Resource Room

Discussion Forum

Have a question? Have an idea to share? Post your comment or question here. This is the place to discuss a topic with other Christian educators.

		Children's Ministry EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Are there age-appropriate educational objectives irrregardless for curriculumi.e., Preschool-The Lord's Prayer;Primary-23 rd psalm, service music, Junior high--Nicene Creed, Senior Hight--Church History
	Many churches and judicatories (dioceses, synods, etc.) have developed guidelines or goals for age groups to study and learn such as a table grace, The Lord's Prayer, 12 apostles, and what you have also mentioned. The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama put together an extensive Scope & Sequence for its congregations to follow. It includes goals and stories for ages 4-18. A few years old, many of the links no longer work, but will give you some ideas. http://s3.amazonaws.com/dfc_attachments/public/documents/360/final_document_scope_doa.pdf When doing so, we must always remember that each child is unique and has his/her own learning style and development. For example, to expect all 1st graders to know The Lord's Prayer puts more emphasis on didactic learning and may put undo pressure on a child who has difficulty memorizing. Some great resources that may assist you in understanding children's faith development are: 1. "Will Our Children Have Faith" by John Westerhoff 2. "Offering the Gospel to Children" by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard 3. "Making a Home for Faith" by Elizabeth Caldwell 4. "Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Children" by Catherine Stonehouse
		Adult Education LECTIONARY READINGS: How can I get the lectionary readings in the hands of our people on a weekly basis so that when they come to church they are prepared to really hear the gospel message?
	"Preparing for Sunday" (http://www.preparingforsunday.com/ is an easy and affordable way to post weekly NRSV lectionary readings on your own church website. It includes the readings, scripture backgrounds, reflection and prayer starters. Members of your congregation can then simply check your church's website. The readings automatically get updated each Monday.
		Godly Play OLDER CHILDREN: What ideas can you share about engaging older children during the individual response time following a story?
	Having more sophisticated materials in the response area helps older children be creative in their personal time to reflect upon the story presented. Wood working materials and simple tools, wax sheets, magnetic words for creating poetry, and sculpy material are some ideas. A great resource for these types of materials is Hearth Song. http://www.hearthsong.com Older children might also like to engage the story and its background using a Bible concordance, dictionary, atlas of the Holy Land and other research type books. Having reading materials on their level on how others have responded to the story is also nice. Picture books by Brian Wildsmith are especially beautiful. The Complete Guide to Godly Play, Volume 5 (Morehouse Education Resources) has many ideas of using Godly Play with older children.
		Adult Education THE PEACE: Back in 1989 you had a curriculum with a fantastic explanation of "The Peace" explaining Shalom and the practice of exchanging the Peace during Divine Service. Is this article still available?
	Yes, this was in "Seasonal Resources" of Living the Good News for Lent/Easter Year B. Here is a condensed version of the article: Biblical references: John 20:19 "Peace be with you" John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you" Isaiah 9:5 "Prince of Peace" Luke 2:14 "an on earth peace . . ." Romans 5:1 "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Colossians 1:19-20 ". . . making peace by the blood of his cross." Galatians 5:22 "Shalom is surely one of the fruits of the Spirit . . ." Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20 "with a holy kiss" What is the peace that filled Jesus' followers with joy? Shalom is a familiar, or intimate, term in Hebrew. The peace of which it speaks is not merely the absence of war or conflict; it is more than an internal, personal, spiritual peace. Shalom means wholeness, justice, peace, health. It includes all that God intended for human creatures: perfect harmony of relationship between God and humankind and among all men and women. Justin Martyr, in the second century, mentions such a kiss of peace. It may have been first used to welcome the newly baptized, for catechumens were not included in the passing of the peace. The action took various forms in different cultures: a kiss on the cheek, an embrace, the clasping of hands (both with and without kissing), or a bow. The custom seems to have fallen out of use as years went by. In medieval times, the celebrant of the Eucharist kissed the paten or the host. Sometimes a paxboard, an icon with a handle, was kissed by the priest and also passed around for the people to kiss. This custom can be seen to this day in Orthodox churches in Russia. In later years, the kiss of peace was given only by the celebrating priest to his deacon - and then only on solemn occasions. Throughout the world, the 20th century revisions of liturgy in the Christian Church have restored the kiss of peace. What greater blessing can one ask for a fellow Christian than to say, "Shalom - the peace of the Lord be with you."