In Your Own Words

Remember back in grade school, when the teacher would ask you a question and you would repeat back, word for word, to him/her the answer you found in the text book?

Remember how good it felt to be right?

Fast forward a few years into middle school or high school. Remember that nagging teacher who would force you to change that perfectly worded answer you found in the text book into your own version of the same answer?

Your teacher would normally say something like, "Now Billy, put that answer into your own words please."

That's normally when Billy would let out a big groan.

Why wasn't the answer from the book good enough?

I think that's a valid question.

It's made me think recently about why people continue to compose new songs, give new sermons, write new blog posts, paint new paintings...

Our Christian faith has a rich base of writings, hymns, and art. There is no shortage of artistic expression with our God as the subject.

With that in mind, why do we need to continue re-inventing the same thing over and over again?

I think it's the same reason that the teacher asks Billy to put the answer he found in the text book into his own words.

Understanding is closely linked with ownership.

As we give new sermons, sing new songs, create new art, we own all over again this beautiful message we've found in our text book.

What do you think? Have you ever put your faith into your own words? Did it force you to know your faith all the more fully? Did it force you to own it?

Comments

  1. Jonathan PearsonJune 9, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Great point. Never thought of it that way. I do remember hearing, "In your own words, Jonathan" a few times! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. SamJune 9, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Glad you think so!

    I definitely heard it a few times too...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barry LeathersJune 9, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    love your take Sam - well said. One of the greatest gifts from God is our unique voice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. SamJune 9, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Agreed. It's amazing that we can have millions of voices expressing their love for God in a million unique and God-honoring ways.

    ReplyDelete
  5. eileenJune 9, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    New here. Enjoyed your post. It made me think about my faith journey. Growing up, I was taught about Christ but it wasn't until I was out on my own, learning from my mistakes and my experiences, putting my faith into practice that I really feel as if I claim ownership. Understanding does have some much to do with it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. SamJune 9, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Eileen,

    Thanks for the comment. I think I went through a similar process. Connecting action and understanding seems to be so vital.

    ReplyDelete

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