Reflection on Education in the Christian Community 2

With the stage set by the introduction of ‘Education in the Christian Community’ (ECC), the lessons following focused on detail the six influencing factors of ECC; purpose, context/environment, curriculum, participants, process/methods, and management. I can say that it has so far been an interesting learning adventure with mind provoking thoughts.

A strong belief I have concerning education is that we need to redefine curriculum. It has to be contextually relevant and applicable where the necessary information will provide a library of timeless principles which can beneficial to the lives of the community. Christian Education needs to have vision beyond the explicit curriculum of what it is precisely that we teach. This expansion needs to take place from intellectual skills to practical skills and from planned activities to unplanned experience. Karen Tye acknowledges such a challenge from Maria Harris, “I think she also challenges us to broaden our understandings of what content is and to see beyond the limits of printed resources” (50, Basics of Christian Education). This point was an awakening call to me in that whenever I am tasked with producing a curriculum, emphasis must be given the consideration the audience, their cultural context, their situations and their needs. I must remember that it is a dynamic relationship of the bible and life. It not just a bible study, it must be a life transforming program.

Another interesting concept that tickled my mind was the fact that human development is modifiable. This point completely blows away the saying, ‘a leopard can't change its spots.' As individuals, there are more occasions than not that we must willingly learn to give up our hard-won independence and become interdependent. This does not mean becoming weak or less capable of doing things. We become interdependent in order to become stronger as a body of Christ. God's plan for our maturity is not individualistic. Anyone who wants to be a complete Christian must realize that he is part of a body of believers, dependent on others, and must begin to act accordingly. It warns me against falling prey to being judgmental of others. It reminds me of the humility of Jesus; the emulation of His character and servanthood to others even in the face of adversities. As a student in Bible College, I believe such interdependency is crucial in our individual and corporate developmental growth. It helped me adjust better and gain better insights to the teaching of God’s word. Independence may sound cool but interdependence is solidarity as a community of faith.

The last lesson for the week ending 2 July on process and method was a timely reminder to its importance in education. Process requires an integration of experiential, relational, and reflective inputs providing a safeguard against planning a hodgepodge of unrelated activities and promotes church-wide conversation and shared language that supports inter-generational dialogue. It is crucial and helps shape the culture of the community making education more effective than a just a ‘schooling’ approach.

What challenges me more is the method of implementation where it can either be learning through life experiences or operating ‘out of the box’ away from the classroom setting. For this I realize the acceptance intricacies of the community. While it’s not rocket science, it is also not necessarily easy either for a change to a lifestyle can be a slow, if not difficult, process to bring about under certain conditions. Planning is not an easy process. It takes time and involves consistent, hard work. But personally I find it worth it! I, like many others, am often tempted to “do something quickly.” It is best, however, to resist this temptation and plan with the culture of the community in mind. A lasting impression for me is the four components to the planning approach in ‘Planning for Christian Education Formation’ by Israel Galindo and Marty C. Canaday. First, congregations are urged to take a community of faith approach to the Christian education formation program in church. Second, the planning flows from an integrated structure through the Christian Education planning committee. Third, the use of the church’s theme as a natural and theologically informed framework for commencement of the education programs. Lastly, the importance of assessing the effectiveness of the implemented program.

   

Finally the influencing area of management re-enforces my belief of the need for short / long term plans, assessment and evaluation, all of which provides vital checkpoints in our spiritual growth. I am also a firm believer of thinking out solutions for the possible hindrances.

Reflection on Education in the Christian Community1

‘What is education?’ was the question that ushered the students into the module of ‘Education in the Christian Community’ and left us quite dumbfounded as we strained the boundaries of our minds with rolling eyes for the ‘perfect’ definition. In my days of young, my notion of education was to study hard, learn as much as I could, get good grades and make it big in society. How wrong I was!

 

Several interesting concepts and practices did come to mind as we were introduced to the Latin words by Rev Casey our lecturer, the Es, ‘Educare’ and ‘Educere’ meaning‘to bring up, rear, train’ and “to lead forth or to draw out” respectively.

Knowledge by itself has no value. Having more knowledge doesn’t necessarily mean better. It is ‘Educere’; aimed at fulfilling one’s potential. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and many other super achievers never finished grade school. They succeeded because they knew how to research, collect information for a selected project and process the knowledge. Classroom environment does not work that way; it focuses on the collection of knowledge without a clear purpose, other than high grades. If the purpose does not motivate, then there is nothing to process outside of knowledge acquired. The typical student is academic challenged while being motivation starved. When I first entered full-time bible college in July 2010, I was determined to do my best which included striving towards the necessary grades. However, as time went by I realized it was becoming tedious and tiresome. I became less motivated and lost focus of the greatest call, the Great Commission. Thankfully, through much prayer, promptings from the Holy Spirit and fellow students, I was able to realign to learning and building with the purpose ‘to be’ the best in areas where God uses me.

Education is formal and informal. When the term ‘education’ is used, it conjures of archetypal impressions of a classroom with a boring teacher droning away in the front. Sadly, the term ‘Christian education’ does portray the same images to the mind even in a church environment. Education is formal and informal; formal whereby a teacher exists; informal when we learn naturally ‘out of the box’ through accidental discovery e.g. one’s survival instincts, greed, and stealing. It applies to both within and external of a school context. The point on natural education teaches me the lesson on humility. Being a flying instructor prior and now training to be a minister, it reminds me to be wary of a prideful nature that I am above others. Through accident discoveries, both teacher and student parties can be learners and embodies the image of both being active participants in the educational process. It teaches me to be willing to listen, learn, and be teachable as well.

Education in a Christian community is not confined to church. Community is more than a place. It is not a ‘boxed in’ but an outreach experience. It is a birthplace of common purpose; the seed-bed of mutuality and unity. It represents shared value, attitude, vision, and the ability to work together for a common purpose. Benjamin Franklin once said: "we can all hang together, or surely we will all hang separately." As a Christian, this has challenged me to building of an attitude that is inclusive rather than exclusive. Relationships are life-giving serving as avenues for educating others on how God has impacted our lives and can do likewise for them. It teaches me to forget myself and to be open to others as Christ was to the lost. Communities don’t just happen. We have to make it happen with warmth, care, honesty, passion, prayer, and a Christ-like character.

Education in the Christian Community

Hi All,

Just a prelude to the "Reflections

Can you Identify the "How", "That", and "To Be"?

Reflections of My NT Adventures.... haha! Draft or Real?

     The New Testament is a fascinating account of mankind's encounter with God revealed through Jesus. Regardless of one’s religious convictions, it is clear, even from a quick read of the New Testament, Jesus had a profound impact upon the earliest Christian communities and it would therefore be naive to argue that this historical figure did not help shape the thinking and living of the early Christian communities. Perhaps the best appeal would be the raising of the eyebrows of the ‘New Testament Adventures’ is the word, ‘Adventures’. Because of it is filled with God-inspired lessons on Christ-like living and the corporate nature of the believers’ community, the implications of a detailed journey are far-reaching, wide-ranging and beneficial in the walk with God.

     In the past, prior to the class, I was very much accustomed to reading the Bible just as it is and like a ‘story book’. However, as the days went by, it was obvious how much was missed with this view, for it goes far beyond being a story. The module flowed with the introduction of canonization and genres, the Hasmonean Dynasty, the Gospels and the books of the New Testament. Thanks to Rev Casey and Ps Jadene, both never failing to captivate us with their awesome pictures and lively explanations.

     Through the introduction on the canon and genre, it was an interesting walk through the roots, criteria and the language. Even while problems and disagreements did exist, there was remarkable agreement, as a whole, concerning the selection and composition of the New Testament (NT) canon. What has struck me about the selection is the purpose and process aspect. The process in achieving the purpose of revealing the inspired word of God is amazing. Its application in present day cannot be overly-emphasized. Having a purpose in life gives meaning to it and to achieve it requires an integrated, balanced, total system managing people and the process. It is a continuous effort of encouraging people and enhancing the processes on the importance and achievement of the purpose respectively. Many have ignored this vital and attempted to ‘run before they can walk’ and even take shortcuts thereafter failing miserably more often than not. Are we able to humble ourselves to start from the basics like infants and learn from others or are we too eager to leap to the highest pedestal?

The study and group presentation of the Hasmonean Dynasty was an interesting twist. Most if not the majority of the class were flabbergasted as to the relevance of a fight for Jewish independence in a New Testament foundation class. However, through the lesson, group discussions and presentations, the deeper meaning of the subject unexpectedly surfaced along the way. Mattathias, the aged head of a distinguished priestly family, realized that the decrees by the Greek rulers, if unchecked, would mean the extirpation of the Jewish faith. Displaying the fidelity to law and faith in God, he thus initiated the armed struggle against the pagan authors of the oppression and their Jewish collaborators. However, the history of the Hasmonean Dynasty is a classic case of one of the great tragic families starting off so illustriously and ending so disastrously, bringing the Jewish people to ruin. Brothers were fighting with each other as to who should be king. There were also misplaced alliances with politics rather than the spiritual goals which started the dynasty.

Relating to today’s context, a good start should always accompanied with a good finish in whatever we do. Family feuds such as with the Hasmoneans can be found in the family of God. Arguments, discontentment with one another in church especially within the elders, deacons and church leaders should be resolved or minimised. Here, I'm reminded that at times, I'm guilty of such and prayer should have been the first action. Unity is paramount for ‘unity we stand, divided we fall’.

     Through the history we learn that effective leadership is a vital role that requires the blending of vision, motivational, and management skills to inspire and unite a team towards achieving some common task. Even with a short time of acquaintance, our group benefited from the unity lesson as we openly shared individual struggles in preparing for the presentation. Due to time constraints and work commitments, the group focussed on individual strengths rather than weaknesses culminating into a presentation containing the best of everyone. It was truly a satisfying end made possible by God. The community lunch during the Saturday class was a good the initiative by our lecturer, Rev Casey, in emphasizing the importance of community living and working together. His intent was clear - no-one is going to be alone!

     With the Gospels, the class was introduced to the realities of human nature. While the Gospels present the free gift of God’s love, grace and mercy, many still scorn at it with unbelief and self-interest. Change is not entertained as it seems to cost too much and deem unnecessary. As such, many fall short the glory and promises of God. Are we too proud with egos too big to receive a gift from God? Self- interest can never overshadow the love of God.

     Servanthood was introduced to us through Jesus’ example revealing a wonderful lifestyle filled with blessings and opportunities to see lives changed as never seen before. At no time did Christ proclaim himself better than anyone else, although on every occasion the heart of Christ showed others what is meant to truly 'love'. No one could deny that the servanthood of Jesus because they saw it every day. Having tried it and still striving in it, I realized my life is much more meaningful and with purpose giving myself to the service of the Lord without looking back. And I truly experienced the abundant life God has for me. Living out our perception of how Christ lived, as a servant to others, is the ultimate example after which we ought to fashion our lives. When we figure out what it means to lead by serving, this is when we truly understand what servanthood was meant to be.

     The lessons on the Pauline letters discusses the way the followers of Christ should seek to fulfil the word of God, and how they must live the words of Christ not in their minds but also their hearts to fully receive salvation from the Lord. From here we were reminded that we must endeavor to do what has been learned from the Bible and let it not remain as head knowledge for the Great Commission is at hand.  Since I began my training in Bible College, it has been a constant reminder through fellow students, lecturers and the Word that the training does not stop in the mind but continues with a follow through in action.         

      The class has been refreshing and brought me into a better light of understanding the New Testament. It has spurred me on to research for an even deeper experience as I continue my journey.

I'm Full.... Burp! Sorry.... :/