Saturday, February 23, 2013

As we move into March...

It has been an eventful February, to say the least.  The Winterim Theology Camp in January was perhaps the most enjoyable and fulfilling camp I have experienced in years.  The campers were almost obsessed with asking questions and studying the Scriptures about the New Heaven and New earth... wow, th whole week was almost transcendent to any camp I have had the privilege of organizing.  A second camp - a weekend retreat, really - is already being set up and the reservations are filling up fast. 

Now for February.  The contests have been heated, and the projects have been plenty. Sociology Class has been finishing up a report about polling and surveys.  We have also had debates, where I play the atheist.  We have studied cults and mob hysteria.  The students of the second period Bible class (Epsilon Delta) that I teach has been amazing in their desire to learn and mature.  We are now into the New Testament Survey (currently in Acts) and have been adding a new Koine Greek word to their vocabulary every other day.  This class won't slow down!  They have picked up comprehension, and so have their grades.

This is not to say that their contemporaries haven't followed their lead.  The past week had student speeches as part of the learning process.  The third hour (Omega Rho) also stunned me with the quality of their speeches.  In the past I would have complaints about the challenge of standing up and giving a presentation, but that has quickly faded - the attitude is positive.  Three students in a row - L., L, and T. all were exceptional.
This week we will survey the book of Romans and add demonstration speeches as well.  The students will show me how to make a sandwich.
I have been using the Zockoll University website as a source for the students' in-class notes and reading, and the class enjoys the fun of the fictional college, hoping that I may have sneaked their name in a time or two.