{"id":42144,"date":"2021-03-18T08:44:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T13:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/?p=42144"},"modified":"2021-04-29T08:45:18","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T13:45:18","slug":"singing-a-silly-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalministries.org\/singing-a-silly-song\/","title":{"rendered":"Singing a Silly Song"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is not uncommon for me to include the use of songs in my teaching. These, of course, are not random songs but songs or hymns I believe share some aspect of the historical, theological, or spiritual sense of the text I am teaching. It then came as a bit of a fun surprise for the class and me as my mind wandered way back to a silly song sung by Mitch Miller of \u201cSing Along with Mitch,\u201d fame. (For those not familiar with this program, it can be found on YouTube.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, I was recently working with my Lay Ministry class assisting them in developing a theological reading of the book of Jonah. Both in the study notes I developed for the class and my class presentation, I stated that the book of Jonah has an abrupt ending. I thought not much about this but noticed a student raised his hand. \u201cWhat is abrupt?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I invited the class to turn to the ending of the story and made an attempt to explain abrupt with a couple of examples. At this point, I could tell the student, and the class, had a better understanding of the word but there remained a faint look of mystery on their faces. Abruptly, in the quirky manner my mind works, the old song came floating back to me. Be Kind to Your Web Footed Friends<\/em>. (Also on YouTube)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singing with gusto to the tune of the stirring trio of the Stars and Stars and Stripes Forever<\/em>, I came to the lines, \u201cYou may think that this is the end. Well, it is!\u201d Abrupt! The class erupted with laughter and begged me to sing it again. Naturally, I obliged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day\u2019s lecture continued eventually coming to the closing line, \u201c\u2026 and also many animals?\u201d The class in unison said, \u201cAbrupt!\u201d  We laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each day of class brings new and unexpected experiences. Often these experiences come about because of language or cultural differences. Then we need to divert from the lesson and create a new<\/em> lesson where we learn from each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will my students long remember anything I said about Jonah? <\/em>I suppose one answer to that question will be found at exam time. What I do know, they will remember abrupt<\/em> and this story will be with them each time read the whimsical yet significant book.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Larry Colvin serves with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church\u2019s Wider Mission, OGHS, and your special gifts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a gift that supports the work of Larry Colvin<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is not uncommon for me to include the use of songs in my teaching. 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