Abingdon Youth

Choosing the Resource You Need for What You Want

By Crys Zinkiewicz

Knowing Our Youth.
Why start here? Because what we want is going to be determined by the needs of our youth. We have to spend time with them, observe them. We need to listen to them, invite their feedback. We need to involve them in making choices, then check back with them to see whether we are understanding them correctly.

Knowing What We Want
Our vision, “Youth thriving in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ,” is an important starting point. Each part of that vision sets direction for our choices. The more we know about the Christian faith and about living faithfully ourselves, the more likely we will be to match the needs of our youth with the potential that is there for them as disciples of Jesus Christ. Being a leader, a guide, means being a learner also.

ABCs for Evaluating Resources
Assess the Content
The topic and how the content is developed are crucial elements in the usefulness of a resource. We begin our evaluation by scanning the table of contents. Then we need to
• read introductory comments;
• look at purpose or focus statements;
• sample paragraphs throughout the resource;
• look for ways the scripture is used.

When we have a feel for the approach and direction of the content, we can ask some questions.

Overall
• Does the content match the needs and interests of our youth? How well does it do so?
• Is the treatment of the topic faithful to the Scriptures? Is it in line with with the teachings of our our church? (For example, is God’s grace emphasized or is the focus on God’s judgement?)
• What’s not there that should be? Is the treatment evenhanded? (For example, does the content omit relevant information or perspectives coming from the experience of persons not in the majority?)

Leader Materials
• Is there sufficient preparation help to increase our confidence for leading the session?.
• Is the content presented clearly? Is it understandable?
• Is there recognition that we also are growing spiritually? Does the material help us deepen our relationship with God?

Youth Materials
• Is the content presented clearly? in an engaging manner?
• Is the material understandable?
• Will youth be able to identify with the issues and the situations described?
• Are the issues and learning experiences authentic for youth? Are they drawn from the daily life experiences of today’s youth?

Begin Evaluating
How material is presented can complement or detract from even the best content. What happens in the group experience is often better remembered than what was intended to be taught or conveyed.

We need to look carefully at the leader material (and the youth material) and ask these questions:

• What assumptions are made about the youth? Is there respect for them and their abilities? Are they participants or passive receivers?
• Is the language appropriate, contemporary? Or will the language (including word choice and sentence structure) be a turnoff for youth?
• Is the method of presentation appropriate for the content?
• What assumptions are made about the size of the group, meeting area, supplies, and equipment?
• Do the learning experiences bring youth together? Is competition or cooperation more prominent.
• How will youth experience Christian community?
• Do the type of learning experiences vary throughout the session? Youth have different learning styles; overuse of one style will leave out youth who prefer other styles.
• Does the plan include opportunity to move around? Younger youth especially need physical movement.
• Do learning’s emerge from experience—either within the session or from the lives of the youth?
• Are there ways to involve the youth in leadership?
• Are worship and prayer built into the group experience?
• How well does the process fit our vision?
• What’s missing? Can we adapt or supplement the material to enhance the learning experience?

Consider the Appearance
We all know that we “can’t judge a book by its cover.” But appearance can either help or detract from the intention of the material.

That makes sense. We’ll look at the cover, at the inside design, at the page layouts. We’ll flip through the resource. If the resource is a video, we’ll watch it for how it does, not just what it does. And we’ll ask questions. The following questions are not exhaustive. We’ll undoubtedly have more, but these will get us started.

Leader Materials
• Is the look inviting? Does it feel manageable? Do we feel overwhelmed with too many words?
• Is the organization of the resource and of session plans clear? helpful? energizing?
• Do headings give us a quick overview? Are there other devices, such as charts and materials in boxes, to make it easy to get the big picture?
• Is the resource “user-friendly”? Is material broken out into lists and mini-articles? (Information presented this way is easier to grasp quickly.)
• Are the illustrations functional or simply decorative? Are there drawings or other graphics if we need to make or do something?

Youth Materials
• Is the look interesting? inviting? contemporary?
• Are there headings that make the material easy to get into and read? Are such heading appropriate?
• Do illustrations and photos feel appropriate for the content? Do they appeal to youth?

Videos
• Are varieties of persons shown, including persons with disabilities, of various races, of different body types and sizes, as appropriate?
• Is the pace appropriate for the subject and for the viewers?
• Does the quality of the video distract from the content or enhance it?

But the Cost Is So High!
Churches, like people, struggle with how best to spend their limited dollars. When cost becomes an issue in choosing resources for youth ministry, looking at the situation from several perspectives may be helpful.

• Compute the cost on a “per Sunday/per person basis.” For example, a cosy of $38 for a quarter (three months) breaks down to less than 30 cents per Sunday/per person for ten youth and a leader.
• Compare the cost of a resource with reproducible pages with the cost of a resource with both leader guide and a youth piece—putting a dollar figure on the hidden costs. Although the curriculum budget may not have to bear the cost of photocopying, most likely the office budget does. And what about times when the leaders are rushed and the copy machine is busy or out of service? Will a leader continue to be happy as a leader? Will youth be shortchanged if they don’t have an important resource for that session or meeting?
• Do some creative funding. For example, we could ask sponsors of youth to purchase a particular resource for their youth for a period of time, such as a quarter (three months). Usually the cost is less than a fast-food lunch—and the spiritual food the youth get lasts longer and is worth more! Be sure to have the youth be in touch with their friends in faith to say thank you. We’re not just fundraising; we’re building relationships in the family of God.
• Determine the cost of not using the resource. Is it essential for meeting the needs of our youth and fulfilling the vision of our congregation? Will our youth miss important experiences and learning’s without the assistance of the resource?

We Don’t Need to Do This Alone
Choosing appropriate resources for youth ministry can be daunting. But other people can help us.

• We need to talk with our youth—either as a group or with a representative. Since we want to use resources that appeal to youth, we should ask them what they like. And the conversations are a good opportunity to get to know our youth better.
• We need to consult with others in our church, such as the education committee, our pastor, other staff, former youth leaders. Their experience and knowledge can make our task easier.

Brought to you by your youth ministry colleagues at Cokesbury.

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