1. Magazine photographs
A box of such magazines as Time, Newsweek, People, National Geographic, and Modern Maturity is a valuable resource for every classroom. The leader can tear out appropriate photographs for a session, or the participants can each be given a magazine or two to search for them. Magazine photographs can be used in many sessions, but the leader must be careful not to overuse this creative resource.
2. Art prints
Access to the Internet makes it possible to find familiar classic and contemporary art prints that interpret religious themes. Art prints also found in books and other print sources serve to focus attention on the biblical and theological concepts of a given session. When art prints are the subject of class discussion, participants are able to gain insights that words alone cannot provide. It is especially effective when two or more art prints focused on the same biblical narrative or theme are available.
3. Sunday school teaching pictures
Every church has a collection of teaching pictures from church school curricula stored in closets or cupboards. There are times when these teaching pictures will be very useful in an adult class. The class members could use a dozen or so teaching pictures depicting the events in the last week of Jesus’ ministry by arranging them in chronological order and giving each picture a caption. Teaching pictures along with art prints or magazine photographs are a wonderful way to interpret biblical and theological topics.
4. Maps and charts
Bible atlases, study Bibles, and other Bible study aids contain many maps and charts. If there are multiple copies in the classroom this is very helpful. If not, maps and charts could be enlarged and photocopied for the participants to follow in a session on one or more journeys of the apostle Paul, the ministry of Jesus, or the events in the history of the people of Israel, for example. Charts with lists, chronologies, and parallel passages are very useful.
5. Line drawings from the Good News Bible
Many churches have a supply of Good News Bibles and Good News New Testaments in the paperback format that are tattered and worn. The line drawings created by the artist Annie Vallotton could be cut out for use in activities in the classroom.
6. Video and DVD clips
Videos and DVDs are available for loan from regional resource centers or can be purchased from denominational sources, bookstores, and video rental outlets. These recorded resources are not to be used just as time fillers or for entertainment. They can be used to present a documentary of a current issue, to view a dramatization of a biblical narrative, or to introduce a Christian leader or authority on a biblical or theological topic. Leaders usually will use just a portion of a video or DVD.
7. PowerPoint presentations
With a laptop computer and a portable LCD projector, the creative teacher can prepare slide presentations using PowerPoint computer program software. The PowerPoint slides could include photographs, charts, maps, text, Internet images, and many other visual renderings. Such a presentation will reinforce the key points of the lesson the leader seeks to present.
Both the Adult Student Book and Leader’s Guide are available in Braille or on cassette, at no cost, for leaders and learners who are blind or visually impaired. To receive The Present Word in one of these formats contact Sandy Sanders: (888) 728-7228, ext. 5025. The Student Book is also available for sale in a large-print edition and on compact disc. For more information about The Present Word, and the various offerings available go to www.pcusa.org/curriculum. |
