Moving Beyond Curriculum
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
Our generation has more access to books, training and resources than any other Christian generation who has ever existed. We have more books, yet often struggle for close relationships. We have more materials, but still desire deeper change. We have more discussion guides, yet have trouble talking about what’s really going on in our lives or sharing our faith with others.
I have a deep suspicion that we can easily develop an unhealthy reliance on curriculum in trying to develop Christian community. Here are some things to consider…
- Curriculum can sometimes keep us at arm’s length from each other as we discuss a topic rather than what’s really going on in our lives.
- We can study an endless amount but not have any measures for obeying what we are learning.
- We can consume study after study without drawing nearer to each other or Christ.
- More and more studies encourage passive engagement with Scripture rather than the discipline of reading the Bible.
Don’t get me wrong. Curriculum does have a role. Here are some principles for curriculum…
- Curriculum supports; it does not sustain. Resources help groups get established. They do not sustain a group long term. Only relationships (with Christ and each other) can sustain a group.
- Curriculum is not always needed. The life of the group, the shared experiences, the presence of Christ, should eventually provide enough fodder for fellowship.
- Curriculum has a place, but it is not the priority. The goal of the group is intimacy with Christ, nurturing relationships and mission. Curriculum can keep us at arms length from each other where we retreat to the safety of a discussion guide without actually spurring one another on to love and good deeds as a natural expression of our relationships.
We can benefit from the use of a good curriculum and study. Curriculum plays a big role in helping groups get started, but it is not needed for the closest of relationships. We don’t need discussion guides and DVD videos when we gather with friends over coffee. Shared experiences and trust are enough fodder for fellowship. Could this also be true for Christian communities?
When Paul faced challenges in the early churches, he did not call them back to a curriculum or study. They had no such resources. Instead, he reminded them of what they had learned, offered further instruction and encouraged them in ways to relate to one another. The curriculum of their meetings came out of their conflicts and relationships, experiences with Christ and instruction from their leaders. Perhaps if we nurture the word of Christ in us deeply apart from our meetings, we will not be so reliant on the word of authors to tell us what to discuss in our meetings.
The word of Christ in us will create the community we desire. Sure, we can always learn more. But, the learning that comes through experience with Christ means more than a multitude of studies.
So, use curriculum wisely. It can encourage the faith and relationships in your group. But, aim beyond studies. May the word of Christ dwell in you and your group richly so that you may be able to teach and admonish one another, so that you may together experience the great power of Jesus alive in your group even beyond the meeting.
