Where Was God on September 11?

Seeds of Faith and Hope

edited by Donald B. Kraybill, Linda Gehman Peachey

Study Guide written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp of Canby,Oregon. Hockman-Chupp currently home schools two of her three children. She says she “loves to write curriculum” and extends thanks to the adult class at Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, Oregon, who tested parts of this leader’s guide material.

This Study Guide are also available for download in PDF format.

See also Where Was God on September 11? in the MPN online catalog.

Introduction and Learning Styles
Lesson 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3
Chapter 4	Chapter 5 & 6	Chapter 7

Chapter 2 - Jesus and the Way of Peace

Early class preparation
Read the second chapter of Where Was God on September 11?

Materials needed:

Pencils and papers
Pacifist scale
Large papers (approx. 12x18")
Thin colored markers

1. Sharing our stories

Distribute papers and pencils. Say, “Define what pacifism means to you.” After a few minutes, ask students to pair up and share their definitions.

2. Reflecting on our stories

On the chalkboard or on a large piece of paper write, “Pacifism: the principled rejection of all bloodshed in obedience to Jesus’ teachings of nonresistant love” (from “Three Views of the Church and War,” A. James Reimer, chap. 4, p. 120). Hand out “pacifism scales,” one per person. (Prepare these prior to class by making a line across a sheet of paper with “I am a pacifist” on one end and “I am not a pacifist” on the other end. Photocopy enough for the entire class.)

Tell students that based on the definition on the chalkboard they are to: “Put a 1 on the line for your position on the scale before September 11.” Pause. “Put a 2 on the line for your position immediately following September 11.” Pause. “Put a 3 on the line for your position at this moment.” Ask students to set their scales aside for a moment.

3. Hearing one another

Read “How Strong Is Love?” by Linda Gehman Peachey.

4. Conversing with the text

Divide students into small groups (3-5 students/group). Give each group a 12x18" paper and ask them to write the following Scripture references across the top of the page: Matthew 5:9, 38-48; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-15.

Ask the groups to look up the Scriptures and discuss, “What do these Scriptures mean to you in light of September 11?” Ask each group to take notes on their findings as they read and discuss.

If time allows, ask a representative from each group to share findings with the class.

Concluding the lesson

Remind the class that in today’s lesson, Linda Gehman Peachey writes that Gandhi told his followers “that if their embrace of nonviolence made them feel weaker rather than stronger, it would be better for them to take up arms. Nonviolence is not for the weak but for those who are strong.”

Ask students to take out their pacifism scales again. Say, “Put a 4 on the line for your position at this moment.”

Distribute papers and pencils and ask students, “What have the events of September 11 taught you about yourself?” After a few minutes, ask for volunteers to respond or pair up students to share. As a class reflect on the following:

How can you creatively respond to wrong? How can you stand with the disenfranchised? With the poor? The outcast?

Put feet to your faith:

Ask students to write down one way in which they will stand with someone this week who is disenfranchised, poor, or outcast. Have students pair up and pray about their commitments for this week.

Conclude with a reading from Titus Peachey’s article, “Fire from Heaven: Jesus and Terrorism” (chap. 3, p. 67): “Whatever our perspective, Jesus reminds us that we serve a God whose grace extends to all, because all of us need it. Only by learning to extend and receive God’s grace across bitter human boundaries will evil ever be overcome.”

Mennonite Publishing Network