Effectively Using Object Lessons

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