TEACH is for those who give biblical instruction, in a standing position, to various sized groups. If the instructor is seated, consider using the Discovery Bible Study (DBS). Those familiar with DBS will recognize TEACH as a modified form of the DBS. TEACH consists of asking two primary questions and follow up questions.
ASK TWO PRIMARY QUESTIONS
The two primary questions are, "What does this passage say about God?" and "What does this passage say about people?" In other words, what does God want us to understand about himself and people from the passage?
Be passage centered. They are the basic units of thought in Scripture. Let God's word tell you what to say.
Be conversational with your sermon. Use your message to have a dialogue with your audience. Depending on the size and nature of your audience, either harvest the answers from them or provide them yourself.
ASK FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS
Use words from a previous answer in the follow up question. This establishes continuity by linking the key idea. For instance, if the truth about God in a passage is that He is holy, a follow up question might be, "Why is it important to know about the holiness of God?"
Use what, why, how, when, where and who as aids in asking questions. Create several options and pick the one(s) that works best. What seeks meaning. Why provides reasoning. They are especially powerful. How gives examples. When, where and who provide details about the timing, location, and people.
Ask for an explanation to a yes or no question. For instance, "Is this true of you? Explain."
You can generate follow up questions on the go or provide them yourself. If you provide follow up questions yourself, ask them rhetorically. For instance, "You may be asking yourself, why is this so?" "Here are three reasons."
You can ask follow up questions from follow up answers. A line of thinking often requires a few questions to get to a final point.
End the lesson by asking for a response. For example, "Based on what you just experienced, what is your next step of obedience? Write your answer below." Consider beginning the following meeting by asking for a report on people's "I will..." statements from the previous meeting. Depending on the size of the group, people's responses can be in persona, via video, posted online, etc.
Outline Template
Primary question, "What does the passage say about God and people?"
Primary Answer #1
Primary Answer #3
I will...
Primary Answer #1
- Follow up question (include a word or phrase from the primary answer).
- Follow up answers (illustrate from Scripture, your life, everyday life).
- Follow up answers (illustrate from Scripture, your life, everyday life).
- Follow up question
- Follow up answers
Primary Answer #3
- Follow up question
- Follow up answers
- Follow up answers
I will...
Sample Study
Read Mark 2:1-12
What does this passage say about God and man?
Based on what you experienced, what is your next step of obedience? Write your answer below.
I will...
- People can powerfully experience Jesus Christ in homes. Mark 2:1-2
Option #1: What role did home-based ministry play in your spiritual journey?
Here is where you might talk about your own personal experience in home based ministry.
Option #2: Why is home-based ministry so important to our spiritual journey?
Here is where you might list three reasons why home based ministry is so vital. - Believers are involved in bringing unbelievers to Jesus. Mark 2:3
Option #1: What role did believers play in helping bring you to Jesus?
Here is where you might describe how believers were involved in your spiritual journey to Christ.
Option #2: Why does God involve believers in the process of bringing us to Jesus?
Here is where you might list three reasons God involves us in the salvation journey of others. - Jesus placed a greater priority on forgiveness than healing. Mark 2:5
Why might Jesus place a greater priority on forgiving us than healing us?
Here is where you might give a few reasons why God might prioritize salvation over healing. - Jesus proves his identity to people. Mark 2:10
How did/does Jesus prove his identity to you/us?
Here is where you might describe how Jesus made his true identity known to you. - A true encounter with Jesus is amazing; it's unlike an encounter with anyone. Mark 2:12
Option #1: How did Jesus amaze you?
Here is where you might explain how Jesus amazed in your journey toward knowing him as Lord and Savior.
Option #2: How does Jesus amaze us?
Here is where you might describe the last time you were amazed by Jesus. Maybe it was a recent devotion or a ministry experience.
Based on what you experienced, what is your next step of obedience? Write your answer below.
I will...