Philosophy & Objectives
Biblical
- Story driven – not themed, thus stories are presented in chronological order and Bible truths are drawn from each story.
- God’s great plan is woven throughout the Bible and is evident.
- In most lessons children read the Bible, answering and asking questions about what they have just read.
Interesting
- The goal is for the students to come to realize that the Bible is the living, meaningful, vital Word of God , and He has granted us the privilege to read His Word.
- Since people must be motivated in order to learn, lessons are presented in such a way so that students are motived to learn the truths being taught.
- Lessons are fun and engaging so that kids will want to come to class.
Biblical truths applied to everyday life
- What’s the point of knowing about God if it doesn’t change your life?
- Clear, concrete links are made between what the Bible says and what the response should be in the lives of the students.
Expectation of retention
- Educational theories are applied to insure retention.
- Knowledge builds confidence and self-esteem.
Foster Fellowship
- Christian fellowship is key to living a successful Christian life and is often missing at the elementary level.
- Activities are included that help students build relationships.
Read and understand the Bible and Bible resource books
- This skill is a tool for life.
- Faith Foundations is based on The Easy-to-Read version, which is written on a third grade level, so that the students can read and understand the Bible for themselves.
Memory Work
- Students learn a memory verse each month. By the end of the year they will be able to recite and explain 12 verses. (As opposed to introducing a new verse each week and expecting the students to remember 52 verses each year.)
- Additional Bible facts are also memorized (see scope and sequence).
- Students are encouraged tp hide God’s Word in their hearts so they can resist temptation. (Example: Exodus 20:12)
- Some verses are chosen to be used as meditation for peace. (Example: Nahum 1:7)
- Students learn to use scriptures in order to pray in God’s will ((Example: Phil. 1:9)
- Some verses are chosen so that God can prompt the students in certain situations. (Example: Luke 6:27-28)
Maps
- Noting locations of Bible stories on a map help the story to be more real.
- This often neglected skill is woven through the lessons using a variety of methods.
The goal of our curriculum is twofold – to teach the Bible and to make kids want to come to Bible class. The material is presented in such a way that the students retain it. It is also fun and the kids enjoy it so much that they do not want to miss Bible class.
Chronological
The lessons are taught in chronological order. Concepts and facts build on each other. Review is built into almost every lesson. 2nd and 3rd grades cover the entire Old Testament: 2nd grade covers Genesis through Judges and 3rd grade covers Joshua through Malachi, 4th grade covers the life of Jesus, 5th grade teaches Acts, and 6th grade deals with the epistles.
Real Life Application
More than Bible stories and their facts are taught in this curriculum. Each lesson also has an application lesson or a ‘Bible Truth.’ These are drawn from the text. Students are encouraged to read the Bible for themselves. As they get older, they are also encouraged to interpret what they have read, to ask questions, and to apply the lessons to their lives.
No Cookie-Cutter Lesson Plans
Every lesson has something different, whether it is the way the lesson is presented, how it is reviewed, or the way the application is made. All lessons are interactive; some are very high energy and others are low key. There are role plays and skits, cooking, art work, centers, object lessons, and research using Bible dictionaries, commentaries and handbooks. Reviews are in the form of question and answer transparencies and a variety of games. Every 6 – 8 weeks an entire class period is devoted to one big review game, complete with prizes.
Memory Work
There is an emphasis on memory work. It comes in the form of verses and certain facts. For example, the students studying Acts learn the main event of each chapter. The students studying the gospels learn the chronological order of the events of Jesus’ life on earth. Individual verses are learned as well as passages such as Psalms 23, 1 Corinthians 13, the fruit of the Spirit, the Lord’s prayer, and more. Lists are learned like the seven days of creation, the sons of Jacob, and the judges.
Secondary Focus
Each year has a secondary focus that supports the Biblical study. The first year study emphasizes Bible facts. The books of the Bible and the divisions are learned. Students play games which will help them be able to locate scriptures quickly. Other basic Bible facts are also learned. The second year develops Bible research skills. Because Jesus’ life was a life of service, the study of the gospels emphasizes service. Every 6 – 8 weeks they are involved in some type of service project. Some examples are cooking for a food bank, planting flowers around the building, helping the janitors clean part of the building, making a craft for the shut-ins of the congregation, and singing in a nursing home. Acts emphasizes missions. A missionary family supported by your congregation is studied as well as the country or state in which they are missionaries.
Bible Version
The lessons are based on the NIV version, each class has a set so that every child will have a Bible to look at during the lesson. It makes it easier for the students to follow when they all have the same version. This version uses very basic vocabulary, thus leaving discussion time for what the Bible means to our lives instead of the meaning of individual words.