No one can deny the amazing conveniences, advantages, and benefits the internet, our phones, and social media provided. At the same time, there's a dilemma... isn't there? A problem worth discussing?
These devices can easily turn into the yoke of bondage St. Paul warned us about in Galatians. Our social media accounts can easily become a cesspool of jealousy, envy, and depression. Hiding behind an internet screen, our words often lose integrity- building more barriers than bridges.
Our curriculum provides, on purpose, more content than you could ever squeeze into a lesson. The key is to pick and choose the elements that will work best for your class age and demographics. In other words, curriculum is not a replacement for preparation. Check out some tips to make the curriculum work for you.
This past Sunday I was teaching the lesson and all of a sudden one of my teen students blurted out, "wait a minute - this lesson... it sorta ties in to the game we were playing in the beginning of class - did you do that on purpose?!" Yep! BtO does not insert games for the sake of games... they all tie in to the message of the day. Thanks for noticing haha.
But that really does tie in to an important point worth highlighting - you have a finite time with your students, so make your curriculum work and whatever you do - do it on purpose.
My younger son often asks me why Jesus couldn’t be more direct with His words: Why did He speak in riddles?”
It is a great question to think about especially this time of year as we re-live Christ’s days on Earth. Why did Jesus teach in Parables? Wouldn’t it have been more effective, more practical, to just give textbook teachings and sermons?
Through the imaginative allegories that came through in His parables, Christ described the indescribable in a way we could understand and in a way we would never forget. There was wisdom and prophecy behind the stories. There was accountability in His words. There was love for humankind resonating in each allegory. This Lent season, I encourage you to embrace the message and beauty found in Christ's Parables.
