Curriculum Review: Summer Curriculum Options

    Summer provides an unique opportunity for ministry to children as since kids are not in school, we in the church can offer opportunities for children to have fun and learn about God and His love at church.  Many, if not most churches offer VBS in the summer - this is one of the most effective outreaches the church utilizes in the entire year.  Feel free to look up our 2003 VBS review to learn about the excellent VBS resources available this year.  Of course, there is the opportunity to minister to kids on Sunday mornings in Sunday School and Children's Church, although more and more churches are dropping Summer Sunday ministry opportunities, and while I would like to encourage you to offer ministry to children on Sundays, there are other opportunities as well for children that are unique to the summer.  For example, you could offer Terrific Tuesdays and Thursdays for upper elementary age children where kids participate in day long outings and also have time to learn about God.  Perhaps your church offers a day camp or a summer day care situation for children whose parents work.  Maybe you offer a special family night on Wednesdays or Saturdays in the summer - the options are endless.  Whatever you choose to offer as opportunities for ministry to children - and their families - there are many excellent curriculum choices available to help you with this ministry.  We will look at some of the best choices available, and remember, as always, these curriculum choices are available through Kregel Bookstores - just utilize the order form below or email Lynnette at Kregel Ministry Resources with any questions you may have - mr@kregel.com

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3-2-1 Penguins Bible Academy Publisher - Big Idea

Point - How God Can Change our Hearts
 

How Kids Will Have a Change of Heart	Bible Lesson
I will show Jesus to others by how I act	-  Romans 12:1,2
I will put God first	-  Colossians 3:1-10
I will love others like God loves me	-  I Corinthians 13:1-8a
I will get ready to live God's way	-  Ephesians 6:10-18
I will care about others like Jesus did	-  Philippians 2:1-11
I will tell others about Jesus	-  Romans 1:16,17; 15:18-20
I will let Jesus rule in my heart so I can be a peacemaker	- Colossians 3:15-4:1
I will make choices that please God	- I Corinthians 3:10-13
I will think about what is important to God so I can do what is right	- Ephesians 4:17 -32; 5:1,2,8,9
I will be joyful because I know Jesus	- Philippians 1:18b-19; 2:12-16; 4:4-7

Setting - 3-2-1- Bible Academy

Strengths -

• Biblically sound - unique approach to teaching children about Paul's missionary journeys in a way they will remember and be able to understand.
• Highly applicational - focus each day on the problem early churches were experiencing and what God's answer was for that situation, then helps children see that those problems are the same problems we experience today and that God's answers are still the same for us as well.
• Reproducible resources make this an economical choice as well.
• Resource includes materials for preschoolers, elementary age children, pre-teens and families
• Highly flexible resource will fit in many settings - we are using this at my church for Sunday School and Children's Church for the summer
• Fun, active, interactive, child-focused, creative - this is a tremendous resource!

Components -

• Kit that includes the following -
• Director's Flight Manual
• Tot's Flight Manual
• Kid's Flight Manual
• Family Flight Manual
• Cosmic Crafts & Snacks Navigation Manual
• Intergalactic Games Navigation Manual
• Launchpads, Lyrics and Landings Navigation Manual
• Music CD
• Welcome to 3-2-1 Bible Academy! Training Video
• 3-2-1 Penguins! Story Segments Program Video

Cost - $199.99 - complete (reproducible resource)

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Metamorphosis Publisher - WillowCreek/ZonderKidz

    Point - Children will learn how the Book of Proverbs shows how we can change the way we think about behavior and this change in our thinking results in God transforming us causing kids to experience a "metamorphosis" as they learn from the Bible and change attitudes and relationships.
 
 

Areas of transformation kids will experience	Bible Basis
Transforming Your Attitude
Attitude of Humiliity	Proverbs 27:2
Attitude of Patience	Proverbs 14:29
Transforming Your Talk
Caring Talk	Proverbs 12:18
Controlled Talk	Proverbs 10:19
Truthful Talk	Proverbs 12:22
Transfroming the Way You Work
Being Diligent	Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
Being Teachable	Proverbs 12:1 (NLT)
Transforming Your Relationships
Choose Friends Wisely	Proverbs 13:20
Listen and Take Advice	Proverbs 13:10
The Ultimate Metamorphosis (salvation lesson and 10-week review)	2 Corinthians 5:17

Setting - Insect-Inside Theatre where they present a "bug parable" to show children examples of "worldly behavior"

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Camp iwilligoway Publisher - WillowCreek/ZonderKidz

Point - Children will learn how they can truly become "people after God's Own heart" as they learn to live God's way!
 
 

How children will learn to live God's way	Bible Basis
A Heart for God
Samuel Anointed David	1 Samuel 16:1-13; Acts 13:22
Trusting
David defeated Goliath	1 Samuel 17:1-58
Loving
David was loved by his friend, Jonathan	1 Samuel 18-20
Praying
David ran from Saul	1 Samuel 21-23
Obeying
David spared Saul's life	I Samuel 24
Patience
David became king	2 Samuel 1-5:5
Repenting
Nathan confronted David	2 Samuel 11 - 12:13; Psalm 51
Believing (salvation message)
God promises us eternal life	1 Kings 2:4; Luke 1:30-32
Faithfulness
David kept his promise to Jonathan	2 Samuel 9:1-13
Worshipping
David wrote psalms to worship God	Psalm 29:1-6; 108:1-5; 145:8-13

Setting - Various camp settings at Camp iwilligoway, such as the Flagpole, Round-up circle and Campfire.

Strengths -

• Biblically sound - unique approach to teaching children how to live a life transformed by God and to live God's way
• Highly applicational
• Reproducible resource - entire resource comes on CDrom with DVD video segments and CD music and sound effects
• Highly flexible - my church is using this in the Fall as we switch to the Large Group/Small Group teaching model
• Intentional in the way you utilize volunteers - those who are truly gifted as master teachers lead/teach the large group time and those who have a passion to build a relationship with children serve as small group leaders
• Fun, Interactive, Intentional, Creative, Active, Child-focused - these are truly tremendous resources!

Components -

• Digital curriculum on CD-rom
• five CD-roms for distribution to the director, large group teacher, two team time facilitators and administrator
• downloadable, reproducible and emailable materials for all components
• one audio CD with songs, sound effects and narrations to use in large group programming
• video coaching to help prepare large group programs and team-time activities
• electronic clip art

Cost - $179.99 each - complete, reproducible 10-week resource

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God Prints - It's a King Thing! Publisher - Cook Communication Ministries

Point -  Help kids learn from kings and queens - good and bad - what it means to have a "God-print" in your life!
 

"God-print" kids will learn	- Bible Lesson
Integrity - our choices and behaviors show we are new in Christ	King Saul disobeys God - 1 Sam. 8:5-7; 9:16,17; 13:8-14
Dignity  - I am incredibly special and valuable because God made me	God chooses David - 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Self-control - my attitude/actions honor God as I learn self-control	David meets Abigail - 1 Samuel 25:14-35
Wisdom - I use the skills God gives in ways that honor Him	King Solomon chooses wisdom - 1Kings 3:5-14; 6:1-14; 10:1-13
Respect - I will treat all people with respect and kindness	Rehoboam spurns the advice of elderrs - 1 Kings 12:1-19
Unselfishness -I reflect Jesus when I act on behalf of others	King Ahab's greed and Naboth - 1Kings 21:1-28
Prayerfulness -I can call on God and know He will hear/respond	King Hezehiah  - 2 Kings 18:1-19:35; 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:23
Resourcefulness - I can honor God by wisely using abilities He gives me	Esther - Esther 1-10
Perseverance - God will help me do what He wants me to do	Nehemiah rebuilds the walls - Nehemiah 1-13
Loyalty - God helps me be committed to Him no matter what	Wise Men find Jesus and outsmart King Herod - Matthew 2:1-12
Worship - I can give God my attention and praise	Jesus is King of Kings - Matthew 2:1; 21:1-11; Rev. 15:3; 19:16
Evangelism - I can tell others about King Jesus	Paul tells King Agrippa about King Jesus - Acts 25:13-26:32
Hope - I can trust God is in control no matter what	a review of the sumer's Bible stories

Setting - a Castle and Kingdom setting

Strengths -

• Biblically sound
• Reproducible
• Complete resource with recruiting helps, puppet skits and learning centers
• Flexible resource would work in a variety of settings
• Variety of activities for kids to take part in for each lesson
• Focus on the "God-print" helps kids remember and apply lesson
• Fun, interactive, active, child-focused, creative resource

Components -

• Preschool lesson book
• Elementary lesson book
• CD with music, sound effects

Cost - $119.99 - complete, reproducible resource

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Hand's On Bible Curriculum Publisher - Group Publishing

Point - varries with age level

Strenghts -

• Biblically sound
• Reproducible
• Flexible resource will work in a variety of settings
• active, interactive, creative and engaging activities
• point focused curriculum

Components -

• Learning Lab
• Teacher's Guide

Cost - Lab - $54.99, Teacher's Guide - $19.99

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SummerTime - Walk With Jesus Publisher - Gospel Light

 

Point - Help Kids learn to walk With Jesus by walking where He walked
 
 

Bethlehem - amazing arrival	God's Promises always come true
Jordan - supernatural sighting	God's Word gives me strength to do right
Cana - wedding party rescued	Put your confidence in Jesus
Nazareth - Teacher upsets crowd	Thank Jesus for Who He Is and what He came to do
Capernaum - roof collapses	Jesus takes away punishment for our sin
Galilee - storm rocks boat	Call on Jesus for help
Bethsaida - blind no more	Jesus meets our needs in immeasurable ways
Caesarea Philippi - truth revealed	Believing in Jesus is the only way to Salvation
Jericho - tax man gets a big return	Obeying God's commands gives us joy
Bethany - dead man walks out of tomb	Jesus is our Friend and we can talk to Him about everything
Jerusalem - week changes world	Jesus' love leads to service
Jerusalem - seeing is believing	Jesus wants us to believe in Him
Mount of Olives - awesome ascension	Tell others about Jesus

Setting - Bible land/towns

Strengths -

• Biblically sound
• options for each class
• complete information for director to help them plan effectivly

Components -

• Poster Pack
• Summer Time Guide
• Teacher's Guide
• Student Guide
• Take Home Paper
• Wristbands
• Music Cassette

Cost - Starter kit - $42.99, Student Materials - $2.99 each, Teacher's Guide - $5.29 each, Wristbands - $5.99/10