As a kid I used to think this song
meant we were breaking a big loaf of bread by pushing it over our knee while we were sitting.
that idea is very telling of the problem with many religious education experiences
we tell the children things
we sing songs
↑↑↑♪(this is one of my favorite bible song resources)♪↑↑↑
we expect some memorization
whether prayers or bible verses
{“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13}
†
so often we tell tell tell
but seldom do we explain
we need to explain
we must explain
the why we do what we do
In my classroom anytime we are:
- singing a new song
- learning a prayer first time(and beyond)
- hearing a bible story for the first time(and beyond)
- learning a sacrament
- learning a tradition
I frequently stop and ask/explain
- what a word means
- how that makes them feel
- why we do what we do
This should be true whether you are teaching 1st graders (as I do)
or
adults
or anyone in between
that is not to say we would use the same tone of voice with an adult that we do with a child
but we cannot continue to teach
without explanations
most Christians (except perhaps clergy and the few well educated in their religion) don’t know the why behind their traditions they just do it because it is what they’ve always done.
this is not the way to lead our christian life.
When Jesus taught whether using history or stories he taught with purpose and he explained to his students what he was doing
when he taught how to pray
when he taught about the good Samaritan
when he taught about faith and the mustard seed
When Jesus broke bread
This is my body
This is my blood
broken for you
—-
IN the same matter that we explain why we believe what we believe
we must also be ready so say
I DON’T KNOW
sometimes
even as teachers
teachers who’ve been teaching a long time
(I’ve been doing this over 20 years)
we come across something
whether in reading
or in question from a student or another person
that we don’t know the answer for
I find it best to be forward
tell the person/student that you don’t know the answer
but then
don’t leave it there
do some asking to find out more
whether you need to consult a bible with a concordance
or a pastor/religious education director/etc…
or do a web search
and then, get back to the person
let them know, what you found out.
http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/Prayers-for-Teachers.html
Amen
ellasurreaublog 