Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Connect3 “Class” Overview
• “Class” Purpose
• Theology Matters
• Curriculum
• Modern/Postmodern Learning Process
• Learning Loop
Class!
“Mission” determines activity
“Activity” reflects class understanding of its mission
Bringing Change toSunday School
• Focus on the individual unit
• Class learning should focus on activity or “results”
Bowlegged Giant Saves Child by Straddling Onrushing
Convertible!
Alligator Boy Plays Baseball…With His Tail!
Mr. Roger’s Ghost Terrorizing Children!
Noah’s Ark Found…And Some Animals Are Still Alive!
Adam & Eve Found Perfectly Preserved in the Iraqi Desert!
John the Baptist Diet of Locust and Wild Honey Cures Aids!
Al Qaeda’s Latest Weapon: Suicide Camels!
“Monitor” This! Giant Lizards Help Search for Osama bin
Laden!
Taliban Plans to Immobilize U. S. Troops With Super
Laxative!
Dis-honest Abe!Lincoln Did Not Write Gettysburg
Address!
By George! Decoy Soldier Stood while Washington Rowed During
the Potomac Crossing!
Reaganomics: Former President Trickled Down Millions into Secret
Slush Fund!
Lose 70 Pounds in 15 Days — with flesh-eating bacteria!
Lose 50 Pounds Fast — with Hoover’s new “Fat Vacuum”
Lose 15 Pounds Overnight — with the new “Treadmill for
the Subconscious ”
Four Current Influencesin Theology
Liberalism
Conservatism
Modernism
Postmodernism
View of the Bible• Liberal• Conservative
View of the World• Modern• Postmodern
Theological Perspectivesof Truth
Conservative
Supernatural
Faith fundamentals
Bible – inspired and true
Theological Perspectivesof Truth
Conservative
Supernatural
Faith fundamentals
Bible – inspired and true
Liberal
Reason
Deny supernatural
Bible – allegories or examples of how we should live
Cultural Perspectivesof Truth
ModernAge of reason
Individualism
Truth - universal
Technology - freedom
Knowledge leads to good behavior
Cultural Perspectivesof Truth
ModernAge of reason
Individualism
Truth - universal
Technology - freedom
Knowledge leads to good behavior
PostmodernReason is limited
Tribal
Truth – personal
Technology – mastery
Knowledge leads to oppression
Liberal
Conserva-tive
Modernity Postmodernity
Ethics > Doctrine:Because they denythe supernatural
Ethics > Doctrine:Because claims of absolutetruth produces violence &oppression.
Doctrine > Ethics:Because we are notsaved by our goodworks but bybelieving in Jesus
Doctrine & Ethics:Because both are essentialfor the Christian view of life
Reference: Don’t Stop Believing, Michael Wittmer
Our task is to communicate and discuss what the Biblical text actually says, indeed, it is NOT to give it our best
guess or to arbitrarily seek the opinions of others.
Class consensus does not equate to truth. For instance, everyone agrees
that “money isn’t evil, just the ‘love of it.’’’ But in our agreement, we may need
to check further and see if there is any “conspiracy” we are hatching on the
Gospel.
How to Teach Theology
in
Sunday School
Always read the first chapter of the book to find out some of the context.
Always ask the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, why).
Consult Biblical commentaries or Bible dictionaries to find out more historical information . (But at least ask the 5 W’s and find these details.)
The Bible was not written to us, but rather, for us…to learn from and to apply. We must first know what it meant from its original author to its original audience.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God
stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8
Think in terms of the big picture.
Ask yourself what significance this passage has had on every person for all of time.
What principles have remained regardless of changing cultures and times?
Just because God’s Word is an ancient document does not mean that it is irrelevant.God is eternal and His truth spans from everlasting to everlasting.
Even passages that deal with people groups that no longer exist can teach us things about God, ourselves, and our call to follow Him.
There is a world of difference between the questions, “So, what does everyone think this verse/passage means?” and “Has God ever used this verse/passage in anyone’s life? And how?”
Consider the passage in light of your current personal circumstances, as well as the current situation in the world around you.
What might God be trying to teach you from this passage?
Is He calling you to repent of sin?
How might He be challenging you to grow and learn?
God is personal. He doesn’t waste anything.He desires for each of us to take what He has done for all of time and learn from it.
He also wants His Word to come alive in us and become the ultimate authority for how we live.
The Issue of Curriculum
Purpose – Curriculum provides a steady process of biblical study so that the full gospel message is taught
Curriculum
Good curriculum focuses on the Bible,
not on itself
Scope and Sequence
Scope – The breadth of study (the whole Bible, book of Ephesians, etc)
Sequence – The period and span of study
(period – daily, weekly)
(span – length to finish -
3 months, 1 year, 7 years)
Bible Studies for Life
Scope – 15 biblical concepts
Sequence – 3 years
Learning ProcessKnowBeDo
SS Teacher Resource
Systematic Theology
by Wayne Grudem
Grudem provides a balanced overview of key perspectives in layman’s language
Amazon.com $29.69
Small Group Discussion
How do you measure “learning” in Sunday School?
How Do You Measure Learning?
• Discussion?
• Head nods?
• Lesson studied?
How Do You Measure Learning?
• Discussion?
• Head nods?
• Lesson studied?
• ACTIVITY – learners doing what they discuss on Sunday
Modern/Postmodern
Learning Process
Modern/Postmodern Learning
Modern
Learn
Do
Feel
Postmodern
Modern/Postmodern Learning
Modern
Learn
Do
Feel
Postmodern
Do
Feel
Learn
The Learning Loop
Status quo
Anxiety
Trial
Guarded Acceptance
Acceptance
Status quo
Rejection
Apathy
Bob Mayfield
Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma
Twitter: bobmayfield
Facebook: thebobmayfield
