What do Effective Bible Teacher between group sessions?

There has never been a better time to be a Bible Teacher than today. This is true on several levels. For one thing, we have incredible tools at our fingertips that make Bible Study so much easier. Word studies that used to require Greek training, expensive books, and lots of time can be done with a few clicks on an IPhone—assuming you have the Logos app.

I want to focus in this short chapter on how technology helps us to prepare people for learning. (In another chapter, we will focus on how it helps us to shepherd the group.)

Why do people need to be prepared for learning? Howard Hendricks put it this way:

The Law of Readiness is this: The teaching-learning process will be most effective when both student and teacher are adequately prepared. It highlights one of the great problems for teachers: Their students come to class cold.

Do your students come in cold, or do they come in ready to learn—eager to discuss the topic of the day? Here is some good news: the Internet can help.
It could be as simple as an email asking them a question or making a request.

• This week we will be studying worry. Do a little Googling around to see what scientists have found about the destructive cost of worry.
• I am really excited about this week’s lesson. (You are, aren’t you?) We will be looking at the story of when Israel conquered Jericho. See what you can find about what archeology has discovered on Jericho.
• Check out this video on the tomb of Lazarus. http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_n6RKhWqs4 Did you know it was still there?
• Ask a friend what he thinks it takes to go to heaven when you die.
• Who can bring snacks this week?
• Be in prayer for Bob and Tina this week. Bob’s dad is in the hospital.

Just letting your group know you are excited about what you are learning and are eager to share can create a sense of excitement and anticipation. Obviously, you only want to do this sincerely.