The Equipping Ministry, Student Workbook, SW15

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T H E E Q U I P P I N G M I N I S T R Y

Taking Your Teaching a Little Too Far

One of the most important goals of a gifted biblical teacher is to so engage his or her students that they begin to wrestle with the content of the teaching in such a way as to be moved, transformed, and formed by it. The really great teachers arrest the attention of their students, engage the Scriptures brilliantly, and offer a wide range of possible applications, allowing the Holy Spirit to apply the Word as he sees fit. Creativity, innovation, and openness are key in this process, and yet sometimes it appears that even good teachers can go too far. In one instance, a teacher in a series of lessons on the justice of the Kingdom, lined up some unusual guests to come and share their opinion in Sunday School about the church and its care for the needy. The teacher invited a homeless man, a female street walker, and an ex-offender to come to the class and share their experiences with Christian people in their “natural environments.” The class was able to listen to this amazing panel, asking them questions about their experience and how they were treated, and relate to them after the class session! In your opinion, are methods like this to be characterized as wise and innovative, or simply foolish and distracting? How far is simply too far in incorporating new methods and experiences into your teaching curriculum in equipping others in the Gospel?

The Ministry of Teaching: Didache (Part 2)

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Segment 1: The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Teaching Ministry

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Both the source and resource of the teaching ministry is the Holy Spirit, who alone chooses and selects those whom he desires for this important work. He selects prepared vessels who through discipline and spiritual brokenness have prepared themselves for the Spirit’s teaching ministry. These traits include the teachers’ faithfulness, teachableness, hunger and thirst for the Lord and his wisdom, their rigorous and disciplined obedience to the Word, their life focus upon the person of Jesus Christ and his Kingdom, and a passion to excel at the teaching craft. As with preaching, so the Holy Spirit oversees and influences the entire process of the teaching event, including dispensing gifts, insight, anointing, and making intercession for those who teach. The results of his influence in the teaching event is

Summary of Segment 1