CrossTalk Survey Results 2023
Thank you to everyone who completed the short CrossTalk survey. Here are the results from 43 responses. While the curriculum is complete for 2024, we will incorporate as many recommendations as possible in the future. However, as you can see, the responses are split on the preference for offering a rotation every 4-5 years or having a new topic every year.
REMEMBER to check out the three-day summary and memory verse on the Teen Reach website.
Positives about the CrossTalk curriculum:
Relatable. Relevant. Connected to other parts of camp.
Well-written and easy to teach.
Biblically-based, encouraging campers to read their Bibles.
Interactive, engaging, flexible with different options for presenting the material.
Empowers teens, meeting them where they’re at. Trauma-informed and not preachy.
Incorporates effective visuals and relevant songs.
Based on an overall theme. New and fresh each year.
Shows the power of love and forgiveness.
Offers hope. Positive. Inspiring.
The preference was split regarding a rotation or different themes/characters every year.
45% preferred a rotation every 4-5 years.
29% wanted different themes/characters each year.
26% said “other.” Most wanted a combination of repeating characters and new.
Besides David, Joseph, Jonah and Daniel, the following characters received the most votes:
Esther
Ruth
Job
Potential topics:
Identity and self-worth
God’s unconditional love; the God who sees me
The Gospel
Change/transformation (Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter)
“I am” statements in John
Peer pressure/overcoming temptation/ the armor of God
Forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation/coping and conflict resolution skills
Fruits of the Spirit
Importance of our choices
Resiliency and overcoming adversity
Abandonment, rejection, depression, disappointment
Prodigals
Possible changes:
Add women. (Mixed responses on this.)
Add a New Testament character to the rotation.
Highlight multiple characters (women and men) per theme.
Provide a variety of object lesson ideas, multiple options for visuals, and more applications.
Use less cheesy wording and deeper questions in curriculum and journals.
Offer opportunities for embodied approach to prayer, using 5 senses & creative expression.
Split up CrossTalk into morning and afternoon sessions.
Explain why it’s called “CROSS-talk.”
To remember for all volunteers:
Use compassionate wording when addressing sin issues to avoid shaming the campers.
Stay faithful to the meaning of the passage/Bible story. The teen isn’t necessarily supposed to think of him/herself as the character in the story. For example:
There’s a difference between a prophetic dream given by God and the (also valuable) dream of making the basketball team.
Don’t fall into the trap of saying God will "slay our giants," but focus on how David trusted God with his life because he knew God.
Joseph’s life turned out comfortable in the end, but Romans 8:28 is not a guarantee. Our goal is reconciliation and relationship with God, not comfort in this life.
