EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS FOR TEENAGERS

David A. Banning expounds  a crucial and significance of teaching Bible to the teenagers effectively. The reason of his study is caused by many complaints of teachers and students in teaching Bible lesson to teenagers. Such complaints come because of difficulties, boring and irrelevance. He said what a tragic when teen bible classes in many churches are not more effective, because it is a critical time in life as teenagers prepare to leave home and set out their own. Christian teachers need to know how to instills the truth within the their heart that will not only impact their happiness now but also for their spending life in eternity. We should understand that this time is a critical time in life as teenagers prepare to leave home and set out on their own. Banning said for most teenager there are 2 things that they looking for in their Bible class. First, they want to be INVOLVED and the second they are looking for RELEVANCE.

In his article, David Banning gave 10 Methods how to involve them and make the lesson relevance to age group of teenagers that the teaching Bible class will be effective.  teach Both of them, teacher and students have Bible  While parents are the ones responsible to prepare them for these important life events (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:4), we would like to think that our Bible classes make a meaningful contribution to that effort. First, involve the students by participation exercises.  By doing this way, they will know that we engage them and involve them in class.

In creating participation , teachers can do this by asking “safe” questions to focus on student’s opinion and carry a low risk of wrong answer. Second method to generate students involvement is done by giving the student projects to complete together. This method will draws out students who are shy and reluctant to speak in front of the class and can force the student to think through a question for themselves. The third method is scenarios. This is done by creating stories which put Bible principles into real life situations. We will demonstrate how the truth of the Bible is applied and see how they give respond. Scenarios are useful tools for demonstrating relevance. The fourth method is by giving conviction questions. Conviction questions are questions that have at least two right answers, depending on how you look at them. We can ask them whether they agreed or disagreed of a our question. The fifth method “why question”. When the students had have a right question , we can ask him why he gave the answer. The sixth method is “Devil Advocate”. This is done by giving challenging. Sometimes the reason students do not see the relevance of a subject is because they have never been challenged on that subject. The seventh method is “hot seat”.

His teaching tool is designed to equip students to handle peer and to overcome negative peer pressure. The eight method  is “search and discover”. This tool is designed to stimulate students’ interest by sending them text searching for specific pieces of information.  The ninth method is “Anonymous Answer”. It is a difficult to be effective teacher when we don’t know  what our students really think about a specific issue. One way how to solve this problem is by allowing the student to answers question anonymously. The tenth method is “Challenges” that will give students the things that might be seem very challenging. We should move from filling the blanks and challenge them to stretch their minds as well as develop their Bible study skills. At the end of his article David banning stated that teenagers are not a uniquely difficult group to teach but simply a unique group. We just need to adjust our methods to fit to their special needs.

Reflection
David Banning give a special attention on teaching age group of teenagers. He suggest every Christian teacher not to give up of teaching them. He is giving the ways or methods how to it. I believe what he is writing is true regarding teaching teenagers. It is true that we need to understand their characters and needs. Teenagers period is one of the most importance in their lives that will shape their future and decision. I think some specific problems emerge at this period of life such as High parental expectation, peer pressure, Search for Identity, Scheduling study and play, social pressure, dating and relationship, etc. that draw their interest of learning the Bible. There are many reasons for them not to attend the Bible study class. It is our duty to know their specific characters and needs. We christian teachers should perceive this crucial time and should plan various how to teach them effectively and attractively.  Every efforts should be made. I agree with David Banning that we need to adjust our methods of teaching when teaching Bible lesson for teenagers. By the help of the holy spirit, a faithful Christian teacher will able to direct his student to the truth of God, that will make them a faithful Christian.