Five Ways to Help Adults Grow Spiritually

Written by Richard E. Dodge

Teaching children to drive is an experience many of us have endured - and I use endured intentionally - but have no desire to repeat. One thought I tried to instill in my boys’ minds was the necessity of being in control when they drive. They are responsible for whatever happens when they drive. Losing control even for a moment could have deadly consequences.

Learners must discover that they are responsible for taking control of their learning. When learners take responsibility for their own learning, the leader becomes more of a guide than an instructor. How can we get learners to take control of their learning?

Encourage learners to set learning goals. Guide learners to set personal goals that include such basics as prayer, time for preparation or completion of the lesson and ways to apply the lesson each week.

Teach learners to assess their learning. Encourage learners to identify one way they can apply each lesson during the week after the study session.

Lead learners to lead. Identify strengths in members and equip them to use their talents and gifts in class. Then enlist individuals for specific activities based on these strengths.

Encourage journals. Help people discover that keeping a personal worship journal is one way to track what God is doing in someone’s life. Encourage them to review their thoughts over a period of time to see how God has worked in their lives.

Provide feedback and personal help. Call, write or email learners to see what questions they have, what problems they have experienced or just to see how life is treating them. Personal contact says that you care about learners' spiritual growth. Asking questions encourages adults to take responsibility for personal spiritual growth.

When Jesus made clear the responsibility each person has to place his or her faith in Him, He established clearly our individual responsibility before God. Accountability always accompanies responsibility. Growing in our faith is part of that individual responsibility we have. If learners fail to take responsibility for their personal growth, will we as leaders be held accountable for their failure? I think this is clearly established in James 3:1 with this admonishment about teaching.

Without spiritual growth, no real teaching is taking place. Spiritual growth can be identified in part when learners take responsibility for their own walk with God.

Adults often want to control how and what they learn. Discover how to empower adults to become independent learners while building study experiences that meet the need adults have for spiritual growth through  Teaching Adults: A Guide for Transformational Teaching.

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