Part III furnishes helpful material for the teacher's study and
presents interesting sidelights to give what has seemed a commonplace lesson new meaning and new interest.
The Question Method
To hold attention in class the question method is best. It is most effective because in order to give the answers the pupil must think for himself.
Questions are so important that a wise teacher will always prepare them in advance. If put in order they will form an outline or plan to be followed in presenting the lesson.
At the end of Part II of this volume are one thousand questions on the Bible passages listed according to names and periods for easy {164} reference. They are useful in many ways: As an outline for the teacher, as suggested above; as review questions when two classes may unite for a contest; and as an incentive to the pupils to study the lesson. Give out a striking question on the coming lesson each week instead of the general request to "study the lesson."
Use of Pictures
In teaching little children pictures have long been considered invaluable, but their practical value in the more advanced departments is not so generally conceded. The adult mind, however, has not outgrown its love for the truths of life as expressed in pictorial form and the teacher of adult classes who owns THE BIBLE STORY is fortunate indeed in having right at hand impressive illustrations for a great many Bible lessons.
There is a threefold advantage in using these pictures:--
To Save Time--Pictures suggest ideas more forcibly than words. For example, much time would be wasted in trying to convey by words any idea of such a ship as Paul used in traveling to Rome, but the picture on page 464 L.J. is at once striking and accurate. The index of illustrations in the back of the volume "Songs of the Ages" suggests the wealth of illustrations in THE BIBLE STORY and indicates their location.
To Give Correct Impressions--For understanding Oriental conditions no agency is so helpful as pictures of Eastern customs and life. Many of these customs are referred to in Part 1 on page 19 of this volume, and much of the life of the Hebrews is brought out by the questions beginning at page 100, which refer, for their answers, to pictures.
To Inspire Beautiful Ideals--THE BIBLE STORY reproduces many beautiful pictures by artists who have thrown their religious conceptions into their work and thus infused it with the highest devotional spirit. Holding these pictures before a class will often create the atmosphere most desired for teaching the story depicted. For example, a conception of the spirit of the conversation between Jesus and the woman at Jacob's well may be obtained from Hofmann's beautiful picture (84 L.J.). Many others may be used to instill the greatest spiritual ideas.
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Illuminating Points
A careful study of Part IV of this volume will enable a teacher of adults to give from Bible characters and books many striking points appropriate to the lesson.
"Living with the Bible," beginning at page 42 of this volume, will suggest to the adult teacher many passages to use in developing the different lessons.
"Jesus' Character-Building Stories," on page 32 of this volume, will give Jesus' teaching on the various subjects taken up in the lessons.