DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to train students in skills necessary to
effectively teach the Bible to both youth and adults--essentially those in the
church 13 years old and older. The course will begin with some preliminary
background material on communication, programming, and educational philosophy.
But the focus of lectures will be on developing/sharpening Bible teaching skill
and technique. Everyone enrolled in this course will be involved both in the
training and in the evaluation of their fellow students. The course will take
the form of a laboratory experience as much as possible. Students will be
expected to actively participate in "hands-on" skills presentations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Cognitively: the learner will think through some of the
essential issues involved in Christian education, review basic elements of
sound hermeneutical process, reflect on how to plan a curriculum in light of a
larger programming mosaic, and understand the principles and methodologies of
inductive teaching. (2) Affectively: the learner will develop an excitement
about creating and executing learning experiences that help people encounter
biblical truth, and doing it in a way that promotes not just the transfer of
information, but life-changing transformation. (3) Behaviorally: the
learner will begin to actively implement these insights and methods in the
practical nuts and bolts of their preparation process, and in the course of
their regular Bible teaching responsibilities. Students will demonstrate their
grasp of these principles by actively designing and conducting at least two
learning experiences for in-class evaluation. (4) Existentially: the learner
will become a person whose commitment to and enthusiasm for teaching the Bible
is demonstrated by faithful, diligent, creative Bible teaching to the end that
those who sit under their teaching are not just hearers of the word, but also
doers (Jas 1:22).
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Ministry of the Word is one of the key functions of
the church. As current and future leaders we want to give careful thought to
how this task is shaped by theological, cultural, and educational
considerations. Developing a sense of passion and competence for teaching the
Bible is essential for those who want to nurture teenagers and adults into
growing disciples of Jesus.
COURSE FORMAT: Lectures, class discussion, and group evaluation of student
presentations: laboratory experience involving both training and evaluation.
The class will meet for ten four-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING: