Are you a bridge builder? Communicating the Scriptures is much like building a bridge. However, instead of ravines or rivers, the teacher must span both cultural boundaries and great gulfs of time between the present and the past of Moses, David, Jesus, and Paul. This bridge must reach even further. The student must be able to cross both into the past and into his own future.
God's Word is "living and active, sharper than any doubleedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). It is contemporary. Relevant. But it is the teacher who has the task of helping the student to see its vast treasures. This is no easy task, but it can be done through creative Bible teaching. Together, Richards and Bredfeldt have written a book on bridgebuilding that reveals the following fivestep process by which Christian educators can construct a bridge across time, geography, and culture.

Step I: Studying the Bible
Develop an understanding of the nature, role, study, and interpretation of the Bible. Get the help you need in preparing biblically accurate lesson plans.

Step II: Focusing the Message
Learn how to teach for student learning. Be guided in the process of translating learning theory into lesson preparation.

Step III: Structuring the Lesson
Develop a lesson plan using the HOOK, BOOK, LOOK, TOOK structure.

Step IV: Teaching the Class
Learn about the five key principles of teacher effectiveness. Discover how these principles can lead to a more dynamic and satisfying teaching experience within various age groups.

Step V: Evaluating the Results
Evaluate your own effectiveness by assessing the outcome of your teaching."