By Dr. William E. Niblette

In my days of ministry development, one sage impressed upon me that regarding Sunday school, "the Bible is the main course, teachers and learners are the vessels, and training and planning are the bread and butter." When most church school evaluations indicate that their greatest weakness is a lack of trained teachers, we would do well to consider how this dimension of Christian education could be strengthened.

Five qualities come to mind when I think of what should be included in any effective teacher training program:

1. It is related to the age level being taught. While there are some teaching principles that are applicable to all age groups, we most effectively train teachers when we group them according to major age range divisions: early childhood (0-5), children (grades 1-6), youth (grades 7-12), and adults. Age-specific case studies and examples help teachers in knowing how best to match their learner’s needs to Bible truth.

2. It is practical. While teaching and learning theory adds perspective, skill is best acquired when the basic "how-to’s" are communicated and demonstrated.

3. It is related to curriculum taught. While community-wide teacher training efforts and conventions add greatly to the general effectiveness of a teacher’s skill, one can begin to see how "in-house" efforts help your staff get a handle on the specific curriculum your church uses. Implementing your curriculum in your training program also affords a prime opportunity for planning next week’s or the next unit’s worth of lessons.

4. It is experiential. If learners learn best by doing, then teachers also learn best by doing. Also, teachers gain confidence to incorporate and encourage participation in their classes by experiencing it themselves.

5. It is regular and systematic. Regularity of training events (at least quarterly) builds both commitment and a team approach for the involvement of your total teaching staff. Remember, like "bread and butter," it can only enrich the efforts of the Bible teaching ministry of your church.

Two types of training should be made available to all in your church who would consider teaching. Pre-service training helps prospective or new teachers become oriented to the way your church does Bible study. Along with incorporating the five qualities of an effective training program, furnish sample time for the new recruit to observe what goes on in a classroom. Many times, initial fears toward teaching are diminished by watching a "model" teacher practice their skills. In-service training events continue to nurture teachers into age-group specialists that know how to lovingly communicate the Word of God to "little ones," "middle-ones" and adults.

So, get involved in obliterating this "blight" upon the Sunday school! Plan any training for effective teaching to take place. Remember, we’re in the business of serving up the main course of God’s Word…and for dessert, changed lives for Christian growth.

(This article appeared in the "Fall, 1991" issue of "The Herald.")