Learning to Teach

This semester at Denver Seminary I have been taking two classes focused on making me a better teacher: Teaching Practicum and Mentored Academic Professional Development. The first is taught by the Department of Educational Ministry, and is intended (according to the syllabus) to instruct “in the art and skill of communicating the Bible in a classroom teaching style with the purpose of facilitating the learner’s spiritual nurture.” The second class is my final mentoring class, and is therefore a self-directed learning project where I have focused on improving my lesson planning skills.

I took both classes online, so that I could combine the class requirements with the adult Sunday school class on the gospel of Matthew that I teach from 9am-10am each Sunday. I love teaching this class – I have the best group of learners anyone could hope for - and it has been a great way to develop as a teacher for my The Light of Christ Anglican Church community. My students have been very supportive and encouraging and are a joy to teach.

As part of my course requirements I have read the book Creative Bible Teachingthis semester. This book has dramatically changed the way that I think about teaching and I am seeing that it is helping me become a better teacher as I have started putting it into practice. I will work through the book here, highlighting things that have stood out as important to me.