What is your definition of Teaching?
In 7 Laws of the Learner, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson makes the connection between teaching and learning. It is truly amazing to see the connection between the Hebrew words for teaching and learning in Deuteronomy.
In the book, Dr. Wilkinson defines teaching as "causing the student to learn". This definition has great ramifications to a teacher. This puts the responsibility of the students learning in the hands of the teacher. (Yes, I know the student plays a part in their learning as well.)
This definition hit home to me shortly after a Life Group class that I had taught. A first time guest approached me saying that they didn't understand what I was talking about during class. I had failed at teaching that day. Sure, I presented all of the information, but she didn't learn!
One way we can "cause our students to learn" is to speak to their learning style. How can a teacher know a student's learning style? Many times it can be observed. If someone is fidgety in class, that might be an indication of a physical learning style. If someone is always humming, it might be an indication of a musical learning style.
We can be more direct and ask. To this end, you could survey your class with the Approach To Learning worksheet. Dr. Thomas Armstrong has an article that has some more information.
It has always been interesting to see the different learning styles represented in a class that I have surveyed. Armed with their learning styles you can now effectively "teach" your students!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Hezekiah's Tunnel
I ran across this earlier this week. Sorry for the delay in posting it. Great video! Can't wait to show it to my class as some of the archaeological evidence supporting the Bible!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Picture Day for Your Classroom
Yes, you read correctly. Sunday after church is picture day for your classroom. Yes, just the room...
Let me explain. On Tuesdays and Fridays our facilities are put to good use by a group of home school families for "Family School." They have been very gracious and cooperative with us and they are a blessing to New Life Baptist Church.
After the group uses a room, they set it back up just as it has been photographed. The photographing took place before the school year started, but with our room move it is great time to take new pictures.
So have your room spic and span by this Sunday after church with the chairs setup in your desired configuration.
Feel free to send me an email or give me a call with any questions.
Let me explain. On Tuesdays and Fridays our facilities are put to good use by a group of home school families for "Family School." They have been very gracious and cooperative with us and they are a blessing to New Life Baptist Church.
After the group uses a room, they set it back up just as it has been photographed. The photographing took place before the school year started, but with our room move it is great time to take new pictures.
So have your room spic and span by this Sunday after church with the chairs setup in your desired configuration.
Feel free to send me an email or give me a call with any questions.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sermon links for U-Turn Here—and Now!
The Leader Guide states:
"The headings in this lesson make use of three classic sermon titles from famous preachers of the past. These pulpit giants boldly called God’s people to repentance in their day."
I wanted to pass along the links to these:
Payday Someday - R. G. Lee SBC website
Turn or Burn - Charles H. Spurgeon
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God - Jonathan Edwards
"The headings in this lesson make use of three classic sermon titles from famous preachers of the past. These pulpit giants boldly called God’s people to repentance in their day."
I wanted to pass along the links to these:
Payday Someday - R. G. Lee SBC website
Turn or Burn - Charles H. Spurgeon
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God - Jonathan Edwards
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Quarterly Team Huddle Reminder
Hi Everybody,
Just a quick reminder about the Quarterly Team Huddle this Saturday from 4pm-7pm (potluck dinner) at New Life Baptist Church.
As an added incentive to come to the meeting prepared we will have a "Lightning Round". This will be a part of the meeting where you (or someone you designate) get to briefly share the highlights of your Life Group over the past 3 months. It could be anything: new guests, baptisms of class members, transformed lives, a fantastic fellowship, a time of caring, anything that you want to praise God for!
You will want to be sure to invite your class to attend with you. Remember from Make Your Group Grow, one of the highest indicators of a growing class is involvement.
See you Saturday at 4pm!
In Him,
Torrey
Just a quick reminder about the Quarterly Team Huddle this Saturday from 4pm-7pm (potluck dinner) at New Life Baptist Church.
As an added incentive to come to the meeting prepared we will have a "Lightning Round". This will be a part of the meeting where you (or someone you designate) get to briefly share the highlights of your Life Group over the past 3 months. It could be anything: new guests, baptisms of class members, transformed lives, a fantastic fellowship, a time of caring, anything that you want to praise God for!
You will want to be sure to invite your class to attend with you. Remember from Make Your Group Grow, one of the highest indicators of a growing class is involvement.
See you Saturday at 4pm!
In Him,
Torrey
Monday, January 31, 2011
Keeping the Main Point the Main Point
Many times I've heard the analogy of not being able to see the forest for the trees. As we have been going through 1 and 2 Kings I am again reminded of this idea. There are so many good tidbits of information that it can be easy to dive in way so deep that we lose track of the point of the lesson. I admit it, I'm guilty of it. After a week or more of study of a particular passage I could write a 10 page paper expounding on what we have learned.
One of the things I like about our curriculum is the Biblical Truth and the Lesson Goal. Continually keeping these two in mind as I study the passage of Scripture,has helped me to keep the main point of the lesson, the main point of my teaching. My goal as a teacher is not to fill my students heads with Biblical knowledge or to share all the details of my 10 page paper. My overall goal as a teacher is to teach my students to love the Word of God and to see it transform their lives in real life application. My goal for a particular week's lesson is to teach the Biblical Truth and to help instill the Lesson Goal into my students lives.
How do I satisfy my own desire and need for depth of study, yet not get trapped so far in the details that I'm missing my goal as a teacher? A very practical way is something that Pastor Albert shared with me a few weeks ago. Using a mind mapping tool helps me to flesh out my thoughts and add as much detail as I need so that I can fully understand the Scripture. Then I can collapse the details and focus on the main point of the lesson.
I happen to be using xMind and they have a very helpful training video to get started. Below is an example of the mind map I drew up for a recent lesson with the details expanded..
Then as the latter part of the week approached, I narrowed my focus on the main points.
One of the things I like about our curriculum is the Biblical Truth and the Lesson Goal. Continually keeping these two in mind as I study the passage of Scripture,has helped me to keep the main point of the lesson, the main point of my teaching. My goal as a teacher is not to fill my students heads with Biblical knowledge or to share all the details of my 10 page paper. My overall goal as a teacher is to teach my students to love the Word of God and to see it transform their lives in real life application. My goal for a particular week's lesson is to teach the Biblical Truth and to help instill the Lesson Goal into my students lives.
How do I satisfy my own desire and need for depth of study, yet not get trapped so far in the details that I'm missing my goal as a teacher? A very practical way is something that Pastor Albert shared with me a few weeks ago. Using a mind mapping tool helps me to flesh out my thoughts and add as much detail as I need so that I can fully understand the Scripture. Then I can collapse the details and focus on the main point of the lesson.
I happen to be using xMind and they have a very helpful training video to get started. Below is an example of the mind map I drew up for a recent lesson with the details expanded..
Then as the latter part of the week approached, I narrowed my focus on the main points.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Heading to Texas for Training!
The Northwest Baptist Convention and the Interstate Baptist Association (both of which we are part of) are sending Adult Ministry Leaders from around the Northwest to Rockwall, Texas this weekend for training from Pastor Carter Shotwell of Lake Pointe Church.
You may remember Pastor Shotwell from the time he spent at our church helping us to learn about the Life Group model. In fact, you can see video clips of the training on the right hand side of this blog or check them out on YouTube. :)
It should be a great time of learning about how we can best continue the process of implementing Life Groups here at New Life! Please pray for us (Pastor Albert, Pastor Keith, Dee and myself) as we travel.
You may remember Pastor Shotwell from the time he spent at our church helping us to learn about the Life Group model. In fact, you can see video clips of the training on the right hand side of this blog or check them out on YouTube. :)
It should be a great time of learning about how we can best continue the process of implementing Life Groups here at New Life! Please pray for us (Pastor Albert, Pastor Keith, Dee and myself) as we travel.
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