Documentaries are helpful to the extent that they can give visual support to teaching. Such visual support is now provided through the 'teaching slots' within the stories. However, full documentaries in this context would soon become `talking heads' or `people preaching at you from the screen'. This is anything but helpful.
An element of solid teaching is needed for the group process. But this comes most naturally from a 'live' teacher within the group. That is why we provide a Course Book. Using this as a source, a 'live' teacher can present the instruction in the form that will profit the group most.
The function of the 'stories' is different. They add examples from real life. They present actual situations and do so with a degree of intensity that oral teaching cannot match. Through the filmed story we enter the experiences of other people. We feel their emotions. We join their hopes and struggles. Since the whole purpose of studying Scripture is ultimately to change our life, mere academic instruction will never do.
In order to be filmed, the stories had to be dramatised. The main characters are played by professional actors and actresses. However, the stories reflect real life and true events. In most cases our stories are reconstructions of things that have really happened.
Yes, it is. Remember, the stories function as parables. The images speak to us more powerfully if we give them time to sink in. During our first viewing we may be so preoccupied with the `plot' that the full potential of the symbols are lost. People in our discussion groups often testify to this spontaneously. 'Oh, now this or that really makes sense to me!' 'In the course of the week I kept thinking of this or that image. It's really something!'
The main reason for this choice is the factual situation of our Church as a `Catholic' community around the world. What happens to Christians in other countries, affects us too and can inspire us. To some extent the 'parable' function of the stories is enhanced by their somewhat unusual settings.
That's probably NOT a good idea. When people begin to think and talk, all kinds of needs and feelings emerge that need to be expressed. It is important to recognise such needs and deal with them -- before steering the discussion back to the main topic.What matters is, after all, the personal involvement of the members of the group, their insights, discoveries and emotional adjustments. That's what the course is about.
Promoting a process of self enlightenment and liberating change is all the course intends.
