Problem-Solving as a Pillar
in Adult Education
Pastor Daniel Habben continues his series of articles that helps us as we consider the question, How can we best reach adults with God’s Word in a Bible class setting? With a clear reminder of the blessings God’s people receive as they study his Word, this series of articles challenges all of us to take a serious look at the way we teach Bible class. Pastor Habben offers specific and practical suggestions for us to consider as we strive to become better communicators of God’s truth.

In his fourth article, Pastor Habben reminds us of the importance of giving adult students the opportunity to apply what they have learned.
 

Pastor Daniel Habben served St. Peter Lutheran Church in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, for 18 years. He recently accepted the call to serve St. John’s Lutheran Church on the island of Antigua. 

Pastor Habben came to love teaching when he tutored at Luther Prep School and is thankful for the feedback he received from his fellow tutors—especially from the Martin Luther College teacher grads! He was a presenter at the 2015 symposium on education at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Most of the materials in the following articles are from that presentation.  

Pastor Habben is leading an Interactive Faith online Bible study on Isaiah 1−12 on Wednesdays through Feb. 7 at 6pm and 8pm. The study is titled “Isaiah: God Confronts and Comforts His People.”
 
Access the study here.
They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. - Acts 5:42
Adult Education: Additum
Avoid Nominalizations

Technically a nominalization is a noun created from a verb or adjective. In practice, a nominalization is a word that drains the lifeblood out of our writing. The linked video, from a communicating English course, will sharpen our skill at spotting these language transgressions that rob our words of their impact.

Teaching Toolbox
Put Life Into Your Sentences

Writing coaches variously refer to nominalizations as vampire nouns or zombie nouns because they siphon the life out of our words or cannibalize our living words.
 
Perhaps because of the influence of our classical education, we pastors are really good at using nominalizations in our writing and our speaking. By so doing, we create yet another challenge for already distracted readers and listeners. 

Curriculum Connection
The Glory of Jesus' Suffering, Death, and Resurrection

This eight-lesson Bible study, by Professor Richard Gurgel, takes an in-depth look at the Passion History readings, “which trace for us the most important hours of world history.”

“A beautiful harmony between Bible class and public worship would result if this course were taught on the six Sundays of Lent and the first two Sundays after Easter (assuming there is no Bible class on Easter morning).” (Leader's Guide)

Click the links below to view Lesson 1.

Leader's Guide: PDF
Sample Lesson: PDF | RTF
 

Teaching Tip

In class discussion, when no amount of rephrasing a question or waiting for a student response elicits any, say, "Help me understand what makes that a difficult question to answer."
  Teach the Word  is a collaboration of Northwestern Publishing House, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and WELS Adult Discipleship.