Keeping lines of communication open between teachers and parents is important. Parent-teacher relations, however, don’t always happen automatically. Importance of Parent-Teacher Relationships Teachers need the support of parents to effectively minister to the needs of their students.  Parents need the support of teachers to enhance their spiritual nurturing efforts. Students need the support of both parents and teachers as they navigate through this life. Everyone benefits! How to Increase the Potential for Communication Between Parents and Teachers Examine your teaching philosophy. If w ..read more

A disciplemaking teacher follows our Lord’s agenda in Matthew 28:18-20. We disciple under His authority with His presence a vital part of the process. We should find ourselves described in a variety of ways as we pull on God’s power as disciple makers. An Acrostic Describing What a Disciplemaking Teacher Does as a Discipler D – Demonstrator … able to say “follow me as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1) I – Investor … take what we’ve been given and invest it in others (1 Thess. 2:7-8; 2 Tim. 2:2) S – Supporter come along side with feedback and encouragement (Heb. 10:25; 1 Thess. 5:1 ..read more

Since a mid-week Bible club provides a good setting for discipleship, we obviously need disciple-making teachers. These are teachers who not only verbally teach about God’s purposes, design, and mission for the Church but whose lives model what it looks like to pursue these goals. Mid-Week Bible Club Teachers Are Also Disciples Being a disciplemaker begins in our own hearts. Before being told to impress the commandments of God on their children, the Israelites were told, “these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts” (Deut. 6:5-7). Before telling believers to “always be ..read more

If our mid-week Bible clubs are going to be a platform for discipling children toward God’s purposes, design, and mission for them as members of His Church, then we need to use methods and materials that will open the door for that to happen. Methods and Materials that will Help a Mid-Week Bible Teacher Reach Goals to Disciple Since discipleship is built on relationships, it’s important to build relational opportunities into the entire session, including what happens before and after. That could include: meet and greet children as they arrive guided conversation as the group engages in vari ..read more

When strategically planned, a mid-week Bible Club can be a great setting for discipleship. Often a less formal setting with more activities, it can offer many opportunities for relationship building which forms the bedrock upon which to disciple. Think of Jesus who commissioned us to make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). He came to earth to live among people, conversing with them through the course of everyday life and showing them the way to the Father (Jn. 14:6). As a disciple maker, Jesus spent time with people in all sorts of activities. In so doing, He communicated in both word and deed what ..read more

If we are going to teach the Bible in ways that affect people’s lives, then we need to at least have some basic Bible knowledge and beliefs on which we build. Teachers with shaky foundations fail to instill a faith worth holding onto in their students. Why Teachers with Shaky Foundations Lead to Students Easily Shakened What we believe about the Bible has implications for how we teach it. What we understand the Bible to be about has implications for how we present the God of Scriptures to others and how we answer students’ questions. It will even affect how seriously we take the need to study ..read more

None of us have a complete knowledge and understanding of the Bible Yet, if we’re going to help our students base their lives on the foundation of God’s Word, we need at least a basic understanding and a pursuit to grow in that knowledge. If not, as Bible illiterate teachers, we will produce Bible illiterate students. Jesus said, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” (Lk. 6:39-40) Why Teachers Need at Least a Basic Knowledge of God’s Word If nothing else, we need ..read more

Bible teachers, have you mastered the use of object lessons as a teaching method? Start by Grasping the Value of Using Object Lessons Object lessons are a way to . . . communicate verbal truth visually. connect with students where they are. clarify hard to understand truths. But, for that to happen, they need to be used effectively. Get some help in the three page Tips for Using Object Lessons Worksheet which looks at Jesus’ example. It uses an acrostic of the word “object” with each letter being a tip. Learn from Jesus, the Master Teacher in Effectively Using This Teaching Method Jesus used ..read more

Music, both instrumental and vocal, tends to be a favorite way to worship the Lord (Ps. 150). Music, however, also serves as a biblical means of teaching (Col. 3:16). Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Col. 3:16) Purposes for Using Music as a Bible Teaching Method Using music we can do the following: teach new doctrine reinforce learned truths help students memorize Scripture get students’ attention appeal to emotions as well as ..read more

We may feel our primary role as a Bible teacher is to communicate God’s Word. Yet, students in crisis may not feel like they can attend class. Do we just ignore those students? If they do come to class, it can be hard for them to pay attention. Do we simply hope they get something out of the lesson? Or, do we seek to help students in crisis? If we want to truly reach and touch the lives of people in our classes, we may at times need to step out of traditional roles of a Bible teacher and meet them where they are. The title of a training resource points to a Bible Teachers’ Many Roles in Time ..read more