I. Classroom Credibility.

     A. How you present yourself in the classroom is often more important than the organization of your lecture.

     B. Think back to the professor who had the greatest positive influence on you as a student. Model yourself after him or her, not a pastor or Christian speaker.

 II. Pre-class interview

     How the professor views you and introduces you will affect your credibility in the classroom. For this reason, you should meet briefly with the professor in advance.

     A. Consider your purpose: To establish rapport, make sure he will be able to introduce you, clarify your content and explain the use of comment cards.

     B. Set a time, preferably at least two or three days before the class, but definitely no later than a few hours before.

     C. Plan the content of the appointment (conducted in person or over the phone):
        1. Establish rapport (especially if you have not met him before).
        2. Give him a card with introductory information (name, educational background, years on staff, present
            position, lecture title). Make sure he will introduce you. If he is opposed to this, you might say,
           "Well, Dr. ___________, we have found that the class responds better if you tell how my topic relates  
           to what you have been studying."
        3. Clarify your content to be sure he knows basically what you will be doing. If you're not sure that he   
            realizes you will be presenting the gospel, you might say, "In speaking on a Christian perspective, we  
            often find the need to define the term 'Christian'" or "I always explain the  impact my subject matter and
            the person of Jesus Christ have had on my life and others' lives."
        4. Explain your use of comment cards. Say:
            "Usually we bring along some 3x5 cards and ask the students to evaluate the lecture. Often we find that
            some would like to know more about the spiritual issues discussed, so we ask them to leave their name
            and number if they want additional information." (Note: Don't approach this by asking him to do a
            special favor and let you use cards – this may raise doubts. Simply tell him, "It's our custom, and we
            wanted to make sure it is okay." He will tell you if he objects – few do.)
        5. Double check the time and location and arrange to meet him at a suitable time and place.

 III. Thorough Preparation.

     A. Prepare and practice.

     B. Know your speech well so that you can concentrate on meeting the needs of the students.

 IV. Dress.

     A. Remember a general rule: Dress up for respect, dress down for rapport.

     B Ask the professor what to wear.

 V. Character Traits.

     A. Be loving.

     B. Be polite. Remember, you are a guest.

    C. Be relaxed.
           1. Take a few deep breaths.
            2. Memorize Scripture such as Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:6,7,13.
            3. Pray specifically about each classroom worry (response of students, professor's introduction, your talk, answers to questions).
            4. Arrive early and meet the students.
            5. Remind yourself of positional truth.
            6. Concentrate on others, not on yourself.

 VI. Classroom Techniques.

     A. Stick to the agreed time. Possibly pencil onto your outline suggested time segments for each portion of your talk.

     B. Use the blackboard or overhead, or structured notes.

     C. Say, "The biblical perspective is" rather than "The Bible says."

     D. Say, "I am lecturing on" rather than "I am sharing."

     E. Don't use "Christianese." Use academic sounding vocabulary.

    F. Make Christianity sound historical, academic, stimulating.

    G. Check pronunciations.

     H. Be sure your voice volume suits the classroom.

     I. At the end of the class, thank the students and the professor for allowing you to speak.