On the left are links to online Bible study lesson plans that I
have prepared and will teach from. The teaching style used is
an interactive or discussion style. The lesson poses questions which
guide the learners to determine what the Scriptures say, what they
mean, and then how it should be changing their lives. PowerPoint
slides are available which are designed to visually display the
scripture passages and the discussion questions. These are free
Sunday School Lessons which you may download and use as is or use as
a resource to help you in your teaching ministry.
Each lesson begins with a "Motivation" or "Hook" section. This is
a question which is usually of the "brain storming" variety. Its
purpose is to get learners thinking along the line of the lesson
topic and to raise interest in the subject. This section is followed
by a "transition" which brings together the motivation question and
announces exactly what the lesson covers.
The Bible Study portion proceeds through each of the three or
four scripture passages. I am a firm believer that when a Bible
lesson is taught or preached, listener/learners should be looking at
three things; what the Bible says, what it means, and how will they
live differently as a result of the Truth encountered.
These elements are stressed in the "Let's Teach" online course.
The "Book"
The "Look"
The "Took"
To that end, I like to use questions which lead the learner
through those three steps. You will notice that for each question
stated, a series of possible answers are given in the lesson.
Lawyers know that you should never ask a question in court for which
you do not know the answer and the same thing applies in this
context. The teacher should give some thought to the kinds of
answers he/she is expecting ... all for the purpose of directing the
thinking of the learners.
Generally the teacher should accept (just about) any answer
learners give. Sometimes hints or guidance can be given as to the
direction you are taking them. My classes often accuse me of giving
them "Guess what the teacher is thinking" questions -- usually they
are right. That's when I give the hints or maybe even end up giving
them my answer
Occasionally a two column table is part of the answers. This is
usually a contrast/comparison exercise. Use your judgment as to when
it is helpful to record answers to questions on a chalkboard or
whiteboard or overhead projector transparency.
The last portion of the lesson is applications. These are
specific actions which learners might be expected to take as a
result of applying that Sunday's lesson.
Comments on Preparation
I believe that both cheap hand guns and Bible study lessons which
are "Saturday Night Specials" tend to blow up in your face. A lesson
is intended to communicate Spiritual principles and concepts to
learners. It takes time for these to become absorbed and correctly
arranged in the mind and heart of the teacher who will facilitate
that communication.
Thus, I feel that I must read multiple resources in small
increments starting on Monday or Tuesday. Then when I sit down at
the computer to put together the lesson at the end of the week, I
have a much better idea of what the lesson entails. If you find
these lessons useful, I believe you will be most effective if you
spend a little time each day reading and studying the background
material provided for teachers.
