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Applying the theory principles below will make Biblical truths come alive, making learning participatory and genuinely transformative, as learners can retain knowledge for a long time. According to Howard Gardner, the eight multiple intelligences are verbal-linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, and naturalist intelligence.

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

Learners who have verbal-linguistic intelligence are those people who love words. They love how words are used in speech and writing and find it easy to interpret and draw meanings. They are great speakers, awesome writers, deal with languages (written and spoken), astute readers and possess the ability to create amazing, sometimes fictional realities and products with words. Besides the mathematical-logical intelligence, this is the other main intelligence that the educational systems test and appreciate. They do well in careers such as journalists, politicians, public speakers and novelists. Leaners with high verbal-linguistic intelligence are the types who their teacher at every opportunity they get.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Develop word games and word cards, teach with spoken word and employ comedy.
  • Tell Bible stories, read out the stories, and relate them to contemporary events and circumstances.
  • Write the lessons learnt in stories, poems and plays.
  • Identify the keywords in the lesson and explain them well.
  • Ensure the text is brief, detailed, easy to understand and spiritual.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

Learners with logical-mathematical intelligence are called questioners who are abstract and scientific in thinking. They find interest in topics and subjects that require them to analyse problems and give answers to complex principles to learn. Learners with high logical-mathematical intelligence are good with numbers, problem-solving and coming up with hypotheses. They are often interested in being mathematicians, accountants, detectives, statisticians, and scientists. The educational system is built towards this kind of intelligence. Hence, they are often the ones referred to as the intelligent ones.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Be conscious that some learners are attracted to figures, which helps them remember the lesson faster.
  • Use pneumonic codes and teach with a numbered outline when teaching is theoretical.
  • Give work that involves critical thinking.
  • Divide lessons into different case studies or problems, whose answers will culminate in a comprehensive understanding of the topics.
  • Collate favourite verses and number them according to personal preference.
  • Divide verses into categories, make a chronological list of Biblical events or list verses for different life situations.
  • Use “What if” questions to seek a better understanding of the scriptures or the lessons learned.
  • To teach, use puzzles, games, quizzes, experiments, debates, and projects.
  • Carry out projects on how to find solutions to complex problems.
  • Use formulas or theories to find solutions.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence

Learners with visual-spatial intelligence visualize, create mental pictures and learn from shapes and objects. They can imagine abstract things and solve reasoning puzzles. They can see and manipulate things in space. They are very visual. They can visualize information on a large and small scale. Architects, engineers, artists, and sculptors score very high in this area.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Use movies and videos, pictures, and practical illustrations to teach.
  • Use graphs and diagrams to convey the message they ought to learn.
  • Encourage graphic or artistic representation and drawings and show videos that buttress lessons.
  • Whatever passage is considered, the Christian educator should portray the images correctly and provide such objects for proper comprehension.
  • Use puzzles. Maps, charts, imagery, physical, objects, handmade, crafts, building and designing models, outdoor visits to parks and museums, pictorial books and magazines with few words to teach.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

Learners with this intelligence enjoy physical movement and body motion. They are doers, hands-on learners whose understanding of a lesson often finds outlets in handmade crafts, and they also make good sportsmen, actors, craftspeople, dancers, sculptors and surgeons because of their ability to control their bodies skillfully. They are very flexible and can easily manipulate their bodies and other objects.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Allow learners to walk around and stretch.
  • Make the learning and its content physical.
  • Use sports, signs and symbols, games, actions, and activities.
  • Incorporate craft-making into lessons.
  • Carry out a physical performance. Dance or clap to the scriptures.
  • Use drama to act on a sense from the Bible.
  • Engage in voice changes and body movements to suit the lesson.

Musical Intelligence

People with musical intelligence love sound, music, songs, beats, rhythm and melody. Their brains are wired to discern and think in tones, cords and keys. They can compose and sing and are good instrumentalists. They hear sounds that others may not hear. Through music, they can easily connect with emotions. They work as musicians, sound engineers, composers, and conductors.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Ask learners to compose songs about what stood out for them during learning.
  • Assign them to write a song on subject matters to help them grow in faith.
  • Teach lessons with songs and turn Bible verses into songs, beats, melodies, etc.
  • Ask them to look for hymns that align with the lesson.
  • Write and compose songs to show understanding of the Biblical lessons.
  • Compile a list of songs that remind them of Biblical truths.

Interpersonal Intelligence

People with interpersonal intelligence are extroverted people who enjoy the company of others. They have a natural love for others. There is a tendency to call people with this intelligence “talkative” because of their outgoing nature. They are empaths (susceptible) in nature. They quickly pick up on specific cues, such as body language or tone of voice that others do not. They make good counsellors, politicians, psychologists, actors or salespeople, teachers, and managers, and they can work in public relations. They are people persons.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • View the class as a community of learners that allows them to express themselves and share their experiences.
  • Avoid tedious lecturers.
  • Present opportunities for them to learn and work with others.
  • Make lesson participatory.
  • Give the assignment to share insights from the scriptures with friends, neighbours, and random people through evangelism.
  • Split the class into groups (of twos or threes) or assign partners for discussion.
  • Let learners conduct interviews and share their findings with others.
  • Facilitate the class while the various groups discuss the applications and bring the lesson to life.
  • Encourage fellowship projects, comparing, contrasting and brainstorming of ideas, asking and answering, questions, and cooperative games.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

People with intrapersonal intelligence know who they are and where they are going because they understand themselves. Their self-awareness and self-identity are strong. They are reserved and often misjudged as shy. They tend to underrate their abilities because of their lack of expressiveness. However, these learners are intuitive and reflective. They are in tune with their feelings and can understand, scrutinize their motivations and predict their actions. People in this group will likely be therapists, teachers, data analysts, researchers, security guards, psychologists, counsellors, entrepreneurs and clergy. They appreciate self-reflection and are aware of the spiritual realities.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Allow them to set goals and topics for themselves.
  • Plan lessons in ways that would require a time of reflection.
  • After a lesson, tell them to regurgitate, think, and tell you what they feel.
  • Let them work independently on lessons since they enjoy their company.
  • Pay attention and observe the learners.
  • Link a scripture to a lived experience.
  • Use all the spiritual disciplines to teach this learner.

Naturalist Intelligence

People with naturalist intelligence are lovers of nature, and they derive joy from exploring nature and learning about things in their raw and natural states. They appreciate and learn from the environment, animals and plants. Learners with this intelligence love farming, gardening and taking care of animals. They have been labelled as both nature and street-smart people.

How can Christian educators develop learners with this theory

  • Teach and ask learners to share what nature teaches them about God, His power and glory.
  • Make lessons practical by using natural objects and explain concepts using things in nature.
  • Connect animals and plants to the day’s Bible lesson or spiritual truth.
  • Take learners on field trips.
  • Find valid spiritual realities.
  • Using such a group allows them to hold the object.
  • Hike up Idanre Hills, Ondo State, Odudu Cattle, Cros River State and Olumo Rock, Abeokuta going on tour to Ikogosi Waterfalls, Ekiti State, farms and the Zoo when a lesson goes in such direction.

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