Carey D.
Froelich, D.Ed.Min.
The
term transformational learning caught
my attention about ten years ago primarily through the works of Robert
Mulholland, and it implies that study of Scripture should lead to lives “being
transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Mulholland has written that studying Scripture is intended to be a
means—perhaps the primary means—by which believers can be conformed to the
image of Christ. In Shaped by the Word
he discusses the difference between reading the Bible for information versus reading it for spiritual formation. With elegant simplicity he summarizes what
should be our purpose in gathering for Bible study: “The point is meeting God
in the text.” (55)
Transformational learning is a teaching practice
that encourages learners to “become a part” of a biblical narrative and thereby
experience ancient lessons personally
more than historically. It serves as a counterpoint to information gathering, which tends to be the classic result of most
Bible study sessions. The familiar role of the teacher in these traditional classes
is to distribute facts and opinions about the passage of scripture being
studied; the pupil’s job is to collect this data. The underlying thesis of this
comparative approach to lesson planning is that students often leave the typical
Bible study session with a spectrum of thoughts about the scripture, but far too infrequently leave with a sense of
having been changed by an encounter
with the Living Word of God.
Jesus’
parable of the Pharisee and the tax-collector (Luke 18:9-14) provides a
Biblical example of the difference between information
gathering and transformational
learning. The Pharisee—who was “confident of his own righteousness”—had the
background and preparation to provide him with all of the information he needed
about the scripture. The tax collector probably had little formal training in
the Law of God, yet it was he who had “met God in the text.” He—not the
scholar—was transformed by the Word so that he knew his sin and his need for
the mercy of God.
At
the church I’ve served for the past
twelve years, we have been attempting to encourage our adult teachers to
intentionally focus on transformation
instead of information—to help
members “meet God in the text.” A recent lesson from Amos 4:1-5 offered
teachers two distinct choices. As the Prophet addressed Israel’s superficial
worship practices at Bethel and Gilgal, the teachers could have invested class
time in helping members understand the significance of these twin “worship
centers” and their place in the religious history of Israel. That information
is valuable and helpful. However, the suggested lesson plan urged teachers to
use the superficiality of Israel’s worship practices to challenge members to
examine their attitudes about corporate worship and the depth of their private devotional
experiences. The text became the basis for members to compare the shortcomings
of an ancient people with their own perspectives on coming into the Presence of
the Living God.
How
do we measure “success” with such an approach? It is a fair question. Although
we live in a time that constantly seeks objective
measure to verify outcomes, transformation into the likeness of Christ is
necessarily subjective and very
personal. Teachers can listen for changing attitudes through members’ comments,
or they can watch for signs of change, for example seeing acceptance where judgment
and prejudice have previously
dominated. We cannot control the
outcomes—that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our task as Christian educators
is to do everything we can to help our students meet the Lord of the
text in the text. That’s transformational learning.