Freshness and Preparation

Funny Teacher Stories

How to Get Into Heaven

A teacher asked the children in her Sunday school class, "If i sold my house and car, had a big yard sale, and gave all my money to the church, would i go to heaven?" "No!" the children all answered. " If I cleaned the church every day,mowed the lawn,and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into heaven?" Again the answer was "NO!" "Well," she continued, "then how would i get into heaven?" In the back of the room, a five year old boy shouted, "You gotta be dead."

Tongues and Interpretation

There was a church that was having a real move of God and then came one of those special moments where there was what we would call a “holy hush” and someone gave forth tongues.

There were a lot of new people who were there. And one really country man stood up and said, “CAN YOU REPEAT THAT IN ENGLISH?!”

A High Calling and Opportunity

Teachers and Preachers

We’ve got to keep it real in our reaching people, right?

I want to talk to you for a while about our teaching and our preaching. This covers those of us in pulpit ministry, teachers in classes, and even bible study teachers. So I want you to have an open mind to what I’m about to say. I believe there’s something here to help you.

All of these roles (teaching, preaching, witnessing, Bible studies) are actually part of The Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We also see ourselves in the 5-fold ministry:

Ephesians 4:11 KJV 1900

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Colossians says this:

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

This suggests that teaching is not solely the responsibility of designated teachers, but a duty for the entire community of faith (“one another”).

It’s not only the teacher that teaches the children - the parents have an even higher responsibility.

It’s not only the Pastor who offers the Word to the saint - they must consume it themselves on the other five days of the week.

Those who teach and/or preach are truly blessed to walk in a high calling and opportunity: to reveal to others the power of God and His Word. There is nothing better! And it should be done with:

Reverence and respect

… but also with preparation and energy.

“I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible”

I remember reading about a distinguished Bible College professor, Michael Heiser. He was talking about how there is a growing rate of bible illiteracy in the Church at all ages. People who simply are completely disengaged with the book.

He said that when he began his teaching career, he walked into a room full of the next generation of future Christian leaders. And he found out that many of these students had grown up in church. In their minds, they’d heard it all. And in one sense, they had. They’d heard sermons, Sunday School classes, and listened to messages in their youth group and youth camps.

He also had stood in a pulpit in front of new people who didn’t have much of an idea about who God is and what they’re supposed to do. When they had tried to read the Bible it had been difficult. They had anxiety about being able to understand it through the “thee’s and thou’s”. They knew they needed to let the Word change them. They had heard that it could. It just hadn’t been illuminated to them…

…sort of like the Ethiopian eunuch, who was sitting in a chariot reading Isaiah. Philip said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” And the eunuch said, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” And he desired Philip that he would come sit with him.

Mr. Heiser had been in two situations:

In front of a class of “churched” people.

And behind a pulpit in front of “unchurched” people.

But in both situations when he looked out at the people, it was almost as if he could hear them saying to him: I dare you not to bore me with the Bible.

And this is part of our job. Even when we’re working on people, trying to disciple them. You know that the Bible is powerful, fascinating, and beautiful. But like the Ethiopian eunuch, they’re like, “How can I know that, except some man or woman show me?”

WE HAVE TO SHOW THEM.

And yes… it is possible to make it boring and uninteresting.

“Well the Bible isn’t boring and uninteresting!”

No, it isn’t. But when it’s filtered through us, if we are unprepared and our delivery is lacking… it definitely can come out that way.

Passion

Find the Passion

So I’m going to give some points on three things for the next little bit: passion, preparation, and delivery.

As I’ve said, this is all helpful to any preacher, teacher, bible study giver, or disciple-maker.

But I want to start with this: first, you have got to have a passion for two things. And these are very important:

A passion for this Book (the Bible)

You need to live in it!

A passion for reaching the people

This was what Jesus had. It must be in us… or what are we really doing it for?!

These things are a must for us and I believe that we can do better on them both.

Sis. Kierstin and I have had a practice for some time that I believe you can use as well. Whenever we’re preaching out somewhere (or even if I have to go without her), before we get out of the car to walk it, we take hands and pray for the people we are about to minister to. In prayer beforehand, I’ve already felt a burden for them, but we pray once more for that burden to hit us.

You can pray for those you are going to talk to (kids, youth, adults, co-workers) and God will give you a great burden for them.

Something else I try to do is to talk to them and be very relational before I begin to present the Word to them. Some of those truths I present are hard-hitting. They are strong meat at times. And strong meat will give you indigestion! But if they already have talked with me, and are comfortable with me, and feel that I truly love them, the truth will be received in love!

So it’s more than just what I’m speaking! I am breaking up the ground before I ever plant the first seed!

So with the kids, maybe it’s talking to them about what Peppa Pig would say if she met Pete the Cat.

With the youth, maybe it’s asking them about the ballgame they played or their favorite class in school.

With the adults, it’s talking to Sis. Barbara about her grandkids and with Bro. Ira about how bad the Cardinals are doing.

These may seem like small things, but they are not.

Bro. Eli Hernandez told Bro. Mendenhall that part of the reason he was not seeing growth in people was that as Pastor, he did not have his hands on the people!

In a way, you are a mini-Pastor! And before you can have effect on or influence on anyone, you are going to have to make initial connection. They need to feel that you are someone who cares and sees something in them.

Preparation

I have been in places before where it was abundantly clear to everyone listening that the teacher was unprepared. They either: did not really know, understand, or have a passion for the subject that they were attempting to get YOU to know, understand, and have a passion for.

And so, whatever you’re doing (preaching, teaching, reaching, Tuesday night prayer, MadeNew Recovery, or LifeGroups leading), real preparation is necessary.

Prayer

You can prepare yourself in prayer. Before you ever look into what you’re going to teach about. Pray that God would engrain the message into your heart and give you deep understanding. Pray that you would be led in helping someone grow through this subject.

Again, pray for that burden for their soul and their growth and discipleship.

Study

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I’ll go so far as to say this: in this church, we expect preparation.

I understand that there are some weeks in which all sorts of unexpected circumstances arise and you simply barely had any time at all to prepare until 9 PM on Saturday night for what you’re doing 10 AM Sunday morning. And you’re guzzling coffee and your eyes are bugged out while you’re trying to put something together that will work. I get that. It happens to everyone.

But this should be the exception and not the rule. Preparation is an expectation, even to God.

We cannot say that we don’t have time. 95% we do have the time to prepare well. That time just has to be managed right. As a matter of fact, there are many things that we will often say we don’t have time for when we do, we just aren’t willing to re-prioritize our time.

“Time is the coin of your Life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Don’t let a fool spend it for you.”

Carl Sandburg

I get that sometimes we are prompted of the Holy Ghost in a moment on things to do and to say. That is no excuse to not prepare. Pray, but be a good steward of the Word and dig into it.

And digging is something that there is always a payoff to. Dig into your lesson or scriptures. You’ll be amazed at what you find!

“Raking leaves is easy, but all you get are leaves. Digging is hard, but you might find diamonds.”

- John Piper

The Weekly Simmering Method

I want to offer you a method that I find to be very helpful. And it involves meditating or “simmering” in the Word!

Psalm 1:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Monday

Read the text. Consume it. Understand it. Write down initial thoughts. Pray about it and let God talk to you.

Let that simmer.

Tuesday

Read the lesson. Consume it. Understand it. Write down thoughts that come to your mind.

Look over the outline provided. See the progression of thoughts/points.

Take note of things that you don’t fully understand.

Wednesday

Revisit the main point. (If you’re PREACHING, it’s time to have together a main point and outline.)

Are there ways that you can reinforce this?

Are there personal stories or illustrations that would be helpful to use to get across any of these points?

Shore up things you don’t understand fully.

By this time, there are probably things your have read, seen, or thought about that apply to this lesson you’re going to do. You’ve let it simmer and now it’s getting juicy!

Thursday

Finalize what you will and will not use. (I typically DO NOT use all that is in these lessons. If I did, we’d be here all night. I make it my own - and you should too!)

Might be a good idea to research a few things (illustration thoughts, other books on the topic, phone-a-friend).

Friday

Do nothing.

SIMMER DAY.

Saturday

Revisit. Have together whatever activities/questions/illustrations you’re going to use.

Simply read the text again. SIMMER.

I advise memorizing the outline you have. It will allow you to speak from the heart more.

Sunday

Have all you need ready to go.

Get there early and pray into a right heart and Spirit.

Do the work of the Lord with boldness!

Delivery

A Strange Thing Happened

Not long ago, I was at a larger church in which a strange thing happened.

At the appropriate point in the service, a children’s minister asked the children to come and gather around him for their class. Within a moment, he was surrounded as he sat among the children. For the next ten minutes or so he talked to them - effortlessly, naturally, with spontaneity and laughter. There was very down-to-earth insight and carefully prepared thoughts.

The kids were mesmerized. And so were some of us adults who were listening to him nearby.

The things that he said were picturesque, easy to follow, and, looking back… very important.

And in what seemed like a flash, it was over. But it was quite a moment.

They have prayer and the service moves on…

A short time later, the same preacher stepped into the pulpit, arranged his manuscript in front of him, and, for the next twenty minutes or so, read it - meticulously, with as much enthusiasm as he could muster (particularly at the beginning). But the energy was diminishing the farther he went.

He tired of the reading, so listening was difficult - even though everyone was aware that what she was saying was worthy of being heard.

And you could leave the service remembering the enjoyment of the kid’s message - which you assume, is supposed to be delightful - and this tediousness of the adult sermon - which you assume, is not supposed to be tedious.

And the difference was not that the adult sermon “said something” or said something “important,” while the children’s sermon did not. Both said important things.

And it wasn’t because one was kind of short while the other was longer.

Those issues didn’t matter.

It was also not because the preacher read his adult sermon badly. He didn’t. He read it carefully and put as much animation into it as he could.

But what you walked away from that service wishing, though, was that the adult sermon could have been as capturing and energizing as the children’s sermon had been.

Why wasn’t it? It was because the preacher, for whatever reasons, did not treat the delivery of the sermon with the same care and sophistication as he had the preparation of the sermon.

Look into Eyes

Your eye contact let’s someone know what you’re talking about is serious. And it involves them.

I try, if possible, to make eye contact with everyone I’m speaking to.

Make It Relative/Interesting to Your Audience

Take them on a journey. You’re going there together! We’re stumbling across something fascinating!

Use props or whatever is at your disposal! Don’t be afraid to take some risks there if you really think it will help!

Ask Questions (Interactive)

Reflecting on history, great educators like Socrates valued dialogue and questioned techniques. A Sunday school teacher could take a page from his book, embodying the spirit of inquiry when engaging with students. Just as Socrates encouraged discussions to dive deeper into ideas rather than simply lecturing, effective Sunday school teaching can invite the people to ponder, discuss, and discover faith together—making the learning process a shared adventure rather than a monologue.

Whenever I’m doing youth class, I make it this way very intentionally. Get them talking! Get the blood flowing!

And when only two people are answering questions, I start only taking answers from everyone else!

Conclusion

Not many people know what anointed teaching is. But it is a thing.

God wants to anoint all of our teachers and preachers to be greatly used by Him.

I have a vision of the Holy Ghost being poured out in classrooms!