The focus of the work of Prof. Cherian Thomas was on the hymns in our liturgy, which were translated from Syriac, keeping the original tunes, but sacrificing the original meaning. With the emphasis on tunes, the emphasis was not on conveying the same meaning, so participants cannot meaningfully participate in worship. As a result of prof. Thomas’ research, liturgy lessons have been incorporated in Sunday school lessons explaining the meaning of the hymns.
Following the pioneer work of Prof. Thomas, now it is time to move on deeper and wider. The children may be taught the hymns in a systematic way helping them to understand the theological ideas in the hymns as well as the literary techniques used in the hymns. Thus they have to learn to analyse the form and content of the hymns. Once they analyse a hymn, they will be able to summarize it, compare it with others, and also become familiar with the historical context in which the hymn was composed. They will also learn to compose new hymns.
This need not be limited to the hymns. Another major area untouched in the study of Prof. Thomas is the prayers in the liturgy. The prayers vary in content and form. The students may learn to analyse the content and form of the prayers. Then they will be able to summarize a prayer, compare one with others, and be familiar with their historical context. They will also compose new prayers.
As a result, our children learn to think, to be creative, and to be active participants in our worship. It will help them to excel in their regular school education as well, for thinking skills are not taught satisfactorily in our schools or colleges.
In analysing a prayer, the following questions may be asked:
1.Who prays, to whom?
2.What is the current problem situation of the person who prays?
3.What is the primary request?
4.What are the secondary requests?
5.What are the assumptions/beliefs expressed in the prayer?
6.What are the metaphors in the prayer?
The analysis may be done as a whole group activity with the help of the teacher. After that the students may engage in creative activities individually or in small groups.
Let us see an example of how a prayer may be taught in Sunday School classes. Let us take the Lord’s Prayer as an example.
Analysis
Following the pioneer work of Prof. Thomas, now it is time to move on deeper and wider. The children may be taught the hymns in a systematic way helping them to understand the theological ideas in the hymns as well as the literary techniques used in the hymns. Thus they have to learn to analyse the form and content of the hymns. Once they analyse a hymn, they will be able to summarize it, compare it with others, and also become familiar with the historical context in which the hymn was composed. They will also learn to compose new hymns.
This need not be limited to the hymns. Another major area untouched in the study of Prof. Thomas is the prayers in the liturgy. The prayers vary in content and form. The students may learn to analyse the content and form of the prayers. Then they will be able to summarize a prayer, compare one with others, and be familiar with their historical context. They will also compose new prayers.
As a result, our children learn to think, to be creative, and to be active participants in our worship. It will help them to excel in their regular school education as well, for thinking skills are not taught satisfactorily in our schools or colleges.
In analysing a prayer, the following questions may be asked:
1.Who prays, to whom?
2.What is the current problem situation of the person who prays?
3.What is the primary request?
4.What are the secondary requests?
5.What are the assumptions/beliefs expressed in the prayer?
6.What are the metaphors in the prayer?
The analysis may be done as a whole group activity with the help of the teacher. After that the students may engage in creative activities individually or in small groups.
Let us see an example of how a prayer may be taught in Sunday School classes. Let us take the Lord’s Prayer as an example.
Analysis
- Who pray? -- The people on earth
- To whom is the prayer addressed? -- The father in heaven.
- What is the primary request in the prayer? -- The father may extend his rule to the earth.
- What is the worldview in the prayer? -- The world is like a two-storied building with heaven above and earth below. Heaven is ruled by God, but the earth is ruled by Satan, the evil one.
- What is the historical context of the prayer? -- They were under the Roman rule, and they earnestly wished for freedom. They understood the Roman rule as a manifestation of Satan’s rule.They sincerely hoped and prayed to God to end the Satan’s rule and to appoint a new king in the place of Satan.
- How is the present condition of the world described in the prayer? -- God’s name is not hallowed on earth, and the earth is not ruled by God now. God’s will is not done on earth now. People on earth don’t have their daily bread. They live under fear that God won’t forgive them and they might face the final judgment. They are under the rule of the evil one.
- What are the assumptions/beliefs expressed in the prayer? -- Their worldview of heaven above and earth below. God rules heaven and Satan rules earth. God can remove Satan and establish God’s own rule on earth. When God’s name is hallowed, God’s rule will come. There will be a final judgment in which Satan and his supporters will be punished.
- What are the metaphors (literary expressions) in this prayer? -- God as father, people as God’s children, the world as a two-storied building, God as the king of heaven, doing God’s will as the daily bread, Satan as the king of the earth
Creative Activities (As individuals or as small groups)
1.Write a summary of this prayer in two or three sentences.
2.Paraphrase this prayer in your won words.
3.Imagine that Jesus lives today in the 21st century among us. He teaches us a prayer for us to pray according to our context. How will it be? Think of today’s worldview and metaphors that people can understand today.
This material may be adapted according to the level of the students. The above analysis and activities are suitable for higher level classes. It needs to be simplified for lower level classes.
1.Write a summary of this prayer in two or three sentences.
2.Paraphrase this prayer in your won words.
3.Imagine that Jesus lives today in the 21st century among us. He teaches us a prayer for us to pray according to our context. How will it be? Think of today’s worldview and metaphors that people can understand today.
This material may be adapted according to the level of the students. The above analysis and activities are suitable for higher level classes. It needs to be simplified for lower level classes.
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