Teaching the Bible
this one is for Ryan
Recently I have been giving considerable thought to this thing called Bible Teaching. Since it is what I do I am always interested to hear others teach the Word, and everytime I do I come away challenged either by the Word that was taught , or by the way it was taught…………………………………… This brings me to my current thoughts, in my opinion good Bible teaching is always very easy to recognize, and unfortunately so is not so good Bible teaching. I have been teaching the Bible at least weekly for 19 years to high schoolers, and adults primarily. In that time I have delivered some really bad study’s maybe if you know me you have one, or two in mind………………………………….. but I have also improved greatly as a communicator over that time span. I would like to share with you some of the things I think everyone should know when they are teaching the Bible. They are in no particular order of importance so here goes
1.TEACH YOUR TEXT>references are fine as references, dont teach them, or have everyone flipping all over the Bible, it may impress some but it is HUGELY ineffective
2. STUDY YOUR TEXT BUT PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION> this is a common mistake, to spend all of the alloted time dispensing information and never telling people what it means to them. We must be more than a breathing reference book, I personally believe that this is a primary way the Spirit desires to use the New Testament gift of prophecy 1 Corinthians 14:3 ” he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men”
3.YOU CANT TELL THEM EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IN ONE STUDY> and if you can you probably shouldnt be teaching the Bible you should be learning it. This is common to teachers starting out, you want to be very dilligent (which is good) however you will end up losing, or boring people , or worse……………Both
4.BE ABLE TO CLOSE> and to move on to your next point. I am always shocked at how many teachers can not do this…………. Its a good thing to leave people wanting more…….. they might want to come back, or even read the Bible themselves
5. KNOW WHERE YOUR GOING AND HOW YOUR GOING TO GET THERE> this to me seems self evident, but sadly often its not. If I as the teacher do not know where I am going then chances are my audience wont, even when I get there………….I am appaled at the number of times I have been in studys without knowing whats going on. ( and I am a Bible teacher)
6. AVOID MAKING STATEMENTS> this one is difficult for me to articulate. What I mean is when a teacher is constantly making statements intended to impress the audience, what we do is not merely motivational speaking, its teaching the Living Word (Hebrews 4:12) if we allow it to the Word will make plenty of statements without our help.
7. WHEN ITS OVER> be honest about whether or not you connected with the audience. If you did not connect nothing else may matter…
I would appreciate ANY feedback from anyone…………. thanks for reading > JEFF <
Jeff…you know I agree with everyone of these principles. You’ve taught me some of them.
1. “Flippers” I call them…you’re right hugely ineffective. There is plenty to say from the text you’re in. If you’re going to use cross references be familiar enough with them that you can just quote them or sum them up in your own words (when using OT stories to illustrate).
2. Application…I think that this is the biggest weakness of most Bible teachers. It’s the most difficult part of Bible teaching because most commentators don’t give you application so you have to figure it out on your own. It really separates a good teacher from boreorama.
3. The Jay principle…
4. not only move from one point to the next but be able to close the study period. Smooth transitioning from one point to another isn’t a bad idea either.
5. tell the people where you want to go at the beginning…and then take them there and do it quickly.
6. you know I used to be a big statement guy…you helped with this tremendously.
7. this takes humility and a teachable heart Jeff…come on your talking about pastors and Bible teachers.
Jeff, you are the best Bible teacher I’ve ever heard because you let people see the Word as it does its work on you. You are transparent in letting people see it dividing you soul and spirit, joint and marrow. They can believe in its relevance and power to transform them because you let them watch it transform you. And the other stuff you said is good too.
Tammy, thank you for the kind words! Truly my greatest desire in Ministry teaching included is to have enough of Jesus that others can see!…God Bless You