Elijah Walters
Dr. Tommy Spotts
Introduction to Theology Survey
12/14/18
Reflection
As I am writing the final essay for this eight-week course and reflect on what I have
learned, I am very thankful for the teaching and instructions that I have been given form this
class. I can honestly say that I can walk away from taking this class.
My understanding and view of theology have changed drastically after taking this class.
As I said in my first paper for this class, I knew next to nothing about the subject of theology.
Now I not only have a better understanding of the topic, but I also feel confident with applying
the principles I have been taught in my day to day life. I was actually able to use the theological
principles and way of thinking I was shown in class in my life already. So this class could not
have come at a better time in my life.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a good deal of debate in the youth group at my
Church about worship music. These debates occurred because a drastic that had to do with the
worship music in the youth group. What I mean by this is that the worship music was wholly
removed from the youth group for two weeks in a row. On a typical night of youth group, which
falls on Wednesday night, there's about half an hour to get to hang out with your friends and meet
new people; then everybody moves into the SMC(student ministries center) for the worship and
message. After the worship music and message all of the students break up into their small
groups, and after that, the night is over. But for two weeks this past month, the music was
replaced with a game. After a lot of voiced concerns and questions from the student leaders in the
youth group, which I am one of, the youth pastor addressed the topic in a meeting. In this
meeting, he discussed the reasoning and theology behind this decision. He stated that the two
week period was an experiment that was intended to guests in the youth group feel more
comfortable. The main concern this experiment brought, was that it seemed to go against some
of the values of our church. What I mean by this is that the primary goal of my church is to
"make more and better disciples." That is a phrase you can hear quite often at my church, and it
is said to be the church's primary purpose. What many student leaders found troublesome about
this experiment is that it sacrificed making "better" disciples by catering to "more" disciples.
When we explained this to our youth pastor, he told us that he believed because there is no
Biblical explanation as to what part the youth group plays in the church, it is perfectly fine to
gear youth group for creating "more" disciples. After he said this in the meeting, this is where
most if not all of the student leaders decided to agree to disagree with our youth pastor on this
subject. After some Bible study and thought of my own, I have come to the conclusion that
although the Bible does not state the role of youth group in the church, it is still a branch of the
church and therefore must exemplify the values of the church. Now I'm not saying that worship
music is the only way to worship God, it is just a fun, and easy way to worship and music can
touch people's hearts other forms of worship cannot. So this whole event was the first way I was
able to use the principles I learned from this course, and I am sure there will be many more ways
to use these teachings in years to come.
The way I will pass on these teachings is by helping my friends in situations like the one
above. I would like to break down future theological debate or issue and to explain the reasoning
then and thought behind the solution. I feel this class has helped to able to do those things and I
can help friends with theological issues, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.
