Principles of Teaching

by Doy Moyer

1. Let not many become teachers. There is stricter judgment (James 3:1). If you are going to teach, make sure the fire is in your bones, and you are ready to bear the responsibility.
2. Clarify and define. If you know something can be misunderstood, seek to be understood. Don’t hide behind ambiguities. There will be enough misunderstandings as it is. Don’t add to them unnecessarily.
3. Don’t conflate assertion with evidence. Just asserting something persistently doesn’t make it true.
4. Don’t conflate your opinion with what the text says.
5. Don’t be overly dramatic. Teaching is not a theatrical event.
6. Don’t overstate your case. Be modest in your claims. State the case accurately and move on.
7. Be open to criticism. Public teaching is open to critique. Don’t be surprised when people disagree and challenge you.
8. Be able to show your chain of reasoning. Why do you draw the conclusions the way you do? Prepare to back up your conclusions.
9. Be aware of counter positions and represent them accurately.
10. Be kind. We will be judged by the standard of measure we use. Treat others as you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).