How to Teach Religion: Principles and MethodsBetts, George Herbert
Religion
How to Teach Religion: Principles and Methods
Betts, George Herbert
Religion -- Study and teaching; Religious education
The final tests of our instruction.--In such things as we have been
discussing, then, we find one of the surest tests of the outcome of our
teaching the child religion--_Are the lessons carrying over_? Is the
child, because of our contact with him, growing in attractiveness and
strength of personality and character? Is he developing a habit of
prayer, devotion, spiritual turning to God? Is he doing a reasonable
amount of reading and study of the Bible and the lesson material of the
school? Is he taking such personal part in the various social and
religious activities of the church and the community that he is "getting
his hand in," and developing the attachments and loyalties which can
come only through participation? In short, is the child given a chance
to apply, and does he daily put into practice and thus into character,
the content and spirit of what we teach him?
_The answers we must return to these questions will measure our success
as teachers and determine the value coming to the child from our
instruction._
1. To what extent do you believe your pupils are living differently
in their daily lives for the instruction you are giving them? Do
you definitely plan your teaching to accomplish this aim? For
example, what _definite_ results are you seeking from the next
lesson?
2. Can you think your class over pupil by pupil and decide which of
these points in the _code of action_ most needs be stressed in
individual cases? Do the topics in this code suggest points of
emphasis which might serve for many different lessons? Is there
danger of loss in efficiency if we try to stress too many of the
points at one time?
3. Are the children of your class interested in keeping up the
membership and attendance? What specific part and responsibility do
you give the members in this matter? Is it possible that you could
plan to use their help more fully and effectively?
4. Suppose you try making a list of all the different lines of
participation in religious activities directly opened up to the
pupils of your class by the church and the church school. Is the
list as long as it should be? What further provision could be made
for the children to have definite responsibility and activity?
5. Do you think that your pupils are becoming increasingly inclined
to look upon religion as a _mode of living?_ For example, will your
children be more agreeable, responsive, obedient, and helpful in
the home next week for the lessons you have been teaching them?
Will they have higher standards of conduct in the school and on the
playground?
FOR FURTHER READING
Dewey, Moral Principles in Education.
Sharp, Education for Character.
Partridge, Genetic Philosophy of Education, chapters on "Moral and
Religious Education."
Mumford, The Dawn of Character.
Richardson, The Religious Education of Adolescents.
Alexander, Boy Training.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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