Category Archives: Teaching Methods

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.)

Colossians 3:16 exhorts us to teach and admonish one another.

So far in our series based on Colossians 3:16, we’ve established that Bible teachers should

both teach and admonish,
using the right message,
having the right intensity,
and with the right orientation.

This post turns our attention to the means of teaching and admonishing one another.

The Means for Teaching and Admonishing in Colossians 3:16

We’re to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” (Col. 3:16). At first glance we might think this verse alludes only to music as our methodology. While it does seem to specifically reference means that typically involve melodic music, there could be more to this verse.

Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit are all odes to God. They are means of praising God. So, perhaps more than the mechanics of singing, the emphasis is more on using that which points to and glorifies God.

Ephesians 5:19-20 refers to “singing and making melody” and also mentions “speaking” in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So, perhaps music is merely a suggested vehicle through which we point one another to God. If we read through Scripture, we find numerous means God has used and continues to use in the teaching-learning process.

Implications for Bible Teachers about Methodology

Immediately following Colossians 3:16, which exhorts us to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit”, we read, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17)

However we teach and admonish, we need to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” which only makes sense when we remember the foundation upon which our teaching unfolds — “the message of Christ” (Col. 3:16).

Whatever means we use to teach and admonish one another should be purposeful in pointing students to our wonderful Lord, who is worthy of all praise. Our methods aren’t merely about the way to communicate truth but more so how to point people to the One who is Truth. All we do in the classroom should lead to this objective. The true means of doing that isn’t our methodology but rather the Spirit. Notice the phrase, “from the Spirit”, in Colossians 3:16. Let rely on the Spirit to guide us in the specific methods to use as we teach and admonish.

To effectively teach and admonish, the message of Christ must be at the core, richly dwelling not just in our teaching but among us. — “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom …” (Col. 3:16). How does this affect the orientation of our teaching?

The Orientation of Our Teaching and Admonishing

Teaching can be either teacher-oriented, student-oriented, or group-oriented. Hence, people learn either from a teacher’s input, personal study, or interacting with other students.

Colossians 3:16 exhorts us to “teach and admonish one another” with the message of Christ dwelling “among” us which at first glad would suggest a more group-oriented, collaborative effort. This supports the concept of Body Life wherein we foster an interdependence, living out the “one another” commands of Scripture. That often happens informally in our relationships with each other but it can also happen in the more formal learning environment. Certain methods, like discussion or group projects, lend themselves to a more group-oriented means of teaching.

The wording of Colossians 3:16 doesn’t necessarily mean we must always take a group-oriented approach. Some didactic teaching (instruction) needs a foundation laid upon which the group can then build which might suggest the use of teacher-oriented methods or even self-study. Some admonishing (warning) may best occur one-on-one as opposed to in front of the whole group (Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1). Not every student will need the same place, having the same need.

Bible learning centers have benefits but to realize the benefits, we must use them effectively. Bible teachers must realize that this teaching method is not the easy way out if it’s going to be effective.

What It Takes to Use This Bible Learning Centers Effectively

For learning centers to be most beneficial, teachers must be very purposeful in every aspect. The centers must all point to the lesson’s theme. Mere activity isn’t going to help our students “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

Teachers must also carefully think through the logistics. A chaotic environment is not conducive to learning. Using this method takes …

• time to plan, collect materials, set up, execute, and clean up
• planning not just of which centers to use, but how to set them up to minimize congestion, maximize participation, and when/how to move students through the centers
• recruitment, training, and coordination of helpers supervising the various centers

For help thinking through the effective implementation of this method, order the Learning Center Worksheet. This resource provides questions that guide you in thinking through issues related to using learning centers.