What is pedagogy?

Answer

Pedagogy is the discipline of study related to the field of education and teaching methods. The word is derived from the Greek paidagogia—”to lead a child”—which was, in turn, taken from paidagogos or “teacher of boys.” In the Greco/Roman culture, a paidagogos was a slave responsible for the education of boys. Paidagogos is mentioned three times in the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 4:15 and Galatians 3:24 and 25; in those verses, the word is translated as “tutor” (NASB), “guardian” (NIV), or “schoolmaster” (KJV). The Law was our paidagogos to lead us to Christ «Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. », (Galatians 3:24).

There are myriad theories as to the most effective method of pedagogy, and new methods are being developed every year. The Bible does not dictate a formal teaching method, but through direct instruction and inference, we can discover what God deems important about teaching.

First of all, learning is the responsibility of several different parties. In Exodus 18:17–23 and 2 Chronicles 17:7, the nation’s leader and his representatives set up the education system. But learning is also the responsibility of the student «For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. », (Ezra 7:10), and parents «My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: », (Proverbs 1:8) and God (Psalm 25:4-5) see that teaching is done.

The Bible illustrates several different teaching practices.

Using tools employed in pedagogy, such as music «Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. », (Deuteronomy 31:19), parables «And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, », (Mark 4:2), and information saturation «And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. », (Deuteronomy 11:19). Good teachers recognize who needs the basics and who can delve deeper into the material (Hebrews 5:12-13). And, following Jesus’ example, teachers can understand how to adjust their information and delivery based on whether they are addressing a large crowd (Matthew 5), a formal educational setting (Matthew 21:23-27), or a small group (Matthew 13:10-17).

Jesus was the ultimate teacher, a master of pedagogy. Our Lord utilized illustrations (Luke 7:31-32), object lessons «And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: », (Matthew 6:28), current events (Luke 13:4-5), and stories (Matthew 13). He employed lecture and discourse (Matthew 24), engag

Jesus engaged His students in dialogue (John 3), asked rhetorical questions, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8), dispensed proverbs, “Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.” (Luke 7:45), and turned questions around to force His hearers to formulate an answer, “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18). He preached and taught; He modeled and corrected. He gave “homework” and followed up on it (Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7). He appealed to the text of Scripture, “And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?” (Mark 12:26) and to the emotions, conscience, and intellect of man (Matthew 11:18; John 8:7; Mark 12:37). He was unafraid to use hyperbole, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:29), metaphor, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5), and provocat.The language «And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. », (Luke 13:32). Always, Jesus had the best interests of His hearers at heart; always, the subject of His teaching was the absolute truth of God.

Good teaching illustrates how the past applies to the present «Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old. », (Matthew 13:52) and is able to whittle down concepts to their main idea (Matthew 22:34-40). Proper lessons do not burden students with unnecessary requirements that aren’t relevant (Matthew 23:13-29). Good lessons also don’t include false information «Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. », (Hebrews 13:9) but teach the student how to verify the information «Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. », (Matthew 12:33). They also focus on what is true as opposed to what the audience wants to hear «For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; », (2 Timothy 4:3). When necessary, teaching includes rebuking the student “Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”, (Proverbs 1:23), but the good teacher always takes an interest in the personal needs of the students “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”, (Matthew 4:23).

The Bible has quite a bit to say about teachers themselves. Pedagogues should be experts in their field “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”, (Mark 1:22) but willing to be corrected if it means ensuring they’re teaching the right thing (Acts 26:24-28). They shouldn’t lord their position over others “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces.”, (Mark 12:38), although they do have authority over their students “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.”, (Luke 6:40). Good teachers are kind and gentle, not resentful or argumentative (2 Timothy 2:23-25) and are ready to teach anyone who is willing to learn (Luke 2:46-47). Good teachers impart wisdom (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:16), practice what they preach (Romans 2:21; Titus 2:6-7), and are not afraid to teach the truth, even when it is difficult to accept “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can hear it?'”, (John 6:60). The finest teachers instruct others on how to pass on the truths they have learned, ensuring the continuity of pedagogy (Titus 2:3-5).

Pedagogy is crucial because teaching is a significant vocation that carries immense responsibility and accountability “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”, (James 3:1). Teaching is a spiritual gift “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”, (1 Corinthians 12:28) and is a requirement for a Christian leader “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;”, (1 Timothy 3:2). Christian educators base their teachings on Scripture “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;”, (2 Timothy 3:16) because they recognize the difference between human teachings and God’s truth «which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? », (Colossians 2:22). Because of their position and responsibility, good teachers in the church are worthy of double honor «Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. », (1 Timothy 5:17).

What the Bible says about pedagogy is related to the integrity of the information and the teachers, not a complicated system to define the most effective teaching practices into a formal standard. Pedagogical theories aren’t necessarily wrong, and they may give teachers helpful information on reaching people who have different learning styles. The Bible’s guidance is simpler: know your material, care about your students, be creative, and live with kindness and integrity. The rest is just tools.