Help Children Develop an Accurate View of God - We Can Trust God's Good Plan for Us!

I've been talking about how the world today which the children in our ministries and families are growing up is much different than it was when we were children - or, if you are still "young", the one where your parents grew up! While even in Bible times people had the idea they could do whatever they want, this attitude seems to be one which drives the attitudes and actions of our world more and more every year.

So, how do we help children develop an accurate view of God in a world where they have anything but an accurate view of Him? Yesterday I talked about being focused on helping children know and believe God loves them and today I want to look at communicating to children how they can believe and trust God has a good plan for them.

If children grow up in a world where they know they God has a plan for them and they can trust it is a good plan, this can truly change the way they see the world and themselves. So, how do we do this? Consider the following . . . 

Help Children Develop an Accurate View of God - God Loves Them!

Yesterday I said; "The world we live in; the one the children in our ministries - and in our families - are growing up in, is a confusing and difficult place. Today the children in our ministries (and families) often grow up with working moms, single parents, divorce and sporadic church attendance. They also grow up with a knowledge of things I did not know about until I was a teen - or older. Children are exposed to so many things; things which were not talked about when I was a child. The world is not the same. The idea we can all do whatever we want to do because being 'happy' is the most important thing."

I asked, "How do we help children develop an accurate view of God in a world where they have anything but an accurate view of Him?" and I talked about three things we need to be intentional about teaching children, beginning with helping children know God loves them.

I do believe it is essential for children to not just know, but to fully believe God loves them. We can not just assume children know this; we need to encourage children with this truth every opportunity we can. Consider the following ways we can do this -

Help Children Develop an Accurate View of God

The world we live in; the one the children in our ministries - and in our families - are growing up in, is a confusing and difficult place. When I was a child - quite a number of years ago - nearly all the moms on my street were "stay-at-home-moms". Nearly all the families on my street went to church on Sunday morning. Nearly all the families on my street were two-parent families; I only knew one family where the parents were divorced. Yes, I pretty much grew up in a "Norman Rockwell" picture of a small town with tree-lined streets.

Special Give-Away - To the Sea

I was recently invited to review a new book from Graham Blanchard; since it sounded like a book which would be a wonderful addition to church nurseries and for families to have in their home, I said "yes". They sent it to me, and are making another available for me to give away - but first, here is my opinion of, To The Sea.

Curriculum Review - Best Buys - Bible Studies for Life: Kids from LifeWay!

Bible Studies for Life: 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 $6.25 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $2.40 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 Studies for Life: 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 $8.49 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4.49 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 SparkHouse!

Spark is a Bridge Sunday School curriculum from SparkHouse 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 $7.49 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student materials for $4.49 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 $7.99 per class per quarter.
2. Churches are able to purchase student materials as their budget allows - student books/take home papers for $4.40+ 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!

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 - $44.95 for four 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. Tomorrow I'm 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 starting tomorrow, we will look at them!

Curriculum Review - Special Needs - HeartShaper - from Standard Publishing!

If you have children in your ministry with special needs, you are aware how there are few options when it comes to curriculum for these special children. If you do not have children in your ministry with special needs, then please know this, there are children in your community with special needs. Far too often churches do not serve these special children and families, leaving them no place to go; no church to call their own. And, sadly, with the extremely false impression Jesus has no room for them. If you reached out to these children and families, you would find they would come to your church. If you have not reached out in the past, please make it a matter of prayer and see what you can do to make your church a place where all children and families are welcome.

So, back to curriculum, I'm happy to share another option for churches looking for curriculum for children with special needs. Beginning with this Fall - 2015 - Standard Publishing has added a special feature to their HeartShaper curriculum which will help you reach all children - especially those with special needs.

Standard says; "Our special-needs-friendly tips and activity adaptions are easy for teachers to identify and use! Look for the Special Needs Friendly symbol in your teacher guide to find activities which work well with all kids, including those with special needs. The Special Needs Friendly symbol also points to helpful tips and activity adaptations found on each age level."

• Publisher - Standard Publishing  
• Website - http://heartshaper.com/special-needs/
• Price - $8.49 per teacher, $17.49 per class, $4.49 per child and $19.49 for take home papers for five children
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Preschool - Preteen

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 - $6.25 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 - 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 - $109.99 per class per quarter 
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool - Elementary

birthday month give-away - Bash and the Chocolate Milk Cows

I have recently been invited to review the newest "Bash" book . . . and since my grandsons are big "Bash fans", I of course, said, "Yes!". Along with reviewing this book, I get to give one away on my other blog - grandma's cookie jar, so first, my review . . . 

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

FaithWeaver Now 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 Now!

• Publisher - Group Publishing  
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/faithweaver
• Price - $49.99 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 - $87.99/$77.99 per class for learning labs and $29.99 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 - $8.49 per teacher, $17.49 per class, $4.49 per child and $19.49 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://www.davidccook.com/curriculum/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

Curriculum Review - Bridge Curriculum - Spark from Sparkhouse!

Spark is a Bridge Sunday School curriculum from Sparkhouse. Spark features solid resources with a strong focus on teaching God's Word - Sparkhouse 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 - Sparkhouse  
• 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 - $33.99 per teacher/class, $7.49 for additional teacher books and $4.49 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 - $7.99 per teacher, $16.99 per classroom and $4.40 + per student
• Scope - Through the Bible 
• Available for all ages

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

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

Large Group/Small Group Sunday School Curriculum Comparison Chart

I've been reviewing Large Group/Small Group Sunday School Curriculum, so today I'm releasing my 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 - 

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Worship KidStyle from 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; 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 as described. 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 say Lisa Jones is the winner of The Story of King Jesus (you'll find my review at this link) Thank you Lisa for reading About the Children's Department, (please message me your address by April 12, 2015 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you David C Cook 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? Curriculum

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 - $149.00 for one year
• Scope - Three-year topical scope covering the Bible and who God is
• Available for Elementary age children

Give-Away Tomorrow!

Yes, tomorrow I'm giving away one copy of The Story of King Jesus - this is great news, and even better news is you still have time to get in on this give-away! Check this link for my review of the book and all the specifics for how you can enter the give-away . . . who knows?!!! Maybe you will win!

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Group's Living Inside-Out!

I reviewed Living Inside Out from Group Publishing five years ago and based on what I remember from then, and the one lesson I was able to see on-line, Living Inside Out could be a good "fit" for many churches looking for a Large Group/Small Group curriculum. Allow me to share with you some information about Group's Living Inside Out curriculum!

• Publisher - Group Publishing 
• Website - http://group.com/sunday-school/living-inside-out
• Price - $299.99 per quarter for all age levels . . . preschool through elementary in one box
• Type - Large Group/Small Group 
• Scope - Topical 
• Unified Scope and Sequence - there is a three year scope and sequence 

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group PreTeen - Grapple!

As I continue my curriculum review, today I'm reviewing curriculum from Group Publishing. I reviewed the three curriculum lines I'm including in my Large Group/Small Group reviews from Group Publishing six years ago for an article I wrote for Christianity Today's Your Church Magazine and was able to look through an entire quarter's material. Sadly, Group has a marketing policy where they will no longer make their curriculum available for review beyond the one lesson they have on their website. It can be extremely difficult to get an accurate view of a curriculum when you are only able to see one lesson . . . the one lesson could be the best one of the entire quarter and other lessons may need a lot of "tweaking" to make them work well. Likewise, the one excellent lesson could be highly representative of the entire quarter, but when I can only see one lesson, there is no way for me to know this, making it difficult for me to recommend a curriculum. 

However, for this review, I'm basing my review on what I saw six years ago. I sincerely hope Group will re-think their review policy as reviews from unbiased reviewers are an excellent resource for those in children's ministry. Having said this, please allow me to share with you some information about Group's Grapple Preteen Curriculum!

• Publisher - Group Publishing
• Website - http://www.group.com/sunday-school/grapple
• Price - $69.99 per quarter 
• Type - Large Group/Small Group
• Scope - Topical two year plan.
• Available for Preteens

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Grow, Proclaim, Serve! from Cokesbury!

I'm happy to share information with you about a new Large Group/Small Group curriculum from Cokesbury - Grow, Proclaim, Serve! Take a look and see if this might be a good "fit" for your ministry!

• Publisher - Cokesbury Publishing
• Website - http://www.growproclaimserve.com/
• Price - $99.99 per quarter for Large Group/Small Group and $69.99 for One Room Sunday School
• Type - Large Group/Small Group
• Scope - Through the Bible (Unified)
• Available for Preschool, Elementary age children, Tweens or for "One Big Room" or Large Group/Small Group with a multi-age class

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - Tru from Cook!

David C. Cook has long been known as a publisher of curriculum and their new line; Tru, is definitely getting attention! I'm happy to say David C Cook gave me full access to their tru curriculum which allowed me the opportunity to fully review tru! I really like tru and believe it will prove to be a great "fit" for many churches! Allow me to share with you some information about David C Cook's tru curricula! (Stay tuned for two interviews with people using tru at the end)

• Publisher - David C Cook   
• Website - http://tru.davidccook.com/
• Price - from $800 to $3000 per age level a year based on the package you select
• Type - Large Group/Small Group
• Scope - Chronological through the Bible
• Available for Preschool/Kindergarten and for Elementary age children

Curriculum Review - Large Group/Small Group - reThink Group/Orange!

My curriculum review continues today with first look and 2*52 BASICS from the re Think Group/Orange. These curriculum resources have become very popular; reThink Group makes several of these lessons available for review - I prefer to see an entire quarter, but appreciate I was able to see more than one lesson for the elementary age level. It is difficult to get a full view of a curriculum without being able to see an entire quarter, but the lessons I saw, I really liked. 

The focus of "Orange" is on partnering with parents to help them help their children discover and embrace a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by discovering three core truths - I can trust God no matter what, I need to make the wise choice and I need to treat others the way I want to be treated.

They are offering something new for June and July to help you get a "look" at their curriculum - a two month trial for just $29 - this is an excellent way to see if it is a good "fit" for your ministry, or not! Allow me to share with you some information about reThink Group's first look and 252 BASICS curricula!

• Publisher - reThink Group 
• Website - whatisorange.org
• Price - $575 per year per age level for 0 to 25 students . . . the price goes up from there based on the number of children in your ministry
• Type - Large Group/Small Group
• Scope - Topical
• Available for Preschool/Early Elementary and for Elementary age children