Internet
Explorer users will notice that the reviews are organized in a collapsible
outline. Simply click on a question and the answer will appear below it.
Resource: Living as Christians in a Violent Society: A Call to
Hope.
Published by: Friendship Press.
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What is the title of the resource and who publishes it? Is the publisher affiliated with the Christian church in any way? If so, is it denominationally affiliated
This resource is published by the Friendship Press, which belongs to the National Council of Churches, so the resource is intended to be an ecumenical one. - What issues, questions
or challenges are the main focus of this resource? (the central content)
The main focus of the resource is on (Violence). It discusses its causes, manifestations, consequences, how are Christians called to respond to it?, and how could the church make a difference in the work to end it with others (schools, families, government, etc….). - Just what IS this
resource - (for example, is it
a six-week study, an idea book, a guide for a retreat, or what)?
The resource (A Call to Hope) is composed of: A study book: which is intended for adults. It has 6 chapters, each chapter can be used as a study session and it is designed to suit different settings (personal study, group study with a leader or without, program for a retreat or even in planning sermons). At the end of the book there are different lists of worship resources, study resources, organizations and Videography for further reference. The primary video resource (Christian Faith in a violent World) is produced by the same publishing house and introduced by the writer of the study book. It offers the input of a variety of resource persons about violence (an educator, a clinical supervisor, a police officer, a medical doctor and a pastor). It also shares 2 experiences in which the church was involved with the homeless women and the teenagers and successfully reduced the violence among them. It also discuss the physical and sexual abuse and the violence in the media. A Children magazine and a teacher’s guide to it: The guide is intended for children in grades one to six. It has 6 sessions, each of them uses the material of the magazine and is designed to suit different settings (church school, vacation bible school, after-school program or even for parents during family discussions at home). Both adults and children have to be American and of Christian background to use this resource as it addresses the very specific situations of the American society and introduces the hope as the Christian faith. - What are the
learning goals or objectives of the resource?
To help Christians explore how they can be ministers of God’s word within a violent society (to be Christ’s ambassadors and Carry a message of hope to the world). To help children to be aware of the violence they may face in their lives and to realize that the Bible is a source of comfort and direction (hope to their lives). To help children to learn the skills of making peace. - Who are the
intended learners? (include
things like ages, cultural context, interests, abilities, developmental
stage, etc.)
[The reviewers did not directly answer this question. See their response to question #12.] - For what settings
is this resource intended? (for
example, Sunday School? Bible
study groups? Families?
Retreats? Intergenerational
events? Etc?)
[The reviewers did not directly answer this question. See their response to question #12.] - What kinds of
teaching/learning activities does it use?
If there is a typical lesson plan format, what is that format/flow of
a session?
The study book: There is no a typical lesson plane format but every session begins with reading an introduction titled: “a word at the start”. Discussion or reflections, reading, writing, prayer, using newsprints and field trips are frequently used in this resource. The Children magazine and a teacher’s guide to it: There is no a typical lesson plane format. Sharing life, personal and biblical stories, drawing, reading , games, creative worship (shalom zone- love chain, …etc), crafts, singing, media critique and painting are the activities used. - What kind of
teachers/leaders do you need, to use this resource?
The study book: No need for a special leader as it can be studied individually. (if in a group study, the leader has to be sensitive as any group member may be one of the victims of violence. The Children magazine and a teacher’s guide to it:: Needs a teacher or a parent who has the same sensitivity, a biblical basic knowledge and is willing to get well prepared for each lesson. - Does this resource
draw on the bible? If so, how?
Using the Bible is very essential in this resource, it introduces the bible as the word of God, which carries hope for Christians and through them to the world. It uses bible passages, verses and stories and connects them to life situations. Many times the bible is the core of reflections, discussions or even the children games (e.g. scripture scramble). - What theological concepts, doctrines, questions, or themes
does the resource include? How
are these related to the issues the resource is exploring?
Do you detect any specific theological or denominational perspective?
The resource discuss several themes related to Violence like: Justice and Injustice in creating an atmosphere that fosters it, Forgiveness and acceptance to the violent people to be able to help them, law enforcement to eliminate the violence, war and conflicts, women as victims, violent sports and the media with their effect on the human behavior, confession, hope, support, making peace, worship and prayers. The resource explore these issues from a general Christian / biblical point of view and not from a certain denominational perspective. - What strengths and
weaknesses do you see in the resource?
Strengths of the resource Being an ecumenical resource widens the probability of its usage. Tackling an issue that is very practical in the personal and social lives. Listing tens of resources about Violence is helpful to whoever finished the 6 sessions study and need to know more. The activities of the children resource are creative and suit the age group. The flexibility of its usage in different settings. Its guidance for the users to communicate with other authorities, institutions and organizations to unify efforts against violence. Its emphasis on its Christian identity makes it unique among other social efforts. Good colorful layout to the children magazine. The teacher’s guide to children magazine has clear steps to help the teacher to get well prepared. Weaknesses of the resource: No creative activities for the adult study book. No instructions about how to use the primary video resource in connection with the adult study book. The adult resource suggests using reflections and discussions in journal writing in the introduction with no further sign during the sessions to help the user to do so. - To whom, in what
situations, might you recommend the resource?
Although this resource is intended to be used in different settings, we still feel that the maximum of it will be gained if it would be used in any organized group study (e.g. Sunday school classes for children 1-6 grades, youth or adults) as we see that violence is not that kind of issue to be studied individually and meditated on and also to ensure the seriousness of the study and the commitment to complete it.
