Three techniques can bring the classroom back to life. Presenting the three techniques is the aim of this article.

Using a family purchase of a new automobile, I make an analogy between it breaking down and not being all that we had hope it would be to a new class falling short of member’s expectations. This how to article presents three techniques in the form of vocal inflection, variety, and compassion to address problem areas in teaching: the monotone voice, boring uniformity, and lack of genuine care.

Does Your Teaching Make StudentsGroan?

By: Danny Von Kanel

The first new car my wife and I bought was a 1986 Celebrity Station Wagon. The Celebrity was just the car we always wanted. That being the case, we wanted our family on the coast of Mississippi to see our new purchase. Living in Illinois, we immediately planned a vacation their way.

Everything was going lovely. We had a wonderful visit with our family and the new car was a hit. Then it happened. Without warning, while traveling home on Interstate 10 out of Biloxi, Mississippi, the Celebrity went dead. Suddenly, we began to question our purchase. After towing the car in to an auto mechanic, we learned that a fuse to our gas pump was out.

Unfortunately, it could not be fixed and our dealer in Illinois would have to take the car if we didn’t want it. After an additional night in a hotel, we made it back to Illinois using replacement fuses. A couple of weeks later we received notice that our model Celebrity had amanufacturers defect. The wire going to the fuel pump was faulty. This defect caused the fuse to blow. Just as our car finally made us groan as owners because it failed to provide quality transportation as it was designed, our teaching can do the same to our small group members.

The monotone voice, boring uniformity, and lack of genuine care are three common deficiencies inteaching that may need replacing. These three provide the greatest harm but yet, can be corrected.The following teaching techniques can wire our class for growth while eliminating groans of discontent:

* The Technique Of Voice Inflection

Believe it or not, a monotone voice is the number one reason for small group boredom.1Our voice can be used to excite or bore. While speaking to the crowds in the Temple, “Jesus answered them...”2 and twelve verses later it reads, “Then Jesus cried out...”3 From one extreme to the other, Jesus changed the inflection of His voice to speak to the same crowd.

Beth droned on and on about the fixtures of furniture in Solomon’s Temple. To Mary’s right was Sherri. She was busily writing out for Terri a new basketball play their coach was implementing at next weeks game. To her left, April and Amanda were passing notes about theupcoming prom night. No one was listening. Mary found herself also unable to stay focused -- being lulled to sleep by the incessant invariability of Beth’s voice.

Tammy’s class was riveting. The whole scene of the trial and execution of our Lord Jesus was being played out in front of students eyes as Tammy’s voiced screamed, “crucify him! crucify him!”. Not an eye was off Tammy. Tiffany’s eyes began to tear up as Tammy’s voice became more and more emotional and high pitched. The crucifixion with it’s hammer and nails and the final “It is finished”, brought Tiffany to a new understanding of the crucifixion. Class attention was held and vital learning took place because Tammy had mastered the technique of voice inflection.

* The Technique Of Variety

Does our small group know exactly what we are going to say or do before we say or do it? If so, groaning of class members may soon short circuit our teaching fuse and strand our learning vehicle between destinations. It’s time to try the technique of variety and ignite the spark ofinterest and involvement.

Jane, in taking a new teaching position, was determined to bring life back into her assigned small group -- knowing past teachers were notorious for boring their members. Old posters on the walls were the first to go. Quickly followed was the lectern. In it’s place, Jill move in an old love seat and a table and lamp combination. The youth would sit on throw pillows, alternated in coming weeks with mats and chairs. All the furnishings were portable so she could move them around. Her first quarter of lessons on the church would include: an object lesson using a rock, a scripture search on the purpose of the church, an interview of a church staff member, and multiple discussion groups on worship, ministry, outreach, and discipleship as it related to the church. The youth were pleasantly surprised that first Sunday morning. With contemporary Christian music playing as they arrived, they encountered Jill at the door, greeting with a radiant smile. The early arrival activity sparked their interest and continued to capture their attention throughout the lesson. Leaving that day, they couldn’t wait until next week. They were not disappointed.

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to interesting teaching. This one technique has brought life in to more classes than any other. It’s a matter of variety and spice. We provide the variety and the spice will come. The possibilities are endless.

* The Technique Of Compassion

“And as he (Jesus) approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”4 Each time we approach our small group, we should in empathy, come weeping. It’s a sign of compassion.The practicality of living out compassion is what’s involved with this technique. It may include going to the hospital to be with a small group member who is having cancer surgery, watching them play a ball game, or talking with them through a crisis. The technique of compassion requires time with small group members outside the Bible study experience. We can’t teach oursmall group and expect their loyalty, love, respect, and participation when we haven’t taken time to get to know them.

Randy and Nadine were a young married couple who assisted me in teaching our youth. Leaving a funeral home one night while stopped at a red light, they were hit head on by two drunks running from the police. Nadine and the baby she carried were killed instantly with Randy left with many physical and emotional problems.

Being the first one to arrive at the funeral home, I met each teenager and stayed throughout the wake. Following the funeral, I dealt with the grief process in weekly gatherings. Together we hurt and cried. Together we grew. This one event sealed my relationship with this youth group.

I had practiced the technique of compassion.The Celebrity station wagon never broke down again. Once the defective wire was replaced, the car was everything we had hoped it would be. We can replace the faulty parts of our teaching -- the monotone voice, boring uniformity, and lack of genuine care -- with the techniques of voice inflection, variety, and compassion and have a small group that will rejoice instead of groan ...prosper instead of decline...grow instead of die. In the end, it too will be a small group that’s everything we hoped it would be.

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