Learning made easier

From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin

Education is such an important pillar in our society.

It’s so important that we begin a process of formal education very early in a child’s life which lasts many years.

The art historian Art Friedrich Waagen was once asked how to teach so people would learn.

His clever response was, “First delight, then instruct.”

My three years attending seminary always began with a weekend retreat right before the fall semester of classes got underway.

It was held at a wonderful resort on the lake in the Muskoka region in Ontario.

The entire weekend consisted of fabulous food, some great worship times, campfires, and plenty of outdoor sports.

Students mingled with professors in a casual setting which lent itself to a terrific bonding which carried over into the school year.

I point to that time as pivotal for producing the framework for an effective learning environment.

David likened our relationship with God and learning from Him like this in Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

In times past church leaders portrayed church attendance and Sunday school like some sort of cross to bear, bereft of all delight.

Waagen would not have approved!

When my children were very young I established a tradition in our home as a way to show how special Sunday school and church were for us.

We started having toaster waffles every Sunday, and ONLY Sunday.

I let the kids know that this was a special day and needed to have a special treat to start it out.

Believe it or not, we still do this to this day!

Change your approach from “have to” to “get to” and see what results you reap!

- Advertisment -