Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Grow, Proclaim, Serve! from Cokesbury

Grow, Proclaim, Serve! is a new Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum or Large Group/Small Group or One Room curriculum from Cokesbury with a strong focus on helping children, "develop the skills to unlock the Bible's message and grow in their faith by leaps and bounds!" is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $9.99 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4.36 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. They also have a Large Group/Small Group curriculum at $99.99 per quarter and $65.99 for One Room Sunday School - which provides more options!

Allow me to share Grow, Proclaim, Serve! with you! 

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Bible Teaching for Kids from LifeWay!

Bible Teaching for Kids is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay with a strong focus on "providing a balanced approach to central Bible concepts, essential Bible skills and foundational Bible stories for babies through preteens." Bible Teaching for Kids is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $5.75 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $2.15 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. Broadly Graded materials available to combine grades 1-6

Allow me to share with you some information about Bible Teaching for Kids!

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - HeartShaper from Standard Publishing!

HeartShaper is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Standard Publishing with a strong focus on "helping you shape young hearts to bring them closer to God!" HeartShaper is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons - 

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher  ooks for $8 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4.25 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. Preschool materials include materials for Children's church.

Allow me to share with you some information about HeartShaper!

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Spark from Augsburg Fortress!

Spark is a Bridge Sunday School curriculum from Augsburg Fortress with a strong focus on teaching God's Word! Spark is one of my "best buys" for the following reasons -

1. Churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $8 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows -   student materials for $5 per student per quarter. 
3. If budget concerns are a strong factor, a church could purchase just one or two Spark Bibles per class and then have the children share those Bibles in class.

Again, I want to emphasize my "best buys" are those curriculum resources which are the most affordable - I know there are those who believe "you get what you pay for" and the "least expensive is not the best", but I disagree. The curriculum lines I'm designating as "best buys" are well written resources and are affordable as well. Curriculum does not have to be expensive to be the best and sometimes those which are more expensive are not "better" than less expensive options. Allow me to share with you some information about Spark!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Adventure Kids and Explorers from D6!

Adventure Kids and Explorers are Traditional Sunday School curriculum resources from D6 - Randall House Publishers and are "best buys" for the following reasons -

1. Since it is a Traditional curriculum, churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $7.19 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4.40 per student per quarter. This flexibility provides a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within your budget.

Allow me to share with you some information about D6's Adventure and Explorers curriculum!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Bible in Life from David C. Cook!

Bible in Life is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum from David C. Cook with, as they put it, "sound, easy-to-teach lessons designed to impact every student entrusted to your care-from the littlest ones to the most mature!"  Bible in Life is a "best buy" for the following reasons -

1. Since it is a Traditional curriculum, churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $7.70 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student books/take home papers for $4.15+ per student per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.
3. Bible in Life lessons always includes one activity option which does not require their student materials.

Allow me to share with you some information about Bible in Life!

Sneak Peek VBS 2014 - Gangway to Galilee from Concordia!

I'm happy to announce my first "sneak peek" at VBS 2014 . . . yes, I said, 2014! Yesterday, Concordia Publishing House announced the theme for their 2014 VBS . . . Gangway to Galilee and it looks like a fun way for children to learn about Jesus!

If you follow this link, you'll discover how you can "set sail on an amazing grace adventure" next Summer as you take your kids around the Sea of Galilee to learn how Jesus gives amazing grace! Look at the scope -

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - Regular Baptist Press!

Regular Baptist Press is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum which has long been known to provide a Biblically solid resource with a strong focus on teaching God's Word and is a "best buy" for the following reasons - 

1. Since it is a Traditional curriculum, churches with definite budget issues could purchase just the teacher books for $7 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student books for $3.89 per student per quarter and take home papers for $3.59 per student/family per quarter. This flexibility provides churches a way to utilize resources with solid Bible teaching and still work within their budgets.

Allow me to share with you some information about Regular Baptist Press!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - elements kids worship From D6!

As we look at the "Best Buys" for curriculum, once again I'm delighted to share with you elements kids worship!  

elements kids worship curriculum is a Large Group/Small Group curriculum from D6 and is a best buy for the following reasons - 

1. You can buy an entire year of lessons for just $249 - this works out to just a little more than $62 per quarter!
2. Materials are entirely downloadable and reproducible
3. Churches are welcome to make as many copies as they need for use in their ministry

Allow me to share with you some information about Elements kids worship!

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - DiscipleTown

This year I'm including DiscipleTown - a Large Group/Small Group curriculum written by Karl Bastian the Kidologist - as one of my Best Buys for the following reasons . . . 

1. It is reproducible
2. They often run great specials which if you watch for these, you can save a lot of money
3. Once you purchase the units which best fit with your vision, you can re-use it for years as you rotate through a scope and sequence which you design for your ministry

Please allow me to share some information with you about DiscipleTown . . .

• Publisher - DiscipleLand 
• Website - www.discipleland.com/elementary-curriculum/discipletown-overview.html
• Price - $100 for 12 lessons
• Type - Large Group/Small Group
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Elementary age children

Curriculum Reviews - Best Buys - KidTrek!

As we look at the "Best Buys" for curriculum, once again I'm delighted to share with you a curriculum, written by Wanda Parker. KidTrek - Sunday Plus is a best buy for the following reasons - 

1. Churches pay whatever they feel led to pay.
2. Churches utilizing KidTrek are able to make as many copies as they like for use in their ministry.
3. Kid Trek includes materials for children's church, mid-week and classes for the parents as well!

Allow me to share with you some information about KidTrek - Sunday Plus!

Best Buys Curriculum Reviews!

I've been posting my reviews of Large Group/Small Group, Traditional, Bridge, Non-Traditional and Special Needs Sunday School curriculum along with Side-by-Side Comparison Charts. This coming week I'll be sharing posts about those curriculum resources which are excellent and affordable, followed by my final Sunday School Curriculum Side-by-Side comparison chart. In this economy cost really does matter for many, if not most, churches. As people's personal budgets get tighter, so does the church's budget. We have to balance being wise stewards with finding "tools" which will enable us to effectively and intentionally help our children remember,understand and live Gods Word for genuinely changed lives. Happily, there are some excellent - and affordable - curriculum options available and this coming week we will look at them!

Welcoming Special Children with Special Needs!

If you have children in your church with special needs, you will discover looking for resources to help them learn is a definite challenge. (And, by the way, if you do not have any children with special needs, then make the choice to be the place where families in your community who have children with special needs are able to turn to to find help, support, encouragement and a place where their children are welcomed and loved by expanding your ministry to serve these families and children.)

Curriculum Review - Special Needs - Special Buddies from LifeWay!

Special Buddies is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay which is designed to be a, "Sunday School curriculum resource for special kids with special needs." Allow me to share with you some information about Special Buddies!

• Publisher - LifeWay 
• Website -  http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/special+buddies
• Price - $5.75 per teacher, $2.95 per child per quarter
• Scope - Through the bible
• Available for Grades 1-6

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional PreTeen - Flyte from LifeWay!

Flyte is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay which is designed for preteens specifically to be, "all theirs; one which speaks to what they're dealing with right now - not what's past or in the future." Allow me to share with you some information about Flyte!

• Publisher - LifeWay 
• Website -  http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/FLYTE
• Price - $89.95 per teacher kit, $9.95 per extra teacher book and $4.95 per child per quarter
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preteens

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional PreTeen - SuperStart from Christ in Youth and Standard Publishing!

SuperStart is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum especially for Preteens from Christ in Youth and Standard Publishing! SuperStart is designed to help preteens, "get a super start living the rest of their lives for Jesus." Allow me to share with you some information about SuperStart!

• Publisher - Christ in Youth and Standard Publishing  
• Website - http://superstartpreteen.com/ 
• Price - $20 per teacher, $17 per DVD and $4 per child per quarter
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preteens

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - Grow, Proclaim, Serve! from Cokesbury!

Grow, Proclaim, Serve is a new Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Cokesbury with a strong focus on helping children, "develop the skills to unlock the Bible's message and grow in their faith by leaps and bounds!" Allow me to share with you some information about Grow, Proclaim, Serve!

• Publisher - Cokesbury  
• Website - http://www.growproclaimserve.com
• Price - $9.99 per teacher and $26.99 per class/teaching resource pack and $4.26 per child
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - Buzz from Group Publishing!

Buzz is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Group Publishing with a strong focus on intentionally engaging children from the time they walk in the doors on Sunday morning. Allow me to share with you some information about Buzz!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/buzz
• Price - $99.99 per class per quarter 
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

Sneak Peek . . . MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle from VeggieTales!

This new Veggie story begins with, "A long time ago in a land ruled by practical jokers a very silly battle had gone on for years. Stuck in the middle is a misfit inventor, better at making gadgets than being in battle!" From there a very silly story about Barberbarians (they give each other really bad haircuts!) goes on to delight children and amuse parents all while teaching us all "just because you are different doesn't make you any less important" and helps us learn how to get along with others!

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - FaithWeaver from Group Publishing!

FaithWeaver is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Group Publishing with a strong focus on "encouraging family development with a unified scope and sequence." Allow me to share with you some information about FaithWeaver!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/faithweaver
• Price - $47.99 for teaching resources, $9.99 for additional teacher book and $5.99 per student per quarter
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - Hands-On Bible from Group Publishing!

Hands-On Bible is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Group Publishing with a strong focus on "teaching as Jesus taught"! Allow me to share with you some information about Hand's-On Bible!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/hands-on-bible-curriculum
• Price - $84.99 per class for learning labs and $28.99 for teacher book
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - HeartShaper from Standard Publishing!

HeartShaper is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Standard Publishing with a strong focus on "helping you shape young hearts to bring them closer to God!" Allow me to share with you some information about HeartShaper!

• Publisher - Standard Publishing  
• Website - http://www.heartshaper.com/
• Price - $8 per teacher, $16.49 per class, $4.25 per child and $18.49 for take home papers for five children
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Preschool - Preteen

Curriculum Review - Non-Traditional - Give Me Jesus from Gospel Light!

Give Me Jesus is a Non-Traditional Sunday School curriculum from Gospel Light with a strong focus on "helping your kids grow closer to Jesus and discover how to love their world as Jesus did!" Allow me to share with you some information about, Give me Jesus!

• Publisher - Gospel Light  
• Website - http://www.gospellight.com
• Price - $99.99 per quarter for one teacher/10 kids, additional teacher guide - $15 and $20 for additional five kids and $20 for additional 5 family flyers
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Grades 1- 4

Curriculum Review - Bridge Curriculum - Gospel Light!

Gospel Light offers a Bridge Sunday School curriculum for Preschool and Preteens (they have their Give Me Jesus and More Jesus resources for Elementary age children) which is known for featuring solid resources with a strong focus on helping "you confidently teach the Bible in relevant and creative ways which engage the imagination of children, lead them to Jesus, transform their lives and ultimately change the world for the better." Allow me to share with you some information about Gospel Light!

• Publisher - Gospel Light 
• Website - www.gospellight.com
• Price - $99.99 per quarter for one teacher and ten children
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Preschool and Preteen

Curriculum Review - Bridge Curriculum - Rio from Cook!

Rio is a Bridge Sunday School curriculum from David C. Cook. Rio features solid resources with a strong focus on teaching God's Word - they say they want to "help kids see the Bible isn't just a collection of cool stories—it's a cohesive story of God's plan for them." Allow me to share with you some information about Rio!

• Publisher - Cook  
• Website - http://rio.davidccook.com/rio/ 
• Price - $660.00 for all age levels for one year on DVD or  $165.00 for all age levels for the Fall Quarter on Digital download
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Elementary

Free Today Only - DiscipleTown Curriculum!

Yes, today only - May 21, 2013, you can get DiscipleTown's How to Make Good Friends curriculum for FREE! You'll find my review of DiscipleTown at this link, but I can tell you for sure this is an excellent curriculum and while it is written as a kid's church curriculum, it absolutely is one which could work very well in a large group/small group setting!

This four-lesson resource includes everything you need to teach four Kids Church lessons: Leader Guides, Microsoft PowerPoint™ Templates, object lesson videos, and more. You can get this free curriculum by clicking on this link - place your order and when you reach checkout, simply enter the code: FreeDT2013. You will receive an email containing a link to download this product after the order is processed. 

Remember: this offer is only good for today, May 21, 2013, so download a copy and try it in your ministry . . .  you may find it is an excellent "fit" for your ministry - and what better way to try it than for free?!!!

Curriculum Review - Bridge Curriculum - Spark from Augsburg Fortress!

Spark is a Bridge Sunday School curriculum from Augsburg Fortress. Spark features solid resources with a strong focus on teaching God's Word - Augsburg says they want to "get kids excited about the stories in the Bible!" One feature I really love is it's unified scope and sequence! Allow me to share with you some information about Spark!

• Publisher - Augsburg Fortress  
• Website - http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/productfamily/152/Spark-Sunday-School
• Price - $8 per teacher and $15 per class/teaching resource pack and $5 per child plus an additional $14-$20 per child for Spark Bibles
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for PreSchool - Elementary

Curriculum Review - Traditional - Regular Baptist Press!

Regular Baptist Press is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum which has long been know to provide Biblically solid resources with a strong focus on teaching God's Word! In the past few years they have updated their lessons and added some excellent features designed to focus on their goal to provide, "Biblically Sound curriculum which continually cultivates growth!" Allow me to share with you some information about Regular Baptist Press!

• Publisher - Regular Baptist Press 
• Website -  www.RegularBaptistPress.org/curriculum  
• Price - $7 per teacher and $18 per class/teaching resource pack and $3.30 - $7 per child
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for all ages

Curriculum Review - Traditional - Adventure Kids & Explorers from D6!

Adventure Kids and Explorers are Traditional Sunday School curriculum resources from D6 - Randall House Publishers . They developed these curriculum resources with the goal of providing the opportunity, "for learning at church and spiritual discipleship at home. With D6 Curriculum, the entire family studies the same Bible theme at the same time." Allow me to share with you some information about D6's Adventure and Explorers curriculum!

• Publisher - D6 - Randall House  
• Website - http://www.d6curriculum.com/
• Price - $32.99 per teacher/class, $7.19 for additional teacher books and $4.29 per child
• Scope - Through the Bible 
• Available for all ages - including preschool

Curriculum Review - Traditional - Bible in Life from David C. Cook!

Bible in Life is a Traditional Sunday School curriculum from David C. Cook with, as they put it, "sound, easy-to-teach lessons designed to impact every student entrusted to your care-from the littlest ones to the most mature! And as the name implies Bible-in-Life helps each student put Bible truths to work where it counts - in their everyday life." Allow me to share with you some information about Bible in Life!

• Publisher - David C. Cook  
• Website -http://www.davidccook.com/curriculum/davidccook/ 
• Price - $7.70 per teacher, $16.50 per classroom and $4.40 + per student
• Scope - Through the Bible 
• Available for all ages

God's Grace Requires Us to Show Grace

I read something from UpWords with Max Lucado. He said, "So, how often do you sin, hmm… in an hour?  For the sake of discussion, let’s say ten times an hour.  Ten sins an hour, times sixteen waking hours, times 365 days a year, times the average life span of 74 years.  I’m rounding the total off to 4,300,000 sins per person!  How do you plan to pay God for your 4.3 million sin increments?  You’re swimming in an ocean of debt. But God pardons the zillion sins of selfish humanity.  He forgives sixty million sin-filled days.  He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be.  And He did it by the grace of Jesus Christ."

If we are Christians, then we have been the recipients of God's incredible grace, pardon and forgiveness. Do we freely offer this grace, pardon and forgiveness we have received to those who hurt, offend, upset or wound us? Are our lives marked by grace - not only receiving it, but in generously giving it to others? Consider the following -

Tomorrow is the Start of My Traditional, Bridge, Non-Traditional and Special Needs Curriculum Reviews!

My 2013 Curriculum reviews continue tomorrow with the start of my Traditional Curriculum Reviews! All week I'll be reviewing curriculum - Traditional, Bridge, Non-Traditional and Special Needs Curriculum. Just a few things to keep in mind -

I Have a Winner!

I'm happy to announce Mary Beth Dawson is the winner of Can't-Wait Willow! (You'll find the review at this link) Thank you Mary Beth for reading About the Children's Department (please message me your address by May 24 so I can have it sent to you) and thank you ideals children's books for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!

A Danger to Beware Of . . .

I'm all for striving for excellence in ministry. We want our children's and family ministries to be excellent, but as we strive for this "excellence" there is something we have to beware of. Something which can cause great damage. This "something" is our own ego.

Have you ever heard a church leader say they do not want someone else to do something in the ministry unless they can prove they can do it as well - or better - than they can? This is ego talking. It certainly is not the Spirit of God talking. This kind of "ego" often leads to "hogging" ministry to yourself or micro-managing and both of these things lead to discouragement and pain among those who God sent to serve in your ministry.

One More Thought about Church Politics

I've been writing all week about church politics, how to spot it and how to eliminate it. We've looked at Colossians 3 to see how God's Word tells us to "stop it" and gives us the remedy for it, "love is more important than anything else." Today I want to take one more look at Colossians 3 and a challenge to us to see how church politics harms children.

Stop and think about it. When we have a situation in our churches where "politics" influences what we do, this has an impact on the children. Consider the following -

Love is More Important than Anything Else

Yesterday I wrote about church politics and how to identify it. I said, church politics "show up in the way we treat each other" and looked at Colossians 3:8,9. I said, "We must have a zero tolerance for church politics and we must do what God tells us to do . . . stop it!" 

Today I want to spend a little more time in Colossians 3:10-17 and see what God's Word tells us to do . . . if we do these things, church politics will not be a problem in our children's ministries.

2013 Large Group/Small Group Sunday School Curriculum Comparison Chart

I've been reviewing Large Group/Small Group Sunday School Curriculum for the past two weeks, so today I'm releasing my 2013 Large Group/Small Group Sunday School Curriculum Side-by-Side Comparison Chart. I set this chart up with a side-by-side format to help you identify those tools you believe will best equip your volunteers as they share God's Word with the children in your ministry. 

There are specific things I look for and have identified as essential "tools" for a curriculum, so I will take a moment to explain them n this Key to My Comparison Charts - 

Stop It!

So, yesterday I wrote about church politics and the damage it causes in churches and to people; today I want to write about how to identify church politics. Look at Colossians 3:8. 9, " ⁸ But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. ⁹ And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits."

Side-by-Side Large Group/Small Group Curriculum Comparison Chart and More . . .

For the past two weeks I've been reviewing Large Group/Small Group Sunday school curriculum . . . tomorrow I'll post my side-by-side comparison chart which puts all the lines I've reviewed in a convenient format so you are better able to identify the curriculum with the "tools" you want for your ministry. Please feel free to download and print out this chart to use as you look for the best curriculum "fit" for your ministry. So, in the past two weeks have you learned of any Large Group/Small Group Sunday school curriculum which may be a good "fit" for your ministry?

Don't Betray Others

The title of this post may have gotten your attention, and while I did want to get your attention, I also want you to stop and think about the following questions -

• Why is it in children's ministry - and in the church - we are often so quick to betray, marginalize and wound those who serve alongside us?
• Why do we use "shame" to further our own agendas and church politics to move people out of our way?
• Why do so many people end up deeply hurt in our churches?

I've served in churches where it was an absolute delight to do so! I've also served in churches where church politics and using people as "pawns" resulted in people feeling betrayed, wounded, feeling alone and marginalized. While the sad potential certainly exists for church politics to "rear it's ugly head" in any area in the church, I've noticed it shows up often in children's ministry. I've wondered why this happens, and think it may be for some of the following reasons -

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Worship KidStyle by LifeWay!

Worship KidStyle is a Large Group/Small Group curriculum from LifeWay and while they designed it to provide a resource for Children's church, I believe it can also serve as a option for churches to consider as a Sunday School curriculum as well. Allow me to share with you some information about Worship KidStyle!

• Publisher - LifeWay  
• Website - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Worship-KidStyle?intcmp=SundaySchool-Tiled-Tiled-WorshipKids-20130206
• Price - $189.95 for one quarter for elementary and $129.95 per quarter for preschool
• Scope - Chronological 
• Available for 4 year olds through 6th grade

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Elements kids worship from D6!

Elements kids worship curriculum is a Large Group/Small Group curriculum from D6 and while they designed it to provide a resource to supplement and reinforce their D6 curriculum as a Children's church curriculum - which I will review next week, I believe it can also serve as a resource for churches to consider as a Sunday School curriculum as well. Allow me to share with you some information about Elements kids worship!

• Publisher - D6 - Randall House  
• Website - http://elementskidsworship.com/about.html
• Price - $249 for 12 months
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Kindergarten through 6th grade

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - More Jesus from Gospel Light!

Gospel Light's Large Group/Small Group curriculum - More Jesus - is designed to serve as a children's church resource for their new classroom model - Give Me Jesus - which I'm reviewing next week - but, I believe it could also be a good "fit" for churches looking for a large group/small group curriculum. Allow me to share with you some information about More Jesus!

• Publisher - Gospel Light  
• Website - http://www.gospellight.com
• Price - $199.99 per quarter 
• Scope - Chronological through the Bible
• Available for 1st - 4th Grade 

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - The Gospel Project for kids!

LifeWay released their new Large Group/Small Group curriculum - the Gospel Project for kids and I've heard great things about it. LifeWay says the Gospel Project for kids is a, "Bible study resource which shows how Christ fits into the entire gospel story, pre-creation to eternity. And where each of us fits into it, too!" Allow me to share with you some information about the Gospel Project for kids!

• Publisher - LifeWay  
• Website -  http://www.gospelproject.com/kids/
• Price - varies depending on if you select downloadable/digital resources or print materials - digital begins at $95 for preschool, $185 for elementary or $255 to combine preschool/elementary for churches with fewer than 50 children and goes up from there based on the number of children and if you select packages with music and the second Worship service. Print materials for preschool are $59.95 for preschool leader kits, $79.95 for elementary leader kits with student materials running $2.50 and $1.95 per child and $1.95 per family for the Big Picture Cards.
• Scope - three year Chronological through the Bible
• Available for preschool - elementary 

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Empowering Kids!

Empowering Kids is another DVD based curriculum with high energy and a great deal of creativity from Craig Jutilla. While they do not make all of their curriculum available for review, you are able to review one complete lesson from each series - this gives you a pretty good idea what the curriculum is like. This curriculum is intentionally designed to, "answer four questions in each and every lesson; we will provide a creative, edgy, fun and biblically based lesson which is designed not only to be 'learned' but “lived” during the week." The four questions in each lesson are:

1.  What Should I See? (The Story or Biblical Example)
2. What’s The Key? (The Main Key to Unlock The Life Lesson In The Story)
3. What’s That To Me? (Answers How The Story Applies To The Student’s World)
4. How Should I Be? (An Application for Each Student To Live Out During The Week) 

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Lil' K & Johnny Rogers from KidMo!

Lil'K and Johnny Rogers are another DVD based curriculum with high energy and a great deal of creativity from KidMo! They say these curricula are; "interactive, media-based resources" and they do seem to be exactly that. Allow me to share with you some information about Lil'K and Johnny Rogers!

• Publisher - KidMo!  
• Website - http://www.kidmo.com
• Price - $149 for one DVD of Lil' K and $149 for one DVD of Johnny Rogers - each with five complete lessons
• Scope - Topical
• Available for 3's -5's for Lil' K and Grades 1-6 for Johnny Rogers

I Have a Winner!

I'm happy to announce Crystal Tucker is the winner in my NIrV Kids' Quest Study Bible give-away! (You'll find the review at this link.) Thank you Crystal for reading About the Children's Department (please message me your address by May 17 so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - What's In The Bible - Church Edition!

Today I'm reviewing a DVD Large Group/Small Group curriculum resource. We are all familiar with, and love, Phil Vischer's work on VeggieTales; so when I heard about this new curriculum from Phil and his writers Lori Bethran and Amy Dolan I wanted to include it in my curriculum reviews! What's In The Bible is a DVD based curriculum which is designed to take children on a journey through the Bible to find out "what is in the Bible".  Allow me to share with you some information about What's In The Bible - Church Edition Curriculum!

• Publisher - Jellyfish Labs   
• Website - curriculum.whatsinthebible.com
• Price - $80 for one DVD with four complete lessons
• Scope - Through the Bible-Biblical Literacy
• Available for Elementary age children

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - LIVE Children's Curriculum

I'm very happy to share info with you about a resource from Group Publishing - LIVE! As Group says, "LIVE is an online-based digital curriculum which gives you the power to customize your lesson content, (or use as is), manage your team and organize your team's schedule. More importantly, LIVE gives you the freedom to do what you do best - minister to kids!" Allow me to share with you some information about LIVE Children's Curriculum -

• Publisher - Group Publishing   
• Website - LIVE Children's Curriculum
• Price - $399 for 156 lessons
• Scope - Three-year topical scope covering the Bible and who God is
• Available for Elementary age children