Faith Zone 2011-12 Curriculum
This year, we begin the first year of a six year curriculum of the Bible written by Potter’s Publishing. Potter’s Publishing has been developing workshop rotation curriculum since its inception. The guiding principles of this curriculum are:
- Curriculum that teaches the Bible so that it brings about radical transformation of children’s minds and hearts and leads them to maturity in Christian faith.
- Curriculum that provides children with Biblical stories and concepts that they learn how to use as tools and rely on in their journey through life.
- Curriculum that honors children as multi-dimensional learners with God-given multiple intelligences.
- Curriculum that is solidly based on theology, current research in education and educational best practices.
God's New Beginning
October 2011: God’s Work in Progress, Creation
Children will learn that God’s creation is not finished but is a work in progress. As they explore God’s “earth machine” as a wondrously balanced ecosystem, they learn that God gave them responsibility for its care. Being created in God’s image challenges them to reflect God’s Spirit in their daily lives. They learn that they, too, are a work in progress and through Jesus they can be a new creation.
November 2011: Character Counts, Joshua
Character counts! Children will learn that their character counts in leading their daily lives. Joshua’s example of an obedient leadership will help them learn how faithful leaders can bring about new beginnings. As children follow Joshua from entering the Promised Land to his farewell address, they will learn about the qualities of a good leader who trusts and obeys God. Through historical re-enactment, they cross with Joshua into the Promised
Land and learn of God’s justice through Joshua dividing the Promised Land. They further learn about the consequences of
disobedience and how it affects others through a game activity. Fairness, justice, obedience, and trust are some of the character traits explored to guide children to understand how they, too, can be God-like leaders in their daily lives.
December 2011: Christ Revealed,
Christmas Seen Through Symbols
Children can easily be distracted by the commercial side of Christmas. As Christian educators, we need to reveal the true meaning of Christmas to them. In this unit, Christ’s birth and life are revealed through Christmas symbols today. Children learn that many of the symbols they see decorating their homes, store windows, and streets have deeper meaning than the secular symbols they have become and point to Jesus’ birth. Children also learn the importance of telling the Christmas story to others.
January 2012: Loyal Living – Ruth
Children follow Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem where she begins a new life with her mother-in-law, Naomi. The children will learn what loyal living means by seeing Ruth loyally providing for Naomi. They will see how Ruth and Naomi were faithful throughout their struggles. They also learn that Ruth and Naomi thanked God for their blessings by showing care and kindness to others. They make a connection between Boaz being Ruth’s kinsmen redeemer to Jesus being ours.
February 2012: Gems of the Kingdom – Parables
Jesus asked, “What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?” As Christians, we are part of the Kingdom of God. So, where are our crowns? Where are our precious gems? Children do some digging in the Bible and discover that parables are like precious gems…they tell us how we can be a part of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ parables tell how to have a new relationship with God and others. Kids explore parables depicting God’s values, God’s love, and God’s Kingdom. The children will uncover the following parables: The Parable of the Two Sons, The Prodigal Son, The House Built on a Rock, The Rich Fool, The Workers in the Vineyard, The Yeast, The Hidden Treasure and Pearl.
March 2011: Road Trip – Resurrection to Pentecost
This unit has an overall theme: Jerusalem Tours. Think of your children as being on a “road trip” for the next six weeks. Each Sunday, the children take a different trip to the Holy Land with tour guides from the Jerusalem Tours Office. (The tour guides are your teachers; each trip is a different workshop.)
April 2012: Feed My Sheep, Peter – The New Church
Children learn of Peter receiving the Holy Spirit and the early beginnings of the church. Through various activities, children will explore the church as a community, the church’s mission, and the church as a witness then and now. Lastly, they will learn about the birth of their own church and how they are a part of the Body of Christ.
Faith Zone Calendar
September 11 – Shepherd Sunday
September 18 – Bible skills
September 25 – Mission Sunday
October – God’s Work in Progress-Creation
October 30 – All Saints Day–Faith Zone event
November – Character Counts-Joshua
November 27 – Advent Festival
December – Christ revealed-Christmas Seen Through Symbols
December 25 – No Faith Zone
January 1 – No Faith Zone
January – Loyal Living-Ruth
February – Gems of the Kingdom-Parables and Stories of Jesus
March 4 – Road Trip-Resurrection to Pentecost
April 1 – Palm Sunday–Faith Zone event
April 8 – Easter–No Faith Zone
April & May 6–Feed My Sheep, Peter-The New Church
May 13 – Faith Zone Review- Retelling the stories of the year
May 20 – Celebration Sunday
May 27 – Summer Worship Option Begins