Listening and then Speaking
There is no lack of posts, blogs, articles, contributors, on all the hot topics of the day: Critical Race Theory, BLM, LGBT etc., micro aggressions, sexual harassment, and the list goes on. Here’s s short list of some skills that have helped me to sort it out: be quick listen, ask questions, be more concerned with understanding the other person’s point of view that stating your own, speak in person to real people, think carefully, be polite, articulate your view without throwing darts.
Listening:
Before you speak, post, or get too emotionally charged about a current event:
https://derekzrishmawy.com/2021/05/18/on-making-it-personal-or-one-and-half-cheers-for-abstraction/
https://www.termsofservice.social/p/matters-too-important-for-social
Zoom Class on the Pentateuch this Week
I’m home. Safe and in the midst of three months of catching up. Vickie and I are teaching k-3 graders in Sunday School. I call it semi-organized herding cats. Fun! I’m redefining slow on the bike, and we are thoroughly enjoying our four amazing above-average grandchildren.
I will return to Liberia for a month in August: leading a non-formal TLI trip, teaching two college classes, and other assorted duties at GraceLife. I love going and I love coming home – it’s all good.
Here’s a few videos, pics, and the Pentateuch class syllabus.
The Pentateuch
Grace Life College, Liberia
Dr. Robert Burris, April 27-May 1, 2021
Course Description: This course is a survey of the the Pentateuch for the purpose of aiding the pastor in a verse by verse, pericope oriented, exposition of the books of Moses. Attention will be given to the structure of the Pentateuch and its contribution to the ongoing storyline of the Bible – Redemptive/Historical.
Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Confidently begin to study for a sermon series on any of the books covered.
2. Understand the unique contribution of the Pentateuch to the Redemptive/ historical plan of God.
3. Be able to exegete key pericopes in each book.
4. Understand how to faithfully understand, teach and apply O.T. narrative and Law.
5. Grow in their love for Christ.
Indicators:
1. Full participation in classroom dynamics, including prompt attendance.
3. Satisfactory completion of the final examination based on class lectures.
4. Satisfactory completion of 4 classroom quizzes.
4. Satisfactory completion of sermon project and Schoology assignments.
Course Textbooks and listening/reading:
Listen to or read all of the following articles and give a FULL one page response to each article.
Why Should I Read the Bible? // Ask an African Pastor
Falsehood and the Reasons We Believe It
https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-is-there-sickness-has-god-lost- control/
https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/video/am-i-cursed/
https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-plague-the-passover-and-the- propitiation/
https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/sermon-podcast/i-am-who-god-really-is/
Youth Ministry Demands Robust Theology
Why is the Bronze Snake in the Desert Significant?
https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/conference_media/family-devotions-and- parenting/
Indicators:
1. Engaging in classroom discussions.
2. Satisfactory completion of the final examination based on class lectures and the assigned reading.
3. Satisfactory completion of 4 classroom quizzes.
4. Satisfactory completion of all assigned readings with thoughtful interaction indicated by responses.
Course Textbooks, readings, and listening assignment:
Holy Bible: The Pentateuch
Grading
Reading and Listening: 10%
Bible: Pentateuch
A reading and listening report will be submitted by __________2021. Each late week will result in a 5% grade deduction.
Class participation, prompt attendance – 10%
Writing project – 30%,
Full one page response to each of the links above.
Examinations: 50%
The exam will be given at the beginning of the next class in August – 45%
Quizzes – 5% – 4 daily quizzes, at 1:30pm, on the previous day’s lecture and assignment. The quizzes will be given verbally, and the questions will NOT be repeated.
