FOCUS on People

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FOCUS on People
by Steve Somers
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FOCUS on People
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Focus on People
A common mistake we often make in ministry is one
of imbalance. Some of us tend to focus on the
program, lesson, sermon or the content of our
message, while others focus on the environment,
style or process of our presentation. While
both of these are important, neither should take
precedence over a focus on people. Are you a
Mary or a Martha? Is your focus on the task or
performance or is it on the person?
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THEORETICAL EXTREMES TO AVOID IN TEACHING
A Great Lecture with no student involvement
Great Student involvement but practically no
content
Result Students learn and retain practically
nothing of the great content presented
Result Students learn and retain a great
percentage of thepractically nothing that is
presented
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TEACHING THEORY
PRODUCT CONTENT Message
FACTS, FIGURES, CONCEPTS, INFORMATION
PROCESS CONTENT Method(s)
HOW IT IS PRESENTED OR PACKAGED
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What is a metaphor?
A metaphor compares the meaning and attributes of
one thing to the meaning and attributes of
something else.
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Some examples

• Getting him to change is like moving a boulder.
• I can read her like a book.
• She comes and goes like the wind.

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METAPHORS TEACHING THEORY
PRODUCT CONTENT Message
FACTS, FIGURES, CONCEPTS, INFORMATION
PROCESS CONTENT Method(s)
HOW IT IS PRESENTED OR PACKAGED
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METAPHORS
PRODUCT Gift, Contents
PROCESS Wrapping Paper Bow
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METAPHORS
PRODUCT Cake, Ingredients
PROCESS Order Amount of Ingredients
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METAPHORS
PRODUCT Steak
PROCESS How it is prepared
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METAPHORS
PRODUCT Godly Children
PROCESS Godly Parenting
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METAPHORS
PRODUCT Christian
PROCESS Repentance by Faith in Jesus
Christ
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DEBATE OVER PRODUCT AND PROCESS CONTENT
PRODUCT ONLY
Ministry that is CHRISTIAN but NOT EFFECTIVE
PROCESS ONLY
Ministry that is EFFECTIVE but NOT CHRISTIAN
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Jesus The Master Teacher
Jesus had both product and process content in his
teaching. His ministry was both thoroughly
Christian and completely effective. What can we
learn from the Master? Lets focus on His
process content. Lets study two stories of
Jesus ministry to see if we can begin to
understand why He was so effective. We often
focus on what Jesus said (the red letters or
product) but for a few minutes consider what he
does (the process) instead. What can we learn
from His example?
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What did Jesus do? (Process Content)
Read John 83-11 Now identify everything Jesus
(the teacher) did.

• He wrote on the ground
• He was silent
• He spoke
• He wrote in silence
• He asked a question
• He gave a challenge
• ???

The Adulterous Woman
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What did Jesus do? (Process Content)
Read Luke 822-25 Now identify everything Jesus
(the teacher) did.

• He took a field trip
• He got into a boat
• He fell asleep
• He rebuked the wind
• He calmed the waters
• He asked a question
• He created wonder
• ???

Disciples in the Storm
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Jesus The Master Teacher
If you are like me, the list of things you
observed may seem a little peculiar, especially
for a teacher. When is the last time you had a
teacher write in the sand or fall asleep during a
lesson? In both stories, Jesus did something
very important for his students. In fact, Jesus
does this every time he teaches. Think about
it for a moment what did Jesus do that
significantly touched his students?
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What did Jesus always do for his students?
He identified and met needs.
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Jesus The Master Teacher
If you havent yet, be sure to read the lecture
on Maslows Hierachy of Needs. Even though we
are looking through a Social Science lense, what
can we learn about identifying and meeting the
needs of people? Do all people have some basic
needs? What are these basic human needs? For
each need ask yourself What are the symptoms a
student might exhibit if they were facing a
particular need? How might this need be met?
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The Hierarchy of Needs - Expanded
NEEDS
SYMPTOMS
Aesthetic Knowledge To be your
best Status Belonging Security Physical
Desires Closure/Balance Curiosity,
Questioning Lacks purpose self
respect Unrecognized Abilities Critical Heart,
Jealousy Fear, Insecurity Hunger, Thirst, Pain
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Focus on People
People will not fit neatly into one of these
levels of need. A student may be seeking to
satisfy several needs at one time. What are
ways we can know (identify) the needs of people
in our ministry? What are some ways to meet
the needs of people in our ministry?