Learning is validated and manifested through expressed experience. Parents and early childhood educators realize children are learning when they begin to name colors and point them out correctly. In school, teachers recognize learning is taking place as children begin to form letters into words and words into sentences, and when they begin to accurately complete simple mathematical equations. Throughout life this pattern continues as we learn to tell time, count out change, drive, develop relationships, discern, and work through situations and circumstances we are faced with.
As teachers and Christian leaders we need to take this observable reality into consideration as we prepare and present each lesson. Findley Edge in Teaching For Results says, “Christianity is basically an experience – an encounter with Christ that must express itself in experience. You do not truly learn a Christian ideal until you have both experienced it and expressed it in experience.”
This is another reason why it is important for teachers to know their learners, know who is sitting in front of you on Sunday morning (or whenever you teach). Knowing who they are by name is not enough. A teacher should strive to know about each person in his/her Bible study. What are their interests? Know about their family, work or school. How does she approach learning? Which learning styles really invigorate his approach to learning?
This may seem daunting or even overwhelming at first thought, to try to know all this about each person in your class. But trust me, with trust in the Holy Spirit and a little practice this will become a natural part of your teaching and it will produce life-change in your learners.
By simple observation and listening you will be able to learn much about your learners while you are with them in class. These are your two keys to knowing your learners. Observe and listen before, during, and after class. Who do they talk to? What do they talk about? How quick are they to leave? Do they arrive early, on time, or late? Do they sit with and talk to the same person(s) each week? People talk about what they are passionate about. Especially when they get together with friends.
I encourage teachers to also attempt at least one personal visit with each learner every year. This visit could be in his/her home or out for a meal or coffee, or soft drink. There is something about food and drink that breaks down communication barriers. This is another reason I encourage light refreshments in the Bible study classroom. It breaks down the communication barriers and people are more likely to open up and talk if he/she has a doughnut and cup of coffee or orange juice in hand. I also believe one important position or area of responsibility on the Sunday School classroom is the “Keeper of the Doughnut list” – Who’s bringing doughnuts next week? Spend some time with your learners one on one or with couples if you teach married couples.
The point is, if you want your learners to truly experience life-changing learning, you need to get to know them. Then plan and prepare your lesson so they can carry the learning experience into their world and express the learning in experience. The evidence of learning is not that they tell you it was a good lesson as they walk out of the classroom. Evidence of learning comes from actual application of the principles of the learning experience in real life situations – Monday through Sunday. This is teaching that changes lives. This is Teaching That Bears Fruit.