Sunday School Meeting
8/25/2009

Values
• Direct - Point the children
in the direction they should
go.
• Example - Every moment is
a chance to exemplify the
Kingdom.
• Relationship - How we will
disciple these children and
families
• Family - Empower the family
to come along side us, in
teaching these children

Why ReThink
Curriculum?
• Classic Sunday School is much like a map -
a map gives a lot of information, but makes
it difficult to find how to get where you
want to go.
• Our Sunday School is much like a GPS - a
GPS is neat because it gives you the turn by
turn directions to get where you want go.
• The question is where are we going?

The 20 to 30 Problem

The 20 to 30 Problem
• Research has shown, and probably our own
experience has shown that; people between
the ages of 20 to 30 are struggling with their
relationships with Jesus. Many times resulting
in a break from the church, or a passive faith.
• Most of us see this as a problem, and doing
the same thing over and over is insanity. So
let’s switch it up a little bit.

The 20 to 30 Problem
• We see that the core issue is a lack of
identity “as the church”.
• When we don’t see the core of our
identity as a child of God, then it is very
likely we will fall into the 20 to 30 problem.
• How can we fix this? Let’s work backwards!

The Solution:
• Much like our GPS analogy, we need to
figure out where the “end" is before our
children head off on our journey.
• Therefore, we found 3 things that every
high schooler needs before going to
college, elementary student needs before
high school, and preschooler needs before
elementary.

High School
• WONDER: Every one of us has a desire to marvel. We are looking for
something to amaze us, something to incite wonder. There’s a generation of
students growing up in today’s church who are somehow missing the wonder of
who God really is and believing that He isn’t big enough for their experiences.
• DISCOVERY: Every person is wired for adventure. We are curious from the
womb. We want to explore, to see something we have never seen, something
that helps us understand new things about ourselves. Many students today
never make the discovery of who they are in light of God’s truth, and many feel
that He isn’t relevant to their lives.
• PASSION: Every one of us longs to make a connection, to make a difference,
to have intimacy, romance, companionship. Many students today fail to engage in
a God-given passion to become authentically involved in the lives of others.
They don’t feel He is real enough for their relationships.
http://www.xp3students.org/about/strategy.php

Elementary
• I need to make the wise choice.
• I can trust God no matter what.
• I should treat others the way I want to
be treated.

252 Basics: The Concept
• 252 Basics is a unique approach to curriculum for churches
and Christian schools. It is built around three Basic Truths every
child should embrace according to what Jesus modeled in Luke
2:52.
• Each Basic Truth is amplified by a weekly key concept and
systematically taught over a three-year track. The curriculum
includes 150 Bible stories and is based on a Core Virtue and
Memory Verse as the framework for each month.

252 Basics: Who Is It For?
• 252 Basics curriculum plans are designed for
kids in 1st–5th grade.
• These materials are appealing to different kinds
of learners.

252 Basics: What Does It Look Like?
• PLUG IN : Focus the Energy (Small groups, 10-15 minutes)
• Plug In is designed to introduce children to the day’s topic in a setting that gives
them individualized attention from their Small Group Leader and plenty of
interaction with a small group of peers.
• POWER UP : Engage the Heart (Large group, 20-25 minutes)
• Power Up is designed to engage children in worship in a large group setting. Music,
prayer, and an innovative approach to the Bible story are always a part of this
interactive time.
• CATCH ON : Make the Connection (Small groups, 25-30 minutes)
• Catch On is designed to help kids understand how the day’s topic applies to them.
They’ll discuss real-life experiences, interact with a close-knit group of peers, and
participate in a variety of activities that appeal to different learning styles. Life-
application and memory-verse activities, as well as prayer, are always a part of this
hands-on time.

Pre School
• God made me
• God love me.
• Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

First Look: The Concept
• First Look uses several key strategies:
• Teach less for more: Repeats one key truth (Bottom Line) all
month long
• Engage the five senses: Helps master the concept through
creative activities
• Teach with the end in mind: Helps a child by age five, to believe:
• Experience worship: Encourages children to talk to
God any time, any place
• Connect at home: Provides parents with ideas for
conversation with their child at home

First Look: The Vision
• MAKE IT FUN
• Each teaching lesson begins with activities
that are fun and welcoming. These activities
are designed to make the children feel drawn
into the classroom. Not only do they help the
children become more comfortable in their
classroom, they also introduce the Bottom
Line for the month. In addition, these activities
build community with leaders and friends.

First Look: The Vision
• MAKE IT TRUE
• After a fun time with classroom friends, children are led to a large
group time for the Bible story and worship. Whether you tell the
Bible story in a classroom or theater, this is when children get to hear
the truth of God’s Word and rejoice through worship.
• First Look provides the Bible story in words that children will
understand and relate to their own lives. By telling the story in an
exciting and interactive manner, we enable children to want to learn
about God and all that He has done.
• During worship, children are encouraged to openly express their love
for who God is and praise Him for all He has created. The curriculum
recommends songs as well as provides hand motions. Get up and
dance with the children! In addition, leaders are equipped to teach the
month’s memory verse in this section.

First Look: The Vision
• MAKE IT STICK
• Children return to their classroom to
participate in a variety of activities that will
help them apply what they have learned. These
activities may be crafts, games, or even yummy
snacks. Each activity reinforces that month’s
Bottom Line in a fun and interactive way.
Throughout this time of the lesson the
Bottom Line is repeated to be sure each child
knows the truth of God’s love.

First Look: The Vision
• MAKE IT REAL
• Three- through 5-year-olds are led into a small group time
where they can personalize the lesson and have a time for
prayer. In small groups, relationships grow as children are
encouraged to share their thoughts about the Bottom Line and
talk to God in their own words.
• SMALL TALK
• The Small Talk cards provide parents with information on what
their preschooler learned that day, as well as an activity or
discussion topic to continue that learning at home. What
happens at home is more important than what happens at
church.

Procedure:
• You know you are going to be gone:
Contact Cole McGee the monday before
you will be gone.
• Emergency Absence: Contact Cole McGee
by phone ASAP.
• Cole will find your subs for you.