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 Acrobat 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

Chapters 5 & 6, Voices from Our Global Family & Citizens of Two Kingdoms.

Early class preparation
Read the fifth and sixth chapters of Where Was God on September 11?

Materials needed:

Recording of “God Bless America,” papers and pencils

1. Sharing our stories

Distribute papers and pencils and say, “As you listen to this recording, jot down any emotions, thoughts, and feelings you have related to the events of September 11.” Note: this exercise has a bigger impact if you don’t reveal the title song ahead of time. Play a recording of “God Bless America.”

2. Reflecting on our stories

Form small groups (3-5 students/group). Share reflections on “God Bless America.”

3. Hearing one another

Read Donald Kraybill’s article, “Which God Blesses America?” (chap. 6, p. 158).

4. Conversing with the text

Invite students to write a response to the text: “Does this article change your feelings about the song?”

Give students a few minutes to share reflections in their small groups.

For further discussion:

In what aspects of our national identity do we see evidence of a tribal god?

Concluding the lesson

Ask, “What do you hope the song communicates?” Invite each small group to write a one-sentence response.

Active alternative: Invite each group to mold one person into a sculpture of what they hope the song communicates.

Conclude by reading or singing David E. Ortman’s “God Bless …” (chap. 6, p. 161) together.

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