This sounds like a great way to experiment with teaching the Bible to children and youth on Sunday mornings. I think that this alternative format for teaching Sunday school is organized in a thoughtful, intentional and theological way – and isn’t unrealistic or too difficult to pull off in any given church. Here are some pros/cons to think about:

1) “Workshops support the different learning styles of students” – this mentality is in agreement with the work of Howard Gardner, who has developed the “multiple intelligences theory” which draws on biological and cognitive sciences to describe the multiple ways in which people demonstrate intelligence (or learning styles): verbally, visually, logically, musically, interpersonally, intrapersonally and bodily. For all intensive purposes, it is clear that this workshop structure identifies not only the different needs of students but also the different needs and preferred methods of teachers.

2) “A "workshop", then, is a room that is transformed to maximize the impact of one specific teaching tool” – this approach to teaching is mirrored in Parker Palmer’s idea that to teach involved creating a space in which obedience to truth is practiced. The physical arrangement of a learning space is important, and a classroom that is set up with intentionality will help to center the teacher for teaching and the student for learning in a positive way.

3) “The importance of the Shepherding role is in the personal relationships that are built with the class.” The relational and community aspect of teaching & learning together should not be overlooked. Authors Bracke and Tye of Teaching the Bible in the Church believe that “teaching is bringing students into relationship with the teacher, each other and the subject – communal learning is best.” Although the Class Shepherd helps to address this communal aspect by being the relational component, they cannot fill the void of the special teacher-student relationship due to the weekly change in classrooms. This “adult but not a teacher” presence may implicitly teach of a lack of intelligence or a “my buddy” mentality which could have some serious consequences down the line.

Over all, I like the idea of Sunday School Workshops. I think that they would provide an effective alternative approach to “traditional models” of teaching Sunday school. Finding teachers for this kind of structure definitely appears to be more favorable as they would have more of a say in how to best present the material using their God given gifts – and I believe ultimately, this benefits all participants.