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ADULT MINISTRY
Make Your Teaching Relevant
by Bo Prosser
Teaching people isn’t what it used to be! In the good old days people came to Sunday school for information, inspiration, and fellowship. They sat still while we instilled in them what we had distilled through teaching. They come to us today for similar reasons; however, their expectations are higher. People leave their high-technology homes. They arrive at church in their high-technology cars. They come in designer clothes, from designer homes, looking for challenge, inspiration, and interaction.
The ability to teach people biblical truths is one of the most challenging aspects of ministry in our churches today. Teaching is crucial to helping others grow and mature as followers of Christ. As teachers, we present challenges, information, and inspiration week after week. We have immediate access to the resources that enhance our teaching. The Internet, interactive commentaries, and other Bible resource support are readily available for teaching preparation. But learners also have immediate access to these resources. In many cases, learners are coming to class better prepared and more informed than many teachers are. Good teachers know they can no longer bluff their way through a lesson.
Effective and challenging teaching is a critical building block of the Sunday school. Therefore, why do so many teachers prepare the night before? Why do so many teachers approach this assignment with indifference? Why do so many teachers use poor teaching methods? Why do so many teachers refuse to contact class members and prospects? Why do so many teachers basically ignore the duties assigned them?
Possibly many teachers don’t really understand what is required of them as teachers. Perhaps some teachers are pushed in their weekly schedules and have less and less time for preparation. Probably, most of our teachers are serving out of a real desire to be effective but need teacher ideas to keep them fresh. All of those who teach need consistent training, resources, and helps.
Our challenge is to equip teachers with effective teaching methods and resources. One task is to help our readers be as prepared as possible each week. Another task is to model for them effective outreach and ministry methods to be able to care for learners. Yet another task is to give the teachers tools to organize and grow their classes.
By blending traditional teaching methods with innovative approaches, Sunday school can be fun, inspirational, and relational. By blending tradition with innovation, Sunday school can grow, both numerically and spiritually. As we blend traditional methods of Sunday school ministry with innovative and creative approaches for the twenty-first century, we open ourselves up to be used more effectively by our Heavenly Father. As we make ourselves more open to God, we position ourselves to build community and, maybe, impact our world!
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