Friday, March 14, 2008
collaborative learning around the real Jesus
Grow (our non-linear, interactive, Sunday evening church service) is using a cell phone text challenge to help us search for the real Jesus. Themes – like aren’t there are other gospels that offer us a different Jesus or the church tampered with the gospels – lend themselves to some collaborative learning through a text challenge. So we have asked people to volunteer to be either
a) a Gnostic Jesus or
b) a Buddy Jesus
c) or a real Jesus.
We have given them either a Gospel of Thomas, or a selection of feel-good Bible verses, or a Gospel of Mark and sent them into the week. Then we text them a challenge during the week.
I was sitting a test this week. I cheated by copying from my friend. Now I feel bad. What do I do [Gnostic or Buddy or real] Jesus?
Simply giving people the Gnostic gospels has already highlighted how patriarchal, esoteric and just plain weird they are. And we are hoping that then running these “Jesus’s” through real life type scenarios will further help us realise the significant differences between the real Jesus of the gospels, and other constructions.
)
Steve
This one caught me. Don’t know why – but I think it is the perspective change. Let’s look at what Jesus is not, to find out what he is…… Fantastic and challenging concept
Comment by david whyte — March 14, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
I’m just getting more and more ideas of how to use tech, esp. cell phones, to reach youth. This is a great intro into a idea for helping youth and young at heart take Christ with them into the week, into the world. Thanks!
Comment by Kris Hackbart — March 15, 2008 @ 5:11 am
thanks David. it was not as logical an idea as you make it. at the time it simply seemed a good way to allow exploration outside gathered church, yet in a way that enhanced our connectivity as a community.
the volunteer for gnostic jesus has taken it really seriously and is leaving us little messages all over the church. it’s great.
steve
Comment by steve — March 19, 2008 @ 8:13 am
Hurrah! I get so tired of people talking about how spiritually deep, pro-woman, and generally amazing the Gospel of Thomas is when they haven’t read it! As a feminist and someone interested not only in life in the physical plane, but in God’s justice being done on the physical plane, I’ll take the Gospel According to Mark any day.
Comment by Sarah Dylan Breuer — March 20, 2008 @ 11:05 am