I’ve almost always written my own Curriculum for Kid’s Church.  When I started out it was due to necessity.  Most published curriculum was from overseas and expensive.  I did buy individual lessons (I had to hand colour the Flash Card stories) but created my own lesson order according to what I wanted to teach the children.  With a grandfather and father as writers, it was only a matter of time before I began to write my own stories and lessons.  I love writing so it’s not surprising I’m still at it.

If you’d like to link prewritten lessons together to create your own curriculum, you’ll find over 80 free Bible Lessons to download here:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/bible-lessons/

Benefits of Developing Your Own Curriculum

But if you’re unsure whether you should have a go at developing your own curriculum here are some of the benefits:

• Your approach to spiritual development may not be in a standardized published curriculum
• You can review it any time
• Your own curriculum can be integrated into the ministry focus of the church
• Current world events can be tied into Biblical teaching
• It’s inexpensive
• It’s customized to your kids
• It’s customized to your culture (seasons and holidays – which is a big thing when you live in the Southern Hemisphere and Easter is in Autumn!)
• It will have real time relevance (fads)
• It’s easier for mixed age groups

George Barna, in his book Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, found ‘that most of the effective children’s ministries do not use any form of standardised curriculum; instead; they develop their own.’

 

4 Keys to Writing Your Own Curriculum

 

Pastor Mark Harper, from SUPERCHURCH.COM, shared his curriculum writing keys in an interview.

 

Key 1:  Preach the Bible

Don’t just entertain or occupy your kids.  Preach the Bible and make it real.  Tell stories so they can apply Bible principles to their own lives.

 

Key 2:  Keep things moving

Children today probably have half the attention span of children 30 years ago.

 

Key 3:  Use repetition. 

Focus on one subject but change your method every 5 minutes.

 

Key 4:  Be funny!  

Use the sandwich method.  Something serious, something funny, something serious.  Humour opens children’s hearts to receive.

 

So why not have a go at creating your own curriculum.  You’ll be amazed at how the Holy Spirit will highlight ideas for you.  I know people who were thrown into kid’s ministry without any experience and found creativity they did not know they had.  If you’re surprised to find yourself in Kid’s Ministry, remember God is never taken unawares.  You may feel you’re out of your depth, but it is Jesus who appoints not men, and He will help and support you in this vital ministry to the children He adores.

P.S.  The photo is of my grand daughter pretending to edit.  She is now school age and I believe will be a fourth generation writer!