Building Your Own Theology, Volume 1:
Introduction (Second Edition)By Richard S. Gilbert
- Theme and Description
- This curriculum invites each person to write his or her spiritual odyssey and examines a structure for a liberal theological model, varieties of religious experience, human nature, ultimate reality, history, ethics, and religious meaning. Weekly journal writing as well as the class meetings assist participants in their efforts to write a personal "credo statement." This is a new, updated, and more inclusive version of a classic curriculum. While the basic structure remains intact, it redresses the limits of the older version. In particular, the readings and resources reflect more ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity. New essays by the author replaces out-of-print resources. Each participant needs his/her own copy of the curriculum in order to do the readings for each session.
- Goals for Participants
- To build a theology based on the materials of individual life experiences;
To develop a credo statement which reflects the participant's personal religious beliefs, values, etc.;
To examine one's theological journey and integrate it into an understanding of where one currently is on that journey;
To explore and develop beliefs concerning some of the key issues in religious inquiry: human nature, ultimate reality, and ethics;
To look at one's own religious history and the history of Unitarian Universalism.
- Age Range
- Adult
- Size of Group
- 6 to 15
- Space Requirements
- Comfortable meeting space in which group can sit in a circle and can also break into small groups.
- Number and Length of Sessions
- 10 sessions
Length: 2 hours each - Leader Training
- Special training, as a theologian or otherwise, is not required. As always, good group facilitation skills are appropriate. May be team or solo-led.
- Leader Preparation
- 2- 4 hours per session (estimated)
- Strengths
- Encourages participants to examine, deepen, and articulate their religious beliefs.
Explicitly puts into practice UU Principles, especially the "free and responsible search for truth and meaning" and the "encouragement to spiritual growth within our congregations."
Includes a selected bibliography as well as listing several outside resources at the end of each session.
Builds community among participants and between participants and the church or fellowship. - Limitations
- Although alternative modes of learning and thinking are not discouraged (especially when they augment one's theological understandings), the sessions use journals and discussion of articles read prior to the meeting as the primary educational tool.
Each participant needs his/her own copy of Building Your Own Theology, Vol I in order to do the readings for each session.
Developmentally, these programs work better for adults who are at a stage in life at which they have a sense of their own internal authority - Adaptability
- Although ten sessions are included, the program can be adapted for greater or fewer sessions.
The times for various activities within sessions can be adjusted for the interest and energy of the group.
Scheduling can be somewhat flexible: the program could be offered weekly or monthly, for example.
- Unitarian Universalist Values
- Explicit references to Unitarian Universalist attitudes, values, and beliefs, plus background in its history and traditions, exist throughout the curriculum.
Reviewed on June 30, 2004
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Curricula
