On-Site Learning Deepens Students’ Interest in the Bible
Even after several visits to the Holy Land, Upper School Bible studies teacher Evan MacDonald (US’94, C’06) says, “There’s always something new to learn with every trip and group.” MacDonald recently returned from a trip to Israel with 20 students who are enrolled in the Bible 2 class. One of the highlights was traveling to the top of Mount Hermon—where the River Jordan originates—and engaging in a deep discussion about the biblical symbolism of water as the Word of God.
Every group that has returned from this 10-day spring break trip, which was introduced as an optional experiential learning opportunity in 2012, has spontaneously shared their inspiration and discoveries with the wider student body. As a result of that first trip, an introductory Bible course became part of the Upper School curriculum in 2013.
After a couple of years and two more trips, students were keen to pursue additional study, and Bible 2 was added as an elective. In spring 2017, the trip itself changed from an optional experience (open to any Upper School student) to being part and parcel of the Bible 2 course. Last fall, two additional Bible electives were added. And next fall, two more will bring the total to six. (In the Lower School, students study Bible stories in weekly sessions; and in Middle School, all students learn about key characters and biblical eras.)
For the Upper School students who travel to Israel, tracing the paths of the patriarchs, the disciples, and Jesus Christ himself leaves an indelible impression. “My favorite moments on the trip were being able to walk where Jesus had walked . . . it made the Bible come to life and become so much more than words on a page,” says Kelsey, a sophomore. “After the trip, I feel like I have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Bible—and Christian Science as a whole.”
During the first half of the semester, the class undertook an in-depth study of the first two books of the Bible—Genesis and Exodus. During the trip, from their travel bases by the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem, the students visited more than two dozen locations—including Nazareth, Caesarea Philippi, Cana, Bethlehem, Gethsemane, and the Mount of Olives. At each of these, they referenced a guidebook prepared by last year’s class and MacDonald delivered a 20-minute talk on the significance of the Biblical occurrences that took place there.
Now back in class, students will choose one of the locations and write an exegesis on events at their selected location, incorporating an understanding of original Hebrew or Greek terms, information from Bible commentaries and dictionaries, Mary Baker Eddy’s works, and the Christian Science periodicals.
Hannah, a junior who transferred to the Upper School in the fall, has jumped right into the Bible curriculum, taking the first two courses this year and plans to take more next year. She says the trip had a transforming impact, but she also enjoys the classwork, including discussions, reading assignments, and daily “bell tasks,” which challenge students to think more deeply about familiar words. The class activities “push me to read the Bible stories with a different perspective,” Hannah says. “They teach us that the Bible is still relevant, practical, and necessary in our everyday lives.”
Next month, MacDonald will lead students in the Bible 4 class on a trip to Greece to follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, as well as visit Patmos, where the disciple John wrote Revelation.