Throughout the centuries the church has claimed the Bible as central and authoritative to its life and mission. But sad to say, in today's churches biblical illiteracy is widespread.
Intended for pastors, church educators, lay teachers, and those in seminary who are preparing for congregational leadership, this book provides a blueprint for effective teaching that leads beyond the conveying of information to transformation -- an encounter with 'that Mystery we call God.' It is about teaching the Bible in its most faithful form, as an invitation to fully engage the scriptures and the God who empowers transformation of both teacher and student.
Drawing on the best of current educational theory and the insights of critical biblical scholarship, John Bracke and Karen Tye help us to teach in ways that captivate and stimulate students. The authors look at a variety of factors that affect the way in which the teacher, student, and text connect. They begin with a basic understanding of learning, from how the brain works to the various learning styles and methods for teaching to them. They explore ways in which teaching the Bible is an intercultural educational experience, recognizing how our own cultural lenses through which we encounter the Bible can vary enormously and also be very different from the Bible's own indigenous cultures.
Teaching the Bible in the Church will inform and invigorate this most essential mission of the church.