At the church where I was a minister they actually had a bible classed named, “The Bible Class”. As if all other bible classes were not actually bible classes or didn’t actually study the Bible. Just so you know, the people in that class are great people and love God, I just always thought it was a bit ironic. I’ve always felt that the bible class experience always depended on the teacher. That may sound like a funny statement, but it’s true. If someone is a bad teacher, you are probably not going to learn anything. Discussion, if any, usually stays surface level and nothing new is learned. But even if something new is learned, there-in lies the problem. Bible classes were and are largely designed to learn something new. Some new piece of knowledge. If the bible class you currently attend is bigger than 12-20 people, it’s only feasible for the teacher to impart information and pose questions. The nature of this setting only allows for surface level information transfer. Plus, if anyone actually answers a question really honestly, they’re just weird.
Humor me for a minute. It is a bit like learning about a new feature on the iPhone when a new release of the software comes out. People that don’t own an iPhone don’t care. It is something you only want to tell other iPhone users about, and make sure they know, that you knew about it first. It’s kind of this weird one-up game. People that don’t own an iPhone could care less that now you are able to put all of your apps into one folder. In some cases this might actually convince someone to buy an iPhone, but rarely. Most of the information you learn in a bible class is just not fit tell to non-believers or use in your daily conversations with co-workers. “What is the new, popular little nuanced part of the bible we can learn so we can tell other Christians about?” I know that most people don’t go into a bible class asking this question consciously. But subconsciously, it’s implied. I’m not saying that bible class is evil or you should stop going. I’ve not gone off the deep end thinking that studying the bible is a bad idea. What I want to argue is that, if we are not careful, knowledge about the information in the bible can quickly be replaced by what the information in the bible actually does for us.
What do think? Has a particular bible class changed the way you act out your faith?
I like what you are asking. I don't have all the answers, but life-change should be much of the goal for adults. That usually only happens in smaller groups, not necessarily the largest most popular groups.
ReplyDeleteYeah me either. Just trying to have some conversations about things so ingrained in CoC heritage, we often forget to check if they are still working. Thanks for reading.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts Derek. It does seems that Bible class is now primarily an insider activity and a dubiously-effective one at that. Perhaps most of the value of classes come from the fellowship opportunities it provides by breaking up otherwise too-large churches.
ReplyDeleteI believe the original purpose of Bible class was to provide training and a way of entry for outsiders. It seems we've moved a little since then.
Very much so, I know that's where the majority of the value came for me as well-in fellowship. However, I do love what some mega churches are doing by getting rid of the Sunday morning bible class altogether and having all their adults and teens, teach kids classes. That's a really big move, but something a bit outside the box that could be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI think classes have tremendous benefits. For me personally, bible class is where I first learned how to read scripture, to thoughtfully consider it in context, and to examine what it means in a community under the direction of a mentor. Basic theology and doctrine can be taught in classes that cannot be taught or learned in a larger, corporate church setting. (at least as it exists today) The beginnings of my personal faith was shaped much more by my class experiences than from anything else.
ReplyDeleteIf we look at the Roman Catholic or Orthodox traditions, "classes" like the catechumen are absolutely essential for passing on the basic tenets of faith and I think the same could be said for our basic biblical education programs in the Church of Christ. Classes, albeit imperfect, could change in form (from desks and classrooms to small groups, for example) but classes in some form should always exist, especially for teens and seekers, to train new Christians how to think critically about scripture, their faith, and to consider more deeply the cost of following Jesus.
I think Luke's point is well taken. Large churches need classes to create small groups for fellowship and that is another aspect of their importance that shouldn't be negated. I suppose I'm advocating more for their "original purpose", as Luke also mentioned, as a training ground.
Thanks for taking the time to write friend. Point well taken. I guess I am a bit tainted by my personal experiences (as you know fairly well). I guess even through college though, for me the bible class, as far as I can remember, had no significance. I'm sure I gleaned some important information from them, but I can't quite pinpoint it. I did much more of my faith searching on my own, and with close friends. I do have to say, as a minister, preparing to teach a bible class was one of the most challenging things I did as it is not where I am gifted. All that to say, I do think it can be a valuable thing when approached in a thoughtful way. However, I do believe there is a stigma attached to it at least here in OK that says, "Those who don't attend, just aren't as strong of Christians as those who do". And maybe this sentiment is true in some sense. In the end, for me, the value of fellowship before and after these times is where I gained the most benefit.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the blog by the way. At the very least it's an online forum for our offline conversations. :) I may not comment, but I definitely consider every post. Great, great questions.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Much appreciated
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