Curriculum for Children’s Ministry Programs

Selecting any curriculum is no easy task.  There are mounds of ready-made children’s curricula available.  There are curricula that focus on teaching and training children, those oriented toward worship and others that provide biblical instruction and fellowship through club programs.

Why use curriculum?  It saves time.  Writing your own lessons may not be the best use of your talents and time or the most effective way to reach today’s children. Published curriculum is planned with a scope and sequence and is prepared by a variety of knowledgeable writers and childhood experts with years of research and experience. The curriculum is checked for theological soundness. Publishers field test curriculum to find out which ideas work. They use a variety of resources to make today’s curricula relevant to the daily lives of children.  Using curriculum makes the teacher’s job easier. It frees up time that can be used for mentoring relationships with the children.

It’s important that the curriculum’s objectives fit your programs goals. What do you want your program to accomplish?  What is your ministry vision?  You will need a vision/mission statement for your ministry before selecting curriculum. The curriculum you choose should reflect that vision.  Select curriculum for one program at a time.  Will it be used for Sunday school, Children’s Worship, Midweek Training, VBS, or Club Ministry?

There is much media –rich curriculum available that can be valuable resources.  Media products range from complete ministry programs to supplemental tools.  While DVD curriculum may get children’s interests and attention, it can be a passive form of learning.  Choose a media –rich curriculum that uses a variety of teaching methods and offers hands-on experiences that engage all of the children’s senses.  We want to teach children to be an active part of their church community by living out their faith not just observing the gospel message.