January 2007
We have finished our first "burst" of our family Bible class. Most people
liked the concept but were really ready to get back to their Bible classes,
especially adults. So, we began classes for all ages once again. We will do
small session of family based classes in the future such as a focus on the
Passover a few weeks before Easter. We will hold a Passover meal on a Saturday
night for families and then conclude our family class on Easter Sunday. Our kids
class continue to use Group's Faith Weaver Curriculum (2 yrs - 6th grade). We
will be re-evaluating curriculum again this year.
Aug. 2006
We are about to journey into a new era. In September we will begin a family
Bible class that we are calling Family Zone. This will be a departure from our
traditional Bible class model mentioned below. We will begin addressing the need
for parents to be the spiritual leaders for their children and acting as
resource to inspire, equip and model this. In a world that is openly attacking
the "family" we are going to battle. This will not be a fluff class as some may
think. We will use drama to connect with kids and adults to start the class and
then move into a "Open your Bible" time of study that will be understandable for
kids and meaty enough for parents who likely haven't studied several of these
stories since they were kids...if ever. What better way for kids to learn, then
beside their parent(s). Parents will have times to work with their kids in
applying the week's lesson to their family and will be able to take home or
download activities to home use throughout the week. And that's the goal: for
parents to have spiritual conversations with their kids throughout the week.
Deut. 6:6-9 is one of my foundational verses.
2005
We currently run Bible Classes or what was traditionally called Sunday School on Sunday mornings between our two services. Our adult and children's classes run 45 minutes. For the past several years we have been using GROUP's Faith Weaver curriculum for our preschool through 6th Grade. I like the material because it uses the same story for all ages, adapting for age-appropriateness. It's easier on our teachers, most of which work full time jobs. There is very little to find and put together for activities which is good when your teachers really don't have extra time to come to the building. Most things are in the resources packs. This makes it easier to find substitutes and mentor new teachers. I know easy is not our objective, but with volunteers as class leaders, easier is helpful. This doesn't substitute quality, learned leaders.
I love walking down the hallway during Bible Class time. It's loud. There are kids cheering, laughing. They are up and active. I love for kids to enjoy coming to class. When we can apply Bible lessons to their lives, giving them time to process things and live their lives on purpose, making decisions based on scripture, then we are truly laying spiritual foundations.
Our Sunday morning nursery program is using a modified Palma Smiley curriculum (don't ask me how it's modified - I think they've just added their own touches).