Teaching the Bible Using Different Learning Styles
from guest poster, Anne Marie.
Children come in all shapes and sizes. Each has differing abilities and talents. Each looks at the world differently. While it is important that Biblical Truth not change, how we *teach* the Truth can, and should, differ.
Many teachers of the Bible, parents and lay church workers, can become set in “how lessons have always been taught.” Or, we do not feel like we are equipped to teach the scriptures well.
Our God is great because he supplies all our needs and He commands us to teach our children. Therefore, we should never worry about what to say. The Lord will provide the words. We must always be ready for the moment though. Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us to diligently teach God’s words to our children. We are to do this when walking, sitting, in the morning, and in the evening.
“But HOW?” you ask. “Each of my kids are different. How can I teach so each understands and grows in the knowledge of the Lord?”
Study God’s teaching style. He used object lessons AND taught to different learning styles. You can do the same thing!
Visual/Spacial Learning Style:
The greatest way God used visual learning was when he created. Nature is the largest object lesson. Pick up anything in the woods, backyard, beach, desert, and mountains and God will teach you something about himself. Have your children go into the backyard and find something God created. Ask them, What can you tell me about this object? and then ask, How does this object remind you of God? You might be surprised by your conversations.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ~ Romans 1:20 (NASB)
Verbal/Linguistic Learning Style:
I find it amazing that God spoke and everything was. He is that He is. God is verbal and he desires to speak with us. Scripture memory is vital to wielding our sword of the spirit. If you aren’t already, introduce a new Bible verse to memorize each week. You can chose a topic such as ‘wisdom,’ or you could chose to memorize an entire section of scripture, such as Psalm 1.
Saying the scripture, doing copy work, or playing with words are wonderful ways to teach Truth to our children. My children and I have a index cards which I put on a ring to hold our verses and we recite them every day.
Aural/Musical Learning Style:
Music is a fantastic way to teach! There’s a song I teach that lists the 50 states in alphabetical order. I still have students 17 years later telling me they *still* remember their states! Scripture CDs are a great way to teach scripture memorization. Bible dramas on CDs are good too. For a struggling reader, you might find it easier to read a passage of scripture aloud and then have the child tell you about the story you just read. There are also audio CDs you can find that tell missionary stories. Our favorite series is The Brinkman Adventures.
Physical/Kinesthetic Learning Style:
Any time you can add moving the body into a lesson the better! Assign parts to each child and then read a Bible story aloud while the children act it out. Using hand motions to help memorize the 10 Commandments or the 12 disciples will make learning a list easier. Have your children think up hand motions to go with scripture they are attempting to memorize. You may find they have an easier time remembering the words if their is a motion to go with it.
Logical/Mathematical Learning Style:
God is a God of order, not chaos. Logic and mathematics are daunting to many, but it has such strong significance when it comes to scripture. For children who enjoy numbers, have then think about every time the number 40 is used in scripture. The numbers 12, 3, and 7 are used quite a bit as well.
Consider studying the genealogies of the scriptures and creating timelines of the births and deaths of the patriarchs. Click the link below for chart genealogy lesson:
Teaching scripture does not need to be a fearful activity for parents and lay teachers. Our God is a creative God, and if you find yourself stuck on a Bible lesson that seems boring or confusing, talk to Jesus about it. He wants to be found. He wants us to seek him. Count on him to help you be creative. You will find that the Bible will come alive for you and your children when you teach using different learning styles!
Anne Marie has a Masters Degree in Education with a focus on Christian Education. She is the author of the blog Future.Flying.Saucers. Anne Marie has a passion for biblically equipping parents and teachers so children can fly for Jesus. On Wednesday nights you will find her teaching Biblical concepts to Awana clubs at her church. All of her Awana and Bible lessons can be found on her blog.