What Makes a Lesson Reformed?
More Than Storytelling is a free workshop you can lead with your team that compares a variety of approaches to Biblical interpretation and teaching.
Let's discuss faith-shaping ministries to kids.
More Than Storytelling is a free workshop you can lead with your team that compares a variety of approaches to Biblical interpretation and teaching.
I often find myself in conversation with other church ministry staff and the topic of curriculum often comes up. We talk about ease of use, how well the activities work, and how the materials help us connect to parents but it is surprising how often the theology of the curriculum does not come up. Theology matters — even to 5-year-olds.
I’m writing to ask for your help with an issue that affects all Christian Reformed churches. Faith Alive, as you know, is the publishing ministry of the CRC. But like many denominational publishers, Faith Alive is facing significant financial headwinds in today’s tough economic times.
When Sunday School curriculum focuses on morals and good behavior we are missing an opportunity to teach children about God. Should we be surprised then when teens are Moralistic Therapeutic Deists?
We love our kids and want to protect them. We implement policies like team teaching, windows in classrooms, safety screening, video cameras, and more to keep them safe. Is there more that we can do?
A few weeks ago one of Faith Alive’s editors received a voicemail from a classis leader. He was calling to ask if the churches in his region should continue ordering from Faith Alive, or if we’d soon be closing our doors.
Well folks, its curriculum selection season. Over the next several weeks I’m going to share some of these Q&A’s in a new series I'm calling Curriculum Q&A’s. (Catchy, right?)
The benefit of inviting all of the children (or in some cases kids + teens + adults) to explore the same story at the same time will be different depending on the church. Here are a few of the potential benefits I see!
I’ve spent most of my life and ministry in small congregations with limited budgets. So when I see the cost of leader’s guides and student pieces adding up, I feel the sticker shock...
In the planning phase we begin asking practical questions: How will the children be grouped? What kinds of children and leader’s resources would be helpful for teaching and learning? and more.
The Circle of Grace curriculum teaches children and youth how to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and demonstrate how to take action when boundaries are threatened or violated.
Here's a pattern that has proven helpful for hosting a youth retreat focused on the Heidelberg Catechism.
This website provides information and support for churches using Kid Connection--the kindergarten through grade six large group/small group curriculum from Faith Alive.
This website provides information and support for churches using Walk With Me--a preschool through grade eight faith nurture curriculum by Faith Alive.
This helpful tool includes a checklist of features to look for in children's Bible curriculum. Questions are designed to help you find material that is theologically and educationally sound and to fit the personality and dynamics of your congregation.
More than 400 churches have used Faith Alive’s children’s ministry curriculum to deepen and expand the faith of its children! Do you know what Sunday school curriculum your church uses?
Where are seeds of faith first planted by the Holy Spirit? Within the family! But the church also partners with the family in this process. Keep reading to find ways to help parents nurture faith.
We are frequently asked, “Do you have any children's ministry sessions on the Lord’s Supper?” Today I’m excited to tell you that we can finally answer, “Yes, we do!”
The Ten Question Tool for Choosing Curriculum was developed by Faith Formation Ministries to support you in the curriculum decision making process.
Choosing the right curriculum is crucial to the faith formation of the kids in your church. However, it can often be challenging to find a curriculum that is both meaningful in terms of content, but also fun and engaging for kids.
Have you seen the ‘I’m Part of God’s Story’ design that Dwell curriculum recently posted? In addition to helping helping children live into and out of God’s story—it’s a really fun design! Here are 8 ways to use it.
As a curriculum consultant for Faith Alive Christian Resources, I’ve spent hundreds of hours talking to CRC children’s ministry leaders. Here are some things I've heard, as well as ways I can help!
It doesn’t seem right when one of our churches can’t afford to fully use what is, essentially, their curriculum
GenOn Ministries is seeking 10-15 churches to pilot LIFT (their new intergenerational relationship-building curriculum) for four weeks.