About the Author: The Educational Center

WE TELL STORIES . . . AS HUMAN BEINGS, SPIRITUAL BEINGS, MEANING-MAKING BEINGS . . . WE TELL STORIES. Where do these stories come from? From the biblical narratives, of course. But also from books, videos, films, newspapers, magazines, YouTube, Twitter, sacred literature, short stories, plays, poetry, and talk across backyards, or in the grocery checkout lane. Stories occur in any medium that includes the issues or polarities alive in the classrooms of our lives. They have the power to reach down inside and crack open the tight places. Stories are the way, in, down, around, that let us see the patterns that are in all people. The Educational Center understands this. Our method of education recognizes that stories reflect our lives and awaken universal patterns that enliven and inform our choices. Whether they are historical or mythical, biblical or personal, fictional or biographical, stories invite the imagination and the symbolic. Issue-centered Maieutic Education is what we call it. It is a pedagogy that honors the inner pull between opposing needs or values. For example: “I want to let go and yet, at the same time, I want to hold on.” This simple statement captures a universal dynamic, one that all people will experience in their lives. Issue-centered education offers structure that embraces a “both/and” perspective rather than reducing the value and complexity of each alternative to an “either/or” posture. It leads one to the awareness of responsibility and possibility The bridge between the individual’s experience and the wisdom of stories is built with questions. In the teaching tradition of Socrates and Jesus, our goal is to assist the birth of knowing, to provide context and support, and pose questions that lead to ever-deepening explorations. Can you live with the questions? Can you hold aloft two (or more) realities at once? Do you appreciate the paradox and humor of being a seeker? If you’re okay with the deep knowing of not knowing the answers, our resources and method will excite you, support you on your journey, and reassure you that you’re not the only one out there scratching your head! We do not publish answers. We ask questions. Why? Again, because we are all storytellers and we all have a story to tell.

  • TeenText High School Advent Year C – 4 Weeks

    4 and 5 week Advent Studies (Years A, B, C of the Revised Common Lectionary)

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    The Advent season is rich in sensory exploration. Our ADVENT issues follows the Revised Common Lectionary (YEARS A, B, C) and provides youth the opportunity to explore this season through thoughtful selections of art, music and video.

  • TeenText High School Advent Year B – 4 Weeks

    4 and 5 week Advent Studies (Years A, B, C of the Revised Common Lectionary)

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    The Advent season is rich in sensory exploration. Our ADVENT issues follows the Revised Common Lectionary (YEARS A, B, C) and provides youth the opportunity to explore this season through thoughtful selections of art, music and video.

  • TeenText High School Advent Year A – 5 Weeks

    4 and 5 week Advent Studies (Years A, B, C of the Revised Common Lectionary)

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    The Advent season is rich in sensory exploration. Our ADVENT issues follows the Revised Common Lectionary (YEARS A, B, C) and provides youth the opportunity to explore this season through thoughtful selections of art, music and video.

  • Awakening the Fire Within

    A Primer on Issue-Centered Education including sample lesson plans and supplemental materials

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    Written by RBTL Founding Editor Bill Dols, this primer explains the Maueitic (midwife) Method of The Educational Center and provides a learning experience that explores “the student is the curriculum.”

  • On the Authentic Life

    A 5 part film study on transformation

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    This wonderfully rich resource contains five film lesson plans (video not included), each with links to alternate resources, movie reviews, background information and instructions on how to use this resource.

  • The Characters of Christmas

    5 Part Advent/Christmas Study Series

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    When was the last time you followed a star? Talked to an angel? Took an outrageous chance? Ran for your life? Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and Magi did! Might their stories be inviting you to take a chance on transformation?

  • Reading Between the Lines: Advent 4 Week Study – Year C

    Year C (E-Delivery)

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    This special 4-week Advent Study offers an exploration of the season using rich visual art and music. Many congregations choose to mark these Sundays with the lighting of candles in the Advent wreath, balancing the dark days of winter with the promise of a coming spring.

  • Reading Between the Lines: Advent 4 Week Study – Year B

    Year B (E-Delivery)

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    This special 4-week Advent Study offers an exploration of the season using rich visual art and music. Many congregations choose to mark these Sundays with the lighting of candles in the Advent wreath, balancing the dark days of winter with the promise of a coming spring.

  • Reading Between the Lines: Advent 4 Week Study – Year A

    Year A (E-Delivery)

    By Published On: June 25, 2019

    This special 4-week Advent Study offers an exploration of the season using rich visual art and music. Many congregations choose to mark these Sundays with the lighting of candles in the Advent wreath, balancing the dark days of winter with the promise of a coming spring.

  • Reading Between The Lines, Adult Curriculum – Movie Study (Electronic)

    Movie Study

    By Published On: April 2, 2016

    BibleWorkbench is a lectionary based life-centered biblical resource designed for small group youth and adult education in church and home, for individual study or as an aid to preachers. One of the texts from the Revised Common Lectionary is chosen each Sunday.