If the goal of catechesis is to cultivate an encounter with Christ, why do religious educators spend so much time focused almost exclusively on ideas and not experiences? The reason is that many have never been shown a method that inspires the heart while also instructing the mind. Jared Dees, creator of the popular website The Religion Teacher, shows how applying the steps of lectio divina to teaching can reorient religious education toward encountering the person of Christ rather than merely sharing information about him. In Christ in the Classroom, Catholic author and speaker Jared Dees applies the five steps of lectio divina—reading/learning, meditation, prayer, contemplation, and action—to the ministry of catechesis. He offers teachers and catechists a practical framework for preparing lessons that broaden the focus of teaching from mostly intellectual learning to also encountering Christ in prayer, reflection, and action. Using this method, students and catechists come to know intimately the person of Christ at the same time that they are learning the tenets and traditions of the Church. Dees shares stories of success and failure from his own teaching experience and he offers dozens of field-tested strategies, tactics, and teaching methods to effectively integrate the steps of lectio divina into the classroom or other catechetical setting. Outfitted with these tools, both experienced and new religious educators will feel confident in their ability to teach effectively and lead their students to a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

In our nation, Christian teachers are prohibited by law to share the message of salvation through Christ with their students. However, as highly visible members of their communities, teachers have a tremendous opportunity to lead people to Christ directly or indirectly by projecting a life that honors Christ as the person at the head of their classrooms and in their interactions with other stakeholders in the school and community. Christ in Your Classroom is a guide for educators who wish to honor God through their work, but it also emphasizes the need for Christian integrity and consistency in all areas in one’s life. Hodgdon provides a candid look into his own life story and his frequent stumbles during his walk with Christ and how God inspired him, the least likely of people in his own admission, to create this unique manual for educators.

As a Christian educator, have you considered that you probably have more daily ministry opportunities than your pastor? You shape the next generation in countless ways through your conduct, character, and conversationso how can you most effectively share this gift that God has given you? Bringing Christ to the Classroom equips you to be an even more effective educator and follower of Christ through investigating scripture, illuminating what Jesus did as the master teacher, and integrating your discoveries into your instruction and interactions with students. Author and professor Charissa Dunn shares her own journey as a Christian educator so that others called to teach can discover what Jesus did to earn the title of the master teacher, applying what they learn to their positions as Christian educators. Bringing Christ to the Classroom can also help you connect with Gods message on a deeper level while you pray for guidance, listen to his voice, and ask him for transformation. God provided you with the talents, abilities, and experiences required to serve as an educator, and he called you as an educator for such a time as this (Esther 4:15). By reading and examining the Bible in a new light, you will be thoroughly prepared for every good work, serving both your students and God in faith.

Could today's educators actually be teaching the students who will live through the "end times" described in scripture? If so, then what is the responsibility of schools and its educators in preparing students for this possibility? It is said that a nation's schools reflect its society. If this is true, then our schools are turning away from God and traditional values as the nation does. Could it be that our schools are unwittingly aiding in this or simply reflecting this turn? How does a Christian educator function in today's environment? Should they ever raise their voice? How should they discipline and teach godly morals? Should students even be able to tell that they are Christians? Many of today's educators are deeply concerned with the lack of skills, work ethics, and basic knowledge that our students are entering adult life with. Christian educators are gripped by the added worry over the apathy and eroding sense of morality they often witness from students. Furthermore, Christian educators must follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, while in a secular world with the task of educating students, maintaining discipline, and inspiring students to seek greatness in a world that often encourages mediocrity. This book examines the predicaments of Christian educators. It is filled with one teacher's stories during a twenty-five-year span in education. Lane Jones shares the strategies and philosophies that God has taught him during his time in front of a classroom in order to serve his students while serving his Lord. There are several incidents in scripture where a person's godly potential was so evident that Satan or his demons asked about them by name. This book challenges anyone involved in educating the young to be such a force that Satan takes notice. May the demons know your name.

As a teacher, you long to help others do more than understand the Bible. You want them to experience its relevance and power for their lives. Teaching like Jesus is the answer! This commonsense guide offers examples of Jesus' teaching style from the Gospels, then shows how you can make these principles work for you -- regardless of what age group or ethnic background you're dealing with. Using a proven, four-step plan, Teaching Like Jesus gives you action steps, summaries, and other practical resources that will make your classroom a lively place to learn and apply the lessons so vitally important for transforming lives and nurturing disciples. You'll learn to think in terms of "see, hear, and do" in your lesson plans. And you'll find sample plans for age groups and cultures ranging from African-American preschoolers to Chinese married couples.