This site uses cookies to provide you with more responsive and personalized service and to collect certain information about your use of the site.  You can change your cookie settings through your browser.  If you continue without changing your settings, you agree to our use of cookies.  See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Daily Devotional | A Responsive Classroom Daily Devotional | A Responsive Classroom

Daily Devotional | A Responsive Classroom

Devotions

New teachers are often trained in what education experts call “responsive classroom” techniques. The goal is to share important information in a welcoming way so your audience will respond well. A responsive teacher is sensitive to their audience’s needs and designs the learning situation to address those needs. Jesus was the epitome of a responsive teacher. John 4 gives an excellent example of such a teacher, as Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman in her comfort zone.

As a teacher, Jesus chose “to go through Samaria” (v. 4) so he could interact with His learner in her environment. This was a controversial route as the Samaritans were alienated from the Jewish people; most people would travel around that area. Instead, Jesus chose to go through Samaria because He knew the Samaritan woman would be there, and He knew of her greatest need—salvation.

As a responsive teacher, Jesus chose to engage His audience in a non-threatening manner. He used a shared human need to begin a conversation: “Will you give me a drink?” Notice that all this required was a simple yes/no response. But that question opened the conversation to the greater need—her salvation. Jesus then shared truth, including her sin and her heart’s need: “The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband” (v. 18).

Through non-threatening dialogue, questions, and then sharing key truth, Jesus leads the woman to ask for what she needs: “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water” (v.15). Ultimately, Christ spends two days with the Samaritan community, “and because of his words many more became believers” (v. 41).

>> How can you use “responsive teaching” to share the gospel? Consider the needs of your audience. Build relationship through being responsive to their individual situation. Listen well, and then be ready to share life-giving truth as God leads.

Pray with Us

The story of the Samaritan woman is a wonderful example of Jesus’ wisdom and love for people. Our prayer is that we’ll learn from our great Teacher how to interact with others with love, understanding, and truth.

BY Mary Martin, Former Professor of Christian School Education

Dr. Mary Martin previously served at Moody as program head of Christian School Education and chair of the Education and Counseling division. She has also served as a classroom teacher, principal, and head of school. Mary is the author of Impacting Student Learning through Christ-Centered Instructional Leadership and currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, Michael. She speaks at numerous education conferences each year and loves mentoring Moody graduates.

Find Daily Devotionals by Month