When you teach a Sunday School class or Bible study group, it is important to get to know group members. You will want to discover what they like along with their passions, personalities, learning style preferences, and openness to public speaking. There are many ways to discover this information about group members: observation; conversation; surveys; group events (fellowships, projects, and meals); responding to needs/crises; and doing life together (trips, ball games, etc.).
Knowing group members better will improve your understanding of your group as well as your preparation, teaching, and planning for group events. In this post, I want to share a tool that will help you discover the learning style preferences of your group members. This is the Learning Style Preferences inventory from the appendix of my book, Disciple-Making Encounter: Revolutionary Sunday School.
Learning Style Preferences Inventory
Check 8-10 phrases that best describe the way you prefer learning. Total your checkmarks.
| Verbal ____ Enjoy listening to stories ____ Talk a lot ____ Enjoy discussions ____ Like listening to debates ____ Enjoy word games ____ Like writing and reading ____ Enjoy listening to music Total Checked _____ | Visual ____ Enjoy viewing artwork ____ Like watching TV & videos ____ Can read maps well ____ Like taking pictures ____ Enjoy drawing ____ Easily distracted by movement ____ Like to see demonstrations Total Checked _____ |
| Active ____ Enjoy drama and acting ____ Like to walk and hike ____ Want to touch/feel things ____ Enjoy physical activities ____ Good at sports/athletics ____ Good hand-eye coordination ____ Cannot sit still for very long Total Checked _____ | Rational ____ Like to solve puzzles ____ Enjoy numbers and math ____ Good at problem solving ____ Prefer to work from a list ____ Like to go by the rules ____ Can calculate in your head ____ Asks a lot of questions Total Checked _____ |
Instructions
Print the inventory and share it with group members. Ask group members to write their name on it and then follow the directions in italics. Collect their inventories, and notice how many of the learning styles are represented in your group. Using teaching methods which address the learning style preferences of group members tends to increase…
- interest in,
- conversation during,
- understanding of,
- retention of,
- application of, and
- obedience from
…the learning experience. Not only that, but addressing their learning style preferences raises the likelihood of satisfaction in the group experience. As a result, they are more likely to talk about the experience with others and invite people to join them.
Challenge
So the challenge is for you to get to know group members, including their learning style preferences. When will you give them the inventory/survey? (Don’t call it a test!) Keep in mind that most curriculums offer a variety of teaching methods. Be willing to make adjustments in your lessons in order to address their learning styles. The rewards are worth the effort. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
Photo by Nathalia Segato on Unsplash
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