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Tips for Teaching New Testament Epistles

Posted on August 13, 2026 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

The letters to early churches contain much instruction for believers today. Tips for teaching New Testament Epistles must lead to application of these guidelines to reap the benefit to church life and everyday living. Of course, that begins with a perspective that views God’s Word as supreme (2 Tim. 3:16-17), our standard. It also requires an attitude of humility, recognizing that we aren’t the ones who determine truth and what matters. We aim for God’s intent and purposes, not what we think.

Promote the Right Perspective and Attitudes by Using These Tips for Teaching New Testament Epistles

To gain the most benefit from these books of the Bible, we need to follow these tips for teaching New Testament Epistles:

1) Don’t shy away from teaching the doctrine in these books but do present it in a way that isn’t stuffy and dry.

… in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. (Titus 2:10)

2) Accurately present doctrine.

… must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)

3) Stress why it’s important to stay true to God’s Word.

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim. 4:16)

4) Guard against divisive quarreling over doctrine.

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Tim. 2:23-26)

Check out the Teaching the Real Message of the Bible Teacher Training Resource for some added input to these tips.

For Curriculum, Go To: New Testament Epistles Bible Lessons

A Teacher’s Love

Posted on August 7, 2026 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

Without Love a Teacher's Words Ring Empty
No matter how eloquent teachers speak, without love we miss the mark of truly effective teaching. A teacher’s love matters. It makes a difference.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 13:1)

When “Christ’s love compels us” (2 Cor. 5:14), we go beyond merely showing up to teach the lesson. We put the time into preparation to maximize true learning. We invest into the lives of our students both in and outside of the classroom because they matter.

Can we honestly say the following to our students?

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thess. 2:8)

Evidence of a Teacher’s Love

The following acrostic shows some of the ways teachers demonstrate love to their students, giving evidence of a teacher’s love:

L – Learn about Them as Individuals

Learn their names, interests, backgrounds, etc. Then use that information to engage them and to pray for and with them.

O – Offer an Oasis

Provide a safe place for people to express their doubts, fears, and failures … to be themselves. Build an environment where people can both laugh and cry together. Make it a place people want to be.

V – Value Them

Let people know they matter to you, that they’re important. Treat them like each person’s thoughts and contributions to class discussion matters.

E – Engage Them on a Personal Level

Ask questions about their lives. Truly listen when they talk. Make eye contact. If teaching children, get on their level. Speak with them outside of class.

What a difference it makes when Bible teachers truly love their students!

For another acrostic using the word LOVE, check out the Does your heart beat with the love of God? Worksheet.

Use Circle Response to Help Teachers Assess Their Teaching

Posted on July 24, 2026 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

Here’s an example of how to use circle response in Bible teachers training to help them assess their teaching. The session encourages them to look beyond their own assessment, and even beyond how students feel about their teaching, to God’s perspective.

About the Circle Response Method

Circle response is a method you can use to get everyone participating in a minimally threatening way. How personal the type of response you request could depend on how well your teachers know each other. Each person may only respond with one word, phrase, or sentence, depending on what you set as the criteria. The statements or questions used should generate more than one kind of response.

Prior to the session, arrange seating in a circle.
Start with the person who tends to be more outgoing and go around the circle having each group member give his/her response to your statement or question. Do not allow comments until you get around the circle.
Summarize their responses and follow up with discussion and/or added input.

Training Session to Help Teachers Assess Their Teaching

First go around the circle for responses to the following statements. Move from one statement to the next without providing commentary or allowing comments.

In one word, express how you feel about your teaching.
In one word, describe how you think your students feel about your teaching.

Next make observations about their responses. For instance, you may be able to note how some teachers used similar words to describe their teaching from both points of view while others used very different words for each. After making your observations, ask the following:

What criteria did you use to determine your responses to each statement? (Allow for some responses.)

Now reflect on how you think God feels about your teaching. (Give them a few moments of silence to reflect.)

What criteria would God use to assess your teaching? (Allow for some responses.)

Since His Word provides the standard, let’s reflect on some Scripture verses that should guide us in the way we teach. (Start by asking for some Scripture verses that have been meaningful to them. You can add into the discussion with verses listed in the post, Bible Verses for Bible Teachers.)

Options for Getting Beyond Lecture

Posted on July 17, 2026 by TrainBibleTeachers.com — No Comments ↓

Lecture may be good to use with adults but if we want to teach for changed lives and potentially reach all the students, we must get beyond solely lecturing. Remember that while God wants “to fill you with the knowledge of his will”, He also wants us to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:9-10). We need to teach in ways that help people reach His intent.

Reason Bible Teachers May Feel They Have No Choice But Lecturing

To determine what can be done in lieu of lecture, we must look at reasons teachers may feel they can only lecture. They might say something similar to the following:

1) “I would never get through the lesson if I didn’t lecture.”

This reason deals with the content, specifically the amount of content.

2) “My class is too big to use other methods.”

This reason pertains to class size and the challenges of teaching a large group.

3) “I don’t know other methods that would work with adults.”

This reason relates to the skills of the teacher, particularly in regard to methodology.

Options Beyond Lecture

Think about how you can implement the following options if you find yourself saying any of the above.

1) If you feel you couldn’t get through the lesson without lecturing …

Consider the possibility that you may be trying to teach too much in one setting. The greater the amount of content, the less likely you’ll be to employ other methods. How can you trim the content down without losing substance? Or, can the lesson be divided into two sessions providing time for discussion or other methods? Can you use out-of-class means to communicate some of the content so students come to class prepared to do something with the content?

2) If your class seems too big to use other methods ….

Though it would seem that bigger groups lessen opportunity for each individual to meaningfully participate, there are ways to engage everyone. It takes thinking outside of the box to get a large group of students more actively involved. Perhaps you could break the class into smaller groups or neighbor nudge to discuss a question. You could have students write down their response and then ask only a few to share what they wrote. Maybe you could have them physically respond to questions by a raise of hands, standing, holding up colored or numbered cards you’ve provided to respond to yes/no questions, etc. When you do lecture, accompany it with visuals, handouts, and good illustrations.

3) If you don’t know of other methods that work with adults …

Determine if you’re just stuck in a rut. Perhaps you do know other methods but have gotten comfortable with lecturing. Maybe you’re doing what takes less prep time. If so, remember why it’s important to get beyond solely lecture. If you truly want to teach for changed lives and potentially reach all of your students, then start by gradually adding some different methods into your teaching.

It could be that you aren’t acquainted with all the possibilities and need some training on teaching methods. Check out the Sharpening Your Bible Teaching Methods resource.

If you lecture because you struggle with creativity, check out these resources:

Creativity: Variety is One Element Worksheet – Only 4 pages, it will help you think through what might be holding you back from being a creative Bible teacher.
Creative Bible Teaching with Results Workbook – This 73-page resource takes a broader look at creativity, using God as our example for how to be creative.

We do usually have other options besides pure lecture. We may have to make some adjustments but in the end, it will be worth it.