Christianity: Questions for Reflection

Questions for Reflection
Christianity

Religion: Christianity

Purpose: to encourage students to think more deeply and creatively regarding issues related to the religion in question and to think about how these issues relate to the real world and even to the student's own life.

Cognitive Skills: application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation

Learning Styles: active (if discussed with classmates), reflective, sensing, intuitive, global

Intelligences: intrapersonal, interpersonal (when discussed with others), logical-mathematical

Use: in classroom, at home, on-line discussion board

For: individual, pairs, small groups

Estimated time: 2 - 5 minutes (or more when done as journaling at home)

Materials needed: none (other than pen and paper)

The Activity: several options for use

In the classroom: These questions may be presented in class for students to think-write-pair-share
At home: Questions may also be suggested to students for personal reflection and written response as a journaling exercise (which may be a graded assignment)
On line: Questions such as these would make for ideal on-line discussions for distance learning classes

The Questions: These are just some suggestions. Teachers may feel free to modify these or use additional questions they may think of themselves

Birth Stories of Jesus
Read the two birth stories of Jesus contained in the Gospels (Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-23 & Luke 2:1-20). Speculate why only two of the four Gospels contain the birth story. Notice some of the differences between these two stories (e.g., three wise men in one story vs. three shepherds in the other). What do you think might account for such differences? How accurate do you think these stories are as history? Does it really matter if they are not historically accurate? What function might such stories have if it is not to inform us of what really happened?
Who was Jesus?
What manner of man was this?
Putting aside Christian doctrine which tells us that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah), Son of God and our Savior (sacrificed to atone for our sins); given what we can know, historically, about Jesus, who or what might he have been if he was not who Christianity says he was?
What's most important?
What aspect of Jesus' life do you think is most important and why? - His birth? life and teachings? healings and miracles? death? or resurrection?
Jesus' Intent
Do you think Jesus intended to found a new religion? If so, on what evidence (scriptural or otherwise) do you base this position? If not, what do you think he was trying to accomplish?
The "Good News"
Review and analyze the text, lecture notes and related Biblical passages regarding the "good news" preached by Jesus in the Gospels and by Paul in his Epistles. Were Jesus and Paul preaching the same Good News? How did their messages differ? How were they related? In your judgment, is Christianity, as it stands in the world today, a religion based more on Jesus’ teachings or on Paul’s?
Non-Jewish Christianity
Christianity began as a movement within first century Judaism. Today these are two different religions. At what point, in its history, would you say Christianity clearly distinguished itself from its Jewish roots? What events and/or decisions accomplish this distancing? How? What do you think may have been some of the motivating factors for this separation?
The First Church?
Both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches claim to be the the "oldest" or "original" church. If these are two different churches how can they both claim to go all the way back to the beginning? Which would you argue came first? Which one broke away?: The Roman Catholic Church or Eastern Orthodox? When did they each really begin? Or, would you hold that neither was the "original church"? Explain your reasoning.
Roman Catholic vs. Protestant
What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant churches?
Christian diversity
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different Christian denominations. What do you feel are the pros and cons of this diversity?
"Contemporary Trends"
In her chapter on Christianity, Fisher* includes seven sub-headings under the heading "Contemporary Trends." Of these seven, which one appeals most to you and why? How do you see and/or participate in the "trend" you discuss?
( * Fisher, Mary pat, Living Religions, chapter 9)
Would Jesus Approve?
If Jesus were to return today how do you think he would respond to the Christian religion? Do you think he would recognize it as something he began? What aspects of the faith would he approve of (if any)? What would he disapprove of?
What is Christianity?
At its roots, what would you say defines Christianity? What do all Christians have in common that distinguish their faith from that of non-Christians?

Alternative possibilities: Reflective questions can be a developed for any course. The main point is to design questions that elicit creative, original thinking and encourage students to relate what they are learning to the real world and to their own life - to see and make connections.