==REPORTS RE: STUDIES throughout 40 Years of Schooling Update 8/21/10
STUDIES throughout 40 Years of Schooling
Due to the fact we have enjoyed numerous students many
of whom have worked in other areas than northwest Mississippi, we have, from time to time, asked a few or many of them to experiment with techniques and methods and to report findings of the effectiveness regarding the project under consideration.
This newest page placed on our website now exposes
the findings of some of those reports:
1) Communication techniques....A group used Nehemiah 8:8 as a base for better communication between married couples, parents and children, leaders and congregations, etc., etc. #1. Be distinct in your wording
# 2. Give the sense or meaning of your words
# 3. Check back with the other ones to make sure you've
been understood.
This is a simple 1-2-3 plan of Neh. 8:8 used in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. It's a great plan even today. And, our reports upheld these three ideas back in 1990.
2) Employment of preachers within local churches
In 1995 questions were asked of many congregations as well as individuals about the needs of congregations in a new preacher as well as the needs of the preacher. We found several important matters beside salary considerations. Of course, the congregation and preacher must look at the cost of living in the area. Many members are unaware of the rental costs or housing costs, the costs associated with ministering work and the insurances, car expenses as well as the day to day food costs. These vary as to the area and generation. Prayerfully, consider such matters about salary. In addition, our reports included:
*. Patience of the brethren
**. Willing of brethren to converse
***. Problem solving rather than blame matters
****. Parental support of the activities
*****. Being treated as any other member was so important to the preachers
3) Use of questions in conversation to encourage
the extension of the study
a) Direct statements are often used in the Bible (e.g. 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth' (Genesis 1:1) These type statements inform and teach God's truth.
b) The use of questions often are used to prolong thought and study (e.g. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me (Mark 11:30 KJV). Notice the focus of information, teaching and reflection all rolled into one--the use of a question caused more thought and study to be given for God's truth to be understood. More than 100 questions are posed in Matthew of the New Testament to advance information seeking!
c) Practice the use of questions, instead of direct statements, to advance conversations, discussions and, even debates, for the purpose of helping understanding. It'll take some practice because we often have commands as the only direct statements employed.
(A study in the early 2000s)
4) Better religious surveys to help a local church
a) questions which deal with the habits of people interviewed: #)To which radio stations, television channels, newspapers, might the people receive religious information?
b) how many differing churches or fellowships has the person joined or participated?
c) what type of behavior on the part of a survey worker would annoy the interviewed person?
d) always thank the person with sincere gratitude for answering the few questions with equal sincerity and move to next survey house or site
5) Study habits of people: Often books were taken or recordings were ordered. We traced so many of these requests as to when these materials were studied by the requestee. We found that if that man or woman or young person got right on to the reading or listening or the taking of notes, the benefits were enjoyable and often used to teach others much more quickly. However, if the requestee placed the book, recording or other material ordered on the shelf or table and did not get to read or listen or take notes for 6 days, that person might not have done the study till 6 months or 6 years had passed bye! Check this finding out with your own life. How soon did you get the benefit of a request if you were delayed 6 days? Did, you too, not get back to the material for 6 months or later??
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A Report of the last decade:
6) Prayer habits of religious people
Please visit back with this page as each month of 2010 we expose the findings in these and other areas.