If something is tailor-made, it means it has been specially designed for a particular person or purpose.  A tailor-made suit has been individually hand-crafted to fit a specific person.  A tailor-made holiday has been personalised so the itinerary fits a tourist’s idea of a dream trip.  A tailor-made portfolio is a managed account that fits an investor’s financial aspirations.   Tailor-made means a perfect fit and the curriculum you use in your Kid’s Ministry needs to be made-to-measure for your kids!

Even though a standardised published curriculum has been written by experts, only you and your team know your kids.  When you write your curriculum tailored to them you’re acknowledging your interconnectedness.  In other words, it’s relational.  Your lessons are built around what you know about your children’s needs, what fires their imaginations and what is important to their families and the Church and wider community. 

Off the Rack Curriculum

Of course, I have used a standardised curriculum.  It’s essential to follow the curriculum in the Religious Instruction setting in schools.  The curriculum has boundaries and protects you while teaching an approved and age-appropriate lesson in a short amount of time.   

Bespoke Curriculum

I have created a bespoke curriculum in Kid’s Church many times.  That is using the standardised curricula with a few modifications so it better suits the kids in my class.  I think most teachers do this and it’s why the Cooee Kid’s Ministry website exists.  So lessons I have made can be adapted and adopted by teachers to suit Kid’s Churches wherever they are. 

Tailor-Made Curriculum

My greatest joy comes from creating a tailor-made curriculum. Have you ever tried writing your own curriculum?  Let me encourage you to think about it. 

The Inspiration:  Most of my lessons have come from my devotional time in the Bible.  The Holy Spirit highlights a verse or phrase and I get an idea for a lesson.  I immediately note it down in my journal so I don’t forget.  I’m also one of those note-takers in Church!  Let the Word of God inspire you. 

The Design:  It’s time to research the verse.  Have I got the meaning right?  Is the context correct?  What other scriptures support the idea?  Sometimes it becomes clear I’m on the wrong track so I make a note about why and move on.  But if further study supports the idea I brainstorm in my journal about possible Bible stories, songs, games, and crafts.  It looks messy (I am not a neat journal person) but it gives me the inspiration to begin writing.  Mind map in a way that suits your style!

Tailoring:  What are the measurements for a great fitting lesson?  It must be Scriptural.  It must have one main idea.  It must be attention-getting, and it must be fun!  Most of all tailor-made curricula must make a statement…as Saviour, Jesus Christ is the only One Who cansave and deliver us.  (1 John 4:14; Acts 5:1)  He is the only One who can bring us peace with God (Romans 5:1) and grant us eternal life.  (Romans 6:23)

Personally, it’s the reading of the Word, and the studying to prepare a lesson that has brought so much spiritual growth in my life.  Yes, tailor-made curriculum takes time but the best-crafted things always do!