Design Story: Discovering the Divinity of Jesus through His "I Am" Statements

Setting: James, a theology student, is starting a new module in his online biblical studies course. He enters a virtual classroom led by Professor Sarah, a respected biblical scholar known for her engaging teaching style.

Story:

James logs into the virtual classroom and is greeted by Professor Sarah, who appears on screen in a warmly lit, digital study setting filled with biblical texts and historical artifacts. She introduces the module, outlining the journey they will undertake to explore Jesus' identity and divinity through his "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John.

Motivations: James is eager to deepen his understanding of biblical texts and how Jesus’ statements reflect his divine nature. He’s motivated by a desire to connect these teachings with his personal faith and theological studies.

Frustrations: Initially, James finds it challenging to keep track of the multiple “I Am” statements and their theological implications. He’s worried he might miss key details that are crucial for his exams and personal reflection.

Ambitions: James aims to gain a thorough understanding of each “I Am” statement and how it contributes to a fuller picture of Jesus’ identity. He hopes to integrate this knowledge into his broader studies and personal faith journey.

Desires: He desires a clear, structured exploration of each statement, complemented by interactive elements that help reinforce his learning and keep him engaged.

Design Features Explored:

• Introduction Scene: Professor Sarah’s introduction is clear and engaging, setting the stage for the exploration. James appreciates the context she provides, which helps him understand the importance of the “I Am” statements.

• Focused Scenes: Each subsequent scene delves into a specific “I Am” statement, such as “I Am the Bread of Life” and “I Am the Light of the World.” Professor Sarah explains the historical and theological significance of each statement, using visuals and text to enhance comprehension.

• Interactive Elements: After each statement, James participates in knowledge checks—short quizzes and reflective exercises designed to test his understanding. These interactive elements help reinforce the material and provide immediate feedback, making the content more memorable.

• Final Quiz: The module concludes with a comprehensive quiz covering all the “I Am” statements discussed. This final assessment allows James to gauge his overall understanding and retention of the material.

• Personal Reflection: James ends the module with a reflection exercise where he considers how these statements have deepened his personal faith. He writes a brief essay on how the teachings have impacted his understanding of Jesus’ identity.

Design Evaluation:

• Immediate Action: James’ feedback on the interactive elements suggests they are effective in reinforcing the content but could be enhanced with more varied question types to keep engagement high.

• Learner Reflections: His reflections reveal that the final quiz and personal reflection sections are particularly valuable for consolidating his learning and connecting the material to his personal faith.