Analysis of Learning Theory
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE
ANALYSIS OF LEARNING THEORY
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE FOR THE DEGREE OF THE MASTER OF DIVINITY
DSMN 601 MINISTRY OF TEACHING
DR. WILHITE
BY
TODD RIORDAN
LYNCHBURG, VA
JANUARY 20, 2013
Teaching and education in the church utilizes both the spiritual, as well as the psychological. Andy Stanley and Lane Jones in their book Communicating For A Change discuss teaching the Bible in a clear and concise way that encourages one to change. William Yount in his book Created to Learn examines traditional learning theory and how it applies to teaching the Bible.
Andy Stanley has come up with three ways one can approach teaching the Bible. The first way is to teach the Bible to people. This method is just to educate the people about Bible facts. It does not address doctrine or to dig deeper into biblical truth. Stanley states, “This is the perfect approach for the communicator whose goal is to simply explain what the Bible teaches.” This is not a very helpful teaching method. Just knowing Bible knowledge will not impact one’s life. Change requires application. The second way to approach teaching Scripture is to teach people the Bible. This is the traditional way pastors and teachers approach the Scriptures. It is three points and a poem. Stanley states, “This goal differs from the first in that the communicator takes his audience into account as he plans his approach.” The third method of teaching is the method the authors present, which is hearing and doing. Stanley states, “A third goal, and the one I subscribe to, is to teach people how to live a life that reflects the values, principles and truths of the Bible. In short, my goal is change. I want them to do something different instead of just think about it.” This is best summed up when James states to be a doer of the Word not just a hearer, in the first chapter, talks about being a hearer and a doer of the Word. Appling the Word is the
ANALYSIS OF LEARNING THEORY
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE FOR THE DEGREE OF THE MASTER OF DIVINITY
DSMN 601 MINISTRY OF TEACHING
DR. WILHITE
BY
TODD RIORDAN
LYNCHBURG, VA
JANUARY 20, 2013
Teaching and education in the church utilizes both the spiritual, as well as the psychological. Andy Stanley and Lane Jones in their book Communicating For A Change discuss teaching the Bible in a clear and concise way that encourages one to change. William Yount in his book Created to Learn examines traditional learning theory and how it applies to teaching the Bible.
Andy Stanley has come up with three ways one can approach teaching the Bible. The first way is to teach the Bible to people. This method is just to educate the people about Bible facts. It does not address doctrine or to dig deeper into biblical truth. Stanley states, “This is the perfect approach for the communicator whose goal is to simply explain what the Bible teaches.” This is not a very helpful teaching method. Just knowing Bible knowledge will not impact one’s life. Change requires application. The second way to approach teaching Scripture is to teach people the Bible. This is the traditional way pastors and teachers approach the Scriptures. It is three points and a poem. Stanley states, “This goal differs from the first in that the communicator takes his audience into account as he plans his approach.” The third method of teaching is the method the authors present, which is hearing and doing. Stanley states, “A third goal, and the one I subscribe to, is to teach people how to live a life that reflects the values, principles and truths of the Bible. In short, my goal is change. I want them to do something different instead of just think about it.” This is best summed up when James states to be a doer of the Word not just a hearer, in the first chapter, talks about being a hearer and a doer of the Word. Appling the Word is the
Bibliography: Stanley, Andy and Lane Jones. Communicating For A Change. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2006. Yount, William R. Created to Learn: A Christian Teacher’s Introduction to Educational Psychology. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010. [ 3 ]. William R. Yount, Created to Learn: A Christian Teacher’s Introduction to Educational Psychology, (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010), 178.