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Dorothy Schramm newspaper clippings, 1949-1955 (folder 1 of 2)

1951-09-15 Newsletter: "Tidings" Page 3

Teaching Religion to Youth

Religion must both be taught and caught. Teaching methods in the field of religion vary almost as much as teaching methods in any other phase of education. One manner in which religion may be taught is by studying thew Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book. Good results have been obtained by this method through many generations. Obviously this should be continued when it can be effectively done. However, the moral principles and fundamental truths of Christianity need to be presented from time to time with new and different types of approach. This is particularly true when it comes to teaching religion to youth. Youth wants to be different, seeks to do things in fresh ways.
With this consideration in mind the Cabinet of Youth Fellowship of First Church has decided to attempt to study the Christian religion in relation to the basic needs of people, the community, and our world.While we are at a loss to properly describe such procedure we feel that it may best be described as the "Clinical, or Project Method," for the study of Christian Truth. We hope that it will work somewhat as follows:
To begin with we shall consider those problems which develop as a result of racial and cultural differences in the community. Specifically, we prop0ose to utilize the data collected by the Burlington Self Survey. This material deals with the various phases of Negro life in our community. We shall begin with a study of the Negro family. We will seek to do this by visiting the homes of colored Christians, by exchanging ideas with them, by asking what we as young people can do to make Burlington more brotherly and more Christian. We will seek the cooperation of Negro leaders--we expect to visit their Churches-- invite them to our discussion groups and thus endeavor to create a new climate of Christian opinion.
Now, many will say that this is daring if now down right dangerous. But since when has youth been afraid of adventure or shied from danger? After all, isn't this precisely the method of Jesus? won't it still work? we think it will!
The second area of interest we propose to explore is that of the relation of religion to good government and to law enforcement. We intend to have presentation by the county attorney, the sheriff, the police department, the juvenile authorities, the health center, a judge, political leaders, social workers and the F. B. I. Each session will end with a discussion centered about the question: What can we as Christian youth do to help make conditions better?
Still another field of exploration will be centered in boy-girl relationships on a Christian level. A professional director will guide us in this study. Parents will be asked to sit in on the last meeting of this series.
Then, we wish to consider the whole matter of the relation of Christianity to democracy and world relations. We hope to utilize local educational leaders in this study.
In all of these presentations and discussions we shall attempt to discover the answer to one fundamental question: What is the Christian way in which to meet these situations? What would Jesus have us do?
If this suggested program can be successfully carried through by The Youth Fellowship of First Church we shall have pioneered in a new method of presenting Christian truth to youth. If youth can be challenged in this manner great good can be accomplished and young people will become vitally concerned with Christianity's responsibility for changing the lives of people and the world in which those people live.
Encourage your young people to participate in this great religious adventure.

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Teaching Religion to Youth Religion must both be taught and caught. Teaching methods in the field of religion vary almost as much as teaching methods in any other phase of education. One manner in which religion may be taught is by studying thew Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book. Good results have been obtained by this method through many generations. Obviously this should be continued when it can be effectively done. However, the moral principles and fundamental truths of Christianity need to be presented from time to time with new and different types of approach. This is particularly true when it comes to teaching religion to youth. Youth wants to be different, seeks to do things in fresh ways. With this consideration in mind the Cabinet of Youth Fellowship of First Church has decided to attempt to study the Christian religion in relation to the basic needs of people, the community, and our world.While we are at a loss to properly describe such procedure we feel that it may best be described as the "Clinical, or Project Method," for the study of Christian Truth. We hope that it will work somewhat as follows: To begin with we shall consider those problems which develop as a result of racial and cultural differences in the community. Specifically, we prop0ose to utilize the data collected by the Burlington Self Survey. This material deals with the various phases of Negro life in our community. We shall begin with a study of the Negro family. We will seek to do this by visiting the homes of colored Christians, by exchanging ideas with them, by asking what we as young people can do to make Burlington more brotherly and more Christian. We will seek the cooperation of Negro leaders--we expect to visit their Churches-- invite them to our discussion groups and thus endeavor to create a new climate of Christian opinion. Now, many will say that this is daring if now down right dangerous. But since when has youth been afraid of adventure or shied from danger? After all, isn't this precisely the method of Jesus? won't it still work? we think it will! The second area of interest we propose to explore is that of the relation of religion to good government and to law enforcement. We intend to have presentation by the county attorney, the sheriff, the police department, the juvenile authorities, the health center, a judge, political leaders, social workers and the F. B. I. Each session will end with a discussion centered about the question: What can we as Christian youth do to help make conditions better? Still another field of exploration will be centered in boy-girl relationships on a Christian level. A professional director will guide us in this study. Parents will be asked to sit in on the last meeting of this series. Then, we wish to consider the whole matter of the relation of Christianity to democracy and world relations. We hope to utilize local educational leaders in this study. In all of these presentations and discussions we shall attempt to discover the answer to one fundamental question: What is the Christian way in which to meet these situations? What would Jesus have us do? If this suggested program can be successfully carried through by The Youth Fellowship of First Church we shall have pioneered in a new method of presenting Christian truth to youth. If youth can be challenged in this manner great good can be accomplished and young people will become vitally concerned with Christianity's responsibility for changing the lives of people and the world in which those people live. Encourage your young people to participate in this great religious adventure.