Review of Disciple Hunt through the lens of James Heft's Passing on the Faith

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Review of Disciple Hunt from Beyond the Written Word, Exploring Faith Through Christian Art by Eileen M. Daily, Winona, MN, Saint Mary’s Press, 2004. First, Beyond the Written Word, is a booklet of various religious artwork that is used to “speak” to the student. Instead of articulating your religious thoughts verbally, you have a series of different pieces of art from various collections, to review and reflect how they “speak” to you. Its an awesome way to “see” biblical passages in a different way. Its a great way to focus on a particular religious theme in a new vane. For people that have difficulty making sense out of words, viewing “religion” from artwork is an awesome vehicle. The pamphlet is accompanied by a teacher guide, whereby, there are several projects that coincide with the artwork to drive home a specific religious theme or point.

Second, Disciple Hunt, is one activity outlined in the Beyond the Written Word teachers guide, that students can engage in to begin a dialogue with regard to discipleship. I chose this activity, because given the state of lukewarm religious reception of youth today, Disciple Hunt sounded like a Nintendo game or a detective quest that youth might find interesting. At the very least, the title will engage them enough to open their minds to the activity.

Disciple Hunt can be used individually or in small groups. I would recommend small group discussions because I find those helpful and beneficial in engaging conversations. Once you decide on the small groups, there’s a handout included in the teacher’s manual, to be passed out to each group. The handout lists the “quality of discipleship” in one column and then a blank line next to each statement. It’s the student’s job to use the pamphlet with paintings to discern which painting goes with which statement. The teachers guide supplies the answers - which painting goes with which discipleship quality. When the small groups are finished, each group can present their answers and discussion can ensue. There is also room for discussion on how the discipleship qualities could be identified in today’s world.

James Heft, S.M., and others, in Passing on the Faith, Transforming Traditions for the Next Generation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Fordham University Press: New York, 2006, (sections 1 and 2) discuss the passing on of faith in the twenty-first century. They introduce three surveys that discuss teens and young adults in their quest for spirituality or religion in today’s world. They identify that college students, young adults, identify themselves as spiritual, as opposed to religious. This I find to be right on target with people I’ve come in contact with that use the term spiritual more freely than religious. There appears to be negative connotations related to identifying oneself as religious as opposed to spiritual, or, referring to oneself as a non-practicing Catholic.

Heft identified the youth of today as passive in their religious identity as they face society with a “whateverism” attitude. This century, in the past forty-years, has rapidly advanced via technology, science, and so forth. However, religious identity has not soared in such a way. The youth are easily moved by this techno-culture and religion isn’t “cool” enough to keep their attention.

The activity, by name alone, should be engaging for youth today. Heft notes that “for most teens, school, friends, work, television, and other forms of fun play much more significant roles in their lives...” (Heft, 2006, 63) Disciple Hunt is fun, by name alone, because it sounds like a mystery; which I find engaging. Just as a test, I asked my fourth-grader if she would find Disciple Hunt engaging, by name alone, and she was intrigued. Then, after she looked at the artwork she thought it would be “cool” to try it. That speaks to me.

According to Heft, a “vast majority of U.S. Teenagers are incredibly inarticulate about their faith.” (Heft, 2006, p. 63) This activity is useful in helping students identify and articulate items of faith that maybe unfamiliar to them. In giving them the pictures and the words you help facilitate conversation. I’m a very visual person and find the artwork to be stimulating and helpful.