The Purpose of Bible Study
For the next several issues of Teach the Word, Pastor Daniel Habben will guide us as we consider the question, How can we best reach adults with God’s Word in a Bible class setting? With a clear reminder of the blessings God’s people receive as they study his Word, this series of articles will challenge all of us to take a serious look at the way we teach Bible class. Pastor Habben will offer specific and practical suggestions for us to consider as we strive to become better communicators of God’s truth.

In his first article, he reminds us of the purpose of Bible study.
 

Pastor Daniel Habben has served St. Peter Lutheran Church in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada for 18 years. He recently accepted the call to serve St. John’s Lutheran Church on the island of Antigua. (Pastor Habben thankfully reports that though the eye of Hurricane Maria missed them by only 60 miles, and the eye of Irma by 30, they escaped with cosmetic damage and power outages. They are, however, ministering to families from the island of Barbuda, since that entire island has been evacuated and is living on Antiqua. “We’re thankful for the help from Christian Aid and Relief and from other congregations and individuals. Perhaps this will give us a foothold on Barbuda.”)

Pastor Habben came to love teaching when he tutored at Luther Prep School and is thankful for the feedback he received from his fellow tutors—especially from the Martin Luther College teacher grads! He was a presenter at the 2015 symposium on education at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Most of the materials in the following articles are from that presentation. 
 
Pastor Habben will lead an Interactive Faith online Bible study on Isaiah 1 – 12 during January and February of 2018.
They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. -Acts 5:42
Adult Education: Additum
Flipped Classroom Without Technology

This month we continue exploring the concept of the flipped classroom. (See the Teaching Toolbox for a definition of flipped classroom, and for practical suggestions of how to use flipped classroom procedures to encourage learning in your adult Bible study.)

Some teachers assume that the flipped classroom utilizes videos, audio files (podcasts or MP3 files), PowerPoint, or PDF presentations. For some, the intimidation factor associated with technology is the single factor that keeps them from even considering a flipped approach. The article linked below shows that you don’t need to use technology. In fact, it suggests that it may actually be better for student learning if you don’t.

Although the article was written for college instructors, the goals of learning and retention are the same as for our Bible classes.

Teaching Toolbox
Putting the Flipped Classroom to Work

First, let’s review the definition. In the flipped classroom, instead of spending class time lecturing in order to teach heavy-duty content, participants study the material on their own before class. Class time is spent discussing, digging deeper, applying, and/or doing activities based on what was learned.

The logical questions some Bible study teachers ask include, How do I get my faithful students of God’s Word, who are used to just showing up and listening, to do preclass work at home? And, is it worth the effort?

Curriculum Connection

People seem to have a fascination with (or at least a strong interest in) the end times. Part of the reason may be that we see the signs of the end times with increasing clarity all around us. Part of the reason may be that there is so much false “information” in print about the end times. Pastor Timm Gumm’s Bible study End Times: Jesus Is Coming Soon references the book by the same title, written by Professor Tom Nass. The study is a thorough examination of what Scripture teaches about the end times.  

Click the links below to access the sample lesson: "God's Word on the Future: Jesus Is Coming!"

Leader's Guide: PDF
Student Lesson: PDF |  RTF
 

Teaching Tip

Shift your focus from "covering" to "uncovering" content. In the process, you'll get students engaged in analysis, application, and problem-solving.
  Teach the Word  is a collaboration of Northwestern Publishing House, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and WELS Adult Discipleship.