Reflections

Me, a Theologian

This picture depicts the concept of everyone being a theologian and it being a journey of discovering, researching and intentionally creating our own individually picture and understanding of the nature of God and religious beliefs.

Outcome Link:

References

Friendly Stock. (2019). Retrieved from https://friendlystock.com/product/business-man-piecing-puzzle-together/

‘Me, a Theologian’

25th August 2019

I used to think…

My understanding of a Theologian was a very narrow-minded view. It was that Theologians are an expert in the study of the nature of God and religious beliefs. Emphasis was placed very much on the word ‘expert’ meaning ‘a person who is very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular area’ (Oxford Dictionary, 2019). I believe that everyone is a Theologian as we discover who God is to us and how it relates to our personal walks with God, however have always thought it is more people who have an exceptional understanding of these concepts and study them in great depth. Each individuals journey of discovering the nature of God and religious beliefs may differ and take different courses. There is great value and importance placed on individuals searching and discovering for themselves about religion and God himself, rather than being told.

Now I think…

Through reading, researching and studying many sources, many of my original thoughts and ideas about us as Theologians are the correct viewpoint. Such as each individual being a theologian, everyone’s journey being different and the importance of undertaking the journey of discovery. However, the title of being a ‘Theologian’ does not mean you know and understand everything but simply refers to the journey being undertaken to discover further and learn and understand more, to ask questions and have wanderings (What is Theology, 2016). Everybody is a Theologian to some extent but what that looks like can be very different in how they discover aspects of who God is and His nature, conclusions made and ways of interpreting and portraying meaning (You are a Theologian, 2016).

Outcome Link:

References

Oxford Dictionary. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/expert

You are a theologian. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com /watch?v =FfglmBFNyW8

What is theology?. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com /watch?v =QXCsd0nV8tQ&t=1s

Friendly Stock. (2019). Retrieved from https://friendlystock.com/product/business-man-piecing-puzzle-together/

Equip Journey

24th October 2019

Questioning: The power of students questioning and inquiring as this brings relevance for the students. This allows them to wonder, be immersed in what the question is and how they will answer that question, all that comes from that question. May not end up at the same destination,
Magnifying Glass: Three worlds of text- delving into bible passages and looking at the background meaning as this brings depth into Who God Is. The importance of the bible in context, not just stand-alone verses or bible stories, but looking deeper into the background meaning and what that can tell us about the passage. Importance of students searching for information and looking into the depth of understanding and knowledge.
Individuals: With a range of understandings- colour WHITE

What common understandings have emerged?

Individuality, depth of understanding, overarching questions- ‘Who is God?’ ‘Who are we?’, as a teacher of CS being a facilitator and support rather than telling the students information.

What have been the key understandings over the course of the unit?

See Above and how as the teacher it is so important to ask questions, research and look deeper into the passages and the question so that we are confident and have done our own inquiring. We have been on our own journey of discovery before facilitating students to do the same.

What has been significant for you?

SEE ABOVE as well as being informed, encouraged and challenged in my role as a Christian Studies teacher, my understandings of the two questions and

What are you thinking now that you would like to take back to your classroom?

Three worlds of text
Comparing passages of the bible from different translations
Questioning to tune in with the unit
Allowing for students to portray their understanding and share in an inclusive, respectful environment about their current thoughts and beliefs
Create an understanding that this is not what they should believe but this is what the Lutheran school is founded upon
As a teacher the templates to delve deeper into the questions and the biblical texts while creating the inquiry unit.