Are We Communicating Here?
This past week Laurie and I went to a camp for Christian university students in Iwate Prefecture, about 4 hours drive to the south. I was the speaker for the camp. When I was told I would have one 60 minute and three 90 minute sessions, I was worried.
Who would want to listen to me for THAT long? I prepared 2 messages for each session, to be sure I would not run out half way through.
The day before the camp, I attended a committee meeting for Takayama (see below). My missionary colleagues all assured me that no one wants to sit and listen to sermons nowadays- you have to have a fast-paced, music filled program to pack the place.
Not so good for my confidence.
Well, surprise. The students not only sat, and listened, AND took notes, but they invited me to their tables after meals to ask more questions- and take more notes.
The hottest topic? Marriage and family life.
Laurie and I base our marriage and child-rearing philosophy on Deuteronomy 6:4-7;
"Hear ,O Israel: The Lord your God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Since this is time-intensive, and since both of us are suckers for a story (leading to watching "just one more program" for long hours), we decided to exclude television from our home when we married. Yes, it IS possible. None of us died, either. And, remarkably, we seemed to have a better understanding of what was happening in the world than our neighbours who watched the news every day. Why? Because we had a context, historical and geographical, based on our reading, with which to evaluate what we heard. This body of knowledge is important in evaluating philisophical and religious teachings, as well.
We find that "context" missing in many of the people we meet. These college students, for example. Even those raised by parents who were Christians seemed to have little understanding of Biblical principles and worldview (one of them told Laurie that his family had no more than an hour of conversation in a week).So, things I talked about- things I consider basic Christian teachings- were news to my auditors. And, they were happy to get the information, saying it was the first time anyone had ever explained these foundational things to them.
One person in my discussion group told me it was the first time he had understood that Biblical standards of behavior were not just lofty ideals for select (and rare) saints, but vital principles for anyone wanting to enjoy a successful and meaningful life.
So- are we Bible teachers communicating here, or are we expecting too little of our hearers, and delivering too small a challenge to them? Let's not underestimate the thirst for truth out there.
My Discussion Group At Camp
Who would want to listen to me for THAT long? I prepared 2 messages for each session, to be sure I would not run out half way through.
The day before the camp, I attended a committee meeting for Takayama (see below). My missionary colleagues all assured me that no one wants to sit and listen to sermons nowadays- you have to have a fast-paced, music filled program to pack the place.
Not so good for my confidence.
Well, surprise. The students not only sat, and listened, AND took notes, but they invited me to their tables after meals to ask more questions- and take more notes.
The hottest topic? Marriage and family life.
Laurie and I base our marriage and child-rearing philosophy on Deuteronomy 6:4-7;
"Hear ,O Israel: The Lord your God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Since this is time-intensive, and since both of us are suckers for a story (leading to watching "just one more program" for long hours), we decided to exclude television from our home when we married. Yes, it IS possible. None of us died, either. And, remarkably, we seemed to have a better understanding of what was happening in the world than our neighbours who watched the news every day. Why? Because we had a context, historical and geographical, based on our reading, with which to evaluate what we heard. This body of knowledge is important in evaluating philisophical and religious teachings, as well.
We find that "context" missing in many of the people we meet. These college students, for example. Even those raised by parents who were Christians seemed to have little understanding of Biblical principles and worldview (one of them told Laurie that his family had no more than an hour of conversation in a week).So, things I talked about- things I consider basic Christian teachings- were news to my auditors. And, they were happy to get the information, saying it was the first time anyone had ever explained these foundational things to them.
One person in my discussion group told me it was the first time he had understood that Biblical standards of behavior were not just lofty ideals for select (and rare) saints, but vital principles for anyone wanting to enjoy a successful and meaningful life.
So- are we Bible teachers communicating here, or are we expecting too little of our hearers, and delivering too small a challenge to them? Let's not underestimate the thirst for truth out there.
My Discussion Group At Camp
posted by John Elliot | 10:14 PM
2 Comments:
This is an inspiring post, to say the least. It's amazing how intently people listen to words when they recognize that what is being said is actually significant. And it sounds as if you and mom have found your "life message" in Family and Marriage. Also, after a few years of complacency I've finally stuffed my TV in the closet--backwards.
Good place for it.
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