Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/82

Contributor - Jim Stein and E. H. Stein

Title - Teacher Training for Sunday School or Church School

Topic - Education

PEDAGOGY

Introduction:

The Importance of Teaching

It is interesting to note that in the Gospels, of the ninety times Jesus is addressed, He is called "Rabbi" or "Teacher" sixty of those times, and a close study will show that nearly all who addressed Him, whether they were companion, critic or stranger, thought of Him as a "Teacher" and not as a "Preacher".

We should never confuse teaching and preaching. One can never be substituted for the other. Preaching is proclaiming; teaching is imparting. Preaching is a powerful presentation; teaching is a probing process. Preaching is reminding man; but teaching is helping him to remind himself. Just as God saw fit to extend the Church through the "foolishness of preaching", He likewise planned to edify the Church through the simplicity of teaching.

We are called to be TEACHERS, and a teacher is more than a scholar. Christ (our example) was a MASTER TEACHER not only because He had something to teach, but also because He WANTED to teach and He taught with ENTHUSIASM and AUTHORITY. Because of this, He influenced (very powerfully and effectively) thousands of people. We too, should desire to be like Him; do as He did; to be as He was.

The aim and purpose of every Bible teacher, both individually and collectively, should be "to shape the immortal destiny of a soul according to the Word of God". Only the truth in the Bible that has been revealed has the power to transform life and establish Christian character. It is of the greatest importance that the Teacher be governed by knowledge of, and instruction in, that Word of God. The WORD has much to say to every man at every age and station in life. We want it to be the "most powerful influence" upon his life.

PEDAGOGY has been defined by Webster as: The art, practice or profession of teaching; espy. systematized learning or instruction concerning principles or methods of teaching. Therefore Pedagogy is the "science" of teaching or "child-leading". For our use, we should consider it to be a "study" of the laws of God concerning the mind of the child and how to influence that child in the most desirable manner.

TEACHING is the IMPARTATION OF KNOWLEDGE with an understanding of HOW to impart that knowledge to others. But, mere knowledge of HOW to teach and WHAT to teach is not sufficient; we should also have an understanding of the particular problems connected with every state of the pupil's development. We want to arouse the mind to grasp and retain truth so that the pupil will be challenged to think out the FACTS of imparted TRUTH for themselves, and, in consequence, be able to apply the truth to their own individual needs.

It is abundantly evident that God's plan was that man should begin his life as an infant and grow up to maturity. Jesus came as a "babe" and GREW UP into "manhood". Scripture also teaches that it is part of God's plan that at every stage of this growth from infancy to maturity, man was to be trained and taught during his every phase and aspect of development. (O.T. ref. Prov. 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it - Eph. 6:4 Paul instructed the Ephesians to bring up children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.)

The Bible is full of instruction concerning teaching, training, admonishing and nurturing. God has intended it to be a "building-up" process: a leading, guiding and directing programme that is to be tempered with Love, Wisdom and Knowledge, and done in the fear of the Lord.

TEACHING is NOT merely telling facts, students oftimes fail to understand, or may be inattentive. Nor is it simply reciting that which can be memorized and repeated or regurgitated in parrot-like fashion. TEACHING IS the arousing of the mind to grasp and retain truth. It is more than the mere impartation of the truth to others, it is challenging them to think out those facts for themselves.

CHRIST was the MODEL TEACHER.

If we will give this some study, we discover that Christ did considerably MORE teaching than preaching. Thousands brought their sick to be healed, but remained to listen to His teaching.

A close study of the Gospels reveals that nearly all who addressed Jesus whether strangers, critics or companions, thought of Him as a TEACHER, not as a preacher. Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, called Him a teacher sent from God; the rich young ruler, as well as a distinguished lawyer, discussing His definition of the word "neighbour" both addressed Him as a teacher. His disciples constantly used the term, and even the Pharisees grudgingly recognized this title.

CHRIST'S METHODS of TEACHING also illustrate the best that modem educational research proposes. HE was a MODEL, He used the lecture method, question and answer method, and discussion method. He has a perfect knowledge of WHAT He was teaching (John 3:1 1), and also of His listeners (John 2:25). He was a master of apt illustrations and always made practical applications.

Present Day Emphasis - How does this apply?

In our secular school system, the pupils are trained in good learning methods. To Christian teachers this affords a great opportunity and challenge, for this experience can be utilized, however, inferior teaching will show up the teacher's disadvantage in the eyes of the pupils. Over a five-year period it has been estimated that 75% of all Church members, 85% of all church workers, and 9 5 % of all ministers and missionaries have come under the teaching ministry of the Sunday School. We are told that only 13% of the converts remain true under ordinary evangelistic or revival methods, but 60% of those who profess salvation in the Sunday School continue steadfastly. Some years ago, Dr. J. B. Gambel, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said: "The most significant of all modem movements in the Church is WORK OF TEACHER TRAINING". So, we too want to concentrate upon the task of preparing Sunday School Teachers for their task.

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