Category: Teach the Word

  • Collaboration in the Adult Classroom

    “Now take a couple minutes at your table to discuss this scenario and after that we’ll share our thoughts with the whole group.” Do you feel a little bit of dread in your heart when you hear those words as a student in a Bible study? Some learners love breakout groups. They dive right into…

  • Teach the Word: Having an Aim for Your Lesson

    In a previous issue of Teach the Word we emphasized that the purpose of a Bible study is not simply to make spiritual smarty-pants out of God’s people so they can answer all the questions in Bible Trivial Pursuit. But since our students must first know God’s Word before they will be empowered to act,…

  • Educational Technology – Is It “Kid’s Stuff”?

    The Teacher’s Guide to Tech 2022 comes in at a whopping 336 pages. Each page brings fresh ideas regarding apps and websites for the classroom courtesy of the guide’s publisher, Jennifer Gonzalez, and her blog—Cult of Pedagogy. Jennifer Gonzalez concentrates on tech resources for K-12 educators, students, and classrooms. But if you’re waiting for the…

  • Universal Design for Learning, Part Three

    As we conclude this brief series on Universal Design for Learning, let’s look at some potential implications of UDL for our adult Bible study classes. You’ll remember from previous articles that UDL is a design framework based on Acknowledging learner variability. Every learner brings different gifts, learning preferences, challenges, and life situations to the classroom.…

  • Universal Design For Learning, Part Two

    Imagine that you’re planning a trip for your family to travel from Wisconsin to Florida. To get there, you could travel directly through states like Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia.  Or if you were so inclined, you could head east toward Washington, D.C., and then south skirting the Atlantic. Or you could head southwest toward Houston…

  • Universal Design for Learning, Part One

    Imagine taking a dozen sixth graders out for ice cream. Their eyes light up as they view their choices on the menu board behind the counter and the various flavors displayed in the cooler case in front of them. Chocolate peanut butter, birthday cake, mint chocolate chip—and a host of others. What’s more, some might…

  • Five Things With a Young Pastor

    FIVE resources you’d recommend for educators who teach adults. First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong. This book helps me survive my first weeks of catechism class every year. If you don’t want to read the book, just search Harry K. Wong on YouTube or in your favorite podcast app. I learn every…

  • Five Things With One More Veteran Pastor

    FIVE individuals who were instrumental in your development as an educator and why. My dad—he was principal and taught grades 6-8 at St. Paul Lutheran School in South Haven, MI. Watching him in action and his dedication to ministry taught me a lot about what teaching was all about.  Prof. Mike Hein at MLS taught…