9 Adult Learning Principles That Will Improve Your Preaching

Several years ago I took a 13-week intensive class on how to coach through the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. One of my teachers, Anne Denmark, professionally coaches church leaders and trains speakers. As a highly credentialed and experienced coach she shares her insights on her blog.

During one class she shared nine basic principles on adult learning. As I read them I realized that each could apply to a pastor’s sermon prep and delivery. I’ve listed them below.

NINE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNING

1. Recency — what is most recently learned is best remembered.

2. Active Learning — people learn best by “doing” through active involvement and participation. Confucius said, “I hear and I forget.I see and I remember. I do and I understand”

3. Multi-Sensory — taking information in through all five senses increases learning.

4. Primacy — what you learn first you learn best. Put the most important points first (the need to know first) and then put the least important ones last (the nice to know) last. Tell people your objectives up front.

5. Two-Way Communication — ask questions often to keep learners alert and thinking.

6. Feedback — check in to see if your listeners are understanding your material.

7. Appropriate — people learn by attaching new information to something they already know.

8. Motivate — give adults the reason the learning will benefit their life – their need to know. Make it practical enough that they will take it home and use it.

9. Exercise — apply what you have learned as soon as possible. If you do not do this within six hours, 25% will be forgotten. If not applied within 24 hours, 67% will be forgotten. If not applied within six weeks, 90% will be forgotten.

How might these adult learning principles guide your sermon prep and preaching?

Would you add a 10th?

Read more from Charles Stone »

This article originally appeared on CharlesStone.com and is reposted here by permission.

Charles Stone
Charles Stonehttp://CharlesStone.com

As a pastor for over 43 years, Charles Stone served as a lead pastor, associate pastor and church planter in churches from 50 to over 1,000. He now coaches and equips pastors and teams to effectively navigate the unique challenges ministry brings. By blending biblical principles with cutting-edge brain-based practices he helps them enhance their leadership abilities, elevate their preaching/ teaching skills and prioritize self-care. He is the author of seven books. For more information and to follow his blogs, visit CharlesStone.com.

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