Manmade
£20.00 (Approx)
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
In a society where manhood is rarely understood, ManMade is a resource to help teenage boys become young men. Boys rarely mark the transition into manhood, they simply drift into their adult life. ManMade is a resource that unpacks this transition with six core values, based on the life of Jesus.
Six Sessions with more than 20 hours of material to choose from. A DVD resource with vox pops. More than 30 resources sheets on disc. Reflections on core values, from the life of Jesus. Stacks of ideas to customise a rites of passage experience.
ManMade combines practical activities and discussion starters within a Biblical framework. The course gives teenage boys a coming of age experience, with significance that speaks directly into their lives.
What do you get?
A leader’s guide which outlines the six core values of passion, humility, courage, respect, control and responsibility. These can be taught indoors (MadeReal) or as part of a field trip (MadeWild). There are a choice of possible activities and there is also a suggested outline for a weekend away, which acts as a rites of passage experience.
The guide comes with a DVD which includes short vox pops for each session as well as handouts to use for some activities. There are also a range of useful documents on risk assessments, parental consent forms for any trips and planning outlines. There are certificates and the ManMade promise to download as well as part of a commitment to living as a Christian man.
Each session of the MadeReal stream can last between one and two hours, depending on what’s desired.
Available from Share Jesus International and www.manmadejourney.com
Who is it for?
This course is written for early teenage boys as a mark of passage from childhood into adulthood. The writer claims it can be used with Christian and non-churched young people as the values taught are positive, but it seems to work best when understood from a position of faith commitment.
Cost?
£20 for the leader’s guide & DVD, Manmade dog-tags £12 for 5 or £20 for 10
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
The material well written and the sessions are easy to follow. The 6 MadeReal sessions are designed to be used in an indoor setting and are split into 6 sections: warmin' up (activities to introduce the core value of the session), get connected (including a vox pops film and scenarios to discuss), men of the world (which compares two well known personalities in the light of the session's core value), man of the world (reflects upon the core value in the character of Jesus), makin' the point (an interactive activity to consolidate the learning) and join the journey (ideas to challenge the group to put the core value into practice).
The MadeWild stream offers two possible activities to do outside on each of the 6 core values. These include trips to a local soup kitchen, a sports arena, a police station and a parent and toddler group. There are some helpful questions to help the group reflect on the particular value and how it affects the people at the place they visit.
The Rites of Passage experience is designed to run over the course of a weekend, with a choice of eleven different trials to explore, which again help reinforce the core values of the course (passion, humility, courage, respect, control, responsibility). It is suggested that the weekend finishes in time for church on the Sunday and for the church to recognise the lads completing the course and transitioning into young men.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
The leader's guide has a clear introduction, explaining how the course can work and the purposes it is hoping to achieve.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
The leader's guide is well-written and clear. It is easy to follow and to see the flow in each session. The 6 sessions follow the same pattern and so will be easy to pick up and to lead.
Who could lead it?
This is a course for boys and so needs to be led by at least two Christian men.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
There are some handouts on the accompanying DVD which can help with some of the activities and these are designed well and are appropriate for the age group.
How good is any digital material?
The DVD is professionally produced and easy to navigate. The vox pops are short (around 2 minutes each) and relevant to the sessions.
How much prep will I have to do?
For MadeReal indoor sessions there is very little preparation other than choosing the activities you want to do, making sure you have any handouts printed off and setting up a TV to show the vox pops. Each session outlines any items you may need to make the session work well. More planning will be needed for the external activities and the weekend away, if you choose to do either of these elements, but the course would work well without them, if desired.
Is there website support?
www.manmadejourney.com offers support and a place to purchase ManMade dog-tags, which have the 6 core values printed on.
Is it dated?
No.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
The course is designed to be run with up to 12 young people, ideally, and the whole course is interactive.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
This is a course written for boys and meets their needs well. There is a choice of activities to introduce the theme and to challenge them in the days between sessions.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
The core values taught are widely applicable so the material should work in most situations.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
The course is written to be explored as a group and so all the material encourages an atmosphere of team work.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Each core value is based on values portrayed by Jesus and there is a 20 minute element to each session, exploring how Jesus displayed the value and the difference it made.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Each core value is presented in a way which encourages discussion and then exploration of a particular Bible passage, followed by a short activity to see how Jesus showed the core value in other contexts.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Each session ends with a challenge to try and put the session's value into practice in the week ahead, which will help to root the value in everyday life.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
No.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
The course is more about building up the 6 core values in the individual lives than it is about exploring God and faith. Whilst there are Biblical passages to explore each week, there is never a suggestion of including prayer as part of the sessions, which is surprising.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
As above.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
It helps the group to see how the core values were displayed in Jesus and helps them to see that following Jesus has relevance.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
The course helps participants to explore how the 6 core values of passion, humility, courage, respect, control and responsibility are important to men and will enable them to live well in their everyday lives.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
This is not explored in this course.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
It encourages participation locally in some of the weekly challenges, such as looking for people to serve, standing up for people who need support and raising money for a charity.
How well does it connect with global issues?
One of the challenges for exploring the value of courage is to find out more about injustice in the world and to raise the issue with friends.
How well does it encourage global mission?
This is not explored by this course.