Q & A with Dan Sampson

Q. How am I going to get my people to participate in a teacher training series? I can barely get them to attend anything like that!

A. Getting people to "participate" is a concern of all church leaders. It seems harder and harder to get folks to turn out–especially for training sessions.

What can we do? One thing we absolutely must do is make sure what we ask them to participate in is worth their time and effort. They have a ton of stuff on their platter! So when we ask them to attend a meeting or training session, it's got to be worth their time and effort. The takeaway, the benefit, the blessing has got to be there. So we've got to schedule meetings that really need to take place, that serve a valid purpose, the results of which will be obvious and positive. They’ve got to make a difference. Otherwise, we need to pass.

I’m afraid too often people have gone home feeling like they really didn’t get anything meaningful out of what they just attended.

What do training sessions have to provide? Inspiration, information, motivation, fresh insights, new ideas, solutions, request for participants' input and suggestions. I think too often people get the idea that they're just going to just be talked to, when maybe they need to be listened to. The training session needs to involve them, listen to them, draw them out, get their thoughts and insights—hear their experiences so others can benefit.

This is what we’ve tried to do in The Teacher I Want to Be. The study addresses a critical need churches have—training people to study the Bible and teach the Bible. Danny Akin is eminently qualified. Trust me, the inspiration, information, motivation, insights and ideas are there. The workbook, discussion/interaction involve participants in a wonderful way. The takeaway is there. The benefits are there. You won’t be wasting people’s time. You’ll see.

Now, some questions for YOU: Is there really a need to train our Bible teachers? Do they deserve the training? Does the Bible we teach deserve our highest and best effort? Is the message really worth delivering effectively? Is it worth trying to get it into people’s lives? Can we do a better job training our people to study and teach the Bible?

The answer is YES, YES, YES, YES, YES and YES. Don’t give up on training.

Q: What's going to make the new teacher training resource with Danny Akin special so that our Bible teachers can really benefit from it?

A. First of all, the videotaping couldn't have gone better. I believe the audience would have stayed all day! Danny is an outstanding communicator and so at home with the material, people feel like they've known him forever.

Here's a special feature: The curriculum is made up of two modules that current and prospective teachers will want to complete. Module 1 (sessions 1, 2 and 3) deal with "how to study the Bible," while module 2 (sessions 4, 5 and 6) deal with "how to teach the Bible."

People who want to know how to study the Bible--but don't plan to teach-- can work through module 1--how to study the Bible. Naturally, your current and future teachers will work through both modules.

We're now adding a third module that will consist of ten 8-minute micromessages in which Danny will deal with practical issues teachers face on a week-to-week basis. It will be ideal for ongoing training. In addition to teaching tips and methods, he'll give fresh insights on what's happening in the "community" around us. A printed discussion outline will be included.

The workbook will be a "workbook" in the true sense of the word. Participants will actually work it during the sessions, and therefore, will retain more of what they experience.

The subtitle of the series says it all: Learning and Sharing the Word of God. If there ever were a time when our people need to know how to study and teach the Bible, it is NOW! The Teacher I Want to Be is going to be a blessing!

Q: Why don't your series feature lots of offsite cut-a-ways, interviews, short drama clips, that kind of thing?

A: Good question. First of all, we've done a good bit of it over the years. In fact, our newest series Have a New Family by Friday with Dr. Kevin Leman includes some offsite clips. They're fun and you'll like them. But we have to be very careful doing this because it's typically expensive, sometimes requiring professional actors, complicated lighting gear, crew, you name it. But the main reason we haven't done more of it is that video clips can take precious time away from the teacher/instructor. And since we normally have only 25 or so minutes for a session, any time we designate for an interview, etc., is time the speaker won't have. After 23+ years, I can assure you that the talent's biggest challenge is condensing 60 to 90 minutes of material into one 25 to 30-minute video presentation. Our belief is that If the talent has something inspiring and compelling to say, he or she deserves the time to say it.

As I've said before, what we try to do is bring you a world-class speaker in a workshop setting just like you'd have at your church, but for a ton less money than it would cost to bring the speaker in, in person. Think about it: When the speaker leaves, he takes everything he knows with him. When you purchase one of our studies, you've got the "best of the speaker," you own it forever and can use it whenever–for a very reasonable price. Long answer, but the question deserves it.

Q: What's so great about having the actual leader kit and the FREE streaming feature? Why have both?

A: We will always offer the actual leader kit that comes with individual DVD and CD kits, participant book, leader guide, etc. There's nothing like owning the actual kit and having it in your hands to use anywhere and anytime you wish.

But in addition to the actual leader kit, you NOW automatically get a permanent--unlimited STREAMING user license FREE of charge with most leader kit purchases. Streaming is ideal when individuals and groups want to view various series at home, office, even at the church in different locations--at any time they wish--for as long as they wish. It's like taking a college course at home. You log in and view the program anywhere you have an Internet connection. Just remember, however, to stream a series you must have an Internet connection.

If you're planning to stream a series on a retreat out in the boondocks and find there's no Internet service, you're out of luck. But if it's a Sampson series, you've got the actual leader kit with the DVDs/CDs and all. So no worries!

Some companies offer one or the other. We feel it's important for you to have both–at the price of the leader kit only.
NOTE: Right now, you can get two leader kits for the price of one.

Q: Do you have any new series coming out soon?

A: Yes, here's a glimpse of what's coming.

#1–We're producing a new series with DR. KEVIN LEMAN entitled HAVE A NEW FAMILY BY FRIDAY that will be ready in early 2013. It will consist of all new material dealing with how everyone in the family contributes to a healthy home environment. He talks marriage, parenting, single parenting, discipline, raising teenagers, grandparenting and much more. Plus, he does a bonus session on "birth order." It's been nearly five years since we did HAVE A NEW KID BY FRIDAY, so it's time to hear from Dr. Leman again. (available in early 2013)

#2–Coming in late spring will be new teacher-training curriculum by DR. DANNY AKIN entitled THE TEACHER I WANT TO BE. He says, "Out of all the courses I teach and have taught, this is my favorite. Seeing the light turn on in people's eyes--seeing them get excited about teaching the Word of God--new people step forward for training--it just doesn't get any better than that." Our belief here at Sampson is that churches desperately need a resource like this. Pastors and educators are telling us that they have no resource whatsoever to use in training their teachers. They're going to love Danny Akin! (available in late spring, 2013)

#3–Another Sunday school/life group/Bible fellowship--or whatever you call it--resource that's in the works is FORWARD TO THE BASICS with ALLAN TAYLOR. Unlike SUNDAY SCHOOL DONE RIGHT! that we did with Allan four years ago (in 4,000+ churches now), this new series will be hands-on and practical in nature, full of ideas and suggestions for getting Bible study programs going and growing again. When you think about it, getting "back to the basics" is usually a step "forward." FORWARD TO THE BASICS will be available in plenty of time for use in the fall of 2013. (available in late summer, 2013)

On another subject: We've never heard of audience attendance reports like we've heard from GARY FRAZIER'S IT COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW! Just proves that people are interested in Bible prophecy, and they're being equipped and blessed by Gary Frazier. He teaches it all over the world. If you want to offer a study that will get people involved, consider IT COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW.

Other series are on the drawing board. If you have suggestions or program ideas, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at dan.sampson@yahoo.com.

Blessings.

Q: Why do you believe so strongly in the value of video-based teaching and training?

A: The answer really goes back to why I started the company in the first place in May of 1989. I realized that most churches would never be able to experience the in-person ministry of some of the world’s most outstanding speakers, authors and teachers. Demand was high, schedules were limited, costs were great, logistics were complicated.

I thought, “Why not take these personalities to local churches the next best way possible? On video—with a live audience just like a workshop setting at church—with participant books—discussion and interaction—led by a facilitator. As we moved forward, churches seemed to appreciate it, as did the speakers and churches. It just made sense.

Think about it: For a fraction of the cost of bringing in a guest speaker, the church could purchase the video leader kit, own it for forever, use it whenever, with groups of all sizes, at the church, in homes, offices, as often as they wish. Plus, participants would have their own workbook that contained the speaker’s actual content—and own that forever!

Consider the fact that Danny Akin can teach only around twenty marriage workshops a year. But in just five months, nearly 1,000 churches have purchased his Biblical Marriage video series that we produced. Churches have Danny on big screen video teaching his material the next best way to having him there in person. And they can use it with groups, as a counseling resource, library checkout, Sunday morning curriculum, whatever.

How long would it take Kevin Leman to deliver 30,000+ six-session seminars in all 50 states? Several lifetimes. But that’s how many of his leader kits we’ve sold. What a terrific way to multiply someone’s ministry. And what a terrific way for a church or group to own “the best” of Kevin Leman for a tiny fraction of what it would cost to bring him to the church in person!

The goal is to get the ministry out there as quickly, effectively and at as low a price as possible—to as many churches and groups as possible! And let me add: If churches seriously need and want one of our studies, yet honestly have no money at all to work with, we’ll find a way to get it to them.

Yes, I believe in value of video teaching and training. It works.  

Best blessings! 

Dan Sampson