Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

1 How to Plan Film Series by Eunice Schmidt Visual Aids Department, Baptist Book Store, Oklahoma City. fjLANNING the use of films in *^ series is more than possible. It is practical. Denominational planning is done in one-year, three-year, and four-year cycles. Bible teaching is generally planned on the basis of a three-month quarter. Mid-Week Series. Some years ago a pastor in Southern Oklahoma became alarmed about how few people came to the mid-week service. I suggested a Bible study series: the Bible is central, people want to hear what God's word has to say, they want help in finding His will for their lives. This pastor set up t series: "What Does God's Word Say to Me?" Cathedral's 12 filmstiijjs in black and white. The Life of St. Paul, became the heart of the study. His own narrations, timed to 20 minutes, were recorded on tape. For this he did research and study, which paid off. Years later people were still talking aboiu how much they learned from this series. They had both seen and heard. Paul became alive to them. Church history was vital. Life Of Christ Series. We have urged pastors to use the ChurchCraft Life of Christ filmstrips. There are 24 in this series, all in color. Many pastors begin this midweek study in December, with prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, and continue to Easter. Of course selections must be made. Some pastors have set up short series on the Miracles or the Parables. Using this audiovisual resource, individual preferences and needs can be met. Old Testament Series. In this area of the Bible, series have been built on such themes as "Great Men of the O. T.," and "How God Spoke To Men In O. T. Times." Other pastors have developed series on "The Life of Moses," "The Life of Joseph," and on "The Prophets and Their Problems." Then as now people had deep spiritual and political problems. For Youth. Young people are confronted with questions of right and wrong. Church counsellors of youth, and adults, have found answers to many profound religious and moral questions in the "Living Bible" series of motion pictures. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath can lead a group into a discussion of the uses and abuses of this day in our times. Jesus Teaches Forgiveness can crack open the subject of forgiveness and getting and receiving it — from God, parents, and friends. Jesus and the Lepers has a lot to say on kindness and the grace of thankfulness. Thirty Pieces of Silver can be used to ask, on what values are you building your life?; or, was the motive of Judas dastardly or distorted? Old Testament Films. Concordia's Old Testament motion pictures are being used in many ways by our customers. Some relate them to the O.T. curriculum unit. They are geared to the lessons Simday iiy Sunday. Another church used them with the young people on Sunday morning in a series, "Men Led By God." A men's club used them in a "Great Men of The Bible" series. In a rural church, they were used, one every two weeks, in a series of devotional services to bring drama and climax to each. With Children. Our users have related the "Our Children" series by Family Films to their work with problem children and teenagers. These 15-ininute films ask and answer questions effectively. They are so specific that all sorts of series can be arranged with them. The same applies to the Moody "Bible .'Adventure" series. The problem is in seeing the series possibilities in such materials. This is where I can help my customers, by passing along what others have done with them. This, however, is no substitute for each one doing his own thinking and planning. The central theme of a series gives direction. It concentrates interest. It increases impact. It makes for more work, and yet it may even mean less work in terms of the results obtained. When we show as well as tell what the Bible has to say, we are working with the grain of the mind, not against it. This seeing and hearing is just about the "universal language." Teacher Training. Many churches have used the "Teacher Improvement" series of the Southern Baptists. It is practical, yet based on sound educational and spiritual principles. Family Filmstrips, Inc. is about to bring out a 7>aining Kit. This unit of four sound filmstrips ought to fill a real need in motivating the use of audio and visual materials in the local church, and in showing just how it is done. Moody has a series on "Know Your Child." Every teacher will find it useful in deepening her understanding of what the child is like in his stages of growth. Parents, too, need to be instructed by this series. Here and diere church leaders will see the enormous value of these series. In them much of the planning has been done. It is use that is left to us. 74 EdScreen & AV Guide — February, 1959