Basics of Christian Education

This is not a step-by-step "How To" book. Instead, Tye organizes the kaleidoscope of swirling and sometimes disjointed ideas most of us find confusing when we think about Christian education. She creates a clear, coherent framework for these topics so that we can see how they are related. Her writing is crystal clear and a pleasure to read. Each chapter contains a good summary and exercises for reflection and application. A bibliography of further readings and section of notes for each chapter appear at the end of the book. There is no index, but one isn't really needed. This book is among the best written I have seen on any educational topic.There were some surprises for me. For example, in discussing "context", she mentions the "null curriculum--what churches decide not to teach. This helps to define what churches are willing to think about, and thus to define the nature of the particular faith community. (Think for example of a church that avoids teaching social issues.) Similarly, Chapter 3 ("Purpose: Why Do We Educate?") steps away from the conventional answers to see a larger perspective of what is supposed to be accomplished--ensuring continuity of the community while embracing necessary change required by new circumstances. When she discusses content in Chapter 4, she discusses four "myths" that may confuse us. At first glance these myths are what many of us would consider to be appropriate content, but Tye then shows us that those myths often disguise superficial thinking.Chapter 5 ("Participants: Whom Do We Educate") was the only chapter that I found a bit technical, but Tye's material was still clearly presented.If you are personally involved in planning or execution of a Christian education program, you will find yourself thinking very differently about what you are doing after you have read this book compared to what you thought before.

This is a well written and clearly expressed book on Christian Education--however, since it was written largely to be used as a class textbook, and yet agin, another book is sold with no page numbers included by the author. Buy this book and then in every class for an entire semester, you will be asking a fellow student for a printed copy so that you too can turn to page 127, as the professor has just asked the class to do. You will also be at home doing homework when an instruction for the assignment will say, 'see page -so and so-' and you will curse having ever bought a Kindle edition for classroom work or research use. Many of my Kindle Books do have page number in addition to location numbers, but until the authors take their own works seriously for academic use, Kindle Editions are often, like this book, are not usable in higher education.

Execellent book on Christian Education, especially if you are a novice. My only problem is pages fell apart from the book as I read it. This happened to another classmate as well. Luckily, I was able to place the pages back into the book with Tacky glue - not the same but it works. This book deserves a 5-star rating but because of the poor workmanship, I'm giving it 3 stars.

That it was simple enough to understand by the common lay person and detailed enough with information to cover the subject matter of Christian Education

Good book, good advice, good condition

book written in very plain, easy to read language. Not boring at all. I read the first 4 chapters the day I got it. An excellent must-have book for those interested in working in the Christian Education department at church as well as for pastors interested in making sure that their parishioners are being properly "fed."

Interesting viewpoint for a Christian Education program.

This book was part of an online class I took through my church. It was informative and provided the information I needed to complete my assignment.

Needed for a course. It's a worthwhile read.