The Application of Adult Learning Principles in Effective Preaching Randall C
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 1-1-2011 The Application of Adult Learning Principles in Effective Preaching Randall C. DeVille Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Adult and Continuing Education Administration Commons, Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching Commons, Other Education Commons, and the Religion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University COLLEGE OF EDUCATION This is to certify that the doctoral study by Randall DeVille has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Karin Treiber, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Kathleen Lynch, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. David Stein, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2012 Abstract The Application of Adult Learning Principles in Effective Preaching by Randall C. DeVille MS, Calvary Theological Seminary, 2005 BA, Calvary Bible College, 1982 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University December, 2012 Abstract Evidence suggests that a disconnect is growing between the information provided in Christian sermons and the life challenges faced by those church attendees. To bridge that divide, the purpose of this study was to better understand the characteristics of a sermon that enhance learning for churchgoers in Christian churches. The guiding question focused on churchgoing adults’ perception of the sermon. Additional sub questions explored the relationship of the principles of adult learning, communication theory, and ambient teaching with churchgoers’ and preachers’ experiences with sermons. A qualitative case study design included one-on-one interviews with 5 preachers, 5 focus groups with 9 churchgoing adults in each group, and observations of the physical characteristics of 5 worship centers. A constant comparative method was used to identify the key themes. The key themes that emerged were: (a) sermons should be applicable, challenging, and comprehendible and (b) the preacher must be perceived as authentic. The study contributes to positive social change by suggesting a model that preachers can use to improve the qualities and delivery of a sermon to affect listeners’ lives in a positive way. The Application of Adult Learning Principles in Effective Preaching by Randall C. DeVille MS, Calvary Theological Seminary, 2005 BA, Calvary Bible College, 1982 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University December, 2012 UMI Number: 3547212 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3547212 Published by ProQuest LLC (2012). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Dedication I dedicate this study to Rene DeVille and Ellie Nasrallah. Rene, I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life. I love you so much. You inspire me to be a better person. You encourage me to be strong when I feel weak. You give me the confidence I need to be my best. You believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself. You give me the courage I need to face difficult tasks. You give me words of compassion when I need them even though I don’t always admit it! You have help shaped me in to who I am today. I’m everything I am because of your support and love. I am eternally grateful for your love. Ellie, words do not adequately explain how fortunate I am to be your dad. You are constantly on my mind as I reach for a better tomorrow for our family. I am so proud of the great woman of God you have turned out to be as you love Paul and take care of my beautiful granddaughters, Kylie and Isla. I hope in some small way I am able to give you shoulders for you to stand on that will lift you up to reach new heights all the days of your life. I love you. Acknowledgments To God my Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ: Without you, none of this would be possible. Your Word brings deliverance, hope, joy, wisdom into my life. I know that nothing that I have or could ever do in my life is worthy of the love and mercy that you have shown me. This educational journey was begun at your direction and is completed for your glory; do with it as you please. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me with all your heart.- Jeremiah 29:11-13 To Dr. Karin Treiber and Dr. Kathleen Lynch: I can never thank you enough for your guidance and support throughout this process. The journey was long and hard and I did not know if I would ever complete it. You both have pushed me further than I thought I could go and taught me so much about the value of inclusiveness. I am sure you sensed my stubbornness but I am glad that you did not give up on me. Your mentoring ways will be remembered with fondness and will shape my mentoring ways in the future. Thank you for sharing your lives with me. Table of Contents List of Tables……………………………………………………………………...……..vii Section 1: Introduction to the Study .................................................................................1 Introduction .................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................2 Nature of Study............................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................5 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................6 Adult Learning Concepts......................................................................................6 Communication ....................................................................................................9 Ambient Teaching .............................................................................................. 10 Operational Definitions .............................................................................................. 12 Assumptions, Limitations, Scope and Delimitations ................................................... 13 Assumptions ...................................................................................................... 13 Limitations ......................................................................................................... 14 Delimitations ..................................................................................................... 14 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................... 15 Knowledge Generation ....................................................................................... 15 Social Change .................................................................................................... 16 Summary ................................................................................................................... 16 Section 2: Literature Review .......................................................................................... 18 i Introduction ............................................................................................................... 18 Adult Learning .......................................................................................................... 18 Brief History of Adult Education........................................................................ 19 Lecture ............................................................................................................... 20 Definition of Adult Education ............................................................................ 22 Andragogy ......................................................................................................... 23 Adult Religious Education ................................................................................. 23 Goal of Adult Education .................................................................................... 25 Needs for Adult Learning ................................................................................... 26 Nuture of Adult Learning ........................................................................................... 28 The