Summer 2009/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: August 3-14
YF517
Robbins
YF517: TEACHING THE BIBLE TO YOUTH AND ADULTS. Duffy Robbins.


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:

Anthony, Michael, ed. Introducing Christian Education, Foundations for the 21st Century. Baker, 2001.

Dawn, Marva. Talking the Walk: Letting Christian Language Live Again. Brazos Press, 2005.

Lambert, Dan. Teaching That Makes a Difference. Zondervan, 2004.

Palmer, Parker. To Know as We Are Known: A Spirituality of Teaching. Harper & Row, 1983.

Peterson, E. Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories & Prayers. Eerdmans, 2008.

Choose One:
Friedeman, Matt. The Master Plan of Teaching: Understanding and Applying the Teaching Styles of Jesus. Victor, 1990. (Available on Moodle.)

Richards, Lawrence. Creative Bible Study. Zondervan, 1971.

Shafer, Barry. Unleashing God's Word in Youth Ministry. Youth Specialties, 2008.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Christie, Les. How to Work with Rude, Obnoxious and Apathetic Kids. Victor, 1994.

Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting and Applying the Bible. Zondervan, 2001.

Lefever, Marlene. Creative Teaching Methods. Updated ed. D.C. Cook, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Two in-class presentations, one from Numbers; one from Luke (30% each). (2) Reflection journals (15-20 pp.) on Lambert, Palmer, Peterson. Due Aug. 28 (20%). (3) Critical self-evaluation of your own teaching using evaluation tool based on of Friedeman, Shafer, or Richards. Due Sept. 11 (20%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in DFD (MIN 4).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (6/09)