FIVE lessons you’ve learned or have come to appreciate more since your presentation at the 2015 Fall Symposium on what St. Augustine can teach us about adult education.
- One important truth is the purpose of education. To Augustine, education meant “ moving the minds of the listeners, not [simply] that they may know what is to be done, but that they may do what they already know should be done.”1
To put it another way, our goal is not to make students into spiritual smarty-pants who can answer all the questions in Bible Trivial Pursuit. Rather, we want to help them put into practice the things we learn from God’s Word. Setting aside ample time in class to model and practice biblical truths is essential. - In order to have enough time to practice biblical truths in class, we will need to cover less material. Augustine wrote,
This does not imply . . . that we ought to repeat by memory the entire Pentateuch . . . and the entire Gospel and Acts of the Apostles . . . or that we should put all the matters which are contained in these volumes into our own words . . . . For neither does the time admit for that, nor does any necessity demand it. But what we ought to do is . . . [select] certain of the more wonderful facts . . . that, instead of exhibiting them to view only in their wrappings . . . and then instantly snatching them from our sight, we ought to dwell on them for a certain space, and thus, as it were, unfold them and open them out to vision, and present them to the minds of the hearers as things to be examined and admired.2
I have found that my Bible studies have fewer questions today (6-10 questions) than they did five years ago (10-15 questions). - I have learned not to be afraid to repeat myself. Truths that I think every Christian should know are not what every Christian does know, or appreciates, or processes the first time you share it. I’m not suggesting that we should present biblical truths in a formulaic way, but if you’ve found a good illustration or metaphor, use it often and don’t be ashamed to do so! You will probably need to share it several times before it sinks in and sticks with your students. Think of the truths you remember from your favorite instructors. I bet it was a phrase that he repeated often. One example is how Professor Deutschlander often said: “The life of the Christian is the life of the cross not the couch.”
- I have learned that to get people to stay for Bible class, it works best to ask them personally. I used to rely only on bulletin announcements or video clips I had made to promote an upcoming Bible study. But the best way I have found to get people to stay is to say something like: “I’m really excited about this new Bible study on Colossians. The apostle Paul illustrates well how God’s power works in our everyday lives. I think you’ll find a lot in this study that would benefit you. Won’t you join us for the next six weeks?”
- I have had to learn that not every Bible study has to be perfect. It’s better to get people into the Word of God with a lesson that has no corresponding PowerPoint or even student sheets than not to teach any lesson at all. This point should be obvious, but it still has to be said.
FOUR of the most interesting/rewarding/fun Bible study topics you’ve covered in the last few years. (And would you be willing to share them?)
“Prodigal Love” – A reworking of a three-lesson Bible study on the parable of the prodigal son.
“Crucial Conversations” – A Bible study based on a book by the same name. This study gives students concrete techniques and ample time to practice communication skills in a loving, God-pleasing way.
“Revelation: Get Pumped for the End” – A reworking of a Bible study on this engaging New Testament book.
“Ezekiel” – A reworking of a Bible study on this intriguing Old Testament book.)
These and other Bible studies can be freely accessed at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dbSlX9AEXMOvN_8p0Dt4tiXmt5F4sgih?usp=sharing
You can also email me for the link: habbsdan@gmail.com.
THREE individuals who were instrumental in your development as an educator and why.
My father. His love for the Word, his careful attention to detail, and his good listening skills helped his students learn well the truths of God’s Word.
My wife. She sat in on a religion class I taught while tutoring and was the first person to give me specific, concrete feedback. She helped me see the importance of asking a question once (and not rephrasing the question in two or three different ways) and then pausing for at least six seconds before asking for a response. This gives every student time to think and respond.
Rich Gurgel. Professor Gurgel was always striving to get better at what he did. If a seminary professor was not content to “coast,” then neither should I be content.
TWO resources (books, blogs, websites, articles) you’d recommend for educators who teach adults.
trainlikeachampion.blog – Brian Washburn writes a blog for corporate trainers. His approach is more practical than academic—though he bases his techniques on sound andragogy principles.
shepherdresources.org – This website is maintained by WELS pastors as a platform for sharing Bible studies, sermon series, project summaries, etc.
I like to see how others approach various Bible studies. It’s free to sign up. Do so and contribute!
ONE technique educators could implement in their next adult Bible study to better engage learners with the content.
Get your students to write two quiz questions on material that you’ve covered together. One question should be a simple recall question. (Where was the apostle Paul when he wrote his letter to the Ephesians?)
The second question should be a thought/application question. (Paul called himself a prisoner of Christ rather than a prisoner of Caesar (Ephesians 3:1). How would you face your challenges differently if you saw yourself as a prisoner of Christ rather than a prisoner of circumstances beyond your control?)
Once the questions have been completed, you could have the students challenge the council members to answer a number of them, or you could have the class ask their questions with their partners.
1Augustine, De Doctrina Christiana, 4.12.27. Italics added.
2Augustine, De Catechizandis Rudibus (translated by S. D. F. Salmond, www.logoslibrary.org/augustine/uninstructed/), chapter 3, accessed May 4, 2015.