Part one in this series of three articles on Setting the Table for Christian Learning, involved a hermeneutical look at John 21:15-17 and a review of the first principle taught from this familiar text.This passage of Scripture highlights an interesting conversation between Jesus the teacher, and Peter the learner.

Christ's discourse with Peter opens the door to some of the most interesting insights that should be understood and implemented by all those who have been called to teach God's Word. From a very observant and careful look at the text, three practical insights emerge:

1. The teacher recognizes the gap that exists between what is being learned (perceived) versus that which is being taught.
2. The teacher attempts to close the gap between what is being learned (perceived) versus that which is being taught by being more definitive.
3. The teacher comes down to the level of the student in order to close the gap of learning.

The same principles that we see the Master Teacher use in this dialogue with Peter are still relevant for practical use in the teacher-learner relationship today. The objective of "setting the table" for Christian teaching is to produce mature disciples of Jesus Christ.

In terms of setting the table for the spiritual learning of believers, the teacher must be concerned about the place-setting for the food, the preparation of the food and the presentation of the food.

Deciding What Will Be Served

After the table has been set, waiters are then ready to serve the customers. Most often those who are dining are asked what types of food they enjoy eating. Likewise, from a spiritual perspective, while teachers serve in the role of waiters, it is God who provides the menu.

God has a wonderful spiritual menu designed for every believer. His menu is filled with many entrees that are always new and fresh. What is also unique about God's menu is that He always adapts it in order that we might receive the spiritual food we need. God is a perfect dietician and He has prepared a special meal for every believer.

The role of Christian teachers is to follow God's prescription, and to serve God's food faithfully. The Word of God provides the central means of nourishment for every believer in regards to their spiritual growth and development so that they will live a healthy and fulfilling life in Christ.

Just as the physical body cannot operate at its fullest capacity without nourishment, the spiritual aspect of one's life needs to feed off God's Word. Teachers must always be concerned about preparation when it comes to instructing learners. No preparation can guarantee results with students. They must plan strategically and execute reasonably well to facilitate effective learning in the students.

In his book, "Disciple-Making Teachers," Josh Hunt cites at least seven things that Christian teachers must ensure take place in order for learning to occur:

#1 - Get Them Interested

Disciple-making teachers should be creative and seek to get the students' attention right from the start. While many learners come to the classroom with a thirst for God's Word, others come having their minds preoccupied by myriad concerns. Teachers must find ways to draw learners into the learning experience from the very beginning of class.

One of the ways this can be effectively accomplished is by making a promise to the learners from the onset of class. The promise should be focused on the central idea of what is being taught. Promises can take the format of a phrase such as, "Many of us struggle with inner purity. As a result of what we will share in class, you will learn how to conquer the sinful thoughts that enter your mind." Promises seek to answer one single question for the learner, "Why should I listen?" It is an effective way to capture the attention of the learner and to focus his or her mind on the subject matter.

#2 - Interact With Relevant Truths

Most often the truth that matters to individuals is the truth they discover for themselves. This discovery comes about through the aid of the Holy Spirit by another trinity. This trinity is the intersection of the Word of God, the lives of the learners and the connection between these two components.

Disciple-making teachers seek to create moments in which the Holy Spirit illuminates the truth of God's Word as it intersects with the students' personal lives. Teachers should also help learners to seek out truth that is relevant to their lives, not just to accept what is truth based on their authority as a teacher. In an extract from a speech given to the British Parliament in 1644, John Milton, the great English poet, made the following statement concerning the personal responsibility for knowing truth:

Here, Milton argues that if one only knows the truth because he or she uncritically accepts another's word for it, and does not have access to, or examine that truth for themselves, that truth becomes their heresy. God uses people who have the gift of teaching to instruct learners in His Word and to confront them with eternal truth. However, only the Holy Spirit can illuminate God's word so that transcendent truth becomes truth that matters.

#3 - Discover How Truths Relate

Here, Hunt argues that the moment of illumination is not enough. In addition to recognizing transcendent truth as truth that matters, the students must discover how that truth applies to their daily lives. They must be able to flesh out the teachings of the Word of God in real life.

The truth of God's Word must be connected to everything the believer thinks, feels, and acts upon. This encompasses the believers' emotions, attitudes, and behavior. Learning is all about application. Disciple-making teachers should ask God to open the eyes of the students in their class so they can see how to apply the truth of God's Word in their daily lives.

#4 - Recognize the Gap Between Them and God

Disciple-making teachers help learners to clearly see the gap that exists between the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and emotions that they have and those that God calls them to have. There is always a gap between where we are and where we should be. It is imperative that one sees the difference between these two realities.

The gap that exists between these two realities is generally defined as sin. Before change can occur, people must not only recognize where they should be, they must also acknowledge their present circumstance. Recognizing this gap leads one to repentance. Acknowledging and admitting that the gap exists leads one to change.

However, it is significant to note that efforts to close this gap are exercised within, what Hunt defines as, an "atmosphere of grace" rather than one of condemnation. While teachers should faithfully teach for the gap in every lesson, they should also be careful to expose learners to the gap only within this environment of grace.

This approach to instruction is so vital because teachers need to realize that a gap also exists sometimes between how they teach and how they should teach!

#5 - Understand Benefits of Obedience

Disciple-making teachers motivate their students to live the good and obedient life by painting in bold colors the benefits of obedience and the drawbacks of disobedience. It has been said that pain and pleasure are two classic motivators of human nature. The most vivid description of the benefits of obedience and the drawbacks of disobedience is found in Deuteronomy Chapter 28.

In this passage, God sets before His people the choice of blessing or cursing. He sets before them the assets of obedience and the liabilities of disobedience. Even the context of this passage depicts that the consequences of disobedience far outweigh the blessing of obedience.

Of the 68 verses in Deuteronomy Chapter 28, it only takes 14 to describe the blessings of God. However, it takes the remaining 54 to describe the curses, making it clearly evident that the blessings of obedience far outdistance the consequences of disobedience.

The rewards and blessings God has to offer the obedient cannot even be compared to the inheritance preserved for the disobedient. Disciple-making teacher should do everything within their power to convince learners that the obedient life is the best life they can possibly experience.

#6 -Exchange Beliefs, Values, Attitudes or Behaviors

Disciple-making teachers should help learners realize that seeing the benefits of obedience is not enough. It is also necessary to make the decision and the commitment to change. The biblical word for change, as mentioned in an earlier principle, is the word repentance. Hunt holds that repentance should be a regular event in the life of every believer.

Disciple-making teachers should regularly encourage students to repent of beliefs or attitudes that are contrary to God's truth. Repentance is the heart and soul of what it means to become a disciple, because repentance is about change. If teachers and learners do not see their lives being called to regular repentance, something is drastically wrong!

This is not so say that one is constantly living in a state of disobedience. It only acknowledges the fact that because we are human, falling short and missing the mark is not an unnatural phenomenon, especially for believers. When believers acknowledge and admit the need to repent of wrong beliefs, values, attitudes, or behaviors, it strengthens their witness in challenging others to change as well.

#7 - Be Accountable for Decisions, Commitments

Good intentions can never be counted on when it comes to being accountable. Some system of checks and balances must be established in order to produce the desired result of a disciplined life. Disciple-making teachers must devise ways to hold everyone in the group (including themselves) accountable to do what learners have committed to do.

Of course one-on-one methods are the most effective for establishing processes of accountability. Proverbs 27:17 declares, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (NASB) Group accountability has some advantages, but overall it tends to operate from a more flexible structure for those involved than one-on-one encounters.

A Closing Word

The true test of teaching is never what the teacher does; it is what the class learns. When it comes to the learning process, the point is not what the teacher does. It is what happens inside the learner as a result of what the teacher does.

Ultimately, teachers only control what they do, but they should always seek to prepare each and every lesson carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully.

Eugene McCormick is currently enrolled in the doctoral studies program at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Ky., in the School of Christian Education and Leadership. He is president of EMC Consulting, which serves and assists churches in developmental areas of Christian education, leadership and administration.