Sharing the Faith
written by: Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ”
Human beings are very complex, with enormous differences in learning and motivational styles. Learning and affirming the faith requires finding your learning style and integrating it into your faith life as well. Here are a few learning styles that have direct implications for how you learn and embrace your faith. AUDITORY learners have traditionally done well at church. Auditory learners are good at remembering details from lectures, including sermons. Yet these two styles of learning do not encapsulate the learning options.
VISUAL learners are sparked by symbols and pictures. Bulletin covers, visual descriptions, and use of the screen is beneficial. LOGICAL learners require logic, analysis, and reasoned arguments to inspire their thought process. Still others learn primarily through the process of READING AND WRITING. These learners appreciate books, articles, and handouts that spark their interest. This group often likes to go back and re-read and further enhance their knowledge. KINESTHETIC learners require a hands-on process. The INTERPERSONAL style requires interacting with others to learn. This group tends to think out loud.
All these learning styles are appropriate, because the result is the same, enhanced knowledge, and hopefully gathered wisdom. Yet, different styles of learning produce challenges for any one institution to provide insight in all these ways. Throughout my ministry I have intentionally tried to preach and teach using diverse learning styles. Preaching in a traditional worship style is more challenging, but I can attempt to provide academic word studies and historical import on the Biblical text to speak to the needs of the LOGICAL and AUDITORY learners. For the READING AND WRITING learners I try to offer book and article recommendations in my sermons, devotions, and teaching. For this group, citing my sources is valuable. While these three groups are reasonably fed by traditional mainline Protestant worship, in a sanctuary and manner like ours, other learning styles tend to struggle.
Megachurches have blossomed in the last several decades by speaking to the masses of KINESTHETIC and AUDITORY learners. Screens, small groups, with opportunities for movement, clapping, hand raising, and other forms of physical and visual stimulation creates new opportunities to experience in meaningful ways. Now, add learning challenges like ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc., and learning becomes even more challenging.
When you seek to share the faith with your children, grandchildren, friends, or even nurturing faith within your own heart and mind, remain open and supportive of the different ways learning is integrated into the individual mind. If we expect worship, sermons, classes, and other church experiences to narrowly fit our needs every time, few will benefit. Instead, recognize different ways the faith can be learned and integrated into life. Challenge yourself to embrace the learning styles that are not naturally comfortable to you, and perhaps your faith my expand in ever new and meaningful ways.
