Conclusion
There is certainly more than one approach to teaching in general and teaching Scripture in particular. It is a mistake to dismiss Andy Stanley’s approach to ministry through a mistaken belief that his approach does not get into deep doctrinal truths. Having personal experience to the contrary is beneficial and likely places the author in a unique position as compared to most in the current class. Stanley’s approach has reached many previously unchurched people and he has helped a generation of ministers realize there is more than one way to teach Scripture.
Yount provides all the clinical detail and historical development of the various learning system theories that one would expect from a seminary level course of this nature. Though dry, the content is important to anyone who would seek to be a more effective teacher of God’s word. For the minister who seeks to not only be a better teacher but to train a group of teachers to be effective communicators, it is critical to have a thorough understanding of the various ways people teach and people learn. The Great Commission is more than to simply teach the nations all that Jesus commanded but to teach obedience to all Christ commanded.[1] Our goal as teachers is nothing short of teaching people to be like Christ. The task deserves our willingness to consider approaches we might otherwise dismiss.
[1] Parrett, Gary A., and S. Steve Kang. Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 51-52.