Creative Bible Teaching

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 350 pages
• Published by: Moody Publishers; Rev Exp Su edition March 1, 1998
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0802416446
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0802416445
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Description
Are you a bridge builder? Communicating the Scriptures is much like building a bridge. However, instead of ravines or rivers, the teacher must span both cultural boundaries and great gulfs of time between the present and the past of Moses, David, Jesus, and Paul. This bridge must reach even further. The student must be able to cross both into the past and into his own future.God's Word is 'living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword' (Hebrews 4:12). It is contemporary. Relevant. But it is the teacher who has the task of helping the student to see its vast treasures. This is no easy task, but it can be done through creative Bible teaching. Together, Richards and Bredfeldt have written a book on bridge-building that reveals the following five-step process by which Christian educators can construct a bridge across time, geography, and culture. Step I: Studying the BibleDevelop an understanding of the nature, role, study, and interpretation of the Bible. Get the help you need in preparing biblically accurate lesson plans.Step II: Focusing the MessageLearn how to teach for student learning. Be guided in the process of translating learning theory into lesson preparation.Step III: Structuring the LessonDevelop a lesson plan using the HOOK, BOOK, LOOK, TOOK structure.Step IV: Teaching the ClassLearn about the five key principles of teacher effectiveness. Discover how these principles can lead to a more dynamic and satisfying teaching experience within various age groups.Step V: Evaluating the ResultsEvaluate your own effectiveness by assessing the outcome of your teaching.

Reader Reviews
The book is divided into five sections: (1) "Studying the Bible," (2) "Focusing the Message," (3) "Structuring the Lesson," (4) "Teaching the Class," and (5) "Evaluating the Results." The question that is posed is, "How is it that a book (the Bible), given by God to transform, seems so unproductive when taught in the very churches where it is most honored and best known?"(29). It is that particular inquiry that drives the authors to find an answer. Their findings showed the lack of an effective teaching method. Through this book, the authors hope to educate ministry leaders and teachers the "hook, book, look, and took" technique of Bible teaching. The foundation of any Bible teaching starts with a clear understanding of who God is (that He is the Creator) (28) and how He speaks (that God used people to write the Bible) (38). The Bible provides the human race with God's plan for salvation and reconciliation. Richards and Bredfeldt discusses various ways to read and understand the Bible. For example, they suggest that while reading the Bible, one should ask probing questions like "Are there any repeated words or phrases?" (79). When teaching the Bible, it is imperative that the age of students is factored into the lesson. The authors point out that the task for teaching adults is different than teaching preschoolers. For instance, adults desire a challenge and an emotional supportive learning environment (245), while preschoolers learn best in an active, participatory play setting (296). The inclusion of the "summary of developmental characteristics" and "spiritual developmental tasks" for students from preschool to adulthood is helpful, but the student's needs assessment seems too complicated for the average Sunday school teacher to complete (106). The section entitled, "Questions for Discussion and Further Study" facilitates the application of the information read (333).