As a preacher’s kid, you would think that I’d have an affable disposition related to Sunday School, but the truth of the matter is I’ve not really enjoyed Sunday School over the years. I’ve appreciated it. I’ve seen value in it, but I can’t say that there have been many times where I was anxiously looking forward to it. Too much of it has been disinterested monologue, religiously manipulative, and perhaps even contrived. It’s been rooted in the “banking method” – one person has all the answers and they deposit those “right answers” into empty vessels (students) that have nothing to contribute.
I’ve really always been one that gravitates toward what Paulo Freire calls “problem-posing education.” (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) Where the problems and issues of the students are raised for examination and all have obligation to address them with what they feel would rectify the problem. Freire calls this a revolutionary styled educational model because you don’t know where the dialogue will end up, what the students will be inspired to do, or how even the “teacher” will be moved to new perspectives.
That’s why I’m so excited about Sunday School this month at the church where I am privileged to serve. An important problem will be raised for our collective consideration.
Every Sunday in May from 9:30AM – 10:30AM, I will be facilitating a discussion around the topic: Christians and the Middle East. One of the questions that we’ll explore is: “Are the Jews God’s Chosen People?” I believe this one question fuels advocacy, anger, and even apathy in America’s Christian Community. An examination of this question has the potential to put us on many a different path – paths that have a lot to do with our every day reality.
I believe that as we explore this issue, using the wonderful guide provided by Sojourners, that by the end of the month, people will be invested in the issue enough to want to do something about it. I don’t know what that “something” might be, but wrestling with a topic that has so many connections to our Faith, our beliefs, our domestic and foreign policy, and our world will compel us to become activated or at the very least not go back to “sleep.”
As my good brother, Jamye likes to say, “When people know better, they’ll do better.” Let’s pray that he’s right. (smile)
If all goes well (and probably even if it doesn’t), we’ll continue providing nontraditional settings like this within a traditional church context. I truly believe that the future of the church depends on it.
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