So it has come to the point in my work that a few of my brain children are ready to be released into the wild and see how they fair. First is the adult small group spring brochure that I have been working to get right and make enticing for a few weeks now. Sign ups for these classes start in a little over a week so no more delaying it has to work the way it is... but it still makes me nervous. The adult education committee has put together about 14 really great classes for this spring but you really never know how they will fair until people start to sign up. There are several that are near and dear to my heart specifically, and I am most anxious about.
First is a Bible study for mom's. I can't lead it. I won't be here because of classes on Wednesdays so really I have very little control over it after his point. I picked out the book, I got advice and called on a teacher, and then it's gone from my grasps. I hope it goes well.
Second is an all day Parenting with Love and Logic training event that I coordinated the leaders for. I really hope that we have an adequate amount of people sign up so that this can happen. I know that lots of people are interested in learning but doesn't mean that they don't already have something going on on that date or any other number of issues.
Third, the most anxiety producing one is a parents Bible study that I am trying to start brand new. It has been expressed to me that people want this but when I put out the feelers I didn't get a great deal of response... yet. I haven't set a firm day or time hoping that people will sign up and give me an idea of what will work for them. This one is going to be the most work.
The other brain child that I have to kick out of the nest is my children's Sunday school lessons for the next 7 weeks. I have been working on them as well for several weeks and I hadn't done something like this before. Luckily I was given a giant binder with the curriculum in it but I have had to pick and choose, and basically put a puzzle together in places and completely create anew in others. Now that the writing is done it is down to making it happen... getting all the supplies together... etc.
But in working on this rotation model curriculum for the children I began to think about adult style rotation curriculum. Clearly not everyone would be for it... but I think it could work. Different learning styles don't go away just because you reach adult hood. In this model would they actually rotate every week or would I just create different Sunday school classes with different styles of teaching? You just go to the one that suits you best. But wouldn't that possibly split couples who learn differently? Pigeon hole like minded people? Become weary after many weeks doing the same type science projects about God every week? I don't know. What I do think I know is that Sunday school in its current model doesn't really work for my generation. Most of my peers don't go to Church. It's not relevant to them. People like me have to begin to think of different ways to make this sacred space appealing to young adults or else it might die. I love the church and want it to grow.
Hopefully my two infant brain children will grow in these walls and not leave when they reach adulthood.
The Scripture Way of Salvation
'But what is that faith whereby we are sanctified, saved from sin and perfected in love?' It is divine evidence and conviction, first, that God hath promised it in the Holy Scripture. Till we ar thoroughly satisfied of this there is no moving one step farther. And one would imagine there needed not on word more to satisfy a reasonable man of this than the ancient promise, 'Then will I circumcise they heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.' How clearly does this express the being perfected in love! How strongly imply the being saved from all sin! For as long a love takes up the whole hear, what room is there for sin therein?