Here are more sample assignments to help inspire fresh thinking about how to incorporate a concern for vocation, flourishing and economic justice across the curriculum.
Church History
Ask students to respond to the list of unacceptable jobs for Christians in Hippolytus’ Apostolic Tradition (see chapter 16 here.)
- What is the context for this writing? (It will help to have students read the entire document – it’s not long – and/or use this at a point in the semester when you are studying the early church.)
- Why are these jobs defined as unacceptable? What themes unite them? How did they function in Roman society?
- Would you put forward a similar list of unacceptable jobs today? If so, why? If not, why not?
It may also help to introduce as resources some links from the Theology of Work Project and The High Calling:
- Sections of “Is Church Work a Higher Calling?”
- “Unjust Work”
- “Can You Do This Job to the Glory of God?”
Biblical Studies: Old Testament
Ask students to look at one of the prophetic books in whole or in part.
- Where is work mentioned in the book or excerpt?
- What kind of work is praised? Why?
- Are any kinds of work condemned? Why?
- What implications do the answers to these questions have for contemporary discussions about work?
(The TOW Project discussions of each of these books may be helpful.)
Biblical Studies: New Testament
Ask students to look at the book of Acts in whole or in part.
- Where is work mentioned in the book or excerpt?
- What kind of work is praised? Why?
- Are any kinds of work condemned? Why?
- What implications do the answers to these questions have for contemporary discussions about work?
(Again, the TOW Project discussion may be helpful.)
Worship/Preaching
Ask students to respond to one chapter of the book Work in Worship, available at the TOW Project. These include prayers, readings, sermons, hymns and sample services.
- What theology of work and/or vocation is taught by your chosen set of resources?
- Are there things your chosen resources leave out? Are there emphases that surprise you?
- What theology of work and/or vocation do you need to teach your congregation?
- Develop an adaptation of one of these resources for use in your setting. Be able to explain why you made the changes you did.
Spiritual Formation/Pastoral Care
Ask students to develop a spiritual resource specifically for congregants facing unemployment or underemployment. This could be a set of prayers, a Bible study or Bible reading plan, a sermon on the topic, or anything else you feel would be appropriate to the specific situation.
Jennifer Woodruff Tait is managing editor of Christian History, content editor for The High Calling at the Theology of Work Project, an Episcopal priest, an affiliate professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, and the author of The Poisoned Chalice.
