General Strategies for Teaching Biblically, Part 1

In the next few articles, we will share tips and ideas sent to us by TeachBeyond educators. Our first mini-series of these ideas covers general strategies applicable to all subject areas. Many strategies shared are applicable for contexts where overt biblical connections are welcome, while others are applicable or can be adapted for less open contexts. In this article, we look at how planning, authenticity, and maximizing spontaneous moments help us intentionally guide students toward biblical understanding – all the while recognizing that our own walk with the Lord and His work in us lays the foundation for our ability to impact our learners.

Plan, Be Authentic, and Maximize Spontaneous Moments

• Plan for it. Just like our students shouldn't “accidentally” learn our lesson for the day, they shouldn't “accidentally” see the gospel being a part of our lesson as well. Sometimes I may connect it to our essential question or to our I Can statement. – Matthew B.

• Authenticity! High schoolers can absolutely tell when teachers are trying to push something inauthentically. I've found that it's always best to find ways to integrate biblical truths organically in the classroom, rather than trying to force a Bible verse into each lesson. – Amelia C.

• Start with biblical principles and include them in your objectives. Have opening and pre-planned questions. Allow for organic moments to help students see how God's word connects with God's world. – Name withheld by request

• Avoid being didactic; encourage critical thinking (e.g., comparisons, analysis, evaluation, reflection). Help students name what they're observing, experiencing, studying, etc. Study the Bible as an academic text as well as spiritual text (it stands up to literary analysis). – Name withheld by request

• Keeping in mind the overarching biblical narrative: creation, fall, redemption, restoration. These lenses can help us think through each subject and theme as God's purposes in them, how they've been distorted, what our response can be and what the hope is for the future. A few key questions for each area can be applied to most subject themes, helping us as teachers plan, as well as guiding older students' reflections. – Liz B.

• We prayed often in class, before exams, when students were upset, dealing with tough times or rejoicing God. We did service projects for the school and did pray walks around the school. I think the key here is just pausing and allowing for times to the Bible to be integrated and it doesn't always look like you plan it too. Especially when a student may ask a question or propose an idea, it can be a key moment to take hold of and connect back to biblical principles. – Katherine H.

• For biblical integration, I try to make it fit naturally into the lesson and our conversations (my favorite is when we get into a discussion on our current topic and how it relates to biblical principles and the students generate their own ideas), but sometimes it does end up being its own mini lesson within the lesson. – Savana B.

Seek the Holy Spirit and Model Your Own Walk with Christ

• Biblical integration is not possible without the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Your external life should be an overflow of your internal life. As you grow deep into God's word, seeing the world from God's lens will be very natural. Hence, biblical integration will come out naturally and your students will be challenged to think critically of their learning from a biblical perspective. – Clauds A.

• You always have to start with a biblical worldview, so in some ways making sure that you continue to shape your personal views is the most important starting point. – Name withheld by request

• You teach a little by what you say, you teach more by what you do, you teach most of all by who you are! To me, this means modelling Jesus in frequent references to Scripture that bear on your students, subject, and being open about your personal faith walk, growth, experience, taking their age and maturity into account. Relax, be filled with the Spirit and love your students! Let Jesus shine through you. – Ken V.

• I find it helpful to share with students how I have experienced God's Word to be true, active, and restorative. They often like to hear what the Lord is teaching me, and I think this is a great way to model how the Christian ought to pursue God through His Word for the rest of our lives. – Jacob C.

• I found that living out my relationship with God wholeheartedly, with honesty and integrity, models to others how God's undeserved favor is impacting me personally and then flows out to them. Jesus died so that I could live free in Father's love. As I learn to live and breathe in His approval, then I am free to let Him love others through me. As I live authentically with myself, noticing where my actions and beliefs are congruent and addressing those that are incongruent, I discover that I am able to interact with those around me in a way that they feel seen, known and valued. – Janice B.

• Prayer is important throughout this process as Holy Spirit is the great Teacher, prompting me with Scripture as I interact with students. – Jonathan P.

• It is always wonderful to incorporate God's word into the lessons we teach children, and what I love most is that sometimes when we are stuck, we don't know what to do, we don't know which way to turn, there is always a glimmer of hope, there is always the light of the Holy Spirit that comes to give us clear ideas to share with the children. And what I love even more is that we don't just teach this to the children, but also to ourselves. Personally, I teach myself the word of God every time I teach it to the children. It's as if the Lord is speaking to me too, and I really love that. – Nancy M.

• Gratitude toward our God helps us instill God's model in the children we mentor by loving them, correcting them with love, valuing them, and transforming them to achieve the goal of our vision: to ground children in God's Word and equip them to integrate their faith into every area of their lives with the goal of transforming society for God's glory. – Jeanne N.

• As a Christian, I am aware of my responsibility to help children have a personal experience with Christ. I am here not only for my subject area, but above all to help children enter the Kingdom of God. – Nathan M.

• Most importantly, ensure that I model the things I teach and am honest with the kids – even in my bad moments, and relate that to the grace of God and my sinful nature. – Savana B.

• The Spirit-filled life of the teacher in action in the classroom, interacting with the students, is the most compelling biblical integration. – Scott F.

• Demonstrate that the most valuable thing for us is our relationship with Jesus as we strive to be like Him and to prioritize Him. When I put God first, my students notice it and begin to reflect that in the classroom. – Eliana B.

We invite you to prayerfully consider how the Lord might use the above strategies in your classroom – and to share with us how He has guided you in implementing them or other ideas. Please let us know at onpractice@teachbeyond.org.