https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:57:23 +0000 Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Easter Activities for Families, Churches, and Communities https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/easter-activities-families-churches-and Celebrating holy days is an important way to help children experience God’s redemptive activity through the rhythms of the church year. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/easter-activities-families-churches-and Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Celebrating Christmas with your DWELL Group https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/celebrating-christmas-your-dwell-group An important part of your children’s ministry year is celebrating holy days with your Dwell group. Throughout the Dwell curriculum, a Christmas story is usually included in unit 3. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/celebrating-christmas-your-dwell-group Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 How to Create Your Own Nativity Scene Using the DWELL Curriculum https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-create-your-own-nativity-scene-using One of my favorite parts of decorating for Christmas is pulling out my nativity scenes. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-create-your-own-nativity-scene-using Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 Why DWELL’s Children’s Resources Are an Essential Part of DWELL’s Age-Graded Sessions https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Probably the most misunderstood element of the Dwell curriculum’s age-graded materials is its children’s resources. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:30:15 +0000 DWELL Leader Trainings: Everything you need to know for a new ministry year https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-leader-trainings-everything-you-need When my son was 3 years old, he turned to me one day at lunch and said matter of factly, “God doesn’t like bad guys.” Immediately I responded that no—God, of course, loves everyone! To which he replied, “But he had David kill Goliath!” Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-leader-trainings-everything-you-need Thu, 27 Jul 2023 17:46:44 +0000 3 Simple Ways to Help Families Form Faith at Home With DWELL Flex Family Resources https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/3-simple-ways-help-families-form-faith When Dwell Flex launched in 2020, the goal was to help churches in a variety of settings with resources to meet each church’s specific needs. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/3-simple-ways-help-families-form-faith Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:07:36 +0000 Introducing Our Updated DWELL Digital site! https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/introducing-our-updated-dwell-digital-site We’re excited to announce our most recent Dwell Digital updates! Our updated site is easier than ever to use, and allows us to refresh the curriculum materials as needed. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/introducing-our-updated-dwell-digital-site Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:58:25 +0000 How DWELL Flex Is Equipping Churches in Flux https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-dwell-flex-equipping-churches-flux As I reflect back on life a year ago, I’m amazed both by how far we’ve come and how far we still are from what I thought life would look like at this point. Last summer I imagined we’d be past the COVID finish line as fall approached, able to completely return to life as normal. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-dwell-flex-equipping-churches-flux Wed, 28 Jul 2021 18:24:32 +0000 5 Ways to Bless Your Church With (Free!) DWELL at Home Resources https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/5-ways-bless-your-church-free-dwell-home Family life is busy. I don’t think I truly understood the truth of that statement until I lived the reality of school drop-offs, full work weeks, meal planning and prep, baths, attempting to keep the house clean, and remembering to somehow find a place in all of that to rest. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/5-ways-bless-your-church-free-dwell-home Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:05:11 +0000 A Leader’s Guide to DWELL Flex: Everything You Need to Prepare and Lead a Session https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/leaders-guide-dwell-flex-everything-you Launched in 2020, Dwell Flex is a multi-age, multi-setting version of Dwell. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/leaders-guide-dwell-flex-everything-you Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:53:13 +0000 A Coordinator’s Guide to DWELL Flex: Everything You Need to Know to Equip Your Leaders https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/coordinators-guide-dwell-flex-everything Launched in 2020, Dwell Flex is a multi-age, multi-setting segment of Dwell. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/coordinators-guide-dwell-flex-everything Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:36:05 +0000 How DWELL’s Simplified Session Plans Will Equip Churches this Fall https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-dwells-simplified-session-plans-will One thing I’m learning about our current season of life is that less is more. Parents, volunteers, and church leaders are overwhelmed, each taking on new tasks and responsibilities as a part of our new way of life. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-dwells-simplified-session-plans-will Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:02:58 +0000 Resources for Using DWELL in a COVID-19 World https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/resources-using-dwell-covid-19-world As I’ve connected with Dwell leaders across the continent over the past few months, discussing their plans for the coming year, one thing is for sure: no two churches look the same right now. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/resources-using-dwell-covid-19-world Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:34:14 +0000 DWELL Digital During COVID-19 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-digital-during-covid-19 As more communities are being required to shelter in place or observe strict social distancing, your church may be looking for ways to encourage and equip parents to carry on your children’s ministry activities at home.  Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-digital-during-covid-19 Wed, 25 Mar 2020 12:08:44 +0000 DWELL: A Simple Guide for Parents https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-simple-guide-parents As more communities are being required to shelter in place or observe strict social distancing, many parents are moving into the role of teacher to continue their child’s schooling and children’s ministry experiences. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-simple-guide-parents Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:54:03 +0000 DWELL Story Reflections: Pentecost https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-pentecost When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-pentecost Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:57:21 +0000 How a Mid-Year Check-In Can Encourage and Equip Your DWELL Leaders https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-mid-year-check-can-encourage-and-equip One of the joys of serving as a Dwell leader at my church has been receiving the care and support of my Dwell coordinator. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-mid-year-check-can-encourage-and-equip Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:23:12 +0000 DWELL’s Children’s Resources: How to Move From Missed Opportunities to Meaningful Conversations https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwells-childrens-resources-how-move-missed One of my favorite parts of the Dwell curriculum is the beautiful children’s resources that are available for each session. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwells-childrens-resources-how-move-missed Tue, 14 Jan 2020 15:35:27 +0000 DWELL Story Reflections: Simeon and Anna https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-simeon-and-anna When Advent, the twelve days of Christmas, and Epiphany have all passed, but I’m not yet ready to let go of the season, I turn to the story of Simeon and Anna to hold on to the mystery and joy of Jesus’ birth for just a little longer. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-simeon-and-anna Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:39:57 +0000 How Mid-Year Training Can Strengthen Your DWELL Leaders https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-mid-year-training-can-strengthen-your Leaders who are well equipped, resourced, and supported are a key part of every Dwell program. A great way to equip and support leaders is by planning a simple Dwell training. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/how-mid-year-training-can-strengthen-your Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:21:42 +0000