At the end of Chapter 20, the author lists ten suggestions regarding the ministry of teaching. If you were to add five more suggestions, what would they be?
1. Teach in the power of the Holy Spirit. As teachers, we should be prompted, led and guided by the Holy Spirit. We should work in partnership with and subject to Him which will help us to...
2. Teach with authority. Jesus taught with authority unlike the scribes and Pharisees of his day. In a wishy-washy time of moral relativism, appropriate authority is a breath of fresh air. Teaching with authority is not about arrogance or puffing one's wares; it is a quiet confidence. Teaching with authority requires the teacher to know their subject matter and to be walking in the power of the Spirit so as to maintain the proper attitude and humility.
3. Teach with gentleness. Sometimes we get crazy answers and comments as teachers; we must be careful to always respond in gentleness.
4. Teach with accessibility or "keep it on the bottom shelf." This is about uncomplicating the high and lofty theological principles we're trying to teach and making them accessible and understandable for our students. The danger here is oversimplifying or "dumbing down" the subject, which doesn't do anyone any favors.
5. Teach as the lead learner. It has been said that the best way to learn something is to teach it. As we set out to teach a lesson, we can acknowledge that the learning never stops. This acknowledgment will foster more curiousity, creativity and greater humility. We may also consider delegating part(s) of the lesson to the students for them to teach or present at different times. This will not only encourage interaction but also may ultimately result in a greater learning experience.
In no particular order...
ReplyDelete1. Teach in the power of the Holy Spirit. As teachers, we should be prompted, led and guided by the Holy Spirit. We should work in partnership with and subject to Him which will help us to...
2. Teach with authority. Jesus taught with authority unlike the scribes and Pharisees of his day. In a wishy-washy time of moral relativism, appropriate authority is a breath of fresh air. Teaching with authority is not about arrogance or puffing one's wares; it is a quiet confidence. Teaching with authority requires the teacher to know their subject matter and to be walking in the power of the Spirit so as to maintain the proper attitude and humility.
3. Teach with gentleness. Sometimes we get crazy answers and comments as teachers; we must be careful to always respond in gentleness.
4. Teach with accessibility or "keep it on the bottom shelf." This is about uncomplicating the high and lofty theological principles we're trying to teach and making them accessible and understandable for our students. The danger here is oversimplifying or "dumbing down" the subject, which doesn't do anyone any favors.
5. Teach as the lead learner. It has been said that the best way to learn something is to teach it. As we set out to teach a lesson, we can acknowledge that the learning never stops. This acknowledgment will foster more curiousity, creativity and greater humility. We may also consider delegating part(s) of the lesson to the students for them to teach or present at different times. This will not only encourage interaction but also may ultimately result in a greater learning experience.