1. Teaching
I. What is teaching?
1. Teaching is creating an experience in which another person changes in some lasting way
his or her knowledge, understanding, skill, attitudes or values through the exchange of
information, ideas and experiences.
A. Underline key words in this definition above. Then take one minute to explain
to the person next to you why you underlined those key words.
Dr. J.M. Price - “A teacher has not taught until someone has learned . . . and no one has learned
until there has been a change.”
Dr. Leroy Ford - “Learning is a lasting change in knowledge, understanding, skill, attitude and
values brought about by experience.”
B. What key word did both men above use? ______________________________
In the space below draw a picture of change.
C. As a teacher, can you alone change anyone in your class? Yes! ___ No! ___
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Teaching the Bible
With
Purpose and Focus

2. Read 1 Corinthians 3:7-9
What is God’s role in the Christian teaching and learning experience?
_______________________________________________________
Read John 14:26 and John 16:13
What is the Holy Spirit’s role in the Christian teaching and learning experience?
_______________________________________________________
II. What is an effective teacher? Write a statement beside each of the four qualities listed below
summarizing why you think it is important. The effective teacher . . .
1. Knows the scripture -
2. Knows the people -
3. Knows teaching methods -
4. Leads by example -
III. What is a good plan for presenting the lesson?
1. Get their attention! Assuming that the learning objective is:
“Believers can know and understand that God hears and answers
their prayers.”
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
A. Select from below methods that you might use to get your class’s attention with
this passage. Explain why.
___ Present a problem ___ Start with a skit ___ Ask a question
___ Tell a personal story ___ Use a case study ___ Play a tape
___ Do a reading ___ Give an illustration ___ Use humor
___ Use a strong quote ___ Use a fact from history ___ Do a role-play
___ Refer to a news story ___ Write on a marker board ___ Use a picture
B. Whatever method you use to get their attention needs to have a purpose and
connect with what is to follow in the lesson.
Example: “When Moma Prayed” by Randy Travis
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3. 2. Focus their attention
A. A well-crafted teaching plan focuses the learner’s attention upon the learning
objective and upon the central truth of the Bible passage.
How can you focus the learner’s attention on the learning objective of . . .
“Believers can know and understand that God hears and answers their prayers.”
What might be the central truth from the 1 Peter 3:12 Bible passage above under
III.1?
B. Learning objectives should be centered on a learning goal of Knowledge,
Understanding, Skill, Attitude or Value. Your learning goal should determine
your teaching method.
Here are some examples of learning goals and methods of teaching:
Learning Goals Teaching Methods
Knowledge/ lecture, television, debate, interview, panel, recording, games,
demonstration,
Understanding question and answer, problem solving, personal research
Skill demonstration, field trip, work groups, drills, skill building,
exercise, coaching, role-playing
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Some Definitions to Help
Learning- a lasting change in knowledge, understanding, skill, attitude, and
values brought about by experience.
Knowledge- facts and information
Understanding- comprehension of how facts and ideas relate one to
another, and ability to put knowledge to practical use.
Skill- The ability to perform an action with ease.
Attitude- a point of view toward a person, place, thing or idea.

4. Attitude/Values brainstorming, debate, case study, role-play, discussion, forum, testimonies,
games, personal research, dialogue, observation, small group study,
dramatization
C. Change the learning goal and then restate the learning objective.
“Believers can know and understand that God hears and answers their prayers.”
(Skill) (Believers can demonstrate faith in God’s by praying daily for a friend”)
(Attitude) (Believers will trust God knowing that He cares for them and hears each
of their prayers)
3. Keep their attention
List at least 10 things in the box below that you can do to keep the attention of your
class members.
4. Direct their attention
A. After presenting God’s truth in a way that is interesting and well planned we
must be sure to direct the attention of the learner toward personal application.
B. Here are some examples of how a teacher may help apply the truths learned to
individuals or the group.
Other Examples:
Make individual assignments
Plan group projects……or say to the class . . .
“What are you going to do about this truth you have now learned?”
“How can we help the poor and needy?”
“Will you commit to God to share your testimony with one person this week?”
“What good things can you do for your parents this week to show them love?”
REACHING
I. What is reaching?
In the realm of the church reaching is “reaching people for Christ and involving them in Bible
study.” Sometimes we involve people in Bible study and then as a result they come to Christ. Either
way, the main goal of REACHING is to REACH OUT to the lost and unchurched. The Sunday School
organization is just one “door” through which we can reach people.
A. Look-up the following Bible verses and select one verse to adopt as your departments,
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1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

5. class or churches “Outreach Scripture.”
Example: First Baptist Outreach Scripture - Luke 10:16-17
Matthew 4:18-20 Luke 10:1-3
Matthew 28:18-20 Luke 10:16-17
John 7:37-38 Luke 12:32
Acts 1:8
Write the scripture you chose on a peace of paper and be prepared to share why you
selected that passage for your “Outreach Scripture.”
B. List 4 reasons for reaching your age group. Circle your age group below.
Adults Youth Children Preschoolers
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
II. What is effective reaching?
A. Effective reaching begins by making a commitment to reaching people for salvation and
Bible Study.
B. Effective reaching involves identifying and enrolling prospects in Bible Study.
C. Effective reaching plans for new classes and teachers to handle growth.
D. Effective reaching includes a plan for evangelistic and ministry visitation.
E. Effective reaching entails teaching the Bible to win the lost and develop the saved.
F. Effective reaching necessitates training.
III. What is a good plan for reaching?
As a class, age group division, or Sunday School design your Outreach Plan For Effective
Reaching by using the basic elements listed below which are from roman number “II.”
Remember to plan according to the needs of your church and community
AGE GROUP DIVISION OUTREACH PLAN
Effective reaching begins by making a commitment to reaching people for salvation and Bible Study.
Our plan for making a commitment . . .
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6. Effective reaching involves identifying and enrolling prospects in Bible Study.
Our plan for identifying and enrolling prospects . . .
Effective reaching plans for new classes and teachers to handle growth.
Our plan for new classes and teachers . . .
Effective reaching includes a plan for evangelistic and ministry visitation.
Our plan for evangelistic and ministry visitation . . .
Effective reaching entails teaching the Bible to win the lost and develop the saved.
Our plan for teaching the Bible to win the lost and develop the saved . . .
Effective reaching necessitates training.
Our plan for training . . .
B. Be prepared to share an overview of your plan with the training group.
C. List potential Outreach leaders within your classes, division, or church.
Division Outreach Leader _____________________
Class Outreach Leaders _____________________
List Classes here: _____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
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7. _____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
D. Discuss possible Outreach leaders with the Sunday School Director or a staff member
who is responsible for Outreach.
MINISTERING
I. What is ministering?
Ministering is “Christian care that extends beyond the walls of the church into the homes,
lives and very hearts of people.”
As a teacher you can and will make a difference that reaches beyond the walls of the classroom.
By ministering to those we teach we are able to reach into the rooms of their lives. Rooms of joy,
rooms of loneliness, rooms of personal need, rooms of pain and rooms of exciting events.
As you reach into these and other rooms of your class member’s lives, they will open up to
spiritual growth and personal intimacy. Your relationship with your class members affects how they
hear and respond to your teaching. The influence of your teaching will come in part from how you
minister to the person.
“People don’t care what you know,
until they know that you care.”
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8. II. What is effective ministering?
Effective ministering is working to cultivate your relationship with your class members by being
aware of their life needs and involving yourself and your class in those areas.
A. List 10 ways to cultivate your relationship with class members,
10 ways to cultivate your relationship with class members
Circle your age group - Preschool, Children, Youth or Adults.
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
B. Effective ministering requires responsibility, personal growth, planning as well as time,
effort, prayer and even money.
1. Responsibility - God has given you, the teacher, the responsibility of
being the shepherd of a flock. When you see one of His sheep in trouble,
wandering away or even lost, you must spring into action.
Be dependable Shepherd! Many are counting on you.
2. Personal Growth - Much like the pastor of the church, God not only
expects you to care for His sheep, but He also equips you. As you grow
in your personal walk with God you will realize that He is training you
everyday to care for His precious people. You must also take advantage
of other special worker training to enhance your teaching skills.
Be willing to grow Shepherd! Many are counting on you.
3. Planning - You can see why a large class is sometimes difficult to
“shepherd.” Many of your sheep wander away before you can get to
know them. You must have a plan and a well-organized class to
effectively shepherd His sheep.
Be prepared Shepherd. Many are counting on you.
III. What is a good plan for ministering?
A. Organize and train leaders to share in the ministering of others
1. In Preschool and Children classes outside help should be enlisted.
2. Youth and Adult classes should enlist class members to share in the
responsibility. These class leaders could be called CareTEAM Leaders.
They help the TEAM by keeping in touch with other class members.
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9. B. Determine your class members needs
1. Design an information page on which class members can let you know about
themselves. Decide what to put on the sheet and whether the teacher and
CareTEAM Leaders will see it or just the teacher. Some information may be
confidential. Include information like:
Name Birth dates of all family members
Address Anniversaries; wedding, difficult deaths
Phone # Spiritual Birth dates
Work Place Other special days: Child’s first day of school;
Work Phone #s Youth’s graduation, big date, big game
E-mail addresses Adults, child’s wedding, graduation
C. Develop a system where you involve class members as CareTEAM Leaders and be sure
all members and prospects are assigned to a group. CareTEAM Leaders may want to
have input concerning who is in their group. Sometimes CareTEAM Leaders may want
neighbors and other times it may be well not to have your neighbor in your group.
Include the CareTEAM Leaders in the assigning process.
General guidelines for CareTEAM Leaders
Assign 5 class members or 5 couples to 1 CareTEAM Leader.
CareTEAM Leaders contact their care group at least 1 time per month.
Contacts should vary from, calls, cards, personal visits, even group gatherings
CareTEAM Leaders should meet monthly with the teacher to . . .
Plan for reaching and ministering
Plan class fellowships, (I recommend 1 fellowship per month)
Discuss absentee members and how to reclaim them
Discuss prospects
Pray for the class, class member’s needs and the teacher
D. Discuss the “times of life” when ministering will really make a difference.
Example: Birth of a child
The “Times of Life”
1._______________________________ 5._______________________________
2._______________________________ 6._______________________________
3._______________________________ 7._______________________________
4._______________________________ 8._______________________________
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10. E. Class members are likely to model their lives after the life of the teacher. A teacher who
ministers passes on the Christian example of ministry to others.
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