The Elements of Instruction

Certain elements of Instruction are key when developing your skill and preparing for classroom instruction.  They are not limited, but expandable. 

These are:

1.    Attention

2.   Control

3.       Interest

4.   Trust

Imagine if you will, the most boring session you have ever been involved in?  What was it that made it boring to you? Probably that...

       They were pretty long winded;

       They kept repeating the same thing over and over;

       Kept making corny jokes;

       You can't even remember what the sessions were about!

The first thing you must do is gain the attention of your audience. In most cases, this will be adult learners with a wide variety of backgrounds.  How will you gain the attention of your audience? 

THEY HAVE TO RESPECT YOU!

Keep in mind you are dealing with adult learners, with preconceived notions of “how it should be”.

YOU MUST BE ENGAGAING

You have to interact with your audience. Get to know who they are.  Ask related and unrelated open-ended questions.

An open-ended question is designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and/or feelings.

It is the opposite of a closed-ended question, which encourages a short or single-word answer. Open-ended questions also tend to be more objective and less leading than closed-ended questions.

Look at the difference below...

Do you see the difference?  Closed ended question will usually give you a one word response, while on the other hand an open-ended question allows you see more of your participant’s prospective on the subject matter.  This is important because your primary objective is the development of your participants.

YOU MUST SHOW AN INTEREST IN THEIR RESPONSE

Once you have opened the lines of communication, you must show an interest in their response; you should give about 15 minutes to this exercise, and make sure to incorporate it into the learning plan.

Next, you want to work on control.  It is important to maintain control of each session.  If you allow too much open forum time, your participants will not gain the understanding they needed from the session.  You will sometimes have those who like to be the “knower” in the room.  Do not be intimidated; learn to utilize the “knower”.  However, never let the “knowers”, overshadow the point of the session!  You must reach YOUR objective; your plan/purpose for the session.

Always, keep your sessions going in the direction you have planned.  If you veer too far off course refer back to your planner.  Make notes for use in your sessions and for yourself.  The Holy Spirit is going to help you.  You will be surprised at how much the Holy Spirit will be present with you; especially if you have made an effort to prepare beforehand,

Third, as you prepare for your sessions and study, you will enter you session “equipped”.  You will more readily generate interest when you find interesting things to add to your session.  This will keep your participants interested, engaged and ready. Keep them on their toes by asking questions.  They should be prepared for the session as well. 

It is the most rewarding experience when you witness your sessions being transformed by the Holy Spirit.  You must allow and be open to any movement of the Spirit.  Not only must you be sensitive to the participants, but to the presence of God as well.

Remember, you participant overall want to experience God is a relevant way, in an unforgettable manner.  Ministry Training Center Instructors have witnessed many miracles in their sessions.

That is why trust is so important to consider.  It is important that you gain the trust of your participants for the purpose of study. 

The MDTC Approach

Step 1 – Know Your Objective – What do you want participants to learn from the course.

Step 2 – Prepare for the Course – Each session has prerequisites and scripture components that are covered.  CORE sessions usually look at characters from the bible and their experiences to formulate learning objectives.  As an Instructor, you must prayerfully prepare and worship before each session.  Anything can happen and you must be spiritually ready to facilitate.  The Holy Spirit may reveal something and you must be open to be the vessel for His use.

Step 3 – Plan your Course – It is important that you have a plan going in to your session and that you stick to that plan; even if questions arise.  Save the answering of the questions until later in the session.  Don’t let questions just go on and on.  If you see that too many questions are coming at one, tell participants to hold their questions. 

Step – 4- Meet Your Objectives – What do you expect to achieve by conducting this session?  Each session has its own objective.  You must meet that objective and if you have your own, meet that as well.  Your objective could be to finish on time or 10 minutes sooner, etc.  It does not have to be academic.  When you set and goal and see your goal, you have achieved your objective.

Ministry Training Centers utilize a format for delivery of its content.  Everyone should be prepared when they arrive at each session. 

Each course is broken up into key points or sessions.  Each session provides critical information that the participants must grasp during the session.  You are not just an instructor, but you facilitate a path for learning that could affect the outcome of the individual’s ministry.

Those who have had an experience with God want others to do the same.  We are not in the business of teaching scriptures.  We want to know who is this person that wants to minister to others.  Do they have what it takes?  Can they make it through the hurdles that ministry may sometimes include?

It’s a tough business and has many variables.  For instance, what if you have participants who do not believe the Holy Spirit exists?  Your first inclination may be to prove the existence of the Holy Spirit.  You don’t have to do that.  Don’t allow yourself to be baited by that.

You are directing participants upon a course of self-discovery in which the Lord Himself will provide evidence and proof.  You as the Instructor, just remain on your course and stick to the plan.

All MDTC Instructors Must Complete…

The Instructor Coursework is highlighted:

GEN001         What Is Salvation?

GEN002         The Benefits of Salvation

GEN003         Receiving The Holy Spirit

GEN004         Why We Believe You Are Here

GEN005         The Importance of Tithing

GEN006         Why You Should Give Offerings

GEN007         The Sower Sows The Word

GEN008         Learning To Read Your Bible

GEN009         Worship

GEN010         Talking To God In Prayer

GEN011         Developing An Unshakable Belief System

GEN012         What To Do When You Have Been Offended

GEN013         Baptism In Three (3) Realms

GEN014         Why You Should Take Communion

GEN015         Covenant Authority Your Covenant Rights

GEN016         Your God Given Gifts

GEN017         The Kingdom of God

GEN018         The Government of God

GEN019         The General Assembly

GEN020         Getting Up After You Have Fallen Into Sin

GEN021         When God Calls You To Ministry

GEN022         The Natural Man vs. The Spirit Man

GEN023         Your Words form Your World

GEN024         Understanding the kingdom of darkness

GEN025         Mortal Combat  Winning Against All Odds

GEN026         Assessment

These sessions will be sent in PDF format and must be covered by your whole Instructor Team.  For each session, the Chief Instructor must certify completed training for each instructor.