Teachers have a number of tools in the teaching tool chest. Effective planning involves choosing the right tool for the right job. Lecture Lecture is a good way to cover large amounts of material (e.g., the major views of the Book of Revelation) or complex issues (e.g., the relationship between New Age teaching and orthodox theology). On the down side, lecture does not demand much of students and can make them passive. Lecturing is best when it puts information together in ways that have not been done before. Individual Study and Reflection This can also be a powerful way to handle content, especially if you give people guidance during their study. One pastor I know begins his Bible studies by asking people to reflect silently on the passage for ten minutes, giving them two or three questions to guide their thinking. This method shows people that with a little perseverance, they can study the Bible by themselves. It also “primes the pump” for in-class discussion. Group Investigation This is a way you can make use of material already put together well by others. If I’ve found a great journal article or a Bible dictionary article, I’ll put people into groups and have them read the material. I’ll also give them a question (e.g., “What is the definition of grace according to this author?”) This not only is a way to deliver content, but it also starts building relationships. Group Discussion Group discussion can occur only after people have been provided with information, either from lecture or group investigation. When using this method, people respond and work with the information they have. Naturally, group discussion and group investigation are the heart of most small group Bible studies, where the Bible itself is the “article” under discussion. Breaking into Twos or Fours This is a variation on group discussion. I’ve used this in small groups and when I’ve spoken to 1,000 people. I ask people to turn to the person next to them and talk for three to five minutes about something I’ve just taught. It not only wakes people from lecture slumber, but it also connects them to others. Originally appeared in Mastering Teaching, Christianity Today International, 1991. RELATED PRODUCTS Developing a Safe Teaching Ministry Free Safety Alert e-newsletter |
