Choosing and Using Bible Curriculum

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Curriculum provides a series of lessons that teach the Word of God in a systematic, often incremental way. We might purchase curriculum published by others or write our own. Either way, we should look for and implement a biblically sound plan.

Acrostic of Points to Consider When Choosing and Using Bible Curriculum

The following should be incorporated in whatever curriculum we use to teach God’s Word:

C Choose Wisely

Make sure it rightly divides the Word (2 Tim. 2:15) as well as making sure it is sound otherwise.

U Understand Age Level Characteristics

Gear it to the abilities and needs of the age being taught, adapting it to best reach them where they are (1 Cor. 9:19-22).

R Remember Application

Guide people into seeing the implications and application of the lesson to life knowing that God wants us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22-25).

R Reach for Changed Lives

Keep God’s long range goal in front of you that we become new (2 Cor. 5:17), that we become more and more Christ-like (Rom. 8:29).

I Introduce so as to Build Interest

From the start, draw people’s attention (Titus 2:10), helping them see the relevance of the lesson to their lives.

C Center Around God’s Word

Make His Word the source of authority as it is inspired by God and that which is useful for working in people’s lives (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

U Use Variety of Methods

Follow God’s pattern of presenting truth in multiple ways (Heb. 1:1-2).

L Look to God for Help

No matter how good the curriculum might be, it doesn’t change lives. — God does (Phil. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:3) and only by His Spirit will people truly learn and change (1 Cor. 2:4-5, 9-16).

U Use Relevant Visuals

Reinforce the spoken word with visuals as even God does that (Rom. 1:20).

M Make Adjustments as Needed

If something doesn’t seem like it will work for your group, adjust it and even more important, don’t get so locked in that you stifle the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19).

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Teachers Have Learning Styles Too

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Just as students have
preferred ways of learning,
so do teachers.

Why It’s Important for Teachers to Identify Their Learning Style

A teacher’s learning style will become their default mode in the way they teach if they aren’t careful. By identifying our preferred way of learning, we can become more aware of the tendencies it will bring to the teaching-learning process. It could affect …

the way we prepare and present a lesson,
the methods we choose,
the way we structure a lesson,
the amount of visualization we include,
and even the way we allow for relationships and interaction in the classroom.

Principles from God’s Word would suggest that we be sensitive to our individual students, which would include their learning styles. The Apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Cor. 9:22). That suggests that we adapt to them, not them to us. Students will learn best using their styles of learning, not ours.

A Word of Caution for Bible Teachers

Learning Styles of Teachers and StudentsWhile we do need to guard against teaching in ways that only or primarily reflect our own teaching style, we shouldn’t park ourselves at the door when we teach. God gave us our unique bents for a reason. Students will benefit from who we are.

A six page worksheet produced by the Ministry Tools Resource Center, called My Style – Their Style, addresses this issue.

Perhaps you have this question: How do I learn to teach in a way that makes me step out of my own learning style?

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Is Your Classroom Conducive to Learning?

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We know that God can work in any setting, by His Spirit, as we faithfully teach His Word (Rom. 10:17). So, why do teachers need to pay attention to the classroom? Does the classroom really matter?

Make Teaching Attractive with Classroom Conducive to Learning
In Titus 2:10, slaves were told to be respectful and honest with their masters “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10). While this verse doesn’t speak directly to us as Bible teachers, albeit our classrooms, the principle does. It’s about building an environment that supports the very essence of what we’re teaching, that’s conducive to learning and not distracting or detracting from the message.

An Acrostic About What Makes a Classroom a Conducive Learning Environment

The Greek word for “attractive” in Titus 2:10, kosmeo, primarily means to arrange or put in order. Slaves were being asked to align their lives with Truth so their unbelieving masters would find a consistency that pulled them toward Christ and not away from Him.

Similarly, we can do some things to arrange our classrooms, or put order into them, so as to promote the message in every way, to keep the focus on God and His Word. The following acrostic, using the word CLASSROOM, suggests how to use our classroom in ways that complement our teaching rather than detract from it.

Make the classroom . . .

C – Comfortable

good lighting (glare-free), adequate ventilation, and a comfortable temperature

L – Luring

appealing and attractive, drawing people in; well decorated, creative use of walls, doors, floor, furniture, etc.

A – Accessible

everyone and any one can get into the classroom and is able to get around and participate without difficulty, making all feel welcomed and included

S – Safe & Sanitary

eliminate hazards, keep the room and everything in it clean

S – Supplied

equipment and materials available and ready

R – Relevant

old and outdated visuals removed; furniture and decor appropriate to age being taught

O – Organized & Orderly

clutter-free, everything in its place and easy to find when needed, minimizing distractions

O – Optimized

chairs and other furniture strategically arranged to best accomplish goals, set up to be most conducive to learning

M – Mood-Setting

when possible decorated to set the stage for what is to come, gives the idea that something good or interesting is about to happen here

You can also find help about effectively using the classroom in the Keys to Unlocking the Door for Good First Impressions Worksheet. Please note that this training resource does not include this acrostic but many of the suggestions are included in it plus more.

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The Holy Spirit is Essential to Effective Bible Teaching

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Do we truly grasp how essential the Holy Spirit is to effective Bible teaching? We can’t make students accept the Truth of God’s Word or trust the Lord. We can’t change their hearts. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. Take time to read the following:

Reflecting on how even Jesus and the Early Church served through the Spirit’s empowerment should reinforce the reality of our need of the Holy Spirit in order to be effective.

Holy Spirit Essential in Jesus’ Earthly Ministry

The Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Jesus at the start of His earthly ministry. Of Jesus, Isaiah 11:2 says, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

As teachers we continue His work of discipling people using His Word. If Jesus, in human form, served through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, how much more do we need the Spirit to effectively communicate? We need the Spirit to work in and through our lives to make an eternal difference.

Power of the Spirit Critical for the Early Church

Promise of Holy Spirit to Make Us Effective
Jesus had promised His disciples the gift of His Spirit to help, guide, teach, and remind them of all He had taught them (Jn. 14:16-17, 26).

They so needed the Spirit’s power to be His witness that, before ascending to heaven, Jesus told them to wait for the Spirit before advancing (Acts 1:4). Even though they had just spent three years with Jesus Himself, they weren’t to rely on their own ability to carry on His work. Having an eternal impact would take more than training.

If the early church needed such supernatural power for ministry, certainly we must conclude that the Spirit’s work is still essential to effective Bible teaching in today’s world. Teacher training is important but not enough. We need the Spirit to be effective in ways that really count.

Bible Teachers, Rely on That Same Helper for Effective Teaching

We have lessons to prepare and present that will touch lives. We have relationships to build and maintain with our students. To get the most out of our lessons, students need to come with prepared hearts. They need help understanding the Truth presented to them. And, they need to take what they’ve learned and apply it to their lives.

The Spirit comes alongside of us as our Helper (parakletos) who is not only with us but in us (Jn. 14:16-17). Consequently, we can always rely on the Spirit to work in and through us. But, we must walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26) and be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20). We must be careful not to quench His work (1 Thess. 5:19) which can happen when we aren’t abiding in the Lord (Jn. 15:1-5).

Continue Reflecting on the Role of the Spirit in This Teacher Training Resource: The Holy Spirit & My Teaching Devotional

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