The document provides an overview of the Master Guide curriculum and training program. It describes Master Guides as the highest level of leadership for Adventurer and Pathfinder youth programs. The curriculum aims to develop leadership skills and guide youth in areas like nature, outreach, service, and healthy living. It outlines the requirements to become a Master Guide, including prerequisites, mentorship, workshops, and portfolio requirements. Candidates have up to three years to complete the program with the help of a mentor to ensure they gain the skills and knowledge to lead Adventist youth worldwide.

1. TEACHING THE MASTER
GUIDE CURRICULUM
RESOURCES: 1. GC MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM 2015
2. MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION
BY SOUTHERN ASIAPACIFIC DIVISION

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Master Guide - the highest level of Invested leadership
within the Adventurer/ Pathfinder programs of the church.
General leadership skills are then woven into the
sharpening of those skills, which are specifically geared to
leading youth in GOD-ORDAINED areas of development:
-understanding God’s world of nature,
-outreach ministry,
-service to others, and
-a life-style that denotes healthy living
Master Guide Curriculum Manual 2015 - Pg 7

3. “You can’t teach what you don’t know, and
you can’t lead where you won’t go.”
As leaders, we must not only be good at
spouting theory if we expect to see
success with our youth ministry; we
must live what we preach and
demonstrate it.
Master Guide Curriculum Manual 2015 – pg 7

4. Master Guide Curriculum and Training
-This currciulum provides a world wide standard of training that gives youth leaders the
core skill resources and knowledge that they need to lead Adventist youth anywhere in
the world, provides a world wide standard of training. It is important for participants to
complete these requirements with integrity, honesty and commitment.
-To assist in establishing a “standard” level of learning, each candidate is required to
produce a PORTFOLIO, a collection of documents, evidence and examples that
demonstrate completion of their studies.
- Much of the study and work that a candidate will do will be done on
their own, under the guidance and review of an established Master
Guide acting as their mentor.
Master Guide Curriculum Manual 2015 – pg 8

5. Master Guide Curriculum and Training
It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to
maintain his or her partially completed training
records. Since we are dealing with adult leaders, it
is not unreasonable to assume that they can keep
their documents in order.
Master Guide Curriculum Manual 2015– pg 8

6. The Mentor
It is recommended that the candidate recruit or be assigned
an experienced, knowledgeable Master Guide to act as a
mentor. This mentor will guide and oversee the completion
of the curriculum requirements. The mentor is not there to
complete the requirements for the participant, but to gently
look over their shoulder and give constructive instruction
and encourage practical application of lessons learned.
While mentors should be invested Master Guides, they do not
have to have completed all levels of Adventurer and Pathfinder
classwork MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 16

7. The Mentor
In some cases, distance or other factors may
make it impossible to be mentored by a Master
Guide. In such situations, the
Conference/Mission should seek out trained
pastors or teachers to fulfill this mentorship
role.
MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 16

8. PORTFOLIOS
Here is a sample Portfolio.
The cover insert can be
downloaded from the GC
Youth Ministries web site.
The checklist should be
the first page in the binder,
followed by supporting
materials as outlined in
this manual. The candidate
may choose to produce
their Portfolio
electronically.

9. PORTFOLIOS
The purpose of the portfolio is not only to show completion
of all the requirements, but also to be an authoritative
referral source when candidate is faced with similar issues
in the future.
This evidence can come in the form of signed class cards or
sign in sheets, class handouts and/or photographs of
participants involved in, or leading applicable activities. This
MG CURRICULUM MANUAL provides guidelines on required
documentation with each curriulum requirement.
The content of the portfolio is what counts, not the form of that
content. MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 17

10. PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Portfolio reviews are to be conducted by one or more
Master Guide(s) appointed by the Conference/Mission.
The purpose of the Portfolio review is to verify completion of
the curriculum requirements. Each Portfolio is reviewed with
a simple Complete/Incomplete and promptly returned to the
candidate.
Any “Incomplete” should include a written explanation of
what needs to be adjusted, and opportunity be given for
further Portfolio review(s). MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 19

11. PROGRAM COMPLETION
It is considered reasonable to take up to three
years to complete the requirements of this program
after all prerequisites have been completed.
If a candidate is taking longer than usual, the
Conference/Mission should review the situation and
consider whether to grant an extension, rather than
asking for requirements completed outside the
normal time frame to be updated.
MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 20

12. PROGRAM COMPLETION
A candidate without reasonable cause for extension will need to
redo the specific requirements which fall outside of the three-year
time frame.
The goal is to encourage candidates to complete Master Guide and
to provide life-long service to the church.
Final approval is at the determination of the reviewing Master
Guide following the guidelines of the local Conference/Mission Youth
Director or their designated representative.
MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 20

13. DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MANUALS

15. Section Requirements
1. Be a baptized member, in regular standing, of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The Master Guide program is not intended for training of secular, nonChristian, or
non-Adventist leaders. It is intended to provide training for Adventists who desire to
lead and mentor youth. As such, one needs to be committed to the Adventist church
and its unique beliefs. This commitment is exhibited not only in your Christian walk,
but in your regular participation with the life and ministry of a local Adventist
Church.

16. This in no way minimizes the amazing skills, passion and
commitment of many teenage leaders, but simply
recognizes the legal implications of leadership.
2. BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE TO START THIS CARD
AND 18 YEARS OF AGE AT INVESTITURE.
3.COMPLETE A BACKGROUND CHECK AND CHILD PROTECTION
COURSE, AND BE APPROVED BY YOUR CONFERENCE/MISSION.
“Church should be a safe place to bring our
children. Everyone involved with children who are
minors must meet all Church and legal standards
and requirements.” (Church Manual, Edition 19, 174-
175)

17. The main goal for a background check is to uncover criminal records,
specifically sex offender records, which could represent a threat for
children and youth. The way to perform a background check varies
from country to country, so the candidate should consult your local
Conference/Mission and identify the standard procedure for your
area. Although a report from the local church board could be a
valuable reference, an official background check is preferable when
possible.
3.COMPLETE A BACKGROUND CHECK AND CHILD PROTECTION COURSE,
AND BE APPROVED BY YOUR CONFERENCE/MISSION.

18. 4.WITH YOUR MENTOR, PRAYERFULLY DISCUSS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MASTER
GUIDE AND WHY YOU WANT TO BECOME A MASTER GUIDE. INCLUDE A WRITTEN
ONE-PAGE REPORT OR VIDEO IN YOUR PORTFOLIO.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with
my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8, NIV). God’s direction and advice are always our
best option, so praying before making decisions as a leader will always be the
right procedure.
The candidate and mentor should discuss questions such as the following:
• What is the meaning of Master Guide?
• Why do you want to become a Master Guide?
• How would you use your training for God and the church after investiture?
Young People loves the various activities of the Master Guide
Curriculum, but Mentors should give a great emphasis on ministering
to younger ones specilally the Adventurer and Pathfinder age.

19. Workshops may be adapted and/or substituted by the local
Conference/Mission to provide the most thorough, relevant training to
candidates. The recommended workshop length is 75-90 minutes, and
should include a balance of lecture (theory), discussion (processing
the information), and practice (applying the lessons). Each workshop
should be taught by instructors trained and approved by the
Conference/Mission.

27. NOTE:
MASTER GUIDE CURRICULUM MANUAL ADAPTED VERSION pg 23-64

28. Continuing Education for Master Guides
Once the Master Guide level has been completed, most leaders feel
they “have arrived” and now have the necessary tools to properly
guide their junior youth through the programs the church has for them.
This feeling of adequacy may last a short time or for quite awhile, but
sooner or later one begins to sense that things are changing, the
youth are different, their needs are different, and that somehow we
have lost our leader edge. We realize that we need to “step up our
game.”
Advanced training is needed, and the church has provided several
options to fulfill that need.

29. AFTER 5 YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE,
UPGRADE TO :

31. THANK
YOU!