An Introduction from a Wesleyan Holiness Perspective by John H. Aukerman - Book Report/Review Example

The essay is based from the book en d, Discipleship that Transforms: An Introduction from a Wesleyan Holiness Perspective by John H. Aukerman. The essay is divided into 5 parts. For the first part, the topic is all about the integration of different cultures within the church basing from Chapter fifteen which is entitled as The Teaching-Learning Transaction and is written by Jane Kennard. The essay is focused on the responsibilities for the teacher and the student in their interaction. The second part of the essay is all about the differences between Christian and secular education basing from Chapter twenty-five which is entitled as Church and Public Education by Shannon New-Spangler. The essay contains the benefits and drawbacks for private school, public schools and home schools. Moreover, it also explains the reason Christian Education is imperative for the proper upbringing and moral foundation of a child. The third part of the essay talks about the integration of different cultures within the church. It addresses the need of the church to fulfill the Great commission with Christian Education as the means to reach them. This essay is basing from Chapter 24 which is entitled as Intercultural Education by Kristin D. Longenecker Bullock. The fourth part of the essay is a strategy plan for meeting the needs of teaching to the following age groups: Infancy and Childhood, Middle School, Adolescence, Early Adulthood, Middle Age and Later Maturity. This plan addresses the categories namely Characteristics, Cognitive Level and Ministry Goal. This is based on Chapter twenty-one which is entitled as Christian Education across the Lifespan by John Aukerman. The last part of the essay talks about the importance of the family in Christian Education. A case was given in this part of the essay on the reason why parents cannot outsource the spiritual development of their children to the church alone and the reason why there needs to be a partnership between the church and the family. Teacher and Student Process Jesus has been the stupendous teacher in the Bible. At first, most of the disciples cannot comprehend his teaching especially the parables. But as the days past and as they have experienced the teaching of Jesus Christ in their daily lives, they were able to fully understand and learn the concepts of his teaching. Being a teacher in the school, in the community or at home is not just a profession or a job but it is more than that. A teacher has the competence to inspire students’ lives. A teacher has the competence to change one’s life inside and out. It is not how much the students learned from the teacher that matters but it is how a teacher changed the lives of the students. Teaching is not merely giving the students the essential things or imparting the knowledge a teacher possesses. Teaching is depositing more than what the students need. Both the teacher and the learner have responsibilities in the learning process. Benjamin Bloom believes that there are three categories of learning. These three categories are the cognitive, affective and the behavioral or psychomotor. The objectives of cognitive domain administer with the retrospect or assimilation of knowledge and the development of intellectual competence and skills. Cognitive domain has also levels that the teacher contemplates to achieve cognitive. These levels include the acronym, KCAASE that stands for Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation. The objectives of affective domain delineate the changes of interest, attitudes, and values, and the development of appreciations and adequate adjustment. In affective domain, the learners should be accountable in receiving erudition. Willingness to be learned is the eminent key in this domain. The third domain is the psychomotor or behavior which the objectives concern the manipulative or motor skills. Psychomotor domain can be achieved through the taxonomy discussed by Kennard. The taxonomy includes observing, imitating, practicing and adapting. If this taxonomy is consummated by the student, then the three domains, namely, cognitive, affective, and behavioral were successfully exploited during the learning process. In the spiritual aspect, what is happening in the spiritual is happening in the physical. Learning process of Christians can also be achieved through the use of the three domains. In the cognitive process, memorizing the Ten Commandments or the words of God in the Bible is the application of this domain. Valuing the Ten Commandments and characterizing them is the application process of the affective domain and lastly actuating or putting into action the Ten Commandments is the assiduity of the behavioral domain. Teaching the Bible has lots of responsibilities to be contemplated. A teacher should already an adherent of whatever they are teaching before advocating and teaching the word of God. In James 2: 17 (New International Version), it says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Teachers play great roles in the community, a teacher, a doer, and a model. If our goal is to only let the people know the truth and don’t teach them also to live just like Christ lives then we are dead spiritually. If we teach, we must be an example of what we are teaching. As a listener to the Word of God, listening should not just be a habit but as Christians, we should internalize the Word and take them into actions in our daily lives. Through the lead of the Holy Spirit, our greatest teacher, we will be able to change lives. By the grace of God, we will be able to lead them to the right path to Christ. Differences between Christian and Secular Education These days, Christian education is very fundamental to the parents especially to the younger generations. Christian education is not just being taught inside the church but also at home, in the community and inside the school. Christian parents consider the spiritual aspect of their children that cause them to commence planning their children’s educational aspect. Christian education is considered as different Christian beliefs that are based from the scriptures. It also takes in consideration the nature of God, His personality and His creation that includes the world. It is also based on the truth, and everything that is considered as moral and ethical. With these kinds of considerations, Christian education is a way wherein we will be able to know the truth, for us to live in an ethical way and to live according to the scriptures and according to the will of God. People might not be perfect like Christ but through Christian education, people will be able to live by faith and through the grace and mercy of God. On the other hand, secular education is the separation of religion to the education. It is also the separation of the government. There are three options that are responsible for the teaching of education and that include the home, the community of the same faith, and the schools. In private schools, many people believe that these schools will prepare the learners or students not only in their academics or skills but also for their Christian education. Private schools will be able to give the full attention to the students because of the number of the class. Teachers will be able to focus on the behaviors of the students. Through these benefits, when students go out of their comfort zones and live with the secular world they are ready with the temptations and trials that will come their way. In public schools, parents are very open to help in the learning of the school. They have the freedom to speak about what is moral and ethical. They can be of help in terms of financial and can also be classroom aides when the teachers of the students are away. Despite of these benefits, there are also drawbacks like learners don’t have the assurance of Christian education. In public schools, Christian education is limited. Every student has their own religion so teaching it is very limited because it is lenient, it will cause debate. In home schooling, it is the responsibility of the parents for the education of their children. Many parents believe that taking good care of their children is not only their responsibility but to protect them also from the society that will influence their character. In connection with this, with the help of the community, home schooling will build the children’s character since parents will be able to teach them the essence of life in their own point of view. The children are protected from the school environment that is full of temptation and different attitudes of the parents and the learners. Children will be able to learn academically and of course spiritually since their parents have the chance to integrate the two. There are also drawbacks of home schooling. It cannot be avoided that the children who are under going with home schooling develop inferiority complex. Since they are always at home with the parents as their teachers or community members, if they will be in a crowd, confidence to mingle with them might not be achieved. In home schooling, the standard of the education might be poor. Since anyone can be a teacher of a child. In any case, Christian education is very important in the proper upbringing and moral foundation of a child because this will help in molding the spiritual life of the learners but also in their academics. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Biblically, God says that if we are going to seek His righteousness, everything will follow. Christian education is very important for the learners in order for the promise of God to be fulfilled upon us. Learners should seek who God is as well as His righteousness, and everything will be followed that includes the academics. Integration of Different Cultures within the Church “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28: 19-20). This is the great commission that was instructed by Jesus Christ to all Christians. Obeying this great commission is just but easy if the people you are evangelizing are your relatives, close friends or from the same tribe that you’ve come from. This great commission says “all nations” that means that we should not only focus on the people who are close to us or in the same tribe we belong from but also to the people who have different culture and background. There are basic principles that are needed to be taken in consideration by the church in order for the great commission to be fulfilled. Through these principles, we will be able to reach for the souls who have different cultures. The first principle that churches need is the so called “Relate.” This means that churches need to develop a good relationship for these people who have different cultures in order to win their trust. Trust should be developed first before anything else. In gaining their trust, one should be a good listener to the needs of the community. You also have to spend time with them. The second principle is to Learn. As an educator, knowing the students by name and pronouncing the student’s names correctly are ways that the students will be able to give their trust to the educators. In the Bible, the names of the people have different meanings. For example, the name Abram, God changed it to Abraham. "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations (Genesis 17:5).God changed most of the names of His people in the Bible in order to state firmly and show the changes he has made in their lives. The same is through when an educator memorizes and pronounces the name of this people. If the names are pronounced properly, it brings joy to the heart. The third principle is to Listen. The church must be a good listener in order to achieve the great commission. The fourth principle is to Look. Look at the solutions of the problems of the community. If you know their problems and situations, you will be able to help them in any way. The fifth part is to Share. Letting them enter into your whole world will let them feel that you trust them as well. Sharing not only financial matters but the most important is sharing your time and your presence. The last principle is to Reflect. Every human being has gifts that God has given. The gift or talent the church possesses or an educator possesses must be reflected. Evaluate the situation if that talent or gift can be applied to the community, culture or ethnic groups.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4 :10 -11). Gifts are given by God in order for us to use it for the great commission. The great commission is for all human being no matter multicultural dimensions people are from. Fulfillment of the great commission requires obedience just like Peter did. For example, in Acts 9:1-19,it is the story of the conversion of Saul. God told Ananias to restore the sight of Saul by laying his hands upon him. At first, Ananias was afraid because of the rumors he had heard how cruel Saul is to the Christians but at the time that he laid down his hands him, the great commission started to be fulfilled. Above all these principles, love is the greatest character a Christian should have in order to step forward into a world of different cultures. A person can give without loving but a person cannot love without giving. Christian Education Strategy Plans for the Stages of Development “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This is a proverb that serves as a reminder for the Christian educators for the duty given and instructed by God. There are ways and means of meeting these needs that are appropriate to the following infancy and childhood, middle school, adolescence, early adulthood, middle age, and later maturity. There are developmental tasks for these different stages that Christian educators should know which also caters the characteristics, cognitive level and the ministry goal of learners and the teachers. The first stage of development is the infancy and childhood. The main role of the teachers in this stage is to serve as a guide in their learning processes like walking and taking in solid foods with the permission of the parents as well. They should be an encourager as well while these children are learning to talk. Parents should be the one to know the time when are the kids ready to be trained in controlling and eliminating of body waste. Educators should assist these parents as well. Teachers should also teach sex differences by letting them know the appropriate clothes they wear and the proper place for them to comfort themselves. Teachers should also help this stage learn ideas and language that are biblically related like the words praise and worship, praying and offering. In this stage, they are also eager to read, so the proper way in teaching this stage in reading is to point to the pictures and read aloud the words. These will help them realize and know the words that are being taught. Finally, right and wrong are the things to be taught through Bible stories. The second stage is the middle age. For this stage, they tend to be very creative, they try to self learn even when they are playing. Teachers should choose the games that are appropriate to the learners for their physical skills and help them learn about self-esteem. Teach them how to socialize with their age groups and their different sex roles in the society. Skills in reading, writing and calculating are to be developed also in this stage. The idea of everyday living is also very important. Christian values, morality and conscience should also be taught. Commendation is also very important for the tasks they have done. The last one is to teach them to accept other people by teaching them that in the sight of God all are equal. The third stage is the adolescence. Maturity should be taught to this stage in terms of age and sexes. Assist them to also execute a comfortable social role with love and care. Physical acceptance by the adults should be taught in this stage. Let the teens feel that in any kinds of situation, Christian educators and parents are always there for them. For example, if they need counseling. Marriage and family life should also be taught these days for these teens. For example, teaching them the disadvantages of having their own family at their age in no time. The fourth stage is the early adulthood. Praying for these early adults the will of God in their lives is one of the tasks of teachers in this stage. Teach them to be a good person by doing their civic responsibilities, home management, selecting the appropriate mate and rearing a child. Emphasizing them also about social group inside the church is better. The fifth stage is middle age. Being socially responsible in the family and in one’s career, living happily as adult and adjusting to aging parents must be taught in this stage. The sixth stage is the later maturity. Christian educators should guide those who are in this stage for this new path. Being a listener, supporter, providing social activities, and visiting people in this stage are the needs of this stage that educators must know and do. Christian educators must possess love and must sacrifice themselves and their time in order to meet the needs of the church members. They must know when the perfect timing of the learners is in order to meet the will of God and their ministry goals. Importance of the Family in Christian Education “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9). God says clearly that family or parents have very important roles in Christian education of the children. But parents’ role isn’t enough for rearing the children in terms of Christian education. The support of Christian educators is also needed in Christian education. Family is considered as the first act of God and it is the unit of life and love. It is a unit of life that means life began in the family because of love. Life starts at home and Christian education starts at home, too. God has given us faith but this faith is individual. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Parents in a family should have faith in God in order for the dissemination of Christian education to the children. The parents are the most influential people in the lives of the children. The faith of the parents, their actions and behaviors are being looked upon by the children. Parents’ roles in the spiritual aspect of the children are very important. They have the power to change their children’s lives. These days, parents have the wrong notion that their children are growing, so they think that it is right for them to outsource the spiritual development of their children to the church alone. For example, every Sundays, they go to the church and ask their children to attend the Sunday school. They always think that this is enough for them for the nourishment of their spiritual life. If we are going to assess, Sunday School is only once a week, they just listen the Word of God once in a week but there are a lot of entertainments on the television, happenings in this world daily which are sometimes considered to be sources of temptations. It is not right that the church alone is responsible for the spiritual development of the children. There should be partnership between the two. As Christian educators, they have responsibilities to the parents regarding the spiritual development of children. Christian educators have roles to play in this matter. The first role is to inform and help them understand their role in the spiritual development of their children. In informing the parents, it should be done in a very careful manner and with great attention to detail. The second role of the parents is to help them understand more about the essence of faith. Faith is just give and take relationship. While parents are teaching about faith to their children, their faith will also be strengthened for sure. And the last role is to encourage the parents to do the knowledge about faith in action. If the children saw how firm their parents’ faith is, they will surely be strengthened and be encouraged to strengthen their faith as well. With these roles mentioned, we can say that it is important and it needs partnership between the church and the family for the development of the spiritual lives of the children in a family. The church is the backbone of a family which will give both the parents and the children strength and support. The parents are the guiding force of the children in order to have firm faith in God. Parents are the greatest teacher and greatest guide for the children’s faith is the Holy Spirit. No matter what the church or the parents do with their kids in order for the spiritual development of the children without the leading of the Holy Spirit and without true faith in God, the result is dead. Faith must always be nurtured in order to become a good example to other people’s lives especially to the children. References Aukerman, J. H. (2011). Discipleship that transforms: An Introduction to Christian Education from a Wesleyan Holiness Perspective. Available from https://read.amazon.com/?asin=B00ATTFAG6 Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). East Asia: Image Builders Services & Publishing Foundation, Inc. Read More