The Scripture Engagement Guide is a ‘needs assessment’ tool for identifying Scripture use needs and preferences within a community. using the results of this helps them to think about appropriate strategy for increased Scripture Use and Impact their context.
(It also serves more simply as a collection of discussion starters to help churches leaders think about how they encourage people to use the Bible).
This includes thinking Bible translation and other discipleship resources, and looking at how the Bible is currently used by church and wider community. The Guide exists as both a website and an android app.
Website: https://EMDC.guide
How This Works
Simple videos introduce key questions across eight themes. Questions are included to go with the videos but the strength is in the discussion and in combining the thoughts on each of these areas to decide on action. The themes introduced have been learned from many decades of Bible translation work in hundreds of languages. These can be used for a full formal assessment or a more gradual process of discovery and discussion.
Note: we continue to use the term SE (Scripture Engagement) in this description but in discussions with church and partners are increasingly referring to SE as Scripture Use and Impact – describing the aim as contextualised Bible based discipleship and outreach.
Finer Details
Financial cost: Free to use, free to translate
Scripture use and impact stories included: The site does not contain stories from scripture but rather stories about some of the things that impact the use of scripture, such as not having it available in the best language or format, people not knowing how to access it, people not being in encouraged to read or listen to it in ways that most help them and more…
What personnel are needed to bring this resource to fruition, (make the resource available in another language)?
The Guide is currently available in English with parts already translated in French, Indonesian, and Mandarin Chinese and interest in translating into more. The discussion can happen in whatever language is best suited and in terms of personnel finding the right facilitator to lead discussion is probably key.
The assessment tool and all the videos are not specifically designed to be translated into local languages but discussion scenarios could translated and read/acted out if helpful. The discussion starter videos, instructions and even the full app is available for translation in partnership with EMDC.guide
What kind of technical expertise is needed to adapt this resource to your situation?
The app has been built using reading app builder and SIL’s International Media Services (IMS) can build a fresh copy with translated text in language of wider communication. The main videos have been been created using Vyond animation software and AI generated voices. Once scripts are translated IMS can dub or recreate the videos in other languages.
The starting point is to test the local viability of the tool with a couple of translated scenarios. Scripts could also be used or adapted to make your own animated videos or a simpler set using audio and slides or live acting.
How much time is required to do all the work required to bring the resource to completion?
This will depend context to context. Video scripts and questions could be machine translated in minutes and then tested and revised quite quickly. The key is the quality of the discussion and what is done with that.
What sort of logistical setting is needed? (e.g. quiet space for recording, good Internet access)
If recording your own scripts, then a quiet enough space for recording and a reasonable quality recorder. This doesn’t have to be movie quality, but needs to be clear and both recording and acting need to be good enough not to be a distraction.Discus
How long does it typically take to watch, read or otherwise engage?
Each of the 30 video discussion starters are only 2-3 minutes long. Discussion for each could from ten minutes to a couple of hours. A full formal assessment could take 15-30 hours of discussion and reflection over several weeks. In less formal settings the discussions could be part of a short workshop or regular meetings focusing on one or two issues each time.
What challenges or difficulties are there using this resource?
The biggest challenge can be the desire to rush to quickly through the material, skimming the surface of issues but not giving enough time to reflect on the real impact and possible solutions.
What level of help is available?
Some of the larger translation organisations have dedicated Scripture Engagement staff trained in SE needs assessments, either available to help at the local level or support a local facilitator from a distance. Training in both the use of the Guide and broader issues of SE and SE assessment
What particular themes are included that might be a ‘bridge’ to a target audience?
Most of the discussion starters are for people already interested in seeing the Bible used more widely, but participants can also be from the wider community. The site and app are not in themselves tools for discipleship and outreach, but in the process of discussing both bridges and barriers, they do raise issues that might spark participants interest.
Unique Characteristics
This is a new presentation of tried and tested ideas bringing a participatory approach to early and ongoing assessment of what will help or hinder scripture use and impact.
How To Get Started
Take a look at the site in English. Discuss the concepts and perhaps show a couple of video. If you have access to Youtube you can watch the videos with automatically translated subtitles. Machine translation of the video scripts and questions can be supplied quickly as a starting point for discussion. In using the tool it may be helpful to connect with a trained SE specialist or consultant. These are not always available everywhere but use the contact form on the website to connect with the Guide staff with any questions.
Distribution Methods
Website (in English) is online. App is available via the website and Google play. It is expected that most participants in discussions will hear about the site and app via a facilitator, but in some cases churches and BT staff will hear about it from a member of the community who has found it themselves.