Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers:
I think anyone who regularly attends Ascension of Christ can easily say that we’re a church in action! There is a lot going on, and what a blessing it is to be a part of this growth as we follow God as he leads us.
I have recently accepted the responsibility of coordinating the selection of a new curriculum for our children’s ministry—a ministry that includes preschoolers through 6th graders. I truly have a passion for this ministry and I pray our children come to know the passion that God has for them!
We are looking at some new and different children’s education curriculums. I am very excited about this, and I certainly feel that it’s time for a change. My hope is to find a program that is stimulating, upbeat, fun for those who are leading, and one that encourages the kids to participate. Oh, yes, and it certainly must teach about Jesus’ love for them through his death and resurrection!
One
program that grabbed our attention is called Kingdom
Quest. It’s a curriculum developed by a pastor
from King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
It’s very interactive with the children and presents
the Bible-based lessons using costumed characters, puppets,
videos and more! Now, we’re not talking Broadway,
but it’s definitely more than our “Sunday
school” has been in the past. Many churches have
had tremendous success with this program and have experienced
considerable growth in their children's ministry.
Kingdom Quest is Jesus-centered, and the children will be challenged to take their faith into everyday applications. Please see the “overall objectives” of the program.
To present the program effectively, we need a number of people on board to assist. Before we dive head-first into deep water, we’re going to test the water first. Once a month beginning in March, we’ll use the Kingdom Quest curriculum on a Sunday to see how it works for us. On the Sundays in between, we’ll continue with our current CPH lessons.
We’ll start each Kingdom Quest Sunday with a large-group opening. The large-group leader will help present some kind of skit, puppet show, etc. to set the theme or story for the morning. After the opening, the kids will break up into their respective age groups with their Shepherds (the new word for teacher). Here, the morning’s story will be reinforced with a craft, additional story presentation, or the like.
The lessons use active learning methods and utilize multiple senses. As an observer, you may think it looks like a mini VBS at times, but it certainly won’t be as involved. Your children will also bring home sheets called "God Talk at Home." Please use these for your family devotions or even one-on-one time with your child to talk about that week's lesson.
While they have fun learning about Jesus and his love for them, the children will also be building relationships with those who are involved in presenting the program. The large group leader will present the Bible event, and the Shepherds will focus on connecting with the kids relationally, helping them to apply God's truth to their lives. It's more than just giving them information. What a gift to share this with a child!
Our first Kingdom Quest Sunday will be March 5th. The large-group opening will start at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. I’m praying now that your child(ren) will be able to join us for this important and exciting morning!
This is such an encouraging time to be involved in children's ministry. Perhaps the Lord is leading you to use your gifts to make an impact among children. With this new curriculum, we need people with different gifts to help in the roles of:
- Shepherd: small group leader
- Supply coordinator: gathers supplies for each lesson’s crafts, etc. (crafts are already planned; all you do is gather materials)
- Large group leader: up front presenter
- Puppet/skit team
- Welcome team
Please contact me if you sense the Lord calling you to invest yourself in one of these ministries or if you have any questions about the Kingdom Quest curriculum.
In the meantime, thank you in advance for your prayers. Please pray…
- for our children—that they may be blessed by this program as they learn more about God’s love for them.
- for Ascension of Christ—that we support this ministry with everything possible.
- for potential leaders—that those feeling called would be willing to let God use them in the capacity that he sees fit.
- for the opportunity that God has given us through this program to reach out to kids and their families who might not otherwise have a church home or a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Blessings to you,
Jennifer Zucconi
Objectives of the Program
What is the overall objective of the curriculum?
Kids Kount Curriculum seeks to lead children into active discipleship. Active discipleship is daily trusting, loving and following Jesus as Savior and Lord. Active discipleship equips children to penetrate their world as witnesses for Jesus and to engage fully in the activities of a disciple.
What about this curriculum leads to active discipleship?
This curriculum pursues active discipleship through five goals.
1. Equipping for Ministry - Children are not only receivers of ministry, but they should be equipped to do ministry. They should not merely be treated as passive receptors of information, but rather disciples equipped to take their faith into their weekly activities. Kids are ministers, too. They have spiritual gifts and talents to be used in ministry to others. They have financial gifts and gifts of time to invest in the kingdom. They need to see themselves as followers of Jesus who penetrate their world as "salt and light." God will use them to make a difference in the world!
2. Centering on Jesus - This curriculum points to Jesus in every lesson as the living Savior who brings the power of forgiveness and new life. Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is the One who transforms our lives into his likeness. This is the goal of our faith and the goal of this curriculum. "God wanted his people throughout the world to know the glorious riches of this mystery - which is Christ living in you, giving you the hope of glory. We spread the message about Christ as we entrust and teach everyone with all the wisdom there is. We want to present everyone as mature Christian people. I work hard and struggle to do this while his mighty power works in me" (Colossians 1:27-29).
3. Learning with Fun - Kids learn best when having fun in a creative environment. Fun learning for them is active participation not passive observation. This curriculum intends learning to be an active process engaging multiple senses and learning styles. Using items from potatoes to squirt guns, from warm-up games to drama, kids are encountering Gods' Word in a fun and creative manner. Variety and surprises capture the children's imagination and keep them coming back for more. Maybe that is what God had in mind when he invited us to experience him with the words, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalms 34:8).
4. Building on Relationships - Jesus had close friends. He knew his disciples well, and he really cared for them. His message of the Gospel was life changing, but his method of delivering it was changeless. Discipleship growth best happens in close relationships, one with another. Today's children's ministry is much more than transmitting information. It is communicating love. Children today need significant relationships with adults who care for them. Because this curriculum uses small group settings with activities that build relationships, shepherds can really connect with the kids in their groups. Kids can bond with each other as well. "Dear friends, if this is the way God loved us, we must also love each other" (1 John 4:11).
5. Adjusting for Flexibility - Every children's ministry has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Curriculum is but a tool that needs to be sharpened and honed by the people using it. This curriculum is formatted for easy editing at the local level and expects to be changed and modified to better fit other churches. Edits might include an optional puppet script, an object lesson, a reference to a video, or another craft idea. This curriculum then might develop a life of its own as more and more creative suggestions develop and expand.
Parents, for more information about Kingdom Quest, visit their homepage at: www.kidskountpublishing.com