BradHoffmann.com

The list isn’t complete – only partial. We who teach have a HUGE responsibility. At this time in my life, there are some principles that guide both what and how I teach. I’m still a work in progress, but these things I’ve learned and endeavor to practice.  I would encourage any peer or practitioner to do similar.

• We need to make sure we start and run well with Scripture. It must be the basis and content of every lesson.
• We should attempt application. Know your audience and give them something to walk away with when it’s all over. What’s the one thing they can do this week?
• Make an all out attempt to build.  Effort to build people up because there are too many out there that’ll tear them down. Don’t spend all your time talking about what you’re against, share with them what you’re actually for and about as you further the Kingdom.
• Be an advocate for grace. It is by grace that we are saved through faith.
• Give hope to anyone. I’ve discovered it is the one thing people desperately need.
• Encourage a daily walk as a follower of Jesus.
• Don’t teach beyond your experience. Teach incarnationally.
• Be honest about the struggles and the things you don’t have answers for in life.
• Teach more about doing life and loving Jesus than achieving perfection because that’ll never happen on this side.
• Make sure what your assignment is more than an academic exercise, but is forged and formed out of one’s abiding relationship with Christ.

As I said earlier, this isn’t a complete list. But, I believe it is an essential one for communicating Jesus and the Gospel.