Within one generation, Adam & Eve’s original sin led to a downward spiral of human envy, deceit, hatred, even murder. Last Sunday, our Bible Study looked together at Genesis 4, when Cain murdered his brother Abel. It was an unusual Christmas Eve passage, but the scene of violence and injustice actually illustrated the reason Christ came into the world. In this passage, we discussed…

• Christmas carols with a darker tone
• Why did the LORD accept Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s?
• How the New Testament authors point to Cain as a warning
• What to do when you sense sin “crouching at the door”
• How God showed mercy in spite of Cain’s cold-blooded act

Here’s the audio recording:

And here’s a copy of the handout:

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my Teaching Page.

A couple months ago, I led a workshop called “Adult Bible Teaching” at the Ministry Connect Conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ontario. It was a wonderful time learning together with “iron sharpening iron” as teachers shared what’s working and where they need help..

Some of the encouraging feedback I received at the end of the day included: “This class did what I was looking for. Teaching ways to improve my teaching skills.” Another student wrote, “I learned more today about preparation, planning, communication, and teamwork.”

The workshop had three sessions. Here are the main talking points and full audio recordings. If you’d like to grow as a teacher and facilitator, maybe something here will be helpful!

SESSION 1 – PREPARING THE TEACHER

Our first session focused on the character of the teacher. We discussed…

• Encouraging words for discouraged teachers
• Clean vessels are useful vessels
• Why God cares more about character than talent
• Character creates credibility
• Iniquity can lead to ineffectiveness
• Sanctification is the goal for both us and our hearers
• Look up before you speak out. Take time to reflect.

SESSION 2 – PREPARING THE LESSON

Our second session after lunch took an in-depth look at how to study a Bible passage and turn it into an exciting study that will engage listeners and transform lives. These steps include:

• Pray and ask for help
• Observe the text. What does it say?
• Interpret the text. What does it mean?
• Apply it to your audience. What does it mean for me? The S.P.E.C.K. method can be helpful here (Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey, and Knowledge that changes us)
• Prepare to teach
• Find a routine – such as the R.E.S.T. method (Read, Examine, Study, and Type)
• Learn from the Best. Find a master teacher and watch what they do!

SESSION 3 – PRESENTING THE LESSON

In our final session, we talked about some of the dynamics of teaching the Bible to adults. Adult education is vastly different from child education in a variety of ways, and thus requires a different approach…

• Adults can handle more abstract concepts
• Adults have longer attention spans
• Adults can conceptualize and discuss more direct application
• Adults experience different limitations and distractions
• Adults are more voluntary in their attendance
• Adults carry more responsibility in life
• Adults are sometimes forced to be less physically active
• Adults spend less time per week in a classroom environment
• Adults have a broader range of education, experience, and ability
• Adults may need more tactful responses to incorrect answers

If you are a Bible teacher, what word of advice would you give to other teachers out there? Share in the comments section below!

Have you ever done something you came to regret? Maybe you acted foolishly, made a costly mistake, or damaged a relationship. Genesis 3 details a decision Adam and Eve would deeply regret — one with continuing consequences in our world today. In this lesson, we learn…

• Why a snake was talking to Eve
• Why taking a little bite of fruit was such a big deal
• Satan’s deadly tactics, and how to avoid them
• Some of the lies Satan and culture still speak
• God’s righteous punishment for sin
• Signs of hope that God would not abandon the human race

Here’s the audio recording:

And here’s a copy of the handout:

Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.