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 4 - Will Violence Bring Peace?

Early class preparation
read the fourth chapter of Where Was God on September 11?

Materials needed:

papers and pencils
signs (“violence” and “do nothing”)
post-it notes, colored markers

1. Sharing our stories

Distribute papers and pencils. Say, “When you first heard about the events of September 11, what did you think the United States should ‘do’ in response?” After a few minutes, ask students to pair up and share.

2. Reflecting on our stories

As a class discuss: “How did your list of acceptable United States responses change in subsequent weeks and months?”

3. Hearing one another

Read “Following Jesus in the Face of Terror,” by J. Denny Weaver.

Discuss questions from the text on why such hatred against the United States exists:

*Is it relevant that the United States, with some 4 percent of the world’s population, consumes about 40 percent of the world’s resources?

*Does our support of the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory contribute toward hostility?

*What do these issues mean for us, personally?

4. Conversing with the text

For many, there seem to be only two possible responses to September 11: do nothing or do something = violence. Yet so much territory lies in between.

In the classroom post two signs at opposite ends of one classroom wall: “violence,” and “do nothing.” Break into small groups (3-5 people). Give each small group a pad of post-it notes and a colored marker (different color for each group). Ask the groups to brainstorm ideas for possible responses to September 11. Place the post-it notes between the two signs. After 10 minutes, ask each group to report on their ideas. (They can easily find their own notes by following one pen color.)

When all have reported, continue with small-group discussion: “Which of these ideas are ones in which Christians might participate?” Ask each group to pick one or two ideas that fit these criteria and brainstorm ways in which your community could get involved in this effort.

Most groups will include “prayer” on a post-it. If your group does not, add it yourself and comment on its importance before people leave today.

Note: If students have expressed interest in the history of the church and war, direct them to A. James Reimer’s article in chapter 4, p. 120, “Three Views of the Church and War.” Of special note, “In the church’s first two hundred years, its official teachings urged Christians not to join the military.” What significance does this have for us today?

Concluding the lesson

Put feet to your faith:

Distribute papers and pencils again. Ask each person to answer, “What can I do this week in response to the violence of September 11?”

Conclude by singing or reading the words of “Be Thou My Vision” (Hymnal, 545) or “Take Up Your Cross” (Hymnal, 536).

Lastly, read Hymnal, 764:

Leader: Go in love,
People: for love alone endures.
Leader: Go in peace,
People: for it is the gift of God.
Leader: Go in safety,
People: for we cannot go where God is not.

As early preparation for next week, ask students to read chapters 5 and 6. Encourage students to write a letter of response—as an exercise. How do we respond to our Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who regularly experience suffering and oppression?

Mennonite Publishing Network