Will people learn more from a teacher giving four, thirty-minute lectures on being a Christ-like servant or from being asked one time to prepare a meal for a family in need? Which one will produce genuine evidence of learning? Doing always outweighs hearing. Involving people in engagement produces evidences of learning. Many times, as in this case, the involvement is the evidence of learning. Why? Because the involvement moved people from listener to learner through engagement.

Moving people from involvement to engagement should be our objective as teachers, leaders, and fellow Christians. A great quote to remember says, “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn/understand.”

The learning retention reveals this sentiment. The learning retention scale reveals that;

• We remember less than 10% of what we hear.
• We can remember up to 30% of what we see.
• We can remember up to 50% of what we both see and hear.
• We will remember 90% of what we are involved and engaged in.

The Learning retention scale reveals the importance of involvement/engagement. The more we engage a person, the more he/she will grow in understanding. As disciple-makers, how important is it to engage people in the learning process? There is no greater method to produce evidences of learning.

When we are called upon to take a participatory role in the learning experience, our retention increases dramatically as revealed in the Learning retention scale. As teachers, leaders, and Christian disciples, we are not called to be knowledge dispensers. We are called to become creators of learning experiences.

True evidence of learning is the outward manifestation of learned principles and truths from scripture. Our core values and beliefs are made known through our actions and are modified as we grow in Christ through our actions.

Watch for evidences of learning in your class members. How are the truths taught in class being manifested in the lives of attendees? Ask for testimonials. When you see or hear of an evidence of learning, confer recognition for it. Use discretion about making them known publicly as some are done anonymously.  Beware of false evidences as rote memorization, attendance and other misguided barometers used today.

Observe, watch for, and recognize true evidences of learning. Evidences of learning come through actions revealing spiritual growth. This is Teaching That Bears Fruit!

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.