Table of Contents — Teaching LIke Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education in Your Church
Chapter 1— What is Christian Education? A Philosophy of Ministry chronicles the author’s personal journey and spotlights how God prepares us for ministry. The essence of Christian education is discussed to help us develop a philosophy of ministry that includes babies, children, preteens, teenagers, and adults.
Chapter 2— Jesus, the Master Teacher “What universal truths did Jesus model for teachers today, and how can we apply these to our classroom setting?” This chapter examines 10 principles from the methodology of Jesus that are guaranteed to improve anyone's teaching. Jesus Himself provides the foundation for the most creative teaching ever!
Chapter 3— Most Memorable Teacher This chapter examines the most important ingredient in teaching...the teacher's character. What are the qualities that make a teacher memorable? Who is your most favorite teacher? Why? As you complete the Apple Exercise, you will think through how you, too, can become a teacher your students will never forget.
Chapter 4— Through the Learner’s Lens Understanding learning channels helps us see our students from their point of view. Jesus had insight into the heart of his learners, and He addressed them at the point of their greatest need. Take the “test” on p. 61, and 62 to find out what type of learner you are visual, audio, or kinesthetic.
Chapter 5— In the Learner’s Skates This chapter discusses ways to enhance the learner's experience by respecting learners, rewarding learners, relating new ideas to what learners already know, and repeating information. A fresh introduction to Bloom’s Taxonomy explains how to organize and develop lessons.
Chapter 6— Pray…Plan…Prepare Does prayer really work? Wen it involves our teaching and our students, what should we pray about? The answers are here. Also, an easy formula for designing a lesson based on Dr. Lawrence Richard’s HBLT model can make everyone a master teacher.
Chapter 7— Lo! Children! Teaching children from nursery to 6th grade, developing positive classroom rules, designing their environment, using puppets, arranging snack time, developing activity centers, and discipline are among the topics in this chapter. Each ministry decides “What Children Need to Know” by completing the chart on p. 133.
Chapter 8— Earning the Right to be Heard As the adolescent searches for his or her identity, how can teachers help? The developmental issues of middle and high school students, involving parents, coping with issues such as sex, drugs, drinking, and alcohol, and teaching abstinence are some of the topics covered in this chapter.
Chapter 9— Teachable Moments Teaching adults brings us full-circle to the adult learner. As voluntary students, adults learn only when they are motivated to learn. How can we capitalize upon teachable moments like Jesus did? What are the needs of college-age, post-college, middle age, and late adulthood? The answers are here.
Chapter 10— Stay on the Wall Ever felt like quitting? Here is encouragement for you! Tips to help every teacher become refreshed include remembering Jesus, renewing our love, rejoicing daily, and looking to our heavenly reward. Chapter 10 concludes with a list of ways to encourage, motivate, and reward those who teach.
Appendix —Nine lesson plans from real teachers help everyone with the mechanics of putting a lesson together. And there are lots of sample forms:
Chapter 1— What is Christian Education? A Philosophy of Ministry chronicles the author’s personal journey and spotlights how God prepares us for ministry. The essence of Christian education is discussed to help us develop a philosophy of ministry that includes babies, children, preteens, teenagers, and adults.
Chapter 2— Jesus, the Master Teacher “What universal truths did Jesus model for teachers today, and how can we apply these to our classroom setting?” This chapter examines 10 principles from the methodology of Jesus that are guaranteed to improve anyone's teaching. Jesus Himself provides the foundation for the most creative teaching ever!
Chapter 3— Most Memorable Teacher This chapter examines the most important ingredient in teaching...the teacher's character. What are the qualities that make a teacher memorable? Who is your most favorite teacher? Why? As you complete the Apple Exercise, you will think through how you, too, can become a teacher your students will never forget.
Chapter 4— Through the Learner’s Lens Understanding learning channels helps us see our students from their point of view. Jesus had insight into the heart of his learners, and He addressed them at the point of their greatest need. Take the “test” on p. 61, and 62 to find out what type of learner you are visual, audio, or kinesthetic.
Chapter 5— In the Learner’s Skates This chapter discusses ways to enhance the learner's experience by respecting learners, rewarding learners, relating new ideas to what learners already know, and repeating information. A fresh introduction to Bloom’s Taxonomy explains how to organize and develop lessons.
Chapter 6— Pray…Plan…Prepare Does prayer really work? Wen it involves our teaching and our students, what should we pray about? The answers are here. Also, an easy formula for designing a lesson based on Dr. Lawrence Richard’s HBLT model can make everyone a master teacher.
Chapter 7— Lo! Children! Teaching children from nursery to 6th grade, developing positive classroom rules, designing their environment, using puppets, arranging snack time, developing activity centers, and discipline are among the topics in this chapter. Each ministry decides “What Children Need to Know” by completing the chart on p. 133.
Chapter 8— Earning the Right to be Heard As the adolescent searches for his or her identity, how can teachers help? The developmental issues of middle and high school students, involving parents, coping with issues such as sex, drugs, drinking, and alcohol, and teaching abstinence are some of the topics covered in this chapter.
Chapter 9— Teachable Moments Teaching adults brings us full-circle to the adult learner. As voluntary students, adults learn only when they are motivated to learn. How can we capitalize upon teachable moments like Jesus did? What are the needs of college-age, post-college, middle age, and late adulthood? The answers are here.
Chapter 10— Stay on the Wall Ever felt like quitting? Here is encouragement for you! Tips to help every teacher become refreshed include remembering Jesus, renewing our love, rejoicing daily, and looking to our heavenly reward. Chapter 10 concludes with a list of ways to encourage, motivate, and reward those who teach.
Appendix —Nine lesson plans from real teachers help everyone with the mechanics of putting a lesson together. And there are lots of sample forms:
- Volunteer Application
- Letter of Commitment
- Nursery Sign-In Sheet
- Preschool Sign-In Sheet
- Kindergarten Sign-In Sheet
- Children’s Church Sign-In Sheet (grades 1 through 5)
- Baby Dedication Form
- Prayer for Baby Dedication
- Forms for First Communion
- Sample Certificate for First Communion
- Travel Permission Form for camp and retreats
- Baptism Form
- Curriculum for a Baptism Class.