IN N O V A T IO N Ira L e a r n i n g O UR f in e s t Christian Educa tion programs today contain
does not want man to work for Him. Questions such as these provide both churches and camps with ample information for eval uation of what was previously taught, comprehended, and, most important, incorporated into daily living. A professionally developed re searched form is now available to all churches, no matter what their size or denomination. The Church Youth Research Survey contains over 500 items dealing with youth concerns, values, church beliefs, youth attitudes and opportunities that teens de sire through their churches. Use o f this has revolutionized youth programming of the participating churches. Individual and group results will stimulate teachers, church staffs and youth alike to a deeper involvement and study within the new existing program. Information concerning the cost and use o f this form may be ob tained from Protestant Center, 122 West Franklin, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404. Another form is now in use but this one involves both youth and adults. Junior high and sen ior high youth were asked to com plete a “Wishing does not make it so—But—” questionnaire dur ing a Sunday school hour at a local church. Many hours were spent in gathering and tabulating the statements and then these were shared with Sunday school teachers and the leader of a par ent education program within this church. The following week parents came together and took a similar form of this test and again the results were compiled. The adult education leader took the youth test results and in his presentations to the parents over a period of several weeks reflect ed what the youth of the church felt toward both church and fami lies. Honest discussions centered on whether student attitudes were accurate and then what could be done to assist in areas where help was needed. Needless to say, this information was of direct
an unusual ingredient that is a major contributor to educational efficiency. This is known as a linkage system. And it exists be tween students and those respon sible for planning the curriculum content of the Bible study groups. A linkage system’s function and pu rp ose is basically feedback, from the students as to their needs, problems and interests. Many wonder w h e th er we really grapple with the needs of our children and youth and, for that matter, adults. Is our cur riculum, our preaching, our Bible study program that pertinent to the stress and strain of the every day life of our members? Is there some way in which we can pinpoint problem areas, measure present attitudes and then re structure our presentation? In doing this the life changes should be more apparent. The linkage program is not a new procedure but it has taken time for churches to use it advan tageously. It can be either a bulky, time-consuming, impracti cal bother or a simple informa tion - gathering tool. There are several forms and means that most churches can employ to be gin building a linkage system. A large conference grounds on the West Coast has developed such a device for use with their junior-age campers. This 4-page form con ta in ed comprehension questions and picture completion items. One of the pictures depicts a scene of a boy lying on the floor watching television with the fa ther outside mowing the lawn. The m other a s k s Jimmy, “ Shouldn’t you be helping your father?” Space is provided for the child to write in his reply. The reply will reflect inner attitudes which will aid the camp staff in knowing what to teach and how it could be applied. A sample question from this form gave similar information concerning understanding of Bible truth.
A LINKAGE
SYSTEM
Uf U.KI.UM lû fc t- “Why did God make man in the first place?” asked Jimmy’s little sister. “ Because He needed some body to take care of all those trees and animals and stuff. He made man to work for Him,” Jimmy replied. There is one correct sen tence below. Choose it. 1. Jimmy was right. God’s main reason for making man was to work for Him. 2. Jimmy was right. God could not take care of His crea tion without man’s help. 3. Jimmy was wrong. God made man be cause God wanted man’s fellow ship. 4. Jimmy was wrong. God
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