Claim, Support, Question

In a world filled with fake news, reasoning with evidence is a critical skill to learn. Claim, Support, Question is another thinking routine from Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This routine helps learners develop thoughtful interpretations by encouraging them to reason with evidence. It starts with a claim that provides an explanation or interpretation of a topic. Then, others have the opportunities to offer evidence that supports the claim or to question what isn’t explained or new ideas that the claim raises. A question might start with, “What about…” No one gets to simply say, “I disagree.”

Powerful Witness

So, here is the topic I want you to consider: fellowship in the early church. We learn, in Acts chapter four, that members of the first church were of “one heart and one mind.” In fact no one lacked for anything, because they shared all things in common. Those that possessed lands and houses sold them and the money was used for the common good. The result was a powerful witness which spread rapidly across the globe.

My claim: “This example of fellowship is a good model for today.” Reflect on that for a moment. Then, come up with a statement of support or a question. 

I’ll start with a statement offering support, using Pastor Rick Warren as my evidence:

“When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become his children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family.”

—Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Belonging

It is true that the Christian life involves more than believing; it also involves belonging. God wants us to be a part of his family, and to build deep and satisfying relationships.

Of course, true meaningful fellowship with God’s people begins in our relationship with Jesus. We must first know him and then learn how he wants us to relate to other believers as a family.

To Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am writing these things to you… so, you will know how to live in the family of God.” The interesting thing for me is that we have to learn how to live in God’s family. We were not naturally given the knowledge and ability… probably just the opposite. Our natural tendency is to be egocentric and self-centered, thinking about our own needs and wants. 

There are many questions that one could ask about the claim I offered. We were raised in a materialistic culture. Our possessions are important to us. Some have vacation houses, boats, cars, and other things they would find difficult with which to part. Here, however, is a question that you may not have considered: What about those who have grown up in a “dysfunctional” family? Unfortunately, this is a fact for many of us. We don’t have good models of how to live together. Is it possible to learn a new way of interacting? 

Good News

The good news is that it is. God has given us the Holy Spirit and mentors to direct our paths. We all need to learn and work to develop good habits or routines. Why do I keep using the word “routine?” Routines are culture shapers. If you practice a routine long enough, it eventually becomes the natural or comfortable way in which to behave. It becomes a habit. It becomes a characteristic of who you are. 

If one develops a habit of keeping commitments, people will say that you are faithful. It is also true of families. Teachers can attest to this truth. Over a period of a few years, we had three students from the same family at my school: two girls and one boy. They were all responsible and respectful leaders, people you can count on to get the job done. It is also true of church families. The routines and habits we develop together shape our fellowship. This becomes who we are. If our routines and habits are positive, people will be drawn to us and to Christ.

Thinking routines are important for building habits that support learning. Claim, Support, Question can help learners use evidence to support claims or to question them when the evidence suggests something different. Today, we are bombarded with claims. Survival depends on making evidence our solid foundation.

“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” 

—Luke 2:46

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Thinking Routines.