Faith
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport


Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 11-21-99
Copyright Nancy Lambert Davenport 1999


"Sunday School Bible Lesson Can Liberate"


Last week I sat in a retreat center dining hall in the mountains of New Mexico. A wall of windows allowed me to see the silhouette of trees outside that were climbing the mountainside a few yards away. The stars decorated the blackness above them. It was cool enough that I was glad I had my fleece jacket to wear when I walked back to my room later.

Early in the evening the group at our table lingered over coffee. One couple was from California. The convoluted conversation turned to Sunday school, the impact it has on our kids - or not - and the methods we use. The man from California attends a church with a nationally known pastor and a congregation of thousands. He said he has spent years teaching a class of young adults with developmental delays. Most of the time, there are about thirty of them. Their ability levels range from people who are completely non-verbal to a man whose main disability seems to be shyness. The Californian was proud of the work he is doing I could tell. I was pleased with his dedication.

I asked him if he ever encouraged his students to attend other classes with people in the congregation who did not have disabilities. I could tell he was hearing me as if I were speaking a foreign language. He felt his class was a haven or protection from failure and rejection. I explained in simpler terms that perhaps other members of the congregation might enjoy mentoring one-on-one someone who did not learn easily. The blessing, I assured him, would go both ways.

How could they keep up with the material, he wanted to know. They would feel frustrated and discouraged. No problem, I explained. The mentor would convert the material to something his new friend could understand or accomplish. The mentor and student would have to get to know each other well to have the relationship be successful, but then, isn't that what friendship is all about?

I gave an example. I have not taught an adult class for some time, but recently, I modified some material for a high school student. I told the Californian about only a portion of the lesson, but it exemplified how success and learning could happened in an inclusive setting. The goal was for the students to learn their ways around the Bible from a sword drill- the teacher calling out a scripture and the student finding the scripture quickly. Of course most people with disabilities would be at a disadvantage in a competitive exercise like this, so I leveled the playing field for the student with disabilities. For the exercise, I found a set of scriptures to call out one at a time to the group. They had the whole Bible in which to find them. Days before the class I helped the student with disabilities by giving him the scriptures which he marked with a slip of paper. That way when I called out the scripture he only had to find the right one out of the few he had marked. It was as much a challenge for him as the full sword drill was for the others. For another student who has more ability, I would have him mark the beginning of the book in which the scripture lies rather than the exact page. The student still has a sense of accomplishment and challenge but no frustration at being unable to keep up. Yes, this is work and takes planning, but it certainly is rewarding.

As I walked back to my room, I clutched my jacket around me. The night air went right through anyway. My new friend from California also was not adequately dressed for the weather either, but he was more interested in continuing the conversation. He was fascinated with what was a new concept to him. By using my methods he will not only encourage students to be in the community, he will find that some of his students will feel as if they have been liberated and are truly part of his church. I think though that the best will come for the church community that is not disabled. They will experience people with disabilities as "us" rather than "them" because they will become a team. I hope my new friend will take my suggestions back with him and implement them They can be a little bit of Texas and a hint of New Mexico.


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Nancy Lambert Davenport
EMAIL: nancdave@swbell.net
URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com