reset.
Many times in teaching roles and leadership roles we come to points where we feel like saying, "I have had enough, Lord!"
And God will deal graciously with us as He did with His servant Elijah:
1. He strengthens us with what we need (angels provided Elijah with food and drink twice -- see 1 Kings 19: 7-8)
2. He gives us time to listen (Elijah traveled 40 days and nights to Horeb. The Lord certainly could have spoken with him after a day or 5 days, but Elijah needed time to be prepared to hear clearly.)
3. He checks our mission and alignment ("What are you doing here Elijah?" v. 9b) and even if we get all whiny and complainy as Elijah did, He demonstrates his power and presence to us.
4. He provides new orders and guidance (Elijah didn't get any sympathy -- it would not have helped! -- but was told to go annoint Hazael and Jehu and Elisha v. 15-18)
Leaders are looking for help. I suspect Elijah heard the Lord say, "Yet I have reserved seven thousand..." and thought "Really? Where are they?" So do not be discouraged if you don't see the workers yet, but keep praying.
Elijah's God is our God. And He likewise deals with us, as we need it.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
But...Easter is Coming
More snow in Iowa. I think we're up to 58" here this long winter. Yesterday I was reminded of the White Witch's curse in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: "Always winter, and never Christmas."
And then I said to myself, "But...Easter is coming!" And that makes all the difference.
And then I said to myself, "But...Easter is coming!" And that makes all the difference.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Prosperity "gospel"
John Piper speaks firmly against the popular prosperity "gospel." Worth much more than the three minutes it will cost you.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Talking with Athiests and Doubters
I hope that you regularly talk about Jesus with athiests and doubters. It can be pretty intimidating at times, and one of the biggest hurdles is knowing where to start. That's why I'm suggesting you check out "A Wallet, A Dollar, and the Existence of God" as an example. These free example videos (and PDF transcription) from www.pleaseconvinceme.com will not only give you ideas about how to share the reasonableness of the existence of God, they will strengthen your own convictions.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Me First or Christ-Centered?
My friend Kevin Nelstead gives us two drawings depicting different approaches people take for the Christian walk. Outstanding. Check it out.
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