That intersection of church and learning...

A pastor was giving the children’s message one Sunday morning during the regular church service. For this part of the service he gathered all the children around him and gave a brief lesson before dismissing them for children’s church.

On this particular Sunday, he was using squirrels for an object lesson on industry and preparation. He started out by saying, “I’m going to describe something and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is.” 

The children nodded eagerly. 

“This thing lives in trees [pause] and eats nuts [pause]…” No hands went up. 

“And it is gray [pause] and has a long bushy tail [pause]…” The children were looking at each other, but still no hands raised. 

“And it jumps from branch to branch [pause] and chatters and flips its tail when it is excited [pause]…” Nothing but confused looks and not one hand raised.

Finally one little boy tentatively put his hand up. The pastor breathed a sigh of relief and called on him. “Well,” said the little boy, “I know the answer is Jesus… but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!”

This story is funny and charming on a number of levels. 

But it's also sort of sad at the same time. 

Why? 

It says something about the way we approach teaching in ministry. 

Think about it.

Are we only teaching for students to regurgitate knowledge back to us? Is that really what teaching is all about?

I don't think so.

Surely, we can do better. But how?

I contend that the best way to strengthen Sunday school, small groups, student ministry, children's ministry, men's ministry, women's ministry, Adult Bible Fellowship groups, Vacation Bible School, etc., is to strengthen the teacher.

And the best way to strengthen the teacher is to sit at the feet of the greatest teacher in this history of the world—Jesus!
In The Teaching Genius of Jesus, you'll explore how you can become a P-E-A-C-H of a teacher...
* Preparation
* Engagement
* Authenticity
* Challenge
* Heart

BONUS: Each chapter ends with an application section filled with practical, biblical discussion questions you can use in your next teachers' meeting. PLUS, you get a FREE bonus chapter titled, "Re-Egineering Your Christian Education Ministry" that includes sample exit goals for each age group in the church.

How YOU Should Use this Book

2. Have them read a chapter at home and encourage them to make notes in the book as they read.

3. Come together as a group... 
    a. Have them share their notes, insights, and stories in pairs.
    b. Then lead them through the discussion questions at the end of 
         the chapter for personal and group application.
    c. Ask them to pair up and pray for each other.

4. Over the coming months, work through each chapter of the book (P-E-A-C-H) as outlined above.

You've known for a long time that the volunteers who serve in ministry with you need this kind of encouragement and equipping.

What are you waiting for?

What could God do in and through your ministry if volunteer teachers and small group leaders read, processed, and applied  The Teaching Genius of Jesus?

There's only one way to find out.

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