IS THE BIBLE AT THE HEART OF YOUR SCOUTING PROGRAM? Using the New Bible Patch Series (Nov 2015)

Joint Webinar  General Commission for United Methodist Men  Programs of Religious Activities with Youth

Presenter  Deb Hazlewood, P.R.A.Y. Curriculum Development

Assumptions  Audience: Scout leaders, SMS, COR’s, REC’s, clergy  We know the benefits of Scouting  We promote Scouting as ministry  We understand that church and scouting go hand in hand  Church is the “classroom” where young people hear the Christian message; and Scouting is the “laboratory” where youth have the chance to experiment with and corroborate the course work surrounded by Christian leaders  Kids benefit when churches and scouting work together.

Challenge  How do we get churches to catch the vision?  Existing units: How do we get churches to embrace the scouting units already meeting in their basement?  New units: How do we approach new congregations about starting units?

Propose  The new Bible Patch Series from P.R.A.Y. can be a new tool in your toolkit of resources

Church’s Needs  From the church’s perspective:  To know Christ  To make Christ known

Church’s Needs  To know Christ Christian education Discipleship Learning and growing in faith  To make Christ known Outreach Evangelism Reaching out and sharing your faith

Church’s Needs  Membership  Young families  Scouting can provide kids and their parents

GCUMM Web Site:  “Statistics indicate that of all the youth who join scouting through the church, 25 percent are United Methodists, 25 percent are members of other denominations or faiths and 50 percent come from unchurched families. Therefore, Scouting is one potential entry point for persons to join the church, which then has the opportunity to introduce, nurture and strengthen a relationship with Jesus Christ.” 

Addressing these Needs  When we approach churches, we need to address their needs.  Scouting can bring families into the building, but in order to bring families into the life of the congregation, we need to be intentional and know what tools are available.  The Bible patch series is one tool to address these needs and bring Scouting families into the life of the congregation.

Using Bible Basics RP3 as a Tool:  For Christian Education  For Evangelism  Easy to Use  Versatile  Add-on value

Tool for Christian education  “Bible Basics” – This part helps young people and adults learn their Bible STORIES. Each patch focuses on an object in the Bible and includes 3 stories with that object  “RP3” – This part helps participants learn how to do Bible STUDY. “Read to Picture, Ponder, Put It Into Action” is a simple strategy that can be used anytime a person reads the Bible.

Tool for Evangelism (Membership)  When promoted in the scouting community, the Bible patches become a tool for EVANGELISM  Typically, 50% of families will not be active in a faith community.  Churches can use Scouting as a tool for evangelism. When they invite Scouts to earn Bible patches, the scouts and families are getting to know the congregation.  Start building relationships between church families and scout families.

Easy to Use  Hand tool vs. Power tool  Shorter time commitment (Opportunity for short term, episodic volunteering)  Free curriculum  All ages  Younger children, older youth, adults  All ages in the same lesson  No paperwork  Curriculum requirements do not require writing  Ordering patches and pins do not require paperwork

Versatile  Program series over several weeks  One day workshop  Weekend campout  Supplement existing programs  Summer Sunday school option  Choose which patch to earn based on the specific event or needs of your group  New patches will be added every year

Add On Value  BS Sunday recognition  New Duty to God requirements (looking for family based activities)  Outreach to adults  Helps church members view volunteering in Scouting as part of their church work  Springboard to the P.R.A.Y. Awards  Help keep the Bible at the center of your Scouting program

Training  Tools have to be used properly

Purpose:  GET KIDS READING THE BIBLE  Fill in the age gaps between the P.R.A.Y. awards (i.e. provide more opportunities for religious growth experiences)  Provide new entry level for unchurched kids (and parents!)

Program Design There are TWO parts to the Bible patches. The name tells it all. Bible Basics RP3 Bible literacy Know your Bible stories Strategies for study A tool for personal Bible study

RP3 Bible Basics Bible Basics RP3 Bible literacy Know your Bible stories Strategies for study A tool for personal Bible study

RP3  “Objects” in the Bible, i.e. books, water, birds, etc.  3 stories in which that object appears  Include both Old and New Testament Bible Basics Bible Basics RP3 Bible literacy Know your Bible stories Strategies for study A tool for personal Bible study

RP3  “Objects” in the Bible  3 stories in which that object appears  Include both Old and New Testament  Books, water, birds, etc. Bible Basics Bible Basics RP3 Bible literacy Know your Bible stories Strategies for study A tool for personal Bible study R EAD – read the Bible P ICTURE - answer who/what/where/why questions P ONDER – ponder the meaning, how does it apply to me? P UT IT INTO ACTION – do something!

Features

 Free curriculum  “Relaxed”- no paperwork required (does not share the same eligibility requirements as the awards) Lay leaders can do the program  Shorter curriculum Easier to recruit adult teachers Easier to recruit students/participants

Current patches:

 Story #1: A Lost Book  Story #2: Get to Know the Bible  Story #3: Training for Righteousness The Good Book

 Remember the importance of the Bible!

 Learn more about the Bible, God’s Word for you!

 Get into training! Read your Bible every day to strive for godliness and become a good servant of Jesus Christ.

 Story #1: A Lost Book  Story #2: Get to Know the Bible  Story #3: Training for Righteousness The Good Book

 Read  Picture  Ponder  Put It Into Action RP3

Ponder

Put It Into Action

 Story #1: Baby Moses in the River  Story #2: Naaman Washing in the River  Story #3: Jesus Baptized in the River Out of the Water

 In troubled waters, we’re not alone. God is with us and has a plan for us, even when we have problems.

 Obeying God (even in the little things!) is important.

 Baptism reminds us when we ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins, we are forgiven!

 Story #1: God Sends Ravens to Care for Elijah  Story #2: God Lifts Us Up on Eagle’s Wings  Story #3: God Cares for Sparrows Birds of the Air

 God cares and provides for us!

 God wants us to place our trust in Him. God wants us to soar!

 When we seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, we don’t have to worry. God cares for us!

New Patch: BOULDERS Story #1: Water from a Rock Story #2: Roll the Stone Away! Story #3: A Stone Memorial to God’s Power and Faithfulness

Story 1  Stop complaining! When we complain, we’re complaining against God. Instead, be patient and trust God because He provides everything we need.

Story 2  God overcomes death, but he feels our sorrow and pain.

Story 3  Keep alive the stories of God’s grace and power!

Future Patches  Initial goal of 9 patches (with 4 P.R.A.Y. awards, there will be a religious growth opportunity every year from kindergarten to grade 12.  Themes: storms, gardens, fish, boats, etc.  Sponsors are needed

Pins (not just patches)

P.R.A.Y. Awards Series Bible Basics RP3 Grades (1-3) Grades (4-6) Grades (6-8) Grades (9-12)

Promotion  Congregations - how to use Bible patches with their own members and also as outreach into the Scouting community.  Scouting groups – how to use the patches as a tool to open doors to congregations and strengthen existing partnerships.

 Philmont participants from the “Scouting in the United Methodist Church” conference – “We all had a lot of fun, understand how it works & can go home & share it back at our Scout units and/or churches.”

Men's Bible Study Group Completes "The Good Book" Patch  I had taken the Good Book program through our Scouting in the Methodist Church seminar at the Philmont Training Center last June. My men's Bible study group at church is very interested and supporting of Scouting. I led the "Good Book" program for 7 men as part of a three week review of BSA's "Duty to God." All enjoyed the program, rededicating themselves to continue helping to serve our Scouting programs. One of these men is willing to coordinate our religious emblems program in the future.

Summary  Is the Bible at the heart of your Scouting program?  It should be!  We should expect to teach our Scouts reverence.  We should expect our Scouts to act out their Duty to God.  The Bible patch series can be a catalyst to help you move toward this model and connect Scouting with the Church.

Summary  Ask the pastor/church leadership to teach a class  Remember, it’s a shorter program with only 3 Bible stories.  Remember, it’s versatile and can be done as a morning workshop, before unit meetings, special Sunday school session, etc.  Remember, it covers all ages (only one prep!), and can be offered as a family program, for church members and Scouting families  Remember, it’s free curriculum  And….

Summary  Ask the pastor/church leadership to teach a class  Don’t forget, it’s EVANGELISM! An opportunity to bring Scouting families into the life of your congregation.

Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)  “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Feedback  “This program has already brought 2 children and their parents back to our church, which happens to be Catholic!” - Religious Emblems Coordinator, Mishicot, Wisconsin  Please provide your feedback!

Q&A “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Final Thought  Obvious – People readily understand how the Bible patches are program and Christian Education  Challenge: Help people understand how the Bible patches can be used for Evangelism and to Connect Churches and Scouting Programs  Please provide your feedback!

For more information:  Recording of webinar (and copy of PowerPoint presentation) available online    Thank you for partnering with P.R.A.Y. in “Building Faith in Youth!”