# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S1035 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) oeceineinieae ‘+ 278 PARISH EDUCATION Etzold, Paul Friedrich, John Goodbrak Dr. A. G. Merkens, Dr. Arthur L. Miller the Ree poe 7 Loose, To foster Bible reading, the Committee on the By cucht Home has issued three editions of Feeding on the W Ble in the Bible reading guide with directions for personal mode ® daily members of this committee were the Rev. A. O. Gebau ‘ation, The the Rev. Messrs. E. J. W. Fritze, G. A. Lueck, J hn chairman; Alfred v. Rohr Sauer. 7 Tone W. Ott, Dr. This committee has completed thé first Bible- i made in our Church. 1,721 persons, representing sea y * participated in the survey, which involved people from x families, trict of Synod. The findings of this survey are very on very Dis- Of the people that responded 38 per cent reported that ther the Bible at least three or four times a week, and 45 slices reported holding family worship at least three or four times. ent a) more complete report. will be submitted in one of our periedieake er : : . : a « resu tts will guide us in developing helps for Bible reading The committee exploring Bible use among o i youth made a survey in Lutheran high schools pallies wee schools (connected with our colleges), and among Lutheran eh dents in public schools. The findings will supply a factual ben for guidance in promoting Bible reading and study among adol cents, help us in setting up a curriculum, and in writing Bible study materials for high school youth. The survey was made by Mr. John Grundmann and Mr. Herbert Moldenhauer of the stalk of St.Louis Lutheran High School. A curriculum committee explored the polici inci for Bible class courses on the high school level, young neeiPles level, and on the adult level, and laid some of the groundwork for a future curriculum conference. The committee recommended that rae full-time editors of youth and adult materials carry forward the exploration and complete plans for a Bible class curriculum A committee was appointed by the Board to deal with the problem of a more readable English Bible and to give guidance with regard to modern versions now on the market. The members of this committee are Dr. W. H. Roehrs, chairman; Dr. W. A. Baepler, Prof. Martin Franzmann, the Rev. Lewis C. Niemoeller, the Rev. E. J. Saleska, Dr. Geo. V. Schick. During the past tri- ennium this committee has done the following: 1. Set up standards of judgment which should guide the paureh, namely, accuracy, readability, and absence of theological ias; Survey 2. Examined a number of modern versions; PARISH EDUCATION 279 iven special attention to the Revised Standard Version; Discussed the problem of Bible versions with Mr. Dorn and ‘oneral Literature Board. Jt plans to prepare guidelines on the evaluation and use of English versions. The committee concurs with the opinion the St. Louis Seminary faculty with regard to the Revised Stand- ard Version as expressed in the article in the Lutheran Witness of © ‘December 9, 1952. | : A Bible-reading laity can be developed only if good foundations laid in childhood by parents in the home and the teachers in whol and church. A committee of staff members and parents looked into this problem. It recommended that our editors of curricular materials build Bible use into the lessons. This recom- mendation is already reflected in the new lesson units for Lutheran elementary schools and the new Sunday school curriculum. Many pastors report that they are making more use of the Bible in con- frmation instruction. The new Bible filmstrips are a further con- tribution to training parents and teachers with regard to Bible use with children. Since no editor for adult materials was secured, we lagged behind in the production of Bible study materials on the adult level. The following materials appeared: Guidance Charts for More and Better Bible Classe The Materials of the Bible Study Advance Tracts on Bible reading and Bible study Three study courses: Practical Christianity (First Corinthians) Christ and His Church (Colossians) Help Yourself to Better Living (Proverbs) We also participated in the production of five sound-filmstrips: “Teaching the Bible” series (4 filmstrips) and “Redeeming the Time.” Bible Institutes. — One of the most significant new develop- ments in the history of our Synod with a great potential for Chris- tian leadership education is the Bible institute. From one such evening school in 1946, these have grown to 35 Bible institutes that are designed to give advanced training in Bible, Christian doctrine, and in practical church work to equip lay workers for more effec- tive witnessing, teaching, and intelligent churchmanship. The com- bined enrollment per semester is:approximately 3,500. The typical Bible institute offers a number of courses in an eight- to ten-week semester with sessions one night a week.