OBJECT LESSONS FROM CHEMISTRY: TEXTUAL STRATEGIES

         Textual strategies identify scriptural passages that are pertinent to a particular topic and then incorporate these in the teaching/learning experience.  In my planning, I identify core concepts and ideas to be taught and with the aid of a topical concordance I can search for appropriate Biblical passages.  Many times though, the scriptures just came to my remembrance from my previous Bible study and daily devotions.  Although this may appear very religious I count it a worthwhile experience for me and for my students.  Remember, in a Christian school, the teachers and students must learn to think Christianly.  Jesus was very explicit about the importance of the study of God’s Words when he said, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).  Knowing God’s truths through Bible study means knowing His power.  And therefore I always endeavour to integrate Scriptural passages in my lectures.

            In teaching the buffer system (buffers are solutions that resist changes in pH when small amounts of strong acid or base are added) for example, I use the verse that states “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).  Of course there are no good or evil reagents; the idea here is to link the subject matter to a faith concept using textual passages.  In my presentation of the polar and nonpolar substances in the context of them being insoluble with each other, I may tell my students about the determination of Daniel and present to them the Bible text: “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself...” (Daniel 1:8) and tell my students the great importance of guarding our body by choosing wisely what we eat or drink.  The table below lists some additional textual strategies.

Textual Strategies in Teaching Chemistry Concepts

TOPICS AND KEY CONCEPTS	FAITH CONCEPTS
SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES
Matter and Energy “Matter can be converted to energy and energy to matter.”	Creation (ex nihilo) and Support God is the Creator and Upholder of the universe. Without His control, the natural laws of chemistry and physics could not keep the universe rolling.
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created” Psalm 148:5. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” Hebrews 1:3 emphasis supplied.
Atomic and Subatomic Sizes The average diameter of an atom is 10–10 m. The average diameter of a nucleus is 10–15 m.	Honesty, Diligence, Mindful of Details Little matter matters a lot.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  Luke 16:10
Dalton’s Atomic Theory When Dalton originally wrote the atomic hypothesis, he stated that atoms could not be divided into smaller parts. 90 years later, the discovery of the electron and radioactivity forced a revision of this part of the hypothesis. In science, observation and experimental results (facts and scientific laws) are considered more fundamental than explanations (theories).	God’s Law God’s Law works even when we don’t have the right explanations for them.  Even scientific theories may require some modifications from time to time but “The law of the Lord is perfect...” It always works and does not need any revision.
“The law of the Lord is perfect.... The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy.... The precepts of the Lord are right.... The ordinances of the Lord are sure.”  Psalm 19:7-9
Gas Laws and other Scientific Laws Scientific laws are constant. They are permanent and that’s why we can rely on them.	The Permanency of the Law God’s laws are unchanging. We can rely upon them.
“Long ago I learned from your laws that you established them to last forever.”   Psalm 119:152 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”  Isaiah 40:8 (Also 1 Peter 1:25)
Chemical Reaction Chemical reaction is always accompanied with chemical change. Chemical changes are always producing new substances that have new properties, which in all cases are perceptible.	Change must be evident Just as the conversion of substances results in new substances with new properties, true conversion involves a change in character and outlook. And the change must be evident too.
"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV “Put off your old self,...be made new in the attitude of your minds...put on your new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (Colossians 3:10)
Stoichiometry and Percent Yield Based on a balanced chemical equation and conditions for percent yield, a chemist or a chemical engineer can predict how much product will be produced for a given amount of reagents or raw materials. Or they can calculate how much raw material is needed for a desired amount of product/s.	Faith and Certainty Real faith is not blind faith.  It is based on Biblical principles (the stoichiometry) and on what you have learned from past experiences (the percent yield). That’s why when Christians hope, they’re not just hoping—they’re certain.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Buffer Systems Buffers are usually a combination of a weak acid and its conjugate base, a combination that act together to prevent a drastic change in pH.	Overcoming Though weak, a Christian who is with Jesus will surely overcome.
“Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 “To Him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13