Curriculum Resources
for the Church School Year.
Many curricula and resources are
available for the new Christian education year --- Bible Quest, Seasons of the Spirit, The Present Word, and Encounter.
Bible Quest
Bible Quest is an ecumenically produced curriculum provides curriculum resources for all ages: birth through adult; 10 denominations have cooperated to make Bible Quest available. As the foundations paper states, "The purpose of Bible Quest is to help people and congregations encounter the overall story of the Bible so that they might be shaped by that story in ways that help them to: interpret the story, connect the story with their personal experiences, and live in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ."In looking at the resources, one will quickly discover that all learners will be given opportunities to hear the story in ways appropriate for them and to retell the story they have heard.
The four parts of a session are important.
- Prepare for the story: creating an environment for presenting the story.
- Tell the story: giving the learner access to the story.
- Connect with the story: ascertaining what the story means for the life of the learner and for the faith community.
- Celebrate the story: affirming new understandings of the story and celebrating God's presence in learning the story.
Interpretation is an important part of Bible Quest. Regardless of their theological understandings or their church experience,
all people who engage the Bible are interpreters. It's important to understand that this interpretation is not dependent on reading skills.
A person is able to engage the Bible story through many experiences and methods such as discussion, prayer, the arts, etc. The faith community may challenge learners to new understandings and to grow in their interpretations. Bible Quest sessions are designed so that participants are shaped by the story both individually and as a group.
Resources are available for the following ages: birth to 2; ages 3-4; Grades K-1; Grades 2-3; Grades 4-6; Grades
6-8; Multi-Age (K-8); Older Youth; Young Adult and Adult. Another feature
of this curriculum is Quest Links, a quarterly resource connecting education
experiences to the worship life of the congregation.
Cumberland Presbyterians have been very involved in the development of Bible Quest: developing outlines; reviewing those
outlines; critiquing first-draft manuscripts; and writing.
Click here to download a copy of the current Quest Links, a Bible Quest resource for ministers, worship leaders, and Sunday school superintendents that connects the Bible Quest bible stories to worship and congregational life.
Seasons of the Spirit is unique. More than a curriculum – it’s a resource for your whole congregation.
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Lectionary-based - This Bible-based series helps to integrate worship,
Christian education, and service. It explores the meaning and mystery in
the Bible through the arts.
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Variety of Age Levels - Birth - Age 2; Ages 3-5; Ages 6-8; Ages 9-11;
Multiage (ages 5-12); Ages 12-14; Ages 15-18; Adult
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Sessions - Written for a 40-minute time frame which can be extended to 60-minutes
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Resources - Team Teacher Resources (for Ages 3-5 through Adult) offer support to teachers. Age Level Resources are available for Birth - Age 2 through Adult. There is also a music CD volumes 1 and 2 which includes songs for all ages throughout the year; the songbook volumes 1 and 2 includes the words and music to all songs. There is also a Congregational Life Resource which is valuable in coordination of worship, education and mission activities.
The Present Word
The Present Word for adults is based on the Cooperative
Uniform Series. An editor's page introduces the quarter's theme. The "Text
in Context" provides scriptural background for the quarter. "Teaching Tips"
is designed to develop teaching skills. "Geographical Guide" places the
story in geographical context and gives factual details about sites. Reproducible
pages are another feature. "Resources to Help the Leader" section lists
companion materials for each unit. "More Ideas" gives help in adapting
the session to the specific needs of the class. The Student's Book (regular
print and large-print) and the Leader's Guide are written in English, Spanish,
and Korean. Worship leaflets are also available. Jim McGuire represents
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on the Committee on the Uniform Series.
Board of Christian Education staff participated in decisions about the
cover and interior design of the resources.
ENCOUNTER
ENCOUNTER is also based on the Cooperative Uniform Series. Written by different Cumberland
Presbyterians, this resource will continue to be available. While there
is no teacher's guide, the quarterly does contain questions that can be
used in group discussion. Some teachers may supplement their study with
both The Present Word Student Book and Leader's Guide. Jim
McGuire is editor.
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Last Updated: February 24, 2006
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