Link to 20120513 discussion
Link to 20110626 Don H Discuses how to do Bible Study: Link to Audio
20110424 Ownbey Class Curriculum Survey 101given out by Don Hammer who asked that we consider Sunday May 01,2011
Links :
2011 Survey:
http://ownbeyss.blogspot.com/2011/11/20110401.html
http://donsinstructions.blogspot.com/2011/04/ownbey-class-curriculum-survey.html
2003 Survey
http://ownbeyss.blogspot.com/2003/10/20031029-questionnaire-curriculum.html
Curriculum, Curriculum Committee, curriculum meeting, lessons, Ownbey Class Curriculum Survey, Questionnaire, Survey, teachers
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Do you Prefer single-session Topics?
or Topics that take multiple Sessions to complete?
- Continue single session topics AND multiple sessions topics.
- Multi-part session of up to 3 to 5 classes unless is a larger planned church wide program.
- Plan in sequence instead of skipping to other subject In multiple session topic, especially if a book,
- Teachers later to participate in Multi session topic present for previous lessons
- Use Adult Bible Series more periodically for a multi part session
Think about these topic categories
- Current Events/Issues Some ok
Examples:
Peace Building
Israel-Palestine
Liked Don H on Israel, we need to understand that country better.
- Biblical Analysis Definitely yes
Example:
Ace's Lessons on Paul
Our Study of Philippians
Use Adult Bible Series more periodically for a multi part session
Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Sayings of Jesus that seem impossible to do
- Mission Field Yes, especially if class members have been there and done that
Examples:
Projects in USA
Projects in Africa, etc
- Current Religious Books Yes
Examples:
Writing of Peter Gomes No
Leighton Ford Maybe
Marcus Borg Ok
Witherington yes, more of him
BART D. EHRMAN, more yes
- Church History Some
Examples:
Methodism/the Wesleys
Protestantism
Myers Park United Methodist Church
Myers Park United Methodist Church Tour -Myers Park United Methodist Church Windows and Pictures
Methodists in Charlotte
- Theology: Maybe
Examples:
The Trinity
Sacraments
Is it really the blood of Christ as we are told each communion
Are we really in the image of God
Original Sin
How can the death of one person sane every one else, what is the logic?
Inerrancy of the Bible with so many contradictions in it - Just Sunday we were told Jesus was in the tomb when the ladies came (John 20:1-18), in another reading it was a :young man" (Mark 16:1-7). Would you say the young man was Jesus?
- There are two stories of Creation, one saying Man created first, the other last - does that make a difference?
- Other -Another Topic of you choosing
Offer the class members chance to present 7 minute lessons on various subjects of interest to them and call it "Member Talks" or something similar; stick to time limit. This is a good technique for giving practice to class members in doing a lesson.
- Here is a note I sent Kevin after a visit to our class which summarizes some ideas:
- Hi there Kevin - and thank you so much for leading the lesson in Ownbey March 18. I appreciate what you said. It was a good example of how to lead a class.. I also appreciate your delivery. You enunciated well and loud enough. You were very clear in thought and speech. You made sure the sound system was working ok as you started, and you used it. You made sure at the beginning we knew what we were going to cover. You quickly told of the book and the author and purpose of your comments. You had the class participating quickly. You asked for feedback and then listened. You were patient. You commented back any time someone made a point and did not leave us hanging. You did not answer comments with "we will cover that later" but did it then. You avoided the "ughs." You ended the session before the closing time. Thank you.
I understand the point for helping people who receive help respect themselves. A number of Ownbey folks help with food deliveries and kitchens (and other ways of course) through the years, and I thought more credit could have been given for that type effort . That was the point of my comment. I could see folks leaving the session saying "yeh we really need to do more," but they also could have felt the opposite if it were not appreciated.
Anyway, it was a good session, well delivered by an expert speaker who provided a lot of food for thought and action. I plan to read the book now. Best wishes for your new role in DC. We will miss you. Don Redding 4/2/12 - Class members support the lesson program in many ways, including being present. Attendance is averaging close to 20 for an all time low, and our teachers need more support than that. Consider changes in schedule of Worship Services to make room for Ownbey SS.
- Good we all all invited to the Lesson planning meetings
- Give us chance for feedback other ways - thanks for the 4/24/2011 survey and 10/30/2003
- Let class discuss/decide, based on recommendation of the Curriculum Committee, if we want to be a part of the periodic Church wide efforts
- Have periodic mention and a summary prepared of the Background of the Teachers; after all these years, I still do not know some basic info on Speakers.
- Periodic or Quarterly outside speakers
- Have James Howell lead a class - he promised in 2003 he would drop in when I told him we were studying one of his books, but he has not..
- Other names of interest would be Loy Witherspoon, Mark Edwards, Melvin McIntosh, Danny Watts, etc
- Invite children of members to teach us - such who are minister/speaker as the Thompsons, Hatfields.
- Also invite people who have been to war zones and mission trips
- Folks from South Tryon Church
- Offer the class members chance to present 7 minute lessons on various subjects of interest to them and call it "member Talks" or something similar; stick to time limit. This is a good technique for giving practice to class members in doing a lesson.
- Can we figure out how to get class to read books before lessons; at least encourage it.
- Summarize Class Lessons for communication to folks not present
- Use handouts or outlines of lessons during the class.
- Each Teacher-on book taught, prepare a book review (they are brief, according to practice here and the guidelines) for the Library Web Site . With all the teachers' hours of preparation already, perhaps it would take only a few minutes to do.
- One of the benefits of this class is the exposure to so many books and thoughts over the years, and we should emphasize that in discussing with others and publicity and in flyers about the class.
- Prepare a list of the books we have studied
- Teachers should be present as often as possible when others teaching, especially if the same Book
- Encourage families of members to come to class and Socials, especially from out of town
- All Teachers and speakers should use the mikes or no teachers use them as the switching back and forth does not work well. Also, I gave up trying to use the A/V system to record; when I was using it recording was excellent when mikes used, not clear when mikes avoided.
- Teachers speak forcefully or at least up even with mikes.
- Teachers exhibit enthusiasm
- Teachers use some books on the Reading list for the Methodist Women
- Plan and distribute Lesson Schedule well in advance of Quarter, such as by middle of previous quarter.
- Use the Stephen Minister Booklets for basis of lesson.
- Continue single session topics AND multiple sessions topics.
- Multi part session of up to 3 to 5 classes unless is a larger planned church wide program.
- Plan in sequence instead of skipping to other subject In multiple session topic, especially if a book,
- Teachers later to participate in Multi session topic present for previous lessons
- Use Adult Bible Series more periodically for a multi part session
- Recognize Teachers by a special dinner.
- Get a picture of all teachers annually.
- Publicize our classes in various church publications as others do.
- Add Audio Visuals (TV, DVD/VHS Player) and curtains to room to make it easier to use media.
- Handouts by teachers such as outline and notes often would be helpful
- Class on other denominations such as Baptist, Episcopalians, Mormons, a class on Masons.
- Added even later:
- The more teachers present for other teachers classes, the better
- Change in lessons or teachers emailed up to day before session
- Invite Youth /teenagers to our class, let them present a class to us.
2003.10.29 QUESTIONNAIRE - Curriculum Committee, Ownbey Class
QUESTIONNAIRE - Curriculum Committee, Ownbey ClassDon and Bill: This is a great idea - to get this feedback as you guys start a new year and a new administration. Thanks for asking. Also thanks for agreeing to recording and doing the schedule, etc. DSR 10/30/031. Is Thursday evening a good time to meet? Any ok except weekend.2. Should we include food? Yes beverage? Yes3. The meeting should be how long. 2 hours ok4. We should start at 6 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM (Circle one) Earlier the better, but some work and early is hard. 7:30 seems late if eating.5. Should we survey the class for lesson topics? Yes, and for ideas similar to this survey.6. Do you have an area in which you are especially interested, and would like to teach? Sometime.7. Are you interested in trying some different formats, perhaps once a quarter, such as: Team of two teaching, Interview, Debate, and Panel. We have outstanding teachers and lessons. Still variety could be good this way, and nothing wrong with a straight lecture every now and then. Also think we would like the benefit of hearing other teachers such as Mark Edwards, Melvin McIntosh, the Queens professors, Loy Witherspoon, our ministers, etc., – not every month but maybe one every six or eight months.8. Should we introduce some flexibility to the schedule~ to allow attendance at church-wide meetings during Sunday school hour? Good Idea. This has been a concern in the past as we did not want to disrupt our set schedule but wanted to be supportive of church wide efforts. Ownbey efforts helped result in a better policy (announcements 90 days in advance). We could leave a blank in the schedule each quarter, and then rearrange slightly our lessons for the special unanticipated 9:45’s. If there did not develop a group session we could have a Class meeting to cover items we do not have time for during the normal schedule. Class meetings on class time was a suggestion at an earlier Advisory Meeting, but there was no room for it in the schedule and all our teachers showed up in 2003; in the past, a forgetting teacher was the occasion for a class meeting. Or we could use the blank for some outside teachers when it was clear there was no joint session.
9. Are you agreeable to looking over a book between meetings, to evaluate it as teaching material to discuss at the next meeting? YES10. Please be prepared to give the group three teaching tips you have learned as you have prepared and presented lessons. (Three requested since there will likely be some duplication of ideas.)(I have not taught this class but I have taught other sessions.)1> Speak loudly enough. On a few occasions, I have been asked to make sure the teachers were aware of the need to do this. I believe we can make sure we can be heard and that we do not need to add a mike - then again as we get older, who knows. Also, skip speaking with back to class as one write on Board.
2> Have Handouts or outline of the lesson and prepare enough for all- forget the old share if a couple . .3> Wrap up the main points of the lesson at the end of lesson. At one time I discussed the idea of a “red zone” in the last 5 minutes for the teachers (only) to finish and summarize. Some teachers, rightly so, pointed out that it was desirable from an interest standpoint to let the lesson end in the midst of a discussion, and I see the logic from an involvement viewpoint. Still one last question at the end of the lesson from the audience takes away from the benefit of the leader’s final points and summary based on his (hours of) preparation.4> Not exactly a “teaching tip” but a device to help class appreciate the teacher better is the development of bios on the teachers and to “introduce” them at least sometime during a year. We know all the teachers, but even so, I really do not know what they do or their background other than generally. I think the “introduction” was worthwhile last Sunday to learn of William’s passion for the Stephen Ministry and his leadership role there. You might want to check the web page of the Luther Snyder Class to see what they do and they were the source of my revived interest in trying to do this.5> If more of the class members read the books before class it would make for better discussions. We have tried to encourage the class to do so by mentioning it, telling we have the books and they may borrow, and by putting links on the web page directly to the books on Amazon. Still only a very few read the books. Some teacher even mentioned it is not really a discussion when only the teacher has read the lesson. You as teachers have been through this item before and know better than I that the desires of the class appear not to want to do it. Yet it is worth another try in my opinion. Of course there is a problem of availability of the books, and I do not know how to solve that issue other than having copies available early. Even though I found if I read the book and knew the book answers it was not as much fun, teachers could direct the lessons to take advantage of more people having read them.PLEASE BRING THIS SHEET WITH YOU TO THE MEETING along with any material you would like to present to the group! DEH 10/29/03
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