Teaching the Bible, Hosting the Conversation

As your resource center director and Book of Faith synod advocate, I'm always on the lookout for resources that will help you and your congregation encounter the Bible.

A critical role in the process is played by those leading bible studies in their homes or in their congregations.

Are you looking for material to enhance your teaching skills or support others who are teachers?

Teaching and learning the Bible is one of the primary faith formation practices for Christians. For members of the ELCA, the Book of Faith Initiative calls us to encounter the Scriptures in a deep and powerful way. Teaching the Bible, Hosting the Conversation helps support the development of teaching skills.

Taught by professors of Christian education, religion and the Bible at ELCA seminaries and colleges, this course explores the many facets of the church’s ministry of teaching, especially as it relates to the Bible. Focusing primarily on teaching adults, individual sessions examine the dynamics of adult learning, methodology, designing teaching/learning experiences, pastoral implications of teaching the Bible, multi-cultural considerations in exploring biblical texts, and the use of media in teaching.

1. Teaching as Conversation: Where Do We Begin?
2. Teachers and Learners: Relationships Matter
3. Adults as Learners: What Does the Brain Tell Us?
4. How We Teach Matters as Much as What We Teach
5. Hearing Other Voices: Multi-culture Encounters with the Bible
6. From Creche to the World Wide Web: Using Visual Media to Teach the Bible

I'm very pleased that their is an online version of this course that combines the use of the DVD lectures, reading assignments, and online interaction with fellow participants and the class facilitator, Diane E. Shallue, Ed.D., president of Lutheran Association of Christian Educators. You can find out more about how you can be part of this online course by contacting me at: gkaufmann@nwswi.org or 715-579-1556.