Depending on the season, I sometimes have what I call "regular students." These are contacts with whom I study the Bible either in English or in Italian. I have had students from Italy, Albania, Perù, Ethiopia, the Philippines and Cuba. Typically, each student meets for a lesson once a week for about an hour. The material studied varies from student to student, depending on English level, knowledge of the Bible, and personal interests. I have taught everything from the simplest introduction to the Bible in English to an in-depth look at the Gospels in Italian. My students are much more than just students to me; they are my friends. One of the first things I try to do when I start studying with someone is to break down the teacher-student barrier. I want my students to respect me not as a teacher, but as a friend that is genuinely interested in their lives. This hopefully leads to a trust that allows them to be more open to religious matters. Spending time with students outside of lessons and inviting them into my home also help to build this trust.

Depending on the season, I sometimes have what I call "regular students." These are contacts with whom I study the Bible either in English or in Italian. I have had students from Italy, Albania, Perù, Ethiopia, the Philippines and Cuba. Typically, each student meets for a lesson once a week for about an hour.
The material studied varies from student to student, depending on English level, knowledge of the Bible, and personal interests. I have taught everything from the simplest introduction to the Bible in English to an in-depth look at the Gospels in Italian.
My students are much more than just students to me; they are my friends. One of the first things I try to do when I start studying with someone is to break down the teacher-student barrier. I want my students to respect me not as a teacher, but as a friend that is genuinely interested in their lives. This hopefully leads to a trust that allows them to be more open to religious matters. Spending time with students outside of lessons and inviting them into my home also help to build this trust.
Apart from "regular students," I have other contacts. Some of them study the Bible with someone else and some are not yet ready to study but are in some way attracted to Christianity and enjoy our friendship.
It would be nice if everyone we met was immediately interested in studying the Bible, but unfortunately it doesn't always work this way. Therefore, quite a bit of time is also spent building relationships with people who occasionally come to church or to our other activities. They are still unsure about everything, but by continuing to build a friendship, they too, begin to trust and feel comfortable with who we are as Christians and as people.