Embodied Faith

Thanks to Kate Lawson-Hedger for sharing this Great Idea in her bulidingfaith blog.

Lawson-Hedger writes, ‘Embodied learning inspires embodied faith. To support embodied learning experiences, teachers need to create environments where learners can explore their surroundings with their bodies and interact with the world around them.’

‘Yes’ to all the sensory-aware and sensory-diverse opportunities to ‘interact with the world around them’ we can provide for our intergenerational siblings.

But I caution thinking about adults as ‘teachers’ and children as ‘learners’, and strongly urge us to stop thinking about faith formation in these terms!

Let’s move outside of the ‘faith formation’ as ‘school’ model.

While Lawson-Hedger continues to use the metaphor of ‘learning’, her practices and suggestions open up a number of opportunities to move from ‘learning’ to exploring and experiencing – in an interactive, embodied way.

She begins with an example from her own ministry of sharing the story of ‘Jesus, Our Mother Hen’, citing Somatic/Embodied Learning and Adult Education by Sandra Kirk as a key inspiration for encouraging ‘formation that engages the senses’ which ‘can have a deeper impact’ – particularly for those short on time for preparation and presentation.

She then outlines basic ways and resources to Use Your Senses – relying heavily on the familiar Godly Play curriculum – related to specific Bible stories:

  • Visual – images/pictures
    • Abraham’s Promise for a Legacy (Genesis 15:1-6)
    • The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-25)
    • God Counts My Tears (Psalm 56:8)
    • Do Not Judge (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 6:37-42)
    • Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10;25-37)
  • Auditory – speaking/telling and hearing
    • The Divine Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-6)
    • The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)
    • Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Matthew 221:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-9)
    • Jesus Calms the Storm (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)
    • The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
  • Olfactory – essential oils, food, etc.
    • Anointing the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 30:22-33)
    • The Magi Visit (Matthew 2:9-12)
    • Zechariah and Elizabeth’s Prayers Are Heard (Luke 1:5-20)
    • The Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-13)
    • Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet (Luke 7:36-49; John 12:1-9)
  • Somatosensory – tactile elements
    • Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-332; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19)
    • Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:1-7)
    • Jesus’s Resurrection (Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10)
    • Jesus Heals a Blind Man (John 9:1-12)
    • The Tree for the Healing of the Nations (Revelation 22:2-7)
  • Gustatory – taste
    • The First Passover (Exodus 12:1-28)
    • Manna to Eat (Exodus 16:1-36)
    • Know Them by Their Fruits (Matthew 7:15-19; Luke 6:43-45)
    • Woman with Great Faith (Matthew 15:26-28; Mark 7:24-30)
    • John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:1-8)

There are millions of ways to make Bible stories and other essential faith footings experiential, embodied, sensory-engaging and interactive.

Let’s consult on fun ways to bring faith to life, if you need further inspiration!