Teaching For Life

by Ken Hawkley

This study is intended to be used with the video "Teaching for Life." You are encouraged to study the video in a small group setting whenever possible. This allows you to hear from others and to offer your insights and thoughts to the group.

However, the video and guide may also be used at home for private viewing. We feel that viewing the video and participating in the study will take approximately two hours. This would make it ideal for an evening or a Saturday morning gathering. We feel that the time spent is well worth it for the potential benefits for teachers. This is not only a training opportunity; it can be a time of encouragement for teachers. This study is intended to guide participants through the process of teaching that we call life-to-Bible-to-life. We hope you will be renewed by it.

Before beginning, select a study session and text from the material you are currently using in one of your adult classes. This lesson will provide the basis for this study. In this guide, the lesson you choose will be referred to as "The Session." Each participant should have a copy of The Session at the beginning of this video training study.

Section 1: Before You Begin the Video

(5 Minutes)

Before beginning the video, gather in groups of three or four people. Ask people to jot down answers to these two questions:

What is the purpose of teaching?
What do you expect to happen or hope to achieve in the class session?Share the answers with the others in your group and then list them in the larger group on a blackboard or newsprint under these two headings:
1. Purpose
2. Expectations
*We will refer to this list in the next section.

Section 2: Getting to the Basics

(5 Minutes)

Ask viewers to listen to what others say about the purposes and expectations of teaching.

Begin the video until the title "Focusing Activity" appears, then pause the tape.How did your list of purpose and expectations compare with what was shared on the video? What other things would you add to the list?

These are some steps to preparing a lesson:

Begin early in the week.
Read the text often.
Pray for insight, pray for the participants.
Pray about the lesson daily.
Make notes from newspapers or from your daily routine that pertain to the lesson.
Learn what you can about the background of the biblical text.
Try to begin the lesson in an interesting way, such as with a story, skit or object.

Use this table as a guide to make your own weekly schedule for preparing a lesson:

Day of the Week:	Steps to Preparation:
Monday:	1. 2.
Tuesday	1. 2.
Wednesday	1. 2.
Thursday	1. 2.
Friday	1. 2.
Saturday	1. 2.
Sunday	1. 2.

Section 3: The Focusing Activity

(10 Minutes)

Return to the video and watch the portion relating to "Focusing Activity." Pause the video when you see the title, "Step 1: Sharing Our Stories."

Hand Bibles or other books out and say to one person, "(name of person), would you please start us off?" If there are questions or puzzled looks, say nothing. After a few moments ask, "People what is wrong? Why can't we get this study started?" Collect the comments and suggest that without a proper plan and good guidance, no teaching gets done. The point of this video session is to give teachers guidance in developing a plan for teaching effectively. Also explain that they have just experienced a focusing activity.

In the same small groups as before, have people look at The Session text and theme. Have them brainstorm different ways of presenting either the biblical text or the theme. Urge people to "think outside the box" and jot down any and all ideas. The following questions may help determine an approach.

If the Scripture passage expresses or refers to some strong emotions, is there someone who could read the text with those emotions? Is there a way to help class members express to remember the emotion expressed in the text?
Is there a contemporary theme or issue that parallels The Session?
Are there personal stories from the class or congregation that could be shared at the beginning?
Could the text be presented in storytelling fashion, without reading it?
What other ways can people be encouraged to focus on the theme within the first five minutes of the lesson?

Section 4: Step 1 - Sharing Our Stories

(15 minutes)

Return to the video and watch the portion relating to "Step 1: Sharing Our Stories."

Pause the videotape when you see the title, "Step 2: Reflecting on Our Stories."Ask the members if there has ever been a time when they really struggled in preparing a lesson. Ask them to silently reflect on when and how they have struggled. After a few minutes to reflect ask them to gather again in their same small groups and share what they have been thinking.

Suggest that just as it is difficult for them to prepare some lessons, it is also difficult for people coming to class to be engaged in some lessons for any number of reasons. This exercise has been a way for them to share their stories about one aspect of teaching.In small groups, look at The Session and have everyone jot down a way to have people in their regular class share their stories in a way that relates to The Session theme.

If there is time, invite one person to lead the others in an exercise of sharing their stories based on The Session. Have others critique the exercise, offering positive ways to alter things to make them more effective. If there is not sufficient time, simply have people spend a few minutes thinking about a strategy for inviting their regular class to share their stories. Then encourage them to share the stories with one another. One person should record all ideas.

Section 5: Step 2 - Reflecting on Our Stories

(15 Minutes)

Return to the video and watch the portion relating to "Step 2: Reflecting on Our Stories."Pause the videotape when you see the title, "Step 3: Hearing the Bible."

Have the class think back to the previous exercise about times when they had difficulty in lesson preparation. Why did they have difficulty? Things happening in their own life? A difficult text? What can be or could have been done to help overcome the difficulties? Point out that this exercise is one way to reflect on our stories.Were there any new insights from watching the video in having people reflect on their stories? How do we invite people to reflect on things in our everyday life? Would these same things apply in the class?

Notice how both classes in the video connected the Focusing Activity with Steps 1 and 2. Reflection is often the result of asking simple questions. Invite small groups to share some simple questions that might help regular class members reflect on their own story. Use The Session and the work done so far to help, if necessary.

Section 6: Step 3 - Hearing the Bible

(15 Minutes)

Return to the video and watch the portion relating to "Step 3: Hearing the Bible."Pause the videotape when you see the title, "Step 4: Conversing with the Bible."

Ask the small groups to consider the biblical passage for The Session. How could it be presented in interesting ways? Encourage each group to list at least three new ways to present the Bible text in an interesting and engaging manner. Think of a title for each of these ways to describe the method used, such as storytelling, role-play or drama.

Write each title down on a 3 ½ x 5 card. Then ask the group to subdivide into smaller groups according to which method they would like to explore further. Each group will then explore how to present the text according to the method on the card they have chosen. Each group will then make a presentation of the text to the larger group as time allows. Allow as many people to participate as possible.

Section 7: Step 4 - Conversing with the Bible

(15 minutes)

Return to the video and watch the portion relating to "Step 4: Conversing with the Bible."Pause the videotape when you see the title, "Step 5: Concluding the Lesson."

Section 7 has been divided into two parts for convenience. Sometimes there is a clear break between response to what the text meant to the original listeners and what the text means for us today. Depending on time, you may wish to treat each sub step separately. The following exercise can be used in this way or may be used to consider both parts together.

In the video we saw mainly discussion as a method of response. Consider some other methods in which people could respond to the biblical text. Remember that this response time may link with the beginning portions of the lesson. Brainstorm a list of alternative activities. Include some of the following: journaling, drawing, using modeling clay, singing, silent meditation, role-plays, going outside the classroom. Make a list and have it photocopied for participants as a reminder of other activities. Challenge each person to try one new response method for the next time they teach.

Section 8: Step 5 - Concluding the Lesson

(20 minutes)

Return to the video and watch to the end.

In small groups work on a closing for The Session that includes a short time of worship. Remember to also provide a wrap-up or conclusion to the lesson. Ask groups to consider whether a worship table or worship shelf would help. What elements of worship would be included? Song? Prayer? Would it vary with each lesson? How does the conclusion bring closure to The Session?

End this session with an appropriate song about teaching or discipleship or passing on the faith. Consider giving each participant a symbol to leave with that reminds them of their teaching task. Some ideas include a candle to remind of Christ's presence in their task, a match to start fires of renewal, a cup to bring Living Water to others. You might also include opportunity for participants to give a blessing to each other as they depart. Perhaps they may wish to form prayer partnerships to help each other in the teaching task.