Some people question the value of studying Old Testament history, citing the need to focus on Jesus as introduced in the New Testament. Others doubt many of these accounts really happened but are written figuratively, like fiction, rather than factually. Perhaps those who think that way would change their minds if . . . The post Teaching Old Testament History first appeared on Train Bible Teachers Blog ..read more

As believers, we’re to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Bible teachers have a role in this process but it isn’t merely about what a teacher does. The teaching-learning process also includes the role of the students, the Text we teach, methodology, the environment, and of course, the supernatural. . . . The post Questions About the Teaching-Learning Process first appeared on Train Bible Teachers Blog ..read more

Bible teachers have many methods from which to choose, with drama being one of them. If we choose to use drama, we can take steps to use it effectively so we heed 1 Corinthians 10:31. -- "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." . . . The post Using Drama Effectively first appeared on Train Bible Teachers Blog ..read more

Is Scripture memorization something you’d rather skip in Bible teaching? Maybe you’re getting negative feedback from students. If it doesn’t seem to be making a difference in students’ lives, you might question its value. . . . The post Not Sure about Scripture Memorization? first appeared on Train Bible Teachers Blog ..read more

Jesus, our Lord and Teacher, came to serve rather than be served (Mk. 10:45). The Master Teacher demonstrated taking on the role of a servant. He then said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Hence, we learn from the Master Teacher not only to be a servant but also a model. . . . The post The Master Teacher as a Model first appeared on Train Bible Teachers Blog ..read more

As our Lord and Teacher, Jesus could be referred to as the Master Teacher. We can learn how to be better teachers by heeding His words in John 13:14-15 to take on the role of a servant. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (Jn. 13:14-15) Jesus, the Master Teacher, Shows Us How to Be a Servant Notice how John 13:14 begins. Jesus said, “Now that I …” Jesus did more than tell His disciples to be servants. He first showed them, then instructed them. Jesus was able to ..read more

Jesus wasn’t just a good teacher. He was even more than a great teacher. He was, and is, the Master Teacher. When we think of the phrase “Master Teacher” perhaps we think of someone who excels as the best teacher from whom we can learn. While that is true about Jesus, “Master” means more than being the best at His trade. John 13:14-15 refers to Him as our “Lord and Teacher”. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (Jn. 13:14-15) The Master Teacher as the Lord We can ..read more

Discussion is a verbally interactive teaching method. As such, we must consider what God says about the use of words. In Matthew 12:36 we read, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” We therefore need to consider what it will take to have a good discussion, one that’s edifying and constructive rather than argumentative and divisive. An Acrostic of What We Need for a Good Discussion The letters in the word ‘discussion’ provide ten factors for good, healthy, and wholesome discussions. D – Dynamic Considered The grou ..read more

Sometimes as Bible teachers we can become torn between what students want and what they need. It can form a tension within us as we realize the short amount of class time we have to teach eternal truths; yet, we strongly desire that students enjoy class and want to be there. This kind of tension can be healthy for us, making us better teachers if we work through it. How to Let Tensions in Bible Teaching Be Healthy To have a healthy response to these tensions, do the following: 1) Acknowledge the tensions. Tugging on one side, we may have children who love to play, teens who crave socializatio ..read more

Children love to play. Why, then, would we not incorporate playing into our Bible classes? Here’s the problem: We only have a short time so it seems we should make every moment count for teaching God’s Word. 3 Tips to Consider When Using Play as a Bible Teaching Method To resolve the tension of play versus learning, keep this kind of focus: 1) Make play purposeful. Get beyond using play just because children like to play. Understand that playing is how they learn. Incorporate play activities that reinforce the lesson. See play as more than a time filler. Make everything you do during the sess ..read more