Our curriculum is “lite” on discipleship
Your Question:
“The lessons in our curriculum are focused on Bible knowledge, but they don’t challenge the children to a deeper commitment to Jesus. How can we fix that, or should we look for a different curriculum?”
The Issues:
You may not find a curriculum that is strong enough on discipleship as you want. Curriculum publishers tend to “dilute” specific discipleship challenges in order to attract more customers. You can search for a curriculum that does this, but every curriculum has its weak points. It may be easier to add specific discipleship challenges to the lessons yourself. This will require your CM team to work together in designing these challenges. This is not a bad thing!
Scripture Foundation:
“Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 23-25
Short Answer:
The Even the best CM curriculum needs that “personal touch.” Knowing God’s Word is excellent, but every person grows in his/her Christian life when he/she is being inspired, motivated, and mentored by significant role models. In the Old Testament, the people knew God’s standards and scriptures, but God was always challenging His people to “know Him,” and to “follow Him.” People like David (a man after God’s own heart) and Abraham (a friend of God) stirred others to deepen their relationship with the living God. Job experienced deep challenges in his life. At the end of it all, he said, “My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore, I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42: 5, 6). Exposing children to God’s Word is powerful but challenging them to apply those scriptures to their own lives is even more long-lasting. When Jesus came, He emphasized relationships. He told us that just knowing the scriptures is only half the journey. In James, we are encouraged to “do” rather than just “know.” A curriculum that is weak on discipleship is like someone watching a video about getting in shape, without ever working out. It is not difficult to “season” your current curriculum with discipleship challenges, but it takes commitment from the entire CM team and the parents.For more help, click on the links below.
View other articles in the “Developing The Curriculum APPENDIX”
