No update. Another idea we thought had promise did not work.

I have heard of some churches using parts of KidsOwn Worship (like the opening) and/or FaithWeaver Friends (Opening Celebrations with its Instant Bible Drama, and Preschool Gathering Time) along with FaithWeaver Bible Curriculum (for the small group time). I'd love to know more about your thoughts of what does work and what's time-consuming to pull together for you, to see if we can devise at least one solution there. Feel free to email me at dbernard@group.com.

Thanks for your continued feedback!


Deb Bernard

Curriculum Senior Marketing Manager

In November I am using my 12th LIO module - In the Doghouse - and after that will be out on my own again. I will be using another publisher's materials that are not really as good as Group's, but at least it's already organized into large group / small group format, which I can supplement from Group materials I already have after being in FW for so long. So it's back to lesson planning again for the entire program.

BRING BACK LIO!!! (Or at least the same thing by any name you care to use) Hey, you already have the 3-year scope and sequence worked out. I was looking forward to those modules that never got off the ground.

We do appreciate your prayers for wisdom and direction.

Deb Bernard

Curriculum Senior Marketing Manager

As far as FW/KOW -- I"m with Debby.  It is time consuming to sort through all that and pick out what we want to use and then mark everything up.  I only want to give my leaders what is left for them to use.  They don't need the bible lesson teaching because we do that in large group.  Review and supporting activities are all they need.

Blessings!

Deb Bernard

Curriculum Senior Marketing Manager

I have a great team and have very little turnover (I know I'm blessed) but I also treat their time with the utmost respect.  I want their time in CM to be dedicated to building relationships with the kids (low turnover really helps with that), being in adult worship, partcipating in adult small groups and just being a family.  If we take all their time for church, how do they have time to do anything else.  I am utterly impressed with how many of our folks are sports coaches, regular school volunteers, scout leaders, tutors, etc.  I want Christian people in those roles too.  What a great witness!

I only want to give my small group leaders the info they need.  It is less prep on their part and easier for me to collect supplies (which is also less work for them especially since we usually already have most of it).  We often only have 30 minutes of small group time.  Three solid activities that get kids doing something (i.e. game, craft, creative snack, experiment, bible skills, bible story retell activity, prayer activity) plus one or two simple things to spare in case the service goes long.  The spare activites are usually very simple in nature with few supplies that they can do on the spot without prep (like a coloring page or a simple game).  Their only prep for those is to know they exist.  I keep all supplies in a central location so they can take them if they want and return if not used. 

I pour most of my prep into our large group time and making sure the lesson is creatively taught.  A great bible story lesson is not only exciting to the kids but it also inspires the small group leaders and gives them a springboard to use. 

Our one preschool class had some hurdles this past weekend and I was concerned if they even learned anything.  So I went in to help corral the kids at the end of class and decided to do an impromptu review.  I was shocked and silently affirmed when they answered almost every question correctly.  Despite everything that went wrong, they had fun and learned something about our incredible God.  God is so awesome!

Best wishes as Group continues to strive to help churches.