March 20, 2025

Which Path Do You Take?

The curriculum is the content you plan to teach. The word ‘curriculum’ etymologically means ‘a running of a course’.  It’s a structured path of learning to proceed down.  But which path should you take?  As a Kid’s Ministry Leader, you may have to choose the curriculum for your Kid’s Church.  Do you purchase formal curriculum from professional curriculum publishers, or create your own?  

Published Curriculum

  • Written by experts in characteristics of the age group they write for
  • Up to date in methodology (new techniques and teaching technologies)
  • Provide a wide range of materials like manuals, USB, visual aids and songs
  • Have a master plan of lessons taught over the years so children don’t miss important teaching

Develop a Curriculum of Your Own

  • Because your approach to spiritual development is not in a standardized published curriculum
  • Can be reviewed at any time
  • Can be integrated into the ministry focus of the church
  • Current world events can be tied into Biblical teaching
  • Focus is on the central principles of a Bible story and personal application in the lives of your children
  • It’s inexpensive
  • It’s customized to your children
  • It’s customized to our Aussie culture (seasons and holidays)
  • Easier for mixed-age groups
  • It is time consuming

Whichever path you choose ask yourself these questions:

  1. Is the Bible content accurate?
  2. Is there an opportunity to focus on using the Bible?
  3. Does it have a useful purpose?
  4. Will it empower the children because they will recognize their inherent worth and potential?
  5. Will it capitalize on their interests and draw their attention?
  6. Will it extend what they have already learned?
  7. Will it provide time for sharing and response?
  8. Will it help children learn no matter their learning style?

Creative Bible teachers use curriculum as a teaching tool not as a taskmaster. 

                        (Lawrence O Richards, Creative Bible Teaching) 

Here at Cooee Kid’s Ministry, you can choose from 150 free Bible Lessons to create your curriculum!

This post was originally published on 5th March 2021 and updated on 20th March 2025