A GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVE As you meet with Scripture Union staff and volunteers all around the world, what inspires you about how SU globally approaches the Bible? I am always inspired by the richness and depth of understanding God´s word in fresh ways when we are opening the Bible in community. I remember reading the story of Martha and Mary with a group of Asian leaders. At first, I wondered how there could be possibly anything new and refreshing in the passage after having read it a gazillion times. And still, the session ended with my notebook full of new thoughts and applications. Unexpected gifts from God through the mouths of my wonderful colleagues. A special treat is to read Scriptures through various cultural lenses. The story of the Good Samaritan in Western cultures can sometimes come across as a 'be nice to each other' message. But listening to SU workers living in war-stricken parts of the world share how they saved the life of an enemy from a different nation or have been feeding a foe from another tribe, you start to understand that the good news of Jesus is about deeper changes than just social conventions. This year, Scripture Union International is focusing on Bible Engagement. In March, participants from all around the world met virtually for a Bible Engagement Consultation. What is your hope for this Consultation?
ANNETTE OSBORNE INTERVIEWS MONIKA KUSCHMIERZ, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SCRIPTURE UNION INTERNATIONAL
Bible Engagement is at the core of all we are doing in SU. We want to give children and young people the opportunity to meet God through His word—be it at a camp, at school or at a beach mission. But are the methods we are using really helpful to make them curious to explore more? Are we showing them Jesus rather than just Christian morals? How do we take seriously the world our young people are growing up in—the questions they have, the mindsets they are bringing into the conversation, their social backgrounds and environments? How can we be as innovative as possible while staying true to our theological basis? How do you see the Consultation supporting Scripture Union movements into the future? It is my hope that it will stir helpful conversations among the global SU community and the teams in National Movements. And I can see already various teams emerging from the consultation, for example, a team to create new tools, resources and strategies that would help to reach children at risk with God´s word. A group would create a resource for children in the slums of major cities. Another would create a tool for children who have dropped out of school and are considered to be the ‘losers’ in an ambitious society. These resources would be tested, refined, and shared across the globe to let millions of children and young people know there is good news for them. And I hope and pray it will transform their lives. APRIL 2022 19
