“We’ve always done it that way,” a statement heard often in church circles. A statement that often follows is, “And it has worked for us in the past.” A misconception lies in the second statement. The question rises, “Has it really worked?” What are the evidences revealing the fruitfulness of recent years? Let’s take the teaching in your church.
How has the Holy Spirit manifested Himself through the teaching/learning processes in your church? What life-changing discipleship growths are evidenced from the teaching settings in your church?
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If you are using content driven curriculum without pointed application, the facts show that teaching is not changing lives. In many settings what we think we are teaching and what they are learning are two totally different things. Thom & Joni Schultz of Group Publishing demonstrate this very well in their book, “Why Nobody Learns Much of Anything at church; and How to Fix it.” (Long title, great book)
Content deals with information, facts, figures and material. Application relates to transformation. Wisdom, rather than knowledge, is a quality of application. While content relates information and material, wisdom is the understanding of to what purpose the knowledge learned can and should be used. Application bears upon maturity rather than material covered.
Application is the key
Along with knowledge, we must give our listeners wisdom to use the information to transform — change — their lives. In the process of imparting knowledge to our learners, we must strive to assist each one in acquiring the wisdom of using the knowledge procured. As we transfer material, we must advocate the advancement of their spiritual maturity which is only evidenced through application.
Look at Matthew 16:2–4. Underline each phrase or sentence that reveals content. Circle each one that points to application, (dealing with transformation, change, wisdom and maturity).
Without cherry-picking Scripture, I opened my Bible and put this to the test. There are 73 words in these verses. I marked 52 (71%) as application. Verses 2 and 3 are application driven. Verse 4 is content driven. Try this with any of Jesus’ teaching. You’ll find His teaching focus was 70% or greater toward application. Even the Sermon on the Mount. Without application, life-change will not take place.
Teaching that does not avail in transforming lives in spiritual maturity is not our calling. It will lead teachers into an information dispensing trap. Is your goal to be an information dispenser or a conduit for life transformation? We are called to teach. Didasko is the act of causing someone to learn. To learn is to gain not only knowledge, but comprehension and mastery of.
Abandon the “We’ve Always Done it that Way” syndrome and teach as Jesus taught.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by George Yates. George Yates is an organizational health strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.
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