Thanks Peter, that’s helpful, however I’m looking for something (I have a suspicion it may lie in an ancient rather than modern technique) which focuses less on learning styles and places instead the onus on the teacher to move the student from the relatively passive role of a hearer to that of an active doer … a practitioner.  This seems to lie at the heart of Jesus’ teaching model.  Wrapping my brain around a reproducible model, easily articulated is the knot I’m trying to untie.

From Tom Bandy

Larry:

 

The "pilgrim model" is a kind of hybrid that combined the ancient university "master/fellow" model and the ancient monastic "mentor/order" model. This is what I talk about in Mission Mover. The real difference among learning models is not about learning style, but rather it is about anticipated destination. In other words, the model is not chosen to suit the "style" of the learner but the chosen destination that the learner wishes to reach.

 

If the destination of the learner is to define his or her place in the universe of truth, beauty, and goodness, then the learning style will necessarily be more "thinker-feeler", and the learner seeks a master who can critique and idea or guide a brush-stroke.

 

If the destination of the learner is to merge with Christ-beyond-time (salvation), then the learning style will necessarilybe more "watcher-doer", and the learner seeks a mentor who can hold one accountable to a timeless routine.

 

But if the destination of the learner is to walk with Jesus in mission, then the learning style will necessarily be more "Thinker-Doer", and the learner seeks a pilgrim guide who can dialogue along the way.

 

This last "pilgrim guide" must be someone who has been there and done that, who can speak from their own life struggle and spiritual victory, and who has an intuitive sense of "God's timing" to intervene at the right moment of crisis when the learning potential is optimum. I think this comes closest to what many today call "coaching" ... but it is not easily taught because it is not simply a skill.

 

 

Larry, it sounds to me like you're talking about apprenticeship (dare I say discipleship).  The skillful person/master takes on the training of one who is called/gifted or interested in learning how to do what the master does.  Then that trainee learns by actually doing (albeit in small pieces).  Tasks/functions are incrementally added so that the whole package is not tackled at once, but over time, the apprentice can handle it all. 

 

I just watched a documentary about a Latin American who is learning the art of Japanese sword making and who is studying the art of bushido (the way of the Samurai).  In the film, they talked about the connection between swordmaking and the philosophy of the Samurai way and how difficult it is to move into the work of making the blade - so much of his time was spent in learning how to stack the coal properly to get enough heat, but not too much.  After several years, he was ready to make blades (according to his master).  The point, Deb, the point!  This young man dedicated his life to living and breathing the Samurai way so that he, an outsider/foreigner could learn and serve in that way.  In addition, his master was longsuffering, patient, tough and adamant about the values of Samurai swordmaking. 

 

 

Response

 

Bill,

 

As I’ve studied the Jesus Model It appears that at least 4 elements were consistently at work.

 

1)       Jesus delineated between passive listeners and active learners (“he that hath ears to hear”)

2)       Jesus urged action (“he that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them”)

3)      Jesus facilitated discovery and application by extending the classroom into real life settings ( “He sent”)

4)      Jesus encouraged dialectic dialogue (Who do you say that I am?, why are you fearful? how is it that you have no faith?, etc…)

 

Right track?

 

From Bill Easum

 

you're right on track

 

Jesus hung out with the disciples. He was the curriculum. Disciple meant then to learn a trade. what he was teaching the disciples was how to live as he lived and to pass that on. The issue wasn't what they were getting in their head but what they were getting in their heart and behavoir.  Most pastors today are teachers who inpart knowledge without expecting any action. Jesus didn't impart knowledge as much as behavior modification.

Does this help?