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how
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Teaching
with a dialogue method produces the highest level of involvement for all
concerned. The format for each study has been designed to gain the student's
attention, redirect their hearts toward the things of God, instruct them
from His Word, evaluate what has been taught and then to apply it to their
lives. These studies were intended to be experienced at a pace of one
per week, giving the Holy Spirit time to help us assimilate the rich truths
of God's Word into our daily walk.
The
paragraphs beginning with a double asterisk (**) indicate the question
to be considered by those in our study group, while the indented paragraph
which immediately follows is the answer to which we would direct the student.
What I have listed below is a simple example of one of the study formats,
with a brief explanation of what is to be accomplished in each portion
of the study. Whether you are doing a personal devotion, sharing with
another Christian or possibly teaching a room full of believers, I hope
that this short example will help you to further understand the premise
from which these studies have all been written.
Each
study takes the student through a seven-step process which is filled with
discovery, conviction and growth as their hearts and minds are transformed
by the power of the Word of God (Romans 12:2). The seven steps are as
follows:
STIMULATE
In this
opening portion of our studies together, the intent is to redirect the
focus of our minds away from the preoccupation of the day. Typically
a question is asked which will stimulate our thinking and prepare us
for what is contained in the passage we are about to study. While little
time is spent in this section, it is important to allow our hearts and
minds to make the shift from what might have been a very busy day to
the importance of grasping the message of God's Word.
MOTIVATE
Once
we have their attention, the challenge before us is to motivate the
student to hunger for the answers that the current Bible study will
provide. This is accomplished at times by presenting a brief outline
of where future studies are going to take us, or more simply, by asking
poignant questions which are going to be answered in the text before
us.
INVESTIGATE
This
section represents "the meat" of our study time together.
The actual teaching of God's Word. As you prepare to teach any portion
of Scripture, ask yourself these five questions:
Who?, Whom?, Why?, When? and What?
Who
said it? To Whom was it said? Why was it said? When was it said? and
finally, What was said? This process will keep you true to the text
and provide you with a stronger hermeneutic.
Then:
Ask the group, or individual you are instructing, questions that can
be answered directly from the text (this is to get them more involved
in the process). Also ask them questions which will stretch their
knowledge of the Word; i.e. "Does anyone know of a passage that
supports this truth?"
The
studies contained on this website have been written following this pattern
and will supply you with some questions to ask, as you endeavor to teach
with the dialogue method.
EXTRICATE
Here
is where we draw out the main principles which were contained within
the text. By reviewing what has just been learned, the student gains
a confidence in their knowledge of the Word.
DELINEATE
At this
point we want to stop and itemize the specific points of application
we have learned, either from the explicit instruction of the writer
or the implicit instruction which comes from the Godly example set by
the lives of those recorded in Scripture.
EVALUATE
We now
must ask the student and teacher alike to examine their own heart in
light of God's precious truth. "Staying in the Word" is only
profitable when we allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts with
the Word of God (Psalm 139:23-24 and Hebrews 4:12).
ACTIVATE
Commitment,
Commitment, Commitment. This is when we call our student(s) and ourselves
to change our lives; through genuine obedience to the Word of God, for
the glory of Jesus Christ.
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material contained in this website is for your use at no charge. Please
feel free to copy or distribute any of these studies which you feel might
be helpful to others. Return to our Welcome page by clicking here!
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