Category Archives: Teaching Methods

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 everyday objects to teach spiritual lessons. He bridged the gap between between the known and unknown by pointing to something with which they were already familiar. Here are a few examples:

• He had Peter exam a coin. (Matt. 17:24-27)
• He sat a child in the midst of the disciples. (Matt. 18:1-6)
• He spoke of living water when conversing with the Samaritan woman at the well. (Jn. 4:7-14)

We also read of times He may have simply referred to an object. Though we don’t know for sure if the object was physically present, by at least verbally pointing to it, He fulfilled the same purpose of helping people understand spiritual truths by using something with which which they were already familiar. We especially see it in His parables like the following:

• Parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk. 15:4-7)
• Parable of the Lost Coin (Lk. 15:8-10)
• Parable of the Lost Son (Lk. 15:11-32)

Jesus’ effective use of methodology grew out of other realities that made Him the Master Teacher. As Bible teachers, we too need our methodology to be built on the right foundation. Read this posts for more:

• 3 Important Lessons for Bible Teachers from the Master Teacher
• 3 More Important Lessons for Bible Teachers from the Master Teacher

More Training Resources: Object Lessons

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 understanding to stir up or inspire

Want Help Using Music Effectively?

The Music as a Bible Learning Activity Download, available through the Ministry Tools Resource Center’s online store, is a one page training document about using music in teaching. This resource will help with:

Why to use music in teaching the Bible
How to choose music for your lesson
What to remember when using music
How to expand beyond its typical use

(You can order this individual training document or get it as part of the Bible Learning Activities For Children Training Download which contains a page for 8 different learning activities.)

Also see: Teacher Training Resources on Using Music

Whether using a pre-fab curriculum or writing our own Bible lessons, we need to consider methodology. While God’s truth can stand alone in impacting people’s lives, the way it’s presented can help to whet their thirst and appetite for it. Our Bible teaching methods do matter.

3 Tips for Using Teaching Methods Effectively

While many tips could be suggested about using Bible teaching methods, we’ll limit this post to just three key points. (Click on the links for more help about each tip.)

1. Don’t rely on methodology alone but rather on the Holy Spirit so your students’ “faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

• Bible Teacher’s Role as a Conduit
• Bible Teaching Requires Reliance on the Holy Spirit
• Not Happening Without the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit is Essential to Effective Bible Teaching

2. Use a variety of methods being careful not to get stuck in a rut using the same method over and over.

• Bible Teachers Need to Incorporate Variety into Lessons
• Problem with Creativity Not Due to Lack of Possibilities
• Teaching Methods: So Many Possibilities!
• Teaching Ruts

Also check out the Sharpening Your Bible Teaching Methods Resource for help with 57 different teaching methods. Within each of those methods are variations, making the number of methods even higher.

3. Tailor the methods and how you use them to your class. Think outside of the box when the curriculum suggests a method that doesn’t quite fit your class’ interests and abilities, purpose of your class, or the amount of time or space you have.

according to age:

• Methods for Preschoolers
• Methods for Grade School Children
• Methods for Teens
• Methods for Adult Bible Classes

according to type and purpose of class:

• A Children’s Church Teacher’s Methods and Materials
• A Mid-Week Bible Club Teacher’s Methods and Materials
• A Small Group Bible Study Teacher’s Methods and Materials
• A Sunday School Teacher’s Methods and Materials
• A VBS Teacher’s Methods and Materials

also see:

• Factors to Consider with Teaching Methods
• Tweaking the Curriculum

For these tips and more, order the Tips for Choosing and Using Methods Worksheet.

Using crafts as a Bible learning activity can be a great means of reinforcing truths being learned. The New Testament epistles mention writing certain things as reminders (1 Cor. 15:1; 2 Tim. 1:6; 2:14; Titus 3:1; 2 Pet. 1:12; 3:1). With children, especially, a tangible reminder to take home can serve a similar purpose. It’s therefore important to strategically choose the craft project but also to effectively use it.

An Acrostic with Tips for Using Crafts as a Bible Learning Activity

The following acrostic provides points to remember when choosing and using crafts.

C – challenging yet not overly complicated so as not to frustrate

R – relevant and reinforcing of the lesson and not merely a time filler

A – age appropriate so it fits within their abilities

F – feasible for allotted time, available supplies, and help needed for the size and age of the class

T – tested so you don’t run into preventable problems when students put it together in class

S – safe in terms of materials and tools (i.e., not using pointed scissors with young children)

More Help with Crafts

Be sure to read through the related posts listed below.

Also, check out the one page reproducible download, Crafts as a Bible Learning Activity. It does not contain the above acrostic but does give similar tips as well as some additional help. (This page is part of a bigger resource, Bible Learning Activities for Children, that also includes pages on other types of activities.)

The above resource provides some training on effectively using crafts. If you’re looking for craft kits, check out: Craft Kits at Oriental Trading (We are an affiliate of this company so a small commission on any orders helps support our ministry.)