Tip #1 - Relax, God is charge!
Teaching discipleship to a class or small group may seem intimidating, but it does not have to be. Please remember: God called us to disciple, so He is the one that is going to do the work through you. We can replace worry and concern with reliance his leading. We are human and reliance on God is one of the hardest things to do, but A Discipled Nation Plan facilitates this. As a teacher, try to focus on getting the most out of the material and praying for individual class members. This sets a minimum level of expectations that is acceptable: at least one member of the class will be discipled!
Tip #2 - Reduce your preparation time!
When I started teaching A Discipled Nation Plan, I overdid it. A quick review of the main lesson in the workbook may make you think that you need extra material, so I started out bringing in outside material, such as book quotes, song lyrics, etc. This took my attention away from the other participants because I was always looking to use the material. By the third lesson, I had no time for these extras because class participation was so strong. Over time, I came to appreciate the Leader's Guide. It is packed with information and ideas to start and direct discussions. While some additional aides help from time to time (like a recent Op Ed letter or a song that spoke to you), the best teaching aides are the life experiences of the class participants. In fact, I have cut my preparation in half. I do the daily challenges during the week, read and highlight the Leader's Guide, pray for my class, and I am ready to go!
Tip #3 - Stop lecturing, start participating!
One of the greatest things about A Discipled Nation Plan Curriculum for me is that I do not have to "teach" in the formal sense. I can essentially become a participant. Sure, I have to step in and direct the discussion, but because the students and I have 6 daily challenges to do, there is so much to share, the class starts to teach itself. I talk about 25% of the time, and not contiguously. I ask questions, start discussions, and offer personal examples if conversation wanes, but I don't have to lecture. It is hard to start doing this. Sometimes you have to sit through an awkward silence, redirect the question, or put someone on the spot. In almost every case, because the class is bathed in prayer, the spontaneous conversation leads us down the path God has chosen for us, moving us closer to true discipleship!
