Mary Had a Baby: An Advent Bible Study Based on African American Spirituals

Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan is Professor of Theology and Women's Studies and Director of Women's Studies at Shaw University Divinity School in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has authored many books, including Mary Had a Baby and Undivided Soul, both published by Abingdon Press.

Marilyn E. Thornton (Master's of Divinity, Vanderbilt) has degrees in music from Howard University and from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. She is the lead editor for Abingdon Press's Bible study series based on spirituals, the songbook Zion Still Sings: For Every Generation, and VBS programs. She has taught at Howard, Tennessee State, and Trevecca Nazarene universities and serves as Campus Minister of the Wesley Foundation at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.

A session of Mary Had a Baby might go something like this: The group listens to the music and interacts in some form of activity, such as dance, singing, or role-playing. The group then reads the Scripture passage and historical context of the Spiritual. Next, there is discussion and interaction based on the biblical, historical, and spiritual themes of the words and music. Participants can reflect on the culture, art, spirituality, history, and contemporary meaning of the Spirituals.

The Leader's Guide contains suggested activities, liturgical movement guide, and questions for further discussion. Includes a music CD of all four songs.

• Session One: Mary Had a Baby (key verse Matthew 1:25b)
• Session Two: Rise Up Shepherd and Follow (key verse Matthew 2:9)
• Session Three: Children, Go Where I Send Thee (key verse Luke 2:4)
• Session Four: Go, Tell It on the Mountain (key verse Luke 2:20)