Tips and tricks for handling difficult questions in SRE

All SRE teachers will experience difficult questions, so it’s important to know how to answer respectfully and appropriately.

Do any of these questions sound familiar to you:

“Did Adam and Eve’s children marry each other?”

“I understand God made the world, but who made God?”

“How is God also Jesus, and what’s the Holy Spirit?”

These are a small sampling of some of the tricky questions I’ve faced as an SRE teacher. And while these are hard, they’re not as gut-wrenching as questions that reveal the pain beneath. Like:

“My Granddad died on the weekend. He never went to church. Will he be in heaven?

“My parents have split up - why did God let that happen?”

Or, perhaps in your classroom soon: “Why did God allow COVID-19 to happen?”

All teachers will experience difficult questions at one point or another in SRE, so don’t panic if you get your first ‘curly’ question this week! Below are some techniques that have helped me when facing classroom questions, I hope they will help you, too. They’re questions you can ask yourself in the heat of the moment to help you decide what the best approach will to be ensure you treat each question respectfully and appropriately.

Is this a question the whole class will be interested in?

Sometimes, one keen student will be really interested in their question but one by one, the other students start tuning out. If you suspect this might be the case, don’t answer the question then and there in front of the whole group but find another opportunity in that lesson to give an answer to the student who is interested.  You could say: “That’s a great question, but it isn’t what we’re talking about this week. Can I chat with you about it in bookwork time?”

Is this a question that will be answered in an upcoming lesson?

Sometimes students pre-empt where the unit is going. If that’s the case, don’t answer the question in the lesson that week if you know the answer is coming up later in the term. You could say: “That’s a great question, but we’re going to answer that in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.”

Is this a question that might de-rail the whole lesson?

This is particularly important for questions that aren’t linked to the content of the lesson and would take a large amount of class time to explain. You could say: “I really love your question, can you please write it down and we’ll make time next week” or ask them to submit it to the question box.

Is this a question that requires further research?

It can sometimes be hard to formulate a helpful response without thinking it through thoroughly. If that is the case, feel free to take the time to make sure you are giving the best information on a complex topic. You could say: “That’s a fantastic question and one that’s so big I have to go away and read my Bible some more and pray before I answer. Can I get back to you?”

Is this question not appropriate for an SRE teacher to answer?

As per the Youthworks Sensitivity Framework, there are some areas that are ‘no go zones’. Make sure you are aware of these and if you have any questions email your local SRE coordinator or Youthworks SRE Advisor. You could say: “There are some questions that are not appropriate for me to answer as your SRE teacher. You can ask your parents or the minister at your local church.”

Why are these tactics so important?

1.       You will prioritise lesson content.

One of the great blessings of my role as a High School SRE advisor is that I get to visit classrooms all over Sydney and catch glimpses into how God is at work in so many different school contexts. Another blessing is that I can see patterns that lots of teachers fall into. I’ve seen so many teachers leave aside well-planned lessons to address student questions that are off-topic or take the class down the proverbial rabbit-hole.

If a student asks a question that is either off-topic or will take your lesson away from your central teaching aim, don’t answer it then and there. In this way, your lesson is taught while student questions are addressed and encouraged, at the proper time.

2.       You will manage student interest

This is another one I’ve noticed in my class observations, a student asks a question and the teacher gives a lengthy answer while unaware that every other student has tuned out. These tactics help you direct students’ focus and attention on the pre-prepared lesson, rather than on whatever is on their mind that day.

3.       You will reflect your position as a guest educator in the school community

As SRE teachers, we are guest educators in schools. Although we are in a classroom, we are not Department teachers. Similarly, although we are teaching the Bible, we are not at church. It’s a really tricky line to walk. Our SRE curriculum has been written and approved to ensure we teach God’s word with care. Using these strategies to answer questions will also help you carefully negotiate your position in the school community.

4.       You will model love to your students.

Treating student questions with care will show them how much you value their journey in learning more about God and his word!