Theology For Teens (Part VI)
Other than posing questions, are there other ways we can teach theology? I don't really know, but I did manage to get this far through self-study.
Teaching oneself theology, as I can personally attest, is a minefield. And it can only be effective if the learner puts in the effort and has the desire and discipline. This, I think, can be very hard for many people. Hard for those who don't have the time, and hard for those who don't have the interest.
I also find discussion groups to be helpful, especially when they talk about the media (how it reflects some aspects of Christianity, and how it doesn't). But this, again, must depend on participation. Some people just don't have anything to say about (or would like to say, but don't for various reasons). In the end, such groups are only as effective as the people participating in them.
At this point, I confess that I do not have the answers. There may be other ways of teaching theology, of which I will look out for. But, ultimately (and I place large emphasis on this), it is the individual that counts. It is the person that must take the initiative to learn these things for him or herself.
And I think once we have the desire to learn the Bible, to learn theology for our own benefit, there is no limit to how much we can learn or how far we can go. It is only then do we have thinking, informed believers who know about the Bible and everything it has to say about our lives and the world around us.
Why teenagers? Because, as I said, they are the ones who we will be counting on in the future. They are the ones who will be exposed to all kinds of challenges to their faith (especially in the intellectual climate of the university).
But it will also give them a new found appreciation for God's word, and it's depth and richness. I think that is something everyone-children, teens and adults- ought to have.
Teaching oneself theology, as I can personally attest, is a minefield. And it can only be effective if the learner puts in the effort and has the desire and discipline. This, I think, can be very hard for many people. Hard for those who don't have the time, and hard for those who don't have the interest.
I also find discussion groups to be helpful, especially when they talk about the media (how it reflects some aspects of Christianity, and how it doesn't). But this, again, must depend on participation. Some people just don't have anything to say about (or would like to say, but don't for various reasons). In the end, such groups are only as effective as the people participating in them.
At this point, I confess that I do not have the answers. There may be other ways of teaching theology, of which I will look out for. But, ultimately (and I place large emphasis on this), it is the individual that counts. It is the person that must take the initiative to learn these things for him or herself.
And I think once we have the desire to learn the Bible, to learn theology for our own benefit, there is no limit to how much we can learn or how far we can go. It is only then do we have thinking, informed believers who know about the Bible and everything it has to say about our lives and the world around us.
Why teenagers? Because, as I said, they are the ones who we will be counting on in the future. They are the ones who will be exposed to all kinds of challenges to their faith (especially in the intellectual climate of the university).
But it will also give them a new found appreciation for God's word, and it's depth and richness. I think that is something everyone-children, teens and adults- ought to have.
This entry was posted
on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 6:17 PM.
|
