Scripture Distribution Program Enhancements
Frequently Asked Questions
Last Modified on April 1, 2022
This FAQ is intended to provide answers to common questions about the recent changes to the Scripture Distribution Program. Please note this document may be updated in the future with additional questions and related answers.
The intent of these changes is to see more people come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. It is important to be sensitive to witnessing opportunities in all distribution and placement opportunities.
1. When do the changes go into effect?
June 1, 2022
2. Are distributions at church-sponsored evangelical events for youth or food distributions associated with a church or another ministry in violation of the non-affiliation policy of The Gideons International?
No, Gideons and Auxiliary are not entering into any formal agreement or contract with churches or ministries for these distributions. Additionally, these distributions are conducted only by members of The Gideons International. Scriptures are not being left with the church or organization for others (non- members) to distribute.
(See the Operations Manual for the Scripture Distribution Affiliation Policy.)
3. Why not allow distributions at other church-sponsored events?
Keeping in mind our main purpose of winning people to Christ, it’s important that the youth we are seeking to reach are in a learning environment and in a setting that is intentionally aimed at presenting the Gospel to them in a way that gives them an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. While churches have various other events targeted at youth, they do not all include the intent or purpose of presenting the Gospel.
4. What is the purpose of moving the Personal Workers Testament (PWT) goal out from the Scripture Distribution goal?
Personal Workers Testaments are separate from the program of Scripture Distribution. This update is intended to increase the emphasis on the Personal Workers Testament goal, which is each member sharing one Personal Workers Testament per week.
CHURCH-SPONSORED EVENTS FOR YOUTH
1. What qualifies as an “educational component” to a youth program?
An educational component to a youth program would be an event where teaching is provided. It is more than just sharing the Gospel or a devotional but includes a Bible lesson or story. The focus of the event is evangelical––not sports, or entertainment events.
2. Do church-sponsored events for youth such as Trunk or Treat events, Easter events, or Christmas events qualify for youth distributions?
No, as these events generally do not include an educational component.
3. Can we distribute Scriptures at events sponsored by other faith-based organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Youth for Christ?
No, events for youth must be directly sponsored and facilitated by a qualified church. Remember, our goal is to reach youth who are not familiar with God’s Word or have never had the plan of salvation explained to them. Other ministries often provide Bibles for those who attend. It is also important to remember we do not want to duplicate the work being done by other ministries.
4. Do distributions at church-sponsored events to youth apply during International Scripture Blitzes?
Yes, if the event meets the four established criteria:
a. a youth evangelical event
b. for children ages 10 and up
c. directly sponsored and facilitated by a qualified church
d. includes an educational component
5. Are church-sponsored camps/retreats/general youth activities with “educational components” allowed?
Yes, if the event meets the four established criteria:
a. a youth evangelical event
b. for children ages 10 and up
c. directly sponsored and facilitated by a qualified church
d. includes an educational component
Pray though these criteria and use discernment regarding any church-sponsored youth events in which you’re considering whether or not to distribute Scriptures. Also, please request the opportunity to present the Gospel at these events and explain the use of the Testament (Helps and plan of salvation pages.) These criteria for events are designed to prevent our members from duplicating the work being done by other ministries, while also coming alongside qualified churches to reach the lost.
6. Can we distribute Scriptures at a VBS sponsored by non-qualified churches?
No, these distributions are limited to qualified churches. (See the Operations Manual for the Non-Qualified Churches Policy.)
7. Which Testaments do we distribute at church-sponsored evangelical events for youth?
USA distributions (such as Vacation Bible School) should use Sidewalk Testaments (Orange Youth).
8. Does any child attending a church-sponsored evangelical event qualify to receive a Youth Testament?
No, only children who will be entering fifth-grade or higher in the Fall. This should be clarified to those leading the event, so they can help identify students aged 10 or above. Gideons should request to distribute classroom by classroom, as classrooms are generally organized by grades or age groups.
Gideons should also request the opportunity to present the Gospel at these events and explain the use of the Testament (Helps and Plan of Salvation).
9. Can we leave Testaments for churches to distribute during youth events such as Vacation Bible School?
No, this is approved as a distribution event that should be conducted only by our members. As our members seek to talk to youth about the Testament and present the plan of salvation, this ensures students hear the Gospel message at the time they receive the Testaments.
10. If a Gideon isn’t present at a church-sponsored youth event, can his Auxiliary wife distribute Scriptures with other Gideons who are present?
No, these distributions are for Gideons. An Auxiliary may participate by striving side by side with her Gideon husband, and an Auxiliary who is a widow may serve with a Gideon/Auxiliary couple.
11. Can Friends of Gideons, church staff, or church volunteers participate in distributions at church- sponsored youth events?
No, participation is only for Gideons, Gideon/Auxiliary couples, and Auxiliary widows serving alongside a Gideon/Auxiliary couple.
12. What is the attire policy for distributions at church-sponsored events for youth?
Members should be easily identified as a member by wearing the emblem and/or corporate apparel.
13. Do we need to contact a church before showing up at a church-sponsored event for youth?
Yes, communications with church staff should happen well in advance of the event to encourage them in their ministry to youth and get approval to distribute Testaments at the event.
14. Can copies of the Life Book be distributed at church-sponsored events for youth (such as Vacation Bible School)?
No, the Life Book is distinctly a peer-to-peer distribution intended for use in schools. Youth Testaments should be used at these events.
15. At church-sponsored evangelical events for youth, can Testaments also be given to volunteers, parents, or other family members of students?
Yes, if requested, under the new bystander policy for Scripture Distribution.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS/CENTERS
1. What qualifies as a food distribution event or food distribution center?
These centers or events would serve people experiencing a crisis or national disaster and/or for the poor and needy. If the event or center is church-sponsored, the sponsoring church must be a qualified church. Food distributions may be pick-up, drive-through, or on-site consumption such as a soup kitchen.
2. What type of Scriptures do we place at Food Distribution Centers/Events?
Facilities Scriptures
3. Would a food distribution event qualify if sponsored by another church that is outside of our list of qualified churches, such as a food bank associated with the Catholic church?
No, the church must be a qualified church.
4. Would a food distribution event qualify if sponsored by a like-minded ministry?
Yes, if the statement of beliefs is similar to the qualifications for churches—Protestant, evangelical, not espousing Oneness theology.
5. Would a government-sponsored food distribution event qualify for Scripture distributions?
No, as it would not be considered a church or ministry-sponsored event.
6. Is a personal word of witness or presentation of the Gospel required at a food distribution event?
No, these events aren’t specifically treated as personal witnessing events, as in some cases this may delay the distribution of food. However, members are encouraged to witness, when possible, as long as they do not interfere with the distribution of food. This distribution does not allow for Scriptures to be left with a person in charge if members are denied access to the recipients.
7. Can Friends of Gideons, sponsoring ministry staff, or sponsoring ministry volunteers distribute Gideon Scriptures during food distribution events?
No, it is a Gideon distribution approved for Auxiliary alongside her Gideon husband or Auxiliary widows alongside a couple.
8. What is the attire policy for members distributing Scriptures at food distribution events?
Members must be clearly identified by wearing corporate apparel of The Gideons International. Also, a table or booth with appropriate signage of The Gideons International should be present to identify members are with The Gideons International and not part of the hosting organization.
9. Can members distribute Scriptures at food distribution events through the recipient’s automobile windows?
Yes, if the event is a drive-through food distribution event.
10. Would a Christian rescue mission serving Christmas meals qualify as a food distribution event?
Yes, facilities Testaments can be distributed to all persons in a rescue mission, even if there is not an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. However, Scriptures may not be left for distribution by others.
UNATTENDED TABLES IN SCHOOLS
1. In which schools can we leave Testaments on unattended tables?
When in-person classroom distributions to youth are not possible, a table with Youth Testaments (without the plan of salvation) may be left at schools with students in the fifth grade (age 10) or higher and with permission of school authorities. If the school has grade 4 or below, this option is not viable. Countries that do not have a Testament without the plan of salvation may use their approved version of a youth Testament.