4 November 2009
Group 5 Introductions
A typical question you have when you meet new people is will we have something in common or will we be polar opposites? For our group I definitely saw that we have a lot in common especially when it came to how we learned about our faith. All of us were initially exposed to our faith through various classes whether Sunday School or confirmation and then also through worship. However when it came to further exploration of what our faith meant to us some of us discovered it through self-teaching, others through mentors, family members and conversations and yet others just through life experiences.
As for our groups’ exposure to other religions, we had a diverse response. One of our members stated that he has been exposed to a wide variety of cultures and religions, while others in our group stated their exposure has been very limited. However, each of us had knowledge of at least one other religion outside of Lutheranism.
Finally, when it comes to education and sharing our faith, it is obvious that each and every one of us has a passion to for that subject. It was interesting to see that the people/students that we teach and share our faith with range from 3 years old through adulthood. The last thing that stood out for similiarities is that we are all excited to share our faith with each other and learn from each other as well.
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6 November 2009 at 12:46 am
I like your last sentence…one of the best things that I have found about the on-line learning format is how much you can learn from the other people in your small groups.
6 November 2009 at 8:39 am
group4 says...
Karen Treat says…It is fun to hear everyone’s stories. We do all have a story and come to faith in vast ways. Sharing our faith with each other will certainly help us in our ministries ahead.
6 November 2009 at 2:53 pm
This may seem silly, but I was really drawn in by the first sentence of this blog post. I think one of our greatest and most basic fears is rejection from the other. So when we first meet someone, a sort of natural anxiety about what we have in common emerges. This is my first experience with a completely online course, and so far I’ve been surprised at how much community building has already taken place. I am grateful for my fellow students’ openness and honest self-disclosure. There is a humility here that I do not always find present in the physical classroom on campus at seminary. I look forward to continuing to explore our commonalities and our differences in light of learning about Christian education.
6 November 2009 at 4:25 pm
I think it is interesting to note that while many of us may have things in common when thinking about how we learned about our faith, yet, when we reflect upon our faith and what it really means to us we may have very different answers. The Holy Spirit moves and speaks in different ways to us all.
6 November 2009 at 10:21 pm
What a great experience to be exposed to different cultures and religions. Growing up in North Dakota and living in MN and ND my entire life, and comfortably attending Lutheran church, I may be a little sheltered in the wide variety of religions and cultures and how each one celebrates our Lord and Savior.
6 November 2009 at 10:27 pm
I wonder if exploring one’s faith requires the perspective of an adult learner. Outside self-teaching, it seems a communal relationship is necessary to explore faith to participate in dialogue. As an adult learner, I benefit from the experiences of others.
7 November 2009 at 1:02 am
dgrier says...
hdeutscher: I also grew up in the High Plains. Don’t undersell the gifts you have to offer this learning community!
frchyn: do you see this as different for sub-adults?
7 November 2009 at 1:31 pm
group3 says...
It is a joy to learn from others for our on-line classes! I very much like the discussions and the teaching and learning that happens within this community!
8 November 2009 at 2:29 pm
hessma says...
Mary Hess asks… I’m curious what you mean, Frieda, by asking if “exploring one’s faith requires the perspective of an adult learner?”
9 November 2009 at 10:41 am
Freida: “I wonder if exploring one’s faith requires the perspective of an adult learner. Outside self-teaching, it seems a communal relationship is necessary to explore faith to participate in dialogue. As an adult learner, I benefit from the experiences of others.”
During my 11 year span as an atheist I found that adults were not the ones that helped me find God. In fact adult learners often hindered and hurt my faith formation. Actually, what I truly felt chipped away at my atheism was my fellow classmates growing up. They had insights about God that surpassed the adults of my congregation. Although, I was a stubborn case for sure I did eventually convert at age 17. However, the perspective that changed me was that of an unassuming, believing child not theory or adult understanding upon the issue. So I’d have to disagree. Often I feel that adult learners rely too much on their education and not enough on faith to follow Christ.