Tag Archives: Teaching tips

Bible Teaching, GSM, Jesus

Setting

The following is another excerpt of a book which we have recently completed about teaching the Bible which focuses on some techniques that may be little known and are certainly seldom practiced today.  Here we present the all important element which we call the “Setting,” which, as you can imagine, is not what it seems.  Enjoy!

Taken from “Hosea: A teacher’s guide for those who are lead to teach the book of Hosea”

Setting

As we alluded to earlier, there is a power that is unleashed by simply reading the Word of God as if you have never read it before.  A key to this power being released is the teacher’s ability to bring the class into the setting of the Biblical text.

An 18th century Russian icon of the prophet Hosea located in the Iconostasis of Transfiguration church, Kizhi monastery, Karelia, Northern Russia, painted by an unidentified artist during the first quarter of the 18th century.

Setting, in this sense, is more than historical facts and data. It is more than an understanding of the people, places, economic, religious, and geopolitical circumstances which are present at the time the text is taking place in.  All of these are important elements of setting and can be aids to the class’s understanding of the text, however, for the Power of The Living God to be released into the room, something more is required.

The class must miraculously be transported to the time and place of Biblical account to be transformed.  The teacher guides the class to this place by humble submission to the power of God at work in the room.  In this place, all of the class’s previously formed conclusions about the Biblical text are shattered as they are transported to the place and time where the Biblical text takes place.  It is no longer a story or lesson, the room is alive as each person through supernatural selection assumes their place in the Biblical account as it is actually taking place around them.

Each person in the class is healed as the Spirit of The Living God teaches through each one of us as we experience the text as is written, not as it is interpreted by the teacher, but as it is spoken aloud to the class.

The teacher must balance elements of timing, relationship, and content as the healing presence of the Holy Spirit moves through the room.  The setting is given by The Lord and communicated through the teacher to bring healing as we open the Bible as if we have never opened it before.

Stay tuned for more teaching tips and purchase a copy of the book itself here.  Trust Jesus and stay fresh!

GSM, Jesus

Everybody Has a Voice

The following is another excerpt of a book which we have recently completed about teaching the Bible which focuses on some techniques that may be little known and are certainly seldom practiced today.  Here we present two more, “Everybody has a voice,” and an additional note on preparation.  Enjoy!

Taken from “Hosea: A brief guide for those who are lead to teach the book of Hosea”

Everybody Has a Voice

The person who is teaching must recognize that they are not truly the teacher, per se, rather, that they are the intermediary who is delivering the Word of God afresh to minister to thirsty souls, amongst which they must find their own.  As such, it is important to ask open ended questions of the audience and to give everyone in the room an opportunity to respond.  It is equally important to understand that some questions do not have answers, in fact, the best questions tend to lead to further questions rather than answers.

And it is good.  Remember, as you are speaking the Word, the Holy Spirit is ministering about the room.  As the audience listens to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit is ministering, it becomes apparent that everyone in the room is a teacher and one person’s response to your question or comment may minister to another in the room without either of you being aware of it.  The healing that occurs when this take place is amazing, and should be expected to be a constant part of the class when the Holy Spirit is leading.

There are no set rules, but as the intermediary (read teacher), the person in charge of the class has the responsibility to maintain the classroom environment as holy.  If a question or comment carries on it can become more of a distraction than an aid to the healing that is taking place.

There is a fine line between teaching the Word of God and expressing one’s own opinions.  It will be clear when it has been crossed, as the teacher, you are responsible for discerning when it has been crossed and steering the class back to the Holy Place.

A Brief Note on Preparation

While we have provided a number of questions and historical background to facilitate the study, we encourage you to read the entire Biblical text which you will teach, in this case Hosea, at least five times before presenting it.  Each time, write down key questions which the Word begs the reader to answer.  We have provided space for you to do this on page 19, and it is expected that this space will not be adequate.

Some of these questions will simply appear verbatim in the Biblical text, as is often the case when Jesus is teaching.  Some of them will come to you through the Holy Spirit as you read and prepare.  All of these questions are valid, and the Holy Spirit will guide you as to which questions to ask.  Even simple questions such as, “what are you hearing?” or “what is happening out there, would anyone like to comment?” can lead to great healing amongst those in the class.

Stay tuned for more teaching tips and the release of the book itself here at The Mint.  Trust Jesus and stay fresh!

GSM, Jesus

Opening the Bible as if You have Never Read It Before

The following is an excerpt of a book which we have recently completed about teaching the Bible, focusing on some techniques that may be little known and are certainly seldom practiced today.  We pray that it will be a blessing to you and encourage you to open the Bible as if you have never read it before.  Enjoy!

Taken from “Hosea: A brief guide for those who are lead to teach the book of Hosea”

NOTES ON TEACHING

You do not need to be an expert to teach the Word of God.  In fact, some would argue that an advanced degree in a Seminary actually hinders your ability to teach.  Sound strange?  In our experience, we have found that a great majority of sermons and Bible studies tend to drive the audience to a somewhat premeditated conclusion.

There is generally nothing wrong with this.  From our childhood we are taught to structure our essays and messages concisely so that at the beginning, the audience knows what your talking points will be and what they are supposed to get out of it.

This approach may work well in academic circles and “how to” books, yet it is a complete and total disaster when employed in an attempt to teach the Words of the Living God.

Open the Bible as if You have Never Read It Before

The holiness and perfection of the Bible allow us to learn something new each time that we read it.

For this reason, we would like to encourage you and your audience, beginning with this study, to open the Bible as if they have never read it before.  Many Christians have preconceived notions and prejudices regarding the parts of the Bible which must be overcome for the Word of God to move in a new way in their lives.  Opening the Bible as if you have never read it before accomplishes this goal for most people.

Read Slowly: Let the Word Of God Resonate in the Room

Another necessity when teaching the Word of God is to read slowly.  When teaching the Word of God, it is important to both read aloud and to listen to your own voice.  Far from being ridiculous, slowly reading the Word of God accomplishes two important purposes.  First, it allows everyone in the audience both to hear and to meditate on the words.  Second, you will immediately notice that the spoken words themselves have a power which resonates throughout the room.

Hearing is a deeply spiritual exercise.  Listening to yourself as you read will generally ensure that you maintain the proper pace and that the Holy Spirit moves about the room, ministering to everyone as they simply listen, for the Word of God does not ever return void.

Sound interesting?  Stay tuned for more teaching tips and the release of the book itself here at The Mint.  Trust Jesus and stay fresh!