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Learning by Restating Truth
Many teachers struggle with incorporating discussions into their classes because they feel their job is to “teach,” i.e., give information. And when they don't give information, they feel guilty, as though they have not done what they are supposed to do. Let's begin this journey by emphasizing that you don't need to feel that you cannot share new information with your class. After all, you have studied the details of the lesson, and you feel that you have something to say. That is fine! Say it! But how do you know if your students understood what you said correctly? Or just as importantly, hopefully, your students have studied their lesson as well, and they have learned things in the process that they are excited about and want to share. Class involvement meets both of those needs. From the feedback you get, you will know if you have stated your points clearly, and you will also have the advantage of learning from your students. It is OK to be the “sage on the stage” part of the time. But balance that with being a “guide on the side.” Your students will retain most of what they have been allowed to restate in their own words!
Source: Snider, Gordon. "Tips for Teachers." The Church: God's People: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 9.
Prophetical Picture of the Church
Lesson 2 - June 11
FOCUS TEXT: Isaiah 62:1-12
CENTRAL TRUTH: God planned that the Church should be a vibrant and victorious organism.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list at least three prophecies concerning the Church which have been fulfilled.
LESSON OUTLINE:
- God's Promises for His Church (Isaiah 62:1-5)
- God's Watchmen (Isaiah 62:6-9)
- God's Holy People (Isaiah 62:10-12)
To Whom Does Your Church Belong?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Callaway writes:
Naming a church can be an important step toward expressing the mission, personality, and goals of the congregation. Contemporary names of churches usually include terms like “hope,” “grace,” “faith,” or “community” in an attempt to make a public statement of an important quality of the gospel that church wants to promote. In a neighboring town, a local non-denominational church was established several years ago. The name they chose was “The People's Church.” Likely this name was chosen to convey the openness of the gospel that the church is committed to promote — whoever comes is welcome. However, the name also suggests that they are the sole owners and decision-makers of the congregation. If this human-centered philosophy of the church is the real message of the church, they have missed the whole meaning of the church.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 8.
Who is the Rock upon which the Church is built?
In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:
Verse 18 has been a source of controversy, and calls for a closer look. Here we need to ask the question, Does “this rock” refer to Peter, to Peter's confession, or to Christ? The contrast between Peter (petros) and rock (petra) sheds some light on the matter. Petros is a stone, loose and movable. It was used as a proper name and is used here in the masculine form. On the other hand, petra is feminine and therefore may not refer to Peter. Petra means a rock, immovable, like the one the wise man built his house upon (Matt. 7:24). Most Protestants, as well as some early Church fathers (Augustine, Jerome), feel that this refers to Peter's confession and not to Peter himself. This may be because this meaning had been abused by the Church of Rome, and therefore another meaning was sought. Yet from verse 23 we realize that Peter was neither the foundation nor the builder, but Christ alone, whom he had confessed (see also 1 Cor. 3:11).
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 4.
Is the Church just another club?
In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:
When I was young, my brothers and I tried to organize a club with some friends. The problem was that we only saw our friends occasionally. During our first meeting, we talked through the rules and purpose of our club. A month later when we saw our friends again, we realized we would have to start our club from scratch. Another month later when we saw them again. . . . Sometimes the local church appears to be a sophisticated version of our boys' club. The loyalty of some members may be greater – or lesser – but the purpose is similar: to satisfy my spiritual needs and desires. Scripture paints a much different picture of the Church – a group of individuals redeemed by the blood of Christ, vitally connected to one another, committed to an eternal purpose.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 3.
How to Have a More Engaged Sunday School Class
Every Sunday school teacher wants an engaged class – students who are active in the learning process. But what can the teacher do to encourage active learners? There is a catchy phrase common in educational circles today that says that a teacher should be “a guide on the side; not a sage on the stage.” Translated, that phrase means that teachers not only give good information, but they encourage their students to contribute information to the learning process as well. Group interaction in a class does carry some risks, and not every-one is comfortable with the process. So in the teaching tips for this quarter we will discuss some “do's and don'ts” for effective class discussions. My prayer is that if you have wanted more discussion, but did not know how to get it, these tips will result in opening the door to an active, engaged class.
"Tips for Teachers", by Gordon Snider.
Source: The Church: God's People. Adult Teacher's Insights, page 3.