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...
Closed-Ended Question |
Open-Ended Question |
Do you get on well with your boss? |
Tell me about your relationship with your boss. |
Who will you vote for this election? |
What do you think about this election year? |
What color shirt are you wearing? |
That's an interesting colored shirt you're wearing. |
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.