Ch. 18: A Sermon Divided (The Tent Revival)

Boy oh boy, the chapters over the weekend had some AMAZING passages in them! I hope you were as struck as I was by Ch. 18's Tent Revival Sermon, and Ch. 19's heartfelt retelling of an epic Joe Louis boxing match from June 25th, 1935.

The first update I gave all classes was that, to my delight and astonishment, SIX students have already contributed their books to the Hillwood PTI Collection Box! 3rd and 6th period are tied, with two students in each class bringing in their books.

• Books: 6/35
• Days left: 4

Big thanks go out to Nash, Lasherrinda, Alleah, Abigail, Jillian, and...oh, wait. And me. I put my book in there too. Bring in those books, guys. I believe in you.

Then we got into "the muscle" of class. (AWWWW snap! IKWCBS reference right there!)

After I collected many (but not all) students' Powerpoint Notes Questions from Friday (see post below for link), I then gave a short, 6 question Reading Quiz over Ch. 16-20. If you missed class, you missed this, so come and see me.

Following the quiz, the class participated in a VERY focused Close Reading activity of the minister's sermon at the tent revival. Why? Because it's an amazing piece of speaking, and well worth a full understanding. Also, it pulses with the life of human voice.

Let me just reiterate what I said in class:

I did NOT present this passage as any kind of religious instruction, nor did I attempt to vaunt this sermon (or Christianity) as the only acceptable religious belief.

We simply read, closely, for understanding of the passage.

Please believe, and practice, whatever spirituality you feel is right for you.

So we took a VERY close look at, not ALL of Ch. 18, but the sermon:

Here is a link to the exact passage we looked at!

Here, if you are so inclined, is the exact passage from the Bible that the minister read:

Matthew 25:30-46. This is not required reading.

I tried my best to do this passage justice by reading it aloud. My afternoon classes were particularly helpful in explaining, and helping me with, the "Waah"s and "Raagh"s.

But as we read through this passage, we also marked it up, because just under the surface of this stirring sermon is a strongly racially-charged message.

What's that? You missed my class, and have no idea what to mark? You don't know what the message is?

Here is a link to a completely marked-up version. Who's got your back? I do.  (WOW that was surprisingly hard to make.)

So look over those notes. Notice how his message, and opinion, about CHARITY is split down racial lines?

See if you can answer these questions: If you can't, you need to analyze deeper. Come see me and I'll help you, if you bring me questions.

HW For Tonight:

• Review Ch. 19, get ready for some JOE LOUIS!