T.E.A.M.S. Teach
Our adult Bible study time is for one hour each week. It is important to make the most of the 60 minutes our people are willing to invest in this time together.
Teachers should pay attention to time and methodology. Teachers need to know that the worst method of teaching is the one used all the time. Any method could become ineffective if used all the time.
Be diligent to learn and use varied methods of teaching such as (1) lecture; (2) teaching mixed with questions and class discussion; (3) master teaching followed by dividing into small group discussions and concluded with shared insight; (4) video or DVD teaching followed by guided discussion; etc.
The most common method of teaching in the past has been the lecture method. If this is the teacher's preferred method of teaching, then he/she should be certain not to use it exclusively and must restrict his/her lecture to twenty-five minutes and be prepared for a fresh word and powerful teaching when lecturing!
T.E.A.M.S. Teach
Guidelines for Class Teachers
Necessary Gift: Teaching
Purpose: To teach people how to find Jesus and to follow Jesus
Primary responsibilities:
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Prays, studies, models the Christ style of life, and "teaches them to obey" (Matthew 28:20). He/she understands that Jesus did not ask us to teach facts for facts' sake, but to teach truth for applications' sake.
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Teaches the truths of the Bible and its application in a manner that is consistent with the pastor's leadership and Biblical teaching of the church.
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Follows the Bible study material that has been provided by the church for the class.
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Teaches on the average, at least three class sessions per month.
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Selects a class Administrator and helps him/her select other class leaders, evaluate members and encourage them to follow their T.E.A.M.S. responsibilities.
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Disciples a class Teacher in Training, who learns to follow the Christ style of life, teach and start new classes.
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Is involved in the ongoing outreach/inreach ministry of the church (GROW).
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Works with the entire class to identify, contact, and enroll prospects.
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Works with the class Care Groups to contact new enrollees or members who are absent.
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Meets with the pastor or designated minister when there are questions about Biblical interpretation or application.
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Attends monthly Bible study T.E.A.M.S. meetings and annual training.
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Assists and supports the start of new classes.
Guidelines for the Class Teacher in Training
Necessary Gift: Teaching
Purpose: To become a disciple of the teacher to learn how to teach people to find and follow Christ while preparing to be the primary teacher in his/her class or another class.
Primary responsibilities:
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Follows the Bible study material that has been provided by the church for the class.
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Is involved in the ongoing outreach/inreach ministry of the church (GROW).
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As a part of the class, he/she identifies, contacts, and enrolls prospects.
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Assists and supports the start of new classes by being prepared to become the Teacher of the new or existing class when the new class begins.
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Attends class training meetings.
Guidelines for the Class Discipleship Coordinator
Necessary Gifts: Discipleship and leadership
Purpose: To insure that believers are growing as disciples, realizing that believers are to grow to the point that they know how and are sharing their faith.
Primary responsibilities:
- Helps connect new believers and immature believers with maturing class members who will guide them one-on-one or one-on-two to learn Biblical basics and make personal application of God's Word.
- Promotes discipleship classes within the church and helps each member identify his/her next course of study for growing as a disciple.
- Helps connect members to outreach leaders who can disciple them in sharing their faith.
A final word to the teachers and aspiring teachers
John 14:26 says: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (KJV).
Notice the bold letters. The Holy Spirit does all the teaching. The life of a teacher must be clean and obedient to God, or the teacher will be talking, but not teaching. The relationship with Jesus is more important than anything the teacher says. If he/she is in touch with the Holy Spirit, it will not matter as much what he/she says, because He, the Holy spirit, will translate the words to meet the needs of every person. It is possible for teachers to have an Acts 2 experience every time they teach. When a teacher is in touch with God, then listeners hear in their own language. The teacher will be speaking, but the listeners will hear God's Spirit.
