Outcomes

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Describe the barriers to the use of newly translated Scriptures and various means to overcome them.
2. Explain the theological foundations of language and culture diversity and the use of the Scriptures in all languages and cultures.
3. Describe how Scriptures can be used in multilingual churches.
4. Identify relevant issues in a community and apply Scriptures to these issues.
5. Use the Scriptures in the context of various human concerns such as trauma-healing and HIV-AIDS.
6. Demonstrate an ability to use the Scriptures to share the faith in different contexts.
7. Help people use their artistic gifts to engage with Scripture.
8. Demonstrate a conviction of the need for literacy in Scripture engagement.
9. Explain the elements of a Scripture Engagement Seminar.
10. Demonstrate a conviction of the benefits of Scripture Engagement.

Content:

This module seeks to help people use the Scriptures in their church, community and personal lives.  It begins by identifying common barriers to Scripture engagement or use, and then discusses a variety of ways to overcome these barriers.  It first discusses theological foundations of this translated faith and then explores how multilingual churches can maintain unity in Christ and celebrate the diversity of their membership. The module then goes on to help people use Scripture in relevant ways: identifying relevant cultural issues, preparing Bible studies and sermons, addressing human concerns, and doing meditation. It gives help on sharing faith through storying and good news encounters and addresses sharing faith with Muslims, with children and youth, and in the home. It explores the use of music, drama, and the visual arts. It helps those needing literacy programmes and gives advice about research, marketing and how to introduce change. The materials in this module can be used in many ways, but one way that is especially effective is to use them in local Scripture engagement seminars. The final unit of the module explains how to organize and run such seminars.