By Mike North

1. Module Two:
Understanding Children and Young People
& Ministry Practice

2. Learning styles
Questionnaire
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

3. Learning styles
• Imaginative
• Analytical
• Common Sense
• Dynamic
By Bernice McCarthy - the 4MAT cycle.
Different learning outcomes can be achieved using activities suited to different learning styles. We
don’t learn in just one way.
Match the learning outcome to the learning style which will bring the greatest understanding. Value
styles that you don’t naturally affiliate with.
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)
(emotions) (intelligence)

4. I learn from
brainstorming
ideas
I learn by
discussing with
others
I learn from
books or
teachers
I learn by
doing
Dynamic
learner
Imaginative
learner
Analytic learner
Common
sense learner
What can this
become?
Why do I need to
know this?
How does
this work?
What do I need
to know?
See the big picture
and not the details
They need to talk
to learn
Getting along more
important than
being right
Don’t like:
manuals, lectures.
Love books, like to
take notes
Like having a
teacher
Work for targets or
rewards
Takes time to move
from head to heart
Don’t like: Blank
sheets, risking being
wrong (especially in
front of others)
Jump into action
quickly
Like doing things
differently
Creative, but might
act first, think later
Daring, often tend
to be leaders
Don’t like:
Repetition, choice
Need immediate
practical application
Need action to
learn
Learn by doing
Want to get on with
it!
Don’t like: reading
& memorising, lots
of talking or
listening

5. Learning styles
Be careful not to categorise children into learning styles
A child who learns to trust others by playing trust games, may
also enjoy learning about the miracles of Jesus by reading
them in the Bible, or hearing them being read.
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

6. Some articles which talk about Learning Styles:
www.wired.com/2015/01/need-know-learning-styles-myth-two-minutes
thinkneuroscience.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/the-myth-of-learning-styles
www.bbc.com/future/story/20161010-do-we-have-a-preferred-style-of-learning
www.edutopia.org/article/learning-styles-real-and-useful-todd-finley
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

7. Spiritual styles (and learning styles)
Learning styles myth?
Do people learn better one
way or another?
Be careful not to project what learning style
you think a child has, but use a variety of learning styles to everything you do.
Are you using all the senses? (Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic?)
Do you use a mix of learning styles? (Imaginative, Analytical, Common-Sense and Dynamic?)

8. Csinos Spiritual Styles
• Word
• Action
• Emotion
• Symbol
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

9. ROOTS
Spiritual Styles
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

10. Word
Spoken and written words are central
Preaching, Bible study, argument
Saying what you believe clearly
Clarity, accuracy and concreteness
matter
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

11. Willow
Willow really likes
• going to a formal church service
• singing hymns with beautiful words
• writing her own poems
• locating the readings in her Bible and seeing what comes before and after
• hearing someone read well in church
• being on the reading rota and practising the reading at home first
• finding out about the people, places and events in the Bible
Willow is uncomfortable
• with craft activities and games in the children’s group
• when worship varies from the familiar structure
• when Bible readings and prayers are badly read out
Willow knows God
when she knows
about God.
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

12. Emotion
Getting in touch with inner feelings
Personal renewal
Sensing God through music, dance, drama
Conversion experiences
Personal relationships are treasured
Jesus perceived in relational terms,
as divine friend
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

13. Evie
Evie really likes
• being part of church clubs and groups
• singing together with everyone
• baking things to share during fellowship time
• being involved in drama and dance at church
• spending time with her friends
• to know how people are feeling
• group activities
Evie is uncomfortable
• when she can’t actively participate in worship
• if she’s asked to organise a charity campaign in youth club
• during the reflection times on a youth retreat
Evie knows God when she
can feel God, especially
when she’s with others.
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

14. Symbol
Value abstract symbols and metaphors, words
cannot describe the transcendent
God sensed through beauty, awe and wonder,
and in the natural world
God felt in the babbling brook or
stained-glass window
Value silence, meditation, chants
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

15. Sam
Sam really likes
• being alone to wonder about God
• going outside to find God in nature
• looking at pictures and objects which reflect something about God
• ‘wondering’ about God
• making or drawing things connected with his faith
• beautiful, repetitive music
Sam is uncomfortable
• when there is a talk with questions
• if he’s asked to participate in group activities too often
• being asked to pray out loud
• If he’s asked to write or read out something about God
Sam knows God through
mystery, symbols and
images.
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

16. Action
Unquenchable thirst for justice,
counteracting harmful forces
Spirituality is lived
God seen in the cry of the poor
Roll up their sleeves and get on with it
Their zeal can be isolating for them
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

17. Aaron
Aaron really likes
• volunteering to help with charity campaigns
• welcoming people as they come into church
• helping with refreshments after worship
• writing letters and signing petitions
Aaron is uncomfortable
• when no one shows enthusiasm for a fund-raising event
• if they just have the Bible story and craft activities in his group
• with silent prayer
Aaron knows God when he’s
doing the work of God.
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

18. What does this mean for us?
1. Self-awareness – Be careful not to just do
things in the way you like – we are not all
the same
2. Helps us to understand other people
3. Ensures that everyone has the best
opportunity to engage with God
4. Try to offer variety – by offering more than
one response, and aiming for a “varied
diet” throughout what we do
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

19. Conversation…
• What spiritual or learning style do
you feel an affinity with?
• Do any of them feel alien to you?
• Do you know how your children or
young people fit in? How about other
volunteers?
• Is there anything you want to start
doing more of / doing differently?
Spiritual styles (and learning styles)

20. Module Two:
Understanding Children and Young People
& Ministry Practice