As a Middle School Catechist, I have found group discussions to be one of the most effective teaching tools. If you haven’t considered leading a group discussion in your classroom, here are 5 reasons you should.
Encourages Dialogue
These days religion can be a touchy subject to bring up, even among adults. It’s especially true for middle school students, who tend to be socially insecure. They might avoid bringing up topics which they perceive would set them apart from the crowd. Discussion groups give students an opportunity to discuss important issues of faith with their peers without singling them out. There is also the hope that, as they become more at ease participating in these discussions, they will feel comfortable discussing such topics outside of the classroom. For many young teens, group discussions become the first step in articulating their faith to themselves and others.
Engages Students
I know that I get tired of the sound of my voice. So, I imagine my students aren’t keen on hearing me talk for an hour or more each week. A class filled with only instruction can lead to students who are at worst, completely zoned out, or at best, merely going through the motions. Adding group discussions can bring new energy into the classroom. Hearing another voice – especially one of their peers – can result in engaging the students in a way that I can’t do on my own.
Demonstrates Community
The essence of the Catholic faith is communion. God gave us the Church because He wanted us to be redeemed together, not alone. God himself, in the Trinity, is a communion – an eternal relationship of love. We, who are made in His image, are made for relationship, not only with our Creator but with each other. These discussion groups, in a small way, help to demonstrate the importance of community, and how we are to advance the kingdom of God – together.
Provides Feedback
I sometimes question how much of the material presented in class students retain. Group discussions provide useful feedback for the Catechist, such as how much of the information students are picking up. More importantly, it allows the Catechist to see the degree of students’ understanding. Group discussions also provide feedback for the student, by communicating the ideas or information from the lesson that are most important.
Makes a Connection
Thoughts about Faith, Church, or God may seldom enter into our students’ minds outside of Sunday Mass or Religious Ed class. Group discussions give students an opportunity to realize that their faith life extends beyond the confines of the Church building. This is the greatest gift that we, as Catechists, can bring to our students. Connecting the lesson with their personal lives helps students see that what they learn in the classroom has a real-life application. It’s similar to what St. James said in his epistle:
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. (James 1: 22-25)
There are many other benefits to group discussions. It can help students develop confidence when speaking in groups, teaches them that their thoughts and opinions have value, helps them appreciate that not everyone shares their view, and provides an opportunity to learn how to disagree with someone respectfully. With all these benefits, I hope you will give group discussions a try in your class this year. Be sure to check back next week for the keys to making your group discussions successful.
© 2018 Catechist’s Aide
Leave a Reply