The eLearning approach is one of the strategies we’ve been using in recent years. In the latest development, we introduced the possibility of setting up cohort groups, such as with national movement staff, that can reflect on and grow in the topics presented through these eLearning courses.
As a result, we’ve had groups in places such as Francophone Africa and in national movements like FES Singapore. Our hope is to see this experience multiplied, so that national or regional groups can reflect together on certain Scripture Engagement topics. Despite the possible disadvantage of losing rich interactions with people around the world, we believe that there are benefits to this approach for local communities. One such benefit is that certain content could be explored in a more contextual way, while other elements, dynamics, or questions are added to the common learning experience.
Jeremiah, general secretary of FES Singapore, shared some of the things they learned from going through the course as a national movement:
“The Scripture Engagement eLearning course was the way to have all the staff from the different sections of our ministry in conversation and dialogue about our approach to Scripture, ideally leading to a more aligned and common approach for all.
It was a good opportunity for staff to reflect on and share their own personal convictions and reflections, which helps improve mutual understanding between them. And it helps then to have that deeper conversation about what and how FES approaches Scripture Engagement.
Before starting the course, we designed a survey (interviews) for all staff to complete with a few of their students, and those responses were used in our staff discussions. This was so that we had concrete responses from students to work with, rather than anecdotal comments and experiences. The questions followed the structure of the Scripture Engagement course.
We had staff leading different sessions, and, because it was done at staff level, we had more discussions about the implications of the different approaches. In other words, as well as deepening the team’s personal conviction about Scripture, we discussed what convictions the Singapore students now have about Scripture and why.”
Steve, a CEF Taiwan staff, who has also started going through the material with their national team, shared with us:
“I appreciate its flexibility, that we’re able to adjust according to where our staff are at. I also like where the course helps us to rethink our basic assumptions about the Bible, which our ministry centers around. I feel like the other elements that the Singaporean team has added (like the questionnaire to the students) is very helpful because it helps us to understand where the students are coming from in terms of their view about the Bible, which is vastly different from what it was before.” Please, write to scriptureengagement@ifesworld.org if you would like to explore how your national or regional team could go together through the course.
Scripture Engagement global team
[Photo by International Fellowship of Evangelical Students]
