Fruity Lessons

When we talk about fruit, philosophically speaking, what we mean is the outcome, results or purpose of a task.  When teaching a class, a homeschooler or an audience, it is always a good idea to let them know at the start what the intended fruit of your talk is.  It seems simple but there is a very real difference between what I want to tell you versus how you will benefit from what I say.  For instance, a lesson on probability could have a learning objective which is 'to understand word problems containing probability'.  But the real benefit might actually be in a child understanding which bag of sweets is more likely give them their favourite flavour or not.  A Bible lesson on Philip and the Eunuch might have an evangelical intent but a church member might leave with an idea for instant travel capsules.  

Our stated learning outcomes should always be listener-focused and as practical as possible.  "How to Use Your Power Wisely" is a more useful lecture focus than the spicier, "Big Data, Big Impact: The power to change the world" title.  At the end of the day, our lessons and lectures need to be verbal 'how to' manuals so that we are equipped to practically change something about our worlds.  Lesson by lesson, and lecture by lecture, we can transform nations simply by ensuring that our theory and theology is focused on practical change, rather than rhetoric!