An analysis of the affective domain of learning in the adult Sunday school classroom

The Sunday school classroom of today's New Testament church is an excellent environment for ongoing spiritual development of believers who apply scriptural truths. This study was concerned with this spiritual development of adult Sunday school class members and the nature of teaching objectives of adult Sunday school teachers. The focus of the study was to analyze the levels of learning in the affective domain which are taking place in these classrooms.;The research questions dealt with the frequency and comparative magnitude of the five taxonomic levels of the affective domain of learning expressed in adult Sunday school classrooms. The research helped to determine the taxonomic levels of learning taking place and the taxonomic levels of teaching objectives used by teachers. Other research questions were concerned with the affective levels targeted by curriculum writers and the relationship between teacher training and the levels of affective teaching objectives.;The precedent literature is concerned with the theological foundations of the spiritual development of believers related to the affective levels of learning. A review of the domains of learning is presented along with the foundations for development of a curriculum in Christian education. A history of the Sunday school is included to demonstrate its role in the spiritual development of believers.;The methodological design for the study consisted of selecting a unit of curriculum used in adult Sunday school classrooms and contacting the writer to determine intended affective objectives. These objectives were used to develop surveys to measure affective taxonomic patterns of teachers and class members. Demographic information allowed for analysis of attendance patterns and teaching training.;Findings of this study indicate a need to emphasize affective objectives in curriculum design of all the taxonomic levels. Class members indicated they were learning in a pattern consistent with the affective continuum. Teachers indicated they were teaching at higher levels of the continuum than class members were learning. Teacher training and class member attendance had a positive impact on affective teaching and learning.;The teaching and learning of adults in Sunday school should be a great concern for the New Testament church. The church needs to emphasize objectives in the affective domain of learning in order to move believers from simply receiving God's word to a level of living out internalized scriptural truths. The Sunday school must never lose sight of its mission of teaching God's word for the purpose of making believers more Christlike.