How to Teach Religion Principles and Methods   By: George Herbert Betts (1868-1934)

HOW TO TEACH RELIGION

Principles and Methods

by

GEORGE HERBERT BETTS

THE ABINGDON PRESS NEW YORK CINCINNATI

1926

DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO HAVE IN THEIR KEEPING THE RELIGIOUS DESTINY OF AMERICA THE TWO MILLION TEACHERS IN OUR CHURCH SCHOOLS.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE TEACHER HIMSELF 13

Importance of the teacher Three types of teachers The personal factor in teaching religion Developing the power of personality The cultivatable factors in personality A scale for determining personality The teacher's mastery of subject matter Methods of growth Fields of mastery demanded Service and rewards Problems and questions.

II. THE GREAT OBJECTIVE 30

Two great objectives in teaching Making sure of the greater objective Teaching children versus teaching subject matter Subject matter as a means instead of an end Success in instruction to be measured in terms of modified life, not of material covered The goal of a constantly developing Christian character and experience Problems for discussion.

III. THE FOURFOLD FOUNDATION 42

What the fourfold foundation consists of: (1) right aims , (2) right materials to reach these aims, (3) right organization of this material for instruction, (4) right presentation in instruction The aim of teaching religion is (1) fruitful knowledge, (2) right religious attitudes and growing consciousness of God, (3) power and will to live righteously Selecting subject matter to meet these ends Principles of organization of material The problem of effective presentation Questions for discussion.

IV. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF MOST WORTH 58

Not all religious knowledge of equal value What determines value of knowledge Kind of knowledge needed by child Developing the child's idea of God Harm from wrong concepts of God Giving the child the right concept of religion The qualities by which religion should be defined to the child The child's knowledge of the Bible; of the church; of religious forms of expression Problems and questions.

V. RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES TO BE CULTIVATED 76

The meaning of religious attitudes These attitudes lie at the basis of both motives and character Importance of the pupil's attitudes toward the church school and class Enjoyment of the lesson hour and the growth of loyalty The sense of mastery necessary to mental and spiritual growth The grounding of a continuous interest in the Bible and religion Growth in spiritual warmth and responsiveness The cultivation of ideals The training of fine appreciations Worthy loyalties and devotions Clearness of God consciousness Questions and problems.

VI. CONNECTING RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION WITH LIFE AND CONDUCT 91

Religious instruction must carry across to life and conduct Hence necessity of finding practical outlet in expression for feelings, ideals, emotions and attitudes resulting from instruction The setting up of certain religious habits Expression in connection with the life of the church Expression in the home life Expression in the community and public school life Expression in worship and the devotional life Problems for discussion.

VII. THE SUBJECT MATTER OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 109