Learning Through Song

Sometimes I wonder why I feel the need to keep songs such as this on file somewhere.

Maybe it's because I've never quite left my childhood behind. 

Or 

maybe it's because I've been an ESL teacher.  Maybe after having been a teacher it takes years to get the appreciation of kids songs out of your head.  Personally I think that if I would have been introduced to this Fruit of the Spirit song while still teaching I would've most likely taken it to the classroom.  

And

This thought brings back many memories. 

One thing that is so awesome about teaching English as a Second Language is that you can take kids songs into a classroom full of adults and get full participation.  

Well, sometimes you get full participation and sometimes they get a teacher that looks like a fool.  But really, take some simple words, put them to a catchy tune and I bet your students will remember them.    

I remember many a day walking through school and hearing strains of  "Hello. Hello. Hello. What's your name?" Drifting through the air.   

Yes, most likely that was a student from my class.  I'd say at least 75% of my students have heard that song at some point in their English Education.   

(I have no idea why this video clip has a Japan Airline picture on it)

Thank You Phaivahn for being my student! 

And yes, when I think of Mr. Phaivahn putting his heart into it his line of "My name is Phaivahn", amid the laughter of the rest of the class, it still makes me smile.

Of course there were also songs such as "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and the "ABC" song which could be brought out to liven up life a bit as well as teach important vocabulary such as body parts and...well... the ABCs.  

Somehow "The Ants Go Marching One by One" made it into my classroom.  This was inspired by my friend Linda who pointed out just how much English Vocabulary could be learned from this simple song.   Think about it...Verbs and Nouns. Think of all the everyday activities that littlest Ant does.   He sucks his thumb, (this is not an everyday activity for me), ties his shoe, opens the gate, climbs a tree, shuts the door and many other important things. 

Then there was Jesus, Love is a Bubblin' over.  First taught by my dear friend Jess, and later brought back into the classroom for students in the following years.  Ya gotta love songs with motions and very few words.  

But my favorite experience of all... Okay, I'm gonna brag just a little.  I'll admit I got a little bit of a big head over this experience but I've just gotta write this story down for snowy days when I need to remember that my students really did like me.  So sit back, relax and enjoy.   

Once upon a time, in a far away place, there was a group of about 20 students who all had this deep desire to learn English.   You see, English is an International Language and if they could only learn this rather difficult language they might possibly be given an opportunity for a better paying job. 

By an act of God these students became my students.  Ajaan Ann they called me.  Now Ajaan Ann had a curriculum to follow but she would randomly come up with things that really had no connection with the curriculum. Songs such as I've already mentioned.  Songs that involved marching like ants, or waving arms and making strange noises, or doing a little 'rap' such as this.  (okay so maybe it doesn't qualify as rap)

Basically I figured that my students were in a state of confusion when I appeared with my songs.   

Then one day I arrived at school to discover an IGo team had arrived.   Now I'm not at all sure IGo teams really appreciated when I gave them things to do.   I'm know to put them to painting rooms or cutting grass with hand clippers in the heat of the day.  In this case I noticed one of them carrying a guitar.  Since none of the other American staff had arrived at school yet and these poor IGoers really looked like they needed something to do (In actuality they were probably walking around with glazed eyes looking for a place to lay down and sleep They had just traveled all night by bus) I pointed out the guitar I asked if they liked to sing.   

They did.   

I handed them a song sheet and asked if they would teach my students this song.  Class starts in a few minutes.   (I'm sure their dreams of showers and sleep quickly vanished but this story is not suppose to include concern for the IGo students, this story is about my pride and me feeling like the most honored teacher)   

The IGoers readily agreed and showed up in my classroom to teach the song. They did an excellent job of it too.   Then they departed so that I could continue teaching all the good things I was actually suppose to be teaching.  

My students sat and quietly watched this tired team of IGoers file one by one down the steps.   As soon as everyone had disappeared the students all looked at me and said, "Now you teach us this song".   

Yeah, it made me a little proud.   

Yeah, I think they liked me.  I kinda liked them too!!     

A Few Thoughts on The Church

Having made a flying attempt and only making it halfway through the book of Acts I have uncovered some positive thoughts on the meaning of Church. 

What are some reasons for church? (in no particular order, and by no means an exclusive list)

1.  Drawing others to Jesus

Over and over and over throughout the book of Acts the apostles are constantly turning the people's/congregation's attention back to Jesus.  They wanted it to be clear that Jesus was the one getting attention. 

Sometimes I wonder have I lost my excitement for Jesus?  

Am I trying to bring Him to others attention or am I so focused on myself that I forget about Jesus?  

2.  Prayer for each other in times of distress

When Paul was in prison the church was praying for him.  Acts 12:5  

When the church prayed things happened.  Acts 12:12-14 The house was packed with praying friends.  

If I'm in trouble I'd like to have that kind of support group behind me. 

3.  Encouragement

Acts 13:42-43  "As the meeting broke up, a good many Jews and converts to Judaism went along with Paul and Barnabas, who urged them in long conversations to stick with what they'd started, this living in and by God's grace." 

Acts 14:21-22  "urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn't be easy:  Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times."  

Yeah, it's always better to have believer around to encourage us.  When things get hard we might give up if we are alone but with encouragement it's a lot easier to stick with what we have started.   

I'm so grateful for the times that I've gotten encouragement from other believers. 

4.  Rejoicing together

After Peter's prayed for release from prison, once the praying friends finally realized that he was free and standing before them Acts 12:16 says: "Finally they opened up and saw him - and went wild! (the message) 

We struggle together, we pray together, let's rejoice together! 

 
5.  Waiting and fasting together for guidance

Acts 13:2 (the message) - "One day as they were worshiping God - they were also fasting as they waited for guidance" 

Now other versions of this verse did not use the word "wait" but I kinda like it there.  I like the idea of having people worshiping God and waiting together for guidance.  It sometimes seems like I do a lot of 'waiting for guidance' alone, but maybe that's because I fear sharing my need for guidance.   

Now a lot more could be said about this verse. There's also the fasting and the worshiping that could  be talked about extensively and here I am pulling out the waiting.   

I'm just saying - it get's lonely when waiting by yourself so why not wait collectively.  Whether it be for guidance in choosing missionaries (as was happening in these particular verses) or guidance for living life.

 
6.  Sending Missionaries

Again from Acts 13.  After worshiping, fasting, and waiting for guidance they chose Barnabas and Saul and commissioned them for the work to which they were called.  

7.  Sharing what God has done

Acts 14:27-28 After returning from their trip "On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in.   Then they settled down for a long, leisurely visit with the disciples."  

I like that.  We all have stories.  Maybe we should listen to each others stories more often. Or maybe it's just me that needs to shut up and listen! 

 
8.  Helping the greater body of Christians

Acts 11:27-30 - there was going to be a famine "So the disciples decided that each of them would send whatever they could to their fellow Christians in Judea to help out.  They sent Barnabas and Saul to deliver the collection to the leaders in Jerusalem." 

I'm not finished reading about the church yet.  I also have a paper to write on the church but I'm pretty much convinced that being part of The Church is a good thing.   So instead of being Bothered by Church I think maybe I should write on the Joys of Church someday.    

 

Questions on The Church:

So...
I've been thinking for awhile about writing about church.   The title which has been most prominent in my mind being 'Bothered by Church'.   I've never quite mustered up the courage to actually write the post.  One can never tell who might read what is written and use it as evidence against me. 

As time goes on and I begin to study The Doctrine of the Church in Theology class, more thoughts of writing fill me head.   Mostly questions, they fill my head, they cause me to talk to myself hashing out problems, reasons why some aspects of church bother me, and wondering if I've totally missed the point of church.   After all what is the point of church?

Church; it's such a good idea but are our attempts at church really the Biblical way?  What should church look like?   What is the reason for church?  Or maybe I should go back to the very basic question of what is church? 

What do I think of when I think of church? 
What should I think of when I think of church?

Furthermore, is this a discussion on the local church or the church worldwide?  Is there a difference?

Is local church membership important? If so why? Is Sunday morning attendance necessary?   After all, as Billy from Family Circus says you can get an app for it now.

So I recently heard a sermon on Church Loyalty.  I think I mostly agree although what is it that I'm loyal to?   The little white church building?   The rules and regulations?  This goes back to the question, "What is church?"  If I'm going to be loyal I'd like to know what I'm loyal to.

So should I be bothered by church?

For now...I think I may go back to talking to myself, hashing out church issues, and read the book of Acts.   When I've hashed this a bit farther I may write some more and maybe I'll even come up with some answers.   Maybe I'll even ask for some other opinions.  Maybe together we can get this thing of church figured out once and for all. After all isn't working together part of what church is about?   And maybe then I won't be bothered anymore. 

 Disclaimer:

Please note that these are questions, not my beliefs or opinions.   These are suppose to be non-threatening questions. I am not trying to challenge anyone opinions or beliefs.  How is one to learn anything if one never asks questions. 

Next time maybe I'll share some of what I think is the Biblical purpose and mission of the church.