CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The John Leland Center for Theological Studies

Professor: Judith S. Hetherington Spring 2010
Cell (540) 520-5884 Home (540) 890-6630 Thursdays
Fax (540) 366-7882 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Email: hoge777@aol.com 6:30-9:30 pm

I. Course Description

This course will integrate the foundational theories of Christian Education with the practical implementation of teaching skills. Special emphasis will be given to the teaching principles of Jesus, the philosophy of Christian teaching as a calling, and the formations of foundations for knowing, being, and doing ministry in the local church.

II. LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND COURSE FORMAT

• Identify from Scripture the characteristics of Jesus as a teacher and the teaching principles used by Jesus, the Master Teacher.
• Know the Bible as curriculum, understand how varied types of Bible Study help develop a balanced approach to teaching.
• Understand the teaching-learning process and define your role as a Christian educator, both as disciple-learner and then as disciple-teacher.
• Develop a philosophy of Christian education that has as its primary goal Christlikeness.
• Identify the “tools of the trade” – Bible Study resources that can be used in preparation for teaching.
• Develop the ability to write instructional objectives that enable appropriate responses (knowledge, understanding, personal response) from class members.
• Examine and evaluate a particular church’s educational ministry.
• Explore how to study and then develop a plan for teaching a lesson to a particular age group.
• Examine and evaluate various curricula available for Bible Study
• Explore avenues for training teachers in a church educational ministry setting

III. COURSE TEXT

Eldridge, Daryl, 1995. The Teaching Ministry of the Church. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers. ISBN: 0-8054-1087-2

IV. LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND EVALUATION

Write a paper (4-6 pages in length) explaining one teaching method employed by Jesus as a Model of Teaching - 20 points (February 25)

Each student will explore and decide upon a teaching opportunity presented to Jesus. Using His model of teaching as a basis, define the setting, identify the learner(s), discover the teaching tools He used, explain His rationale for using that particular method in that situation, and examine the results of His teaching. Determine if that teaching method would be useful in today’s Bible Study classes. Use footnotes as needed.

Teaching Plan Project - 25 points (March 25)

Choose a section of Scripture and develop a lesson plan for how you would teach the material to a selected age group (adult, youth, children, and preschool). Include sections that demonstrate: (1) Aim – What is the specific purpose for teaching this lesson? (2) Introduction – How will you introduce the material to the class? (3) Learning method – Choose an activity to accomplish your aim. (4) Teaching result – What would you like for class members to do with the material you taught them?

Presentation of Teaching Plan – 25 points (April 22 and April 29)

Each student will have a teaching opportunity in the class. The student will use the teaching plan they developed and lead the class in a 20 minute class session of the material they planned. The class will role-play the appropriate age. The class members will then discuss, offer positive criticism, and encourage the “student-teacher.”

Diagram– 20 points (April 15)

Write a brief paper answering the following questions and then draw a diagram of the organizational structure of the teaching ministry of your church. [How is the educational ministry of your church organized? How is the church staff involved in the teaching ministry? Does the church have any written policies relevant to the teaching ministry? How much of the church’s budget relates to the educational ministry? What kind of records are kept (enrollment, attendance, activities)? ]

Class Participation – 10 points

The nature of this course is such that it demands all students be present in order to engage in dialogue with others in the class about matters under discussion. Adherence and grading scale is in adherence with the John Leland Center policy.

Paper 20 points

Teaching Plan 25 points

Teaching Presentation 25 points

Diagram & Brief Paper 20 points

Class Participation 10 points

100 points

V. COURSE SCHEDULE

Jan. 28
Introduction to the Course: Syllabus and Assignments
“Biblical Foundations for the Teaching Ministry in the Old Testament”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 1)

Feb. 4
“Positive Teaching Principles Followed by Jesus”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 2-3)

Feb. 11
“The Bible as Curriculum”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 4)

Feb. 18
“Christian Teaching is a Divine Calling to the Disciple”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 5-8)

Feb. 25
“The Goal of Christian Teaching: Christlikeness”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 9)
Paper on Jesus as Model Teacher Due

Mar. 4
“Tools of the Trade”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 10)

Mar. 11
“How to Develop a Plan for Teaching”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 11)

Mar. 18
“Teaching Methods with Various Age Groups”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 12 -15)

Mar. 25
Guest Religious Educators (Preschool, Children)
Teaching Plan Project Due

Apr. 1 EASTER BREAK

Apr. 8
Guest Religious Educators (Youth, Adults)

Apr. 15
“Evaluating the Teaching Ministry of a Church”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 18)
Diagram & Brief Paper of teaching ministry organizational structure of your church Due

Apr. 22
Presentation of Teaching Plan, Part I
Students will present lesson while other students role-play & class evaluates

Apr. 29
Presentation of Teaching Plan, Part II
Students will present lesson while other students role-play & class evaluates

May 6
“How to Select and Evaluate Curriculum Materials”
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 16)

May 13
Curriculum Fair (representatives of various publishing houses)
(Read The Teaching Ministry of the Church, Chapter 16)