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!

• Publisher - LifeWay  
• Website - http://www.lifeway.com/article/165378/
• Price - $6.25 per teacher, $23.95 per class, $2.40 per child per quarter
• Scope - Through the Bible
• Available for Preschool - Preteen

Strengths -

• Biblically Sound
• Strong focus on teaching children what God's Word says
• Most lessons focus on helping children identify a way they could live what they learn
• Lots of options for each lesson to engage children in the lesson from start to finish.
• Teacher Devotions - Inductive Bible Study format
• Preteen materials are creative and did a great job of intentionally engaging children in the teaching of the Bible lesson
• Broadly Graded materials - allow for combined age classes

Would like to see - 

• Some weeks/age levels did a better job than others at focusing the kids on specific things they could do to live what they learned - I'd like to see a stronger focus on this with several "Live it" options each week for all ages. 
• "Put Feet to Their Faith" project to involve all children in serving others each quarter
• Optional second service
• Unified Scope and Sequence
• Activities not using just reading and writing
• All ages intentionally engaged in the teaching of the Bible lesson

Bible Studies for Life: Kids is written with the goal of engaging children so they are able to learn and live God's Word for changed lives. The Preteen level does a much better job at engaging children in creative ways and involves them in teaching the Bible lesson - I'd like to see this for all ages. If you are looking for a Traditional curriculum with a focus on teaching God's Word to children, this curriculum is well worth taking a look at to see if it may be a good "fit" for your ministry! 

LifeWay says, "Bible Studies For Life: Kids combines creative teaching elements, Bible stories, and hands-on learning to wow kids with the God of the Bible. The same trusted content which is based on our Levels of Biblical Learning is packaged in a way which will help you disciple kids and strengthen families."